Gloria
Rewatched for 45th anniversary today.
This is a gritty little firecracker of a film; part gangster noir, part offbeat love letter to survival. Gena Rowlands owns the screen as Gloria, a gun-toting ex-mob gal turned reluctant guardian. She’s all sharp edges and tired eyes, but with a buried heart she swears doesn’t beat anymore.
And oh, that kid. I love him in this. He’s got this tough New York sass that somehow blends beautifully with Gloria’s weary strength. The musical score is haunting too, moody and rich. It lingers in the bones. It is one of those movies that doesn’t try to be beautiful, but somehow is.