Excellent writing and profile. Perfect for reading on Mother’s Day with a cup of coffee. ☺️.Author captured her well.
And I had to laugh at the “Orient Express” comment; I have a few friends like that—enthusiastic, charismatic, suggesting something that you know will never come to pass but makes you smile anyway.
I loved “Enlightened” and was stunned when it wasn’t renewed. But similar in age, I’ve seen many of her movies and remember being particularly impressed with “Rambling Rose” and “Citizen Ruth” (as sardonic and silly as it was). I look forward to season 2 of “Big Little Lies,” and this profile makes me want to hunt up more of her movies.
10
I haven't seen most of her films - my loss - but I first noticed her in "Blue Velvet" co-starring with the incredibly scary and weird Dennis Hopper (he scares me every time I see it). Ms Dern is a splendid actress in my view.
5
It's too bad that I can't like her as an actress. I did before I briefly, barely, met her some 30 years ago. I loved her work up to that point but she glared at me the entire time I was near her at a club (during a Ben Harper performance, I was there as a guest of the record label) despite me smiling at her when we "met". It was very weird and went on - strange and uncomfortable. Maybe she thought I was someone else??? Haven't been able to watch her since, not Big Little Lies even, which is filmed in my home town and stars other actors that I love. I can't even enjoy this article, sad to say, without feeling like it's a big little lie.
4
Enlightened was fabulous, I hated when it was cancelled.
Love her in Big Little Lies as well, glad the new season will soon be here.
5
I had the incredible pleasure of meeting Laura immediately after Blue Velvet came out. A dear friend and teacher of mine who mentored my Shakespearean ambitions, Mr. Cal Winn, had invited me up to Drew University where he was playing Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra and Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet in repertory. Kyle MacLachlan was playing Romeo, and he and Laura were rather in love at the time and inhabiting the little brick apartment beside our own.
Whenever Laura was bored with Kyle’s rehearsals or just stayed back in the apartment, I’d knock on her door and we’d enjoy little afternoon repartees whilst our friends rehearsed or performed. Sometimes Kyle would be there (ironing his hair! He had bizarre obsessive rituals) and at those times she’d roll her eyes and advise me to check back later.
What I remember most about her were those piercingly gentle, keenly intelligent blue eye; fiery passionate eyes that matched the delicious product of her mouth’s intellectual utterances, or even the small chit chat of no import.
One night, after a southern fried chicken supper in Madison, we strolled the moonlit summer’s eve together, beneath dappled maples above us, which embraced the street on both sides. Passing all those old wood frame homes, I couldn’t but help laugh out loud remembering the very scene in Blue Velvet when they did the same thing.
How sad I was when we bid farewell. I knew I would never be invited to the ball that belonged to them. I miss her still.
8
Women hide their scar lines in front of and behind ears following facelift with new hairdos!
1
I love her and her family.
3
I love Ms. Dern's work, and also found it refreshing to read a profile that didn't veer off into endless discussion of a celebrity's marital status, whom she is or is not dating, and her entire romantic history.
20
I realize that this will probably come off as "bizarre," but Laura Dern was "too good" in Enlightened. Her acting was so brilliant that it was painful to watch her character's life unravel, with multiple rejections and hurtful comments.
13
Loved Enlightened. But her mom stole every scene she was in. I loved her world-weary, pragmatic, unromantic take on life. But then she loved roses.
4
I haven't seen most of these, but I would definitely recommend CITIZEN RUTH. Brilliant in every way.
6
"The Tale" is one of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen. It is also a great movie , and Laura Dern's performance is one of her best. In fact, the whole cast is sterling, and the phenomenal performances help the viewer get through the excruciatingly difficult subject matter.
7
She is definitely an expressive actor. You watch her face and are riveted. Laura Linney does that too and the inimitable Emma Thompson. So watchable, all. So talented Dern, as her parents before her, dives into her roles; she all in. It's admirable, her work ethic and dedication to her craft. Sure she had actor parents paving the way. Yet one has to prove oneself or just remain in blah roles as favors, or fade away if not good enough.. Dern is, as her parents before her not a fader. She is here to stay.
