Poor Lili Taylor! First, that abominable 1999 remake of "The Haunting," then flying through the air, practically spread eagled, hair strewn, vomit spewing from her mouth, in "The Conjuring." Last night, as Martha Thornhll, she gave an understated and shrewd performance, which was refreshing to see. The episode, dealing with the sex trafficking of young girls, has been done before, and was not especially well written, but Lili's performance as Martha was the most impressive guest turn since Celia Keenan-Bolger last season, and there should be more like them.
Though I kept wondering whether or not the part had been written for Marcia Gay Harden, who, after the Dana Debacle, may have washed here hands of 'SVU,' and who could blame her????????????
Lili played it both ways. When she first showed up, it took me a long time to trust her; I wasn't sure she was undercover, as she said she was, or in on the whole thing. But when she and her daughter, Ariel, embraced in the hospital--a moving scene--I knew Lili had been one of the good guys. Not a cop, just a caring person, basically doing a Harper Anderson with the traffickers. Too bad Tracy Pollan could not have come back as Harper. How I wish she would.
It was also nice to see Donal Logue--with he and Peter Scanavino, and less of that Pino guy, the 'SVU' men are getting hotter, Logue's appearance, as Declan Murphy was a short one--just this segment--but how I wish he would be made Sergeant, and Olivia demoted back to Detective!
The show would be better, and Noah would have more time with her.
But that plot contrivance about gangster Johnny D (for Drake) being Noah's biological father, is pure crap!
At least Noah is a toddler again, this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lili Taylor also had a completely unheralded and undetected guest appearance in another series earlier this season (oddly enough, in a 180 turn from this SVU role, as a villainous bitch who abducts children to harvest their organs, up against Donal Logue as a cop yet again).
ReplyDeleteThe series was "Gotham," a show I'm embarrassed to admit has become my favorite guilty pleasure of the year. Something about the early promos suggested I should record the show for future viewing despite my lack of interest, because I'm a fan of stunning cinematography (and the way this show is photographed, every episode belongs in the Louvre).
When I finally got around to sampling it a couple weeks ago, I had to force myself not to binge watch all the way up to the present 16th episode. From the amazing art direction, set design, photography and clever use of obscure NYC locations to some shockingly good performances (who thought Jada Pinkett Smith could be this enthralling in ANY role?), "Gotham" is addictive, high-quality junk food (the Godiva Chocolates of television).
It doesn't hurt to have 100% spot-on perfect casting of all the regulars, plus killer guest stars like Lili Taylor (who was completely unrecognizable until she opened her mouth: you'd know that voice anywhere). She was utterly vile on "Gotham," luring naive starving street urchins to her counterfeit "Mayoral Outreach Food Truck" with the promise of fried chicken and hamburgers, then ruthlessly shooting them up with horse tranquilizers. Without a shred of conscience or pity, I couldn't wait for Donal Rogue to take her out as violently as possible. Pure evil.
Must be a thing about actresses named Lily or Lili: they always seem to be remarkable.
Lili Taylor
ReplyDeleteYou may be right; don't forget Lillian Gish! Never heard of "Gotham," but it sounds interesting. And Donal Logue is a very interesting actor! He needs to be on 'SVU' more often!