Maggie Smith was the grandest of grande dames – and a true cinematic superstar | Peter Bradshaw
Before she reached a new level of celebrity in the 21st century, Smith had a remarkable big-screen career, channelling her stage presence into the camera whether as Jean Brodie or her tragic, absurd ‘aunt’ persona
• Oscar-winning star of stage and screen, dies aged 89
• Maggie Smith – a life in pictures
• Obituary: A distinguished, double Oscar-winning actor
• Ol Parker remembers Maggie Smith: ‘Every day she and Judi would swim in their Victorian swimsuits’
Maggie Smith thought she was famous after The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, in 1969; she gave a glorious, Oscar-winning performance in her mid-30s in the movie based on the Muriel Spark novel, and no actor ever intuited Spark’s world more brilliantly. Smith became the Edinburgh schoolmistress (and, oh dear, the term “schoolteacher” won’t do at all). Her Miss Jean Brodie is imperious, haughty, vulnerable, sexually attractive, prone to admiring fascism and terribly lonely. Her delicate, open face registered a kind of wounded and delusional idealism and poignantly absurd conceit, a complicated, funny portrayal that went above and beyond a hackneyed comedy of “spinsterism”.
Nearly 20 years later, in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne from 1987, she played a rather Brodie-esque woman being courted by the unreliable Bob Hoskins; it was a more serious performance, and in 1993, she received a special Bafta for her remarkable screen career.
Continue reading...Date: |
-
The New York Times - Top stories
Maggie Smith, Grande Dame of Stage and Screen, Dies at 89
She earned an extraordinary array of awards, from Oscars to Emmys to a Tony, but she could still go almost everywhere unrecognized. Then came “Downton Abbey.”14 minutes ago -
BBC News - Top stories
From small stage to big screen, Dame Maggie's moving performances always stole the show
One of Britain's best-loved performers, she was as much at home with comedy as with drama.5 hours ago -
CBS News - Top stories
Dame Maggie Smith | 60 Minutes Archive
Dame Maggie Smith has died at age 89. In 2013, she spoke to Steve Kroft about acting, aging and the phenomenon of the dowager Countess of Grantham, her "Downton Abbey" character.40 minutes ago -
ABC News - Top stories
Dame Maggie Smith, venerable British actress, dies at 89
Maggie Smith, a lauded British actress who starred in "Harry Potter" and "Downton Abbey" has died at the age of 89.3 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Six of Dame Maggie's greatest performances
Here are some of Maggie Smith's most celebrated and revered performances.3 hours ago -
The New York Times - Lifestyle
Maggie Smith: A Life in Pictures
She had a long, award-winning career as a screen and stage actress, finally becoming a household name with her memorable turn in “Downton Abbey.”1 hour ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Middle East crisis live: Iran says Israeli strike on Beirut ‘changes the rules of the game’ as Israel braces for potential retaliation
Israel says it carried out multiple strikes on Hezbollah’s main military HQ in Beirut suburbs; Nasrallah’s condition is unclear. The Israeli military said drones and rockets crossed into Israeli ...23 minutes ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
Zelenskyy says he and Trump share ‘common view’ that Ukraine war must end – US politics live
Ukrainian president says talk with former US president ‘very productive’ but it is unclear if he and Trump reached genuine consensus behind closed doors. Appearing with the Ukrainian president, ...22 minutes ago - Ukraine -
The Guardian - World
50 people trapped on hospital roof in Tennessee; at least 20 killed by Helene in south-east US – live
Patients and staff at hospital in Erwin, Tennessee are stranded; death toll continues to rise in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Multiple people killed as deadly storm hits south-eastern ...24 minutes ago -
The Guardian - World
Maggie Smith, Oscar-winning star of stage and screen, dies aged 89
In a career that began in the 1950s, her roles ranged from Desdemona to Miss Jean Brodie, Virginia Woolf and Minerva McGonagall. Peter Bradshaw: Maggie Smith, the grandest of grandes dames ...1 hour ago -
The Guardian - World
Poverty in Argentina soars to over 50% as Milei’s austerity measures hit hard
Far-right president has been battling inflation by imposing steep cuts in spending, resulting in widespread poverty. Argentina’s poverty rate has soared to almost 53% in the first six months of ...46 minutes ago