10
---That...was an excellently written article/interview. Substantial.
30
curious that her work in "october sky" is overlooked, she created a character, a teacher, by the way, that had a major influence over kids who had a major influence over a point in time that opened a new era in american science and resolve...it may be that the more spectacular things that seem to have distracted ms smallwood, were intensified in their necessary compression in her character's management of the conflicting circumstances presented by the film...all the more masterly.
11
@ecco October Sky was a rock solid and wonderful movie, it rose my spirit. Flipped through the channels, picked this for no apparent reason, watched and it blew me away. A simple straight forward movie of humanity without super heroes, monsters etc. Laura was wonderful, a human being caring for other human being. Need more movies like this...
5
@ecco I agree whole-heartedly. October Sky is a perennial favorite and Ms Dern's understated role is one that left a memorable impression.
5
@ecco
thanks for this insight and recommendation
1
Unfortunately, if a young actor is instructed to "respond to cues like, 'act like a bee is stinging you' rather than to sexually suggestive dialogue", her performance is likely to look like a bee is stinging her.
We are all exposed frequently in real life to more "sexually suggestive dialogue" than a writer is ever going to get away with in a movie script.This tactic is designed more to protect the producers from activists than it is to shield the actors from what they are certainly already familiar with.
And, by the way, the assertion that a praiseworthy scene "could not be shot today" is nothing for the culture to be proud of. If we have nothing left in our art but parables, then we no longer have real art.
6
@ERP She was talking about a child actor in a sexually charged scene. Action and reaction were filmed separately. Under the circumstances, this was entirely appropriate.
13
@ERP Did you see the film? The young actress was remarkable. But it all worked precisely because you could tell from the moment it started that this production was taking care of all the actors and not exploiting them. I am a theatre artist, acting teacher and victims’ advocate for a crisis response agency, and I was deeply impressed by the clear care taken to tell an important story without undue exposure of the child actress. When people of any age are being exploited in performance, it takes you out of the world of the play or ilm and you worry about the actor. It’s not only cruel to actors, it’s destructive to the storytelling.
9
Enlightened was amazing. When Dern read her letter from therapy to her very uncomfortable mother - priceless! I had a postcard on the visor of my car for years. It read "Other People Ruin Everything." Dern's character wanted something from her mother that her mother was incapable of giving. Both actresses were perfection. Enlightened, Getting On, and The Comeback - all incredible shows highlighting the work of incredible actresses!
6
Almost no one has mentioned Jurassic Park. That one moment where she first see the brontosaurus. She starts to stand up in the Jeep and is taking off her sunglasses. And the look of utter astonishment on her face is a thing of beauty. Not one trace of acting in that look. A moment that you totally believe. From then on, I have loved Ms. Dern immensely.
12
I thought she was absolutely brilliant in Enlightened.
So many layers to her character.
My wife and I were really disappointed the show only lasted 2 seasons.
That said, we were also surprised when it was renewed.
NOT because it wasn't fabulous, but because it was unlike anything we'd ever seen before.
She is a treasure!!
15
Enjoyed Citizen Ruth, Wild at Heart, and especially loved her in the first Jurassic Park. That scene when the Raptor is chasing her and she savagely kicks the fence door into its face - Amazing!
4
Enlightened was one of the most remarkable shows I've ever seen. It managed to mirror perfectly the journey of spiritual awakening while telling the story in a way that could appeal to a much broader audience.
I watched it a couple of years into my own journey and was floored again and again by Laura's artful, entertaining and poignant portrayal of Amy Jellicoe. In the end I fell in love with both of them.
10
Dern was extraordinary in the HBO film "The Tale."
3
Enlightened was SPECtacular. And that first episode?? Wowie.
11
Really interesting and well put together. Thank you. She is a fantastic person to watch, and getting better with time. This is partly a list of older things to revisit, and partly a call to arms for those of us who enjoy aging and want to contribute to the lives of those who follow us.
From one geek to another, though, and said with love: Ms Dern was 'to the manor born', not 'to the manner...' :-) so rare from the NYT, it rated a giggle...
14
@Kristie M, I noticed that, too, and wondered if it wasn't done playfully on purpose? :)
3
I thought so also, though a thoughtful writer could easily indicate that deftly in the sentence construction. I dismay of my efforts to encourage my pre-teen and early university children to read higher level texts - as this type of un-referenced, incorrect referential phrase would potentially mis-educate them?
It is incredibly elitist and clubby not to explain something like this - keeps the "knowing" only to a small group who already know, and tricks those who do not, so they might later use it improperly and be outed?
1
@Kristie M -- With respect, I (like Wayfarer) think it was an intentional play on words by the AU; there's no way that the NYT copy desk wouldn't have picked up on the error.
2
Laura Dern is one of those women who become better looking with age. Lucky her!
2
I might have to do a Laura Dern film festival after reading this.
9
@Steve Beck I have literally just sourced every film mentioned and I am basically about to do it this weekend.
3
I love Laura Dern's performances. I think my favorites are in "Citizen Ruth," by Alexander Payne and "Certain Women," by Kelly Reichardt, which is one of my favorite films.
Dern was also incredible in early work such as "Smooth Talk," by Joyce Chopra, and "Rambling Rose," by Martha Coolidge. I also loved Dern's performance in "99 Homes," by Ramin Bahrani.
It's always a pleasure to see Laura Dern work with her Mom, Diane Ladd, and her father, Bruce Dern, of course. So much talent in that gene pool.
She is so great in "Big Little Lies."
Can't wait to see Laure Dern in "The Tale," by Jennifer Fox and also in "J.T. Leroy," which looks like it might be really good. Very excited to see it!
Dern is one of those actors who is so fine, that she makes you want to see a film regardless of the plot, the genre, the director, or even the reviews.
4
Laura Dern is an American treasure.
Her performance as Amy Jellicoe in Enlightened was compassionate and raw. The scenes between her and her mother were so brave and touching, and her monologue on the river trip with her ex husband is heartbreaking and profound. Seek it out.
16
Tilda Swinton and Laura Dern. Two-peas-in-a-pad and without a doubt, in my mind, talented and gifted.
5
Great writing and photographs.
Laura Dern seems like a friend whom I've known for years, and we meet only during great moments of entertainment.
I can count on one hand how many people I "don't know" that I feel that way about.
4
Very early in her career I sat next to her father Bruce On a flight. I noticed who he was and said hey your Laura's father right? He smiled laughed and said yes I guess I better get used to that. I've always admired her acting skills and unconventional beauty, I kept that to myself though.
10
Did she start with a messy hair-do?
3
@Rich: Don't know, but it looks "amazing" on her.
I saw Laura Dern in big little lies and I was amazed by her performance. She’s at a different level because she doesn’t try to look good or attractive while playing. And she can transform into different characters. “A true actress” indeed. I’ve never seen her before but her acting is so real - truly unique in her art and profession.
7
Incredible to see an American actress actually looking her age. Gorgeous! Hopefully this photograph of the magical, mystical Ms. Dern will start a trend.
23
Well done, Erik Madigan Heck: a riveting photograph of a riveting actor.
12
The article— a tad too long.
I’ve watched quite a few of Dern’s movies, but why do I not remember her portrait of the character she was playing as worth remembering...
I just don’t.
She is one of those actresses, who lack that verve, I simply don’t notice her at all— she is a filler character ever since I’ve watched her— there, but so not, worth-there!
Can you imagine Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, Kristin Scott Thomas or Juliette Binoche... anyone of them even in a side role, and not getting noticed?
Oddly, what I do recall was her anger and vehemence (in real life), when Ms Jolie had pilfered away her fiancé Billy Bob Thornton, from right under her nose. Odd.
Perhaps because that is one time she wasn’t acting?
10
@Ash.
Jolie has spent a lot of time pilfering.
8
Like her father as well, a great actor. She melts into roles as any master of their craft does. While I do not know her personally, she seems to not be on some inflated ego trip and has aged naturally and gracefully. Excellent photo of her by Erik Madigan Heck .
4
Wow! That photo!
5
See! I would earnestly read her biography if she published it, but not woody allens, sorry!
1
She’s just great.
4
Thank you, Laura Dern - for keeping your real face...
20
Love this photo with her obvious facial lines.
We're the same age……my face is doing the same things.
Thank you for the permission to age gracefully. Thank you for not airbrushing your beautiful face.
37
"Seacat believes, and Dern strongly affirms, that the artist is a 'wounded healer'” ...
Certainly the case for my favorite singers.
Meanwhile, back to Dern. What a performance in "Wild at Heart"!
1
Loved her in Blue Velvet!
1
Pretty Dern Amazing.
23
Laura, if you're reading this comment section, I want you to know how much I love your work. You are a true artist and master of your craft. Keep going!
5
I so wish I could get on board with the accolades, but I just don't see the depth, nuance or subtly the writer talks about. I see, over and over again, wooden and monochromatic performances from someone trying way too hard. Are you sure you're all not confusing her with the outstanding Laura Linney?
5
@CaliGirl I am sure the author is not confusing Ms. Dern with anyone because she is like no one else. A consummate professional, and brilliant actor.
5
Always thought she was a lightweight. Then I saw her play Katherine Harris in 2008 and thought WOW was I wrong. Like nothing I'd ever associated Laura Dern with before. On a lighter note, no mention here of her daring (at the time) and charming participation in the famous "Ellen" coming out episode in 1997?
12
@Jonathan Broder 1997 seems like yesterday, but when you put it that way, it was an era or two ago.
1
Brilliant article and brilliantly written. I am sharing it with my students. Thank you for it.
6
@Barb
and yes, "brilliantly written". a fascinating read about a woman and her craft.
3
@dru Indeed. Always been a fan of Laura Dern.
4
About time this overlooked master gets the limelight. Never really appreciated that she was held back from the money-making high profile films. It's a life lesson for everyone, taught to her by her parents, go for quality over quantity. We, the audience that appreciates her, are the beneficiaries--we've got so many quality projects from her and i suspect so many to come. No flash in the pan is this talent, she'll be entertaining, beguiling and intriguing us for years to come. I look forward to her future.
47
@John R Word!
2
Laura Dern was incredible in “Enlightened”. I so thoroughly enjoyed that series, but it was not renewed; a bit too dark and quirky to make it big.
Laura Dern is simply the best!
17
@Paul H S My sense was that "Enlightened" had succeeded in getting its point across, and I was troubled by the notion that its not being renewed should be taken as a negative. To me, it was a positive—work well done, time to get on with the next project!
Laura Dern is one of the best actors in generations. The breadth and depth of her work is astonishing. I’m so glad she’s still working.
13
I’m still rewatching Enlightened. Laura Dern is always believable and interesting. She finds the emotional pulse in her characters and audiences are able to feel that pulse. Bring back Enlightened! And more Laura Dern!
7
She has a knack for playing characters on the margins of polite society, the amazing "Citizen Ruth" being perhaps the sterling example. Not many other American actresses have molded such a distinctive, idiosyncratic career. She is a bit like an American counterpart to such Brits as Samantha Morton and Miranda Richardson.
14
She was amazing in Enlightened. That opening scene at the elevator, how could anybody forget that? Such a nice show and very insightful writing.
6
Check out Laura Dern in an episode of West Wing as America’s Poet Laureate. Oh if only it were so! Definitely worth digging out and watching. And great to see her finally receiving the recognition she deserves.
15
Beautiful and striking, with distinctive features that have character, Ms. Dern might have caught the attention of Dorothea Tanning, married to Max Ernst, both artists. Perhaps one day, she will play on stage a mythological woman from Homer's 'The Iliad', Penelope awaiting the return of Ulysses.
Late afternoon becomes her, and sending her way a spray of rambling roses this May, with wishes for many pink dawns on her life travels.
1
Terrific article about a real pro. Always plays a great part, this interview shows how she works at her craft. Loved her in “Wild at Heart” with Nicholas Cage.
9
Her performance in Recount from 2008 as Katherine Harris was incredible, capturing every nuance and flinch of that self serving, wretched woman. She's always interesting to watch.
15
It’s unfortunate that her talents were wasted in Twin Peaks The Return.
I bought the DVD and would like to return it to David Lynch for a refund.
The original Twin Peaks had so many memorable scenes it has become a classic.
There were absolutely no memorable scenes in The Return.
It was like a Lynch was vandalizing his own work.
Poor Albert, to have to work in this piece of trash at the end of his life.
And, of course, Laura deserves better.
1
@Coureur des Bois you must be joking. The original Twin Peaks was at many times unwatchably bad. The return was Lynch at his all time best.
Thoughtful, intelligent, emotionally complex, and incredibly talented and diverse actress. Never a sellout, and always rewarding to see on screen. She deserves her due of recognition. (and I too, like others here, thoroughly appreciated her conflicting and conflicted, hot mess character in Enlightened, boy was she good at making you feel uncomfortable with, yet compassionate towards her.)
39
I loved Enlightened! She was so authentic and affected. I wish they would bring it back!
25
Laura Dern is an absolute treasure — not only because of her great talent as an actress, but also because of the challenging, interesting roles she always takes on. If you need any proof of how she can infuse any role with epiphanies and more, just look at her limited role in the Reese Witherspoon movie, “Wild.” She has few scenes, but she immediately makes a mark — she’s ethereal but somehow always real — and that’s vital to understanding the journey Cheryl Strayed has accepted. We can talk all day and night about Dern’s great performances — both large and small — and the enormity of what they added to the works they appeared in. But I have to single out “Enlightened,” one of the most overlooked television series in the history of the medium. What she created in Amy Jellicoe — along with Mike White — was a woman so difficult to define, so real and heartbreaking and maddening all in the same breath, that I don’t think audience knew how to respond. The sparse audience for “Enlightened” and its ultimate cancellation by HBO remains among my most disappointing moments in TV.
49
I can’t agree more. Laura Dern is an amazing actress.
Last year I was working in a stressful job, feeling trapped, lonely, mistreated and very depressed. Then one day at my lowest I stumbled across Enlightened on Amazon Prime. For the first time in months I laughed and then cried. The show gave me strength. I just felt that I wasn’t alone anymore and that other people feel like this too. I have never felt so connected to a character like Amy Jellicoe before.
I was so disappointed that this show had been cancelled I stayed up late one night trying to find contact details for anyone connected with the making of the show. I then tried to convince people I knew in the industry to help me start a petition to get it put back on the air. It was such a unique show I never found any other show like it.
In my opinion this show will go down as one of the best incomplete series ever made. I want to know what happens after she confronts the company. There was so much promise.
I know everyone involved has probably moved on but if there is a chance they haven’t I beg you to give it another shot. The real life humor, sadness and empathy being presented is what people need more than ever.
In any event thank you to the cast and crew of Enlightened, especially Mike White, please know that your hard work made a difference to me at a very low point in my life. After I watched this show I interviewed for a new job and I have never been happier.
20
@MAI A scene I'll always remember in Enlightened is when Dern's character attends a gathering of liberal-minded leaders and influencers in the community. She is there courtesy of her date, an acclaimed journalist. She is thrilled to be in such high-status company. Then she is approached by a waiter at the event who recognizes her as a customer he has served at a restaurant she frequents. He is the only person at the gathering she is acquainted with. She is embarrassed by this fact, and responds to his friendliness with a tinge of condescension. It's a very brief scene in which Dern skillfully exposes her character for what she truly is: a woman who fancies herself a champion of working people -- but is simultaneously a snob and a social climber.
1
Laura Dern is always interesting to watch, and she is intelligent and heartfelt. Have been a fan since her very early days. And what a pedigree. Love that Laura Dern!
19
I love Erik Madigan’s portrait of Dern! It’s a nice change from the usual “deep thoughts” pose. A fresh take.
One of my favorite Dern films is one of her earliest roles. “Smooth Talk.” Her acting was so unaffected and pure in that simple, austere movie, the same way Natalie Portman shone in her small role in “Beautiful Girls.” I liked Dern a lot in the quirky “Enlightened” series, too. Less so in “Big Little Lies.” That role did not seem to fit her well.
10
She's such a wonderful actor that it's a treat to see her in anything but October Sky is my favorite movie that she's been in. I hope she never gives up acting.
18
I simply love to have mature women actors given their due -- and good parts. Laura Dern infuses her characters with life, and resists easy stereotyping. How hard that must be for women in that business. . .
24
We enjoyed her in Enlightened. I wish they would bring this back.
She is a risk taker and rises well above the mediocre stuff that is on TV these days.
15
One of the best, most underrated actors in American films, she should have won an Oscar for her performance as Reese Witherspoon's mom in "Wild." I can't think of another actress who could have been as affecting as she was in that intentionally vapid role in "Blue Velvet."
25
I've never forgotten her performance in "Smooth Talk." She was a revelation, and I've followed her closely ever since. I don't think she ever makes a false move on screen.
22
@Alexi Wasn't Smooth Talk based on a Joyce Carol Oates story and starred Laura Dern and Treat Williams which was mesmerizing. I have never forgotten it.
@lillianphilbin Still, I appreciate Laura's explaining why the dark power of Oates' story did not come through. Her honesty in this interview is refreshing.
Laura Dern is a national treasure.
34
Nothing but Dern love like all the comments. If you want to see how Laura can steal scene and be memorable in less than a few minutes. Look up her character on Kroll Show , where she plays C-Czar's mom. Momma's gotta fly clip. I could watch a whole movie of these two. Her comedic and character acting talents are fantastic.
1
She is my favorite woman actor.
6
She’s a fine actor, but in the photo it looks like her head shrank.
2
@CA Meyer: I find the photo arresting, and it captures everything Ms. Dern is able to capture through her acting.
1
"Citizen Ruth" amazing film with Laura Dern
18
Laura Dern is a class act.
6
Never cared much for her...lucky she was recipient of nepotism.
4
@Sharon: Yeah, lucky for us. Save your nepotism comments for Jaden Smith, Liz Cheney or Franklin Graham.
28
Ms. Dern makes every movie better. She could have been a star in any era.
"I don't know if you're a detective or a pervert."
10
She's more giraffe than ostrich? What kind of lame body judgment is that? Only in an article about a woman do we see that sort of nonsense--and in a purportedly laudatory article at that!
21
@Todd, a profile about a tall, long-limbed male actor would likely describe him as gangly. I’m not sure whether any animal comparison would differ — more stork than emu? Laura Dern does have a very long neck
6
I've always enjoyed Laura Dern. Her career has not been one that has jumped out into the limelight like some. However, she has had one heck of a career.
Thanks for this, it is a beautifully written piece.
9
Is there no end to the NYTimes' willingness to write articles at the prompting of publicity agents for otherwise useless actors or actresses, who are trying to generate income for themselves, such as Ms. Dern. Pathetic.
5
@Wendall: try a different side of the bed this morning.
Affirmation of artistry is not a publicity stunt in Dern's case. A profile was overdue and well-deserved (and not pathetic).
16
@Wendell Murray: They may be guilty of writing some of their pieces at the behest of publicists but Laura Dern- "useless"? Have you ever seen her in anything? If so I'm certain you'd remember.
10
@Phoebe I agree completely.
1
Laura never fails to deliver.
6
A great talent. A chip off the ol' block like her father Bruce! Both well loved and respected.
8
@Rodrian Roadeye: Her mom isn't bad either.
5
Integrity, beauty, brains and self effacing....
6
Since Rambling Rose a long-time top favorite.
10
She is a national treasure. I can't believe that "The Baby Dance," which she did with Stockard Channing in about 1998, isn't mentioned (at least if it was, I missed it!). She was truly and stunningly heartbreaking in that movie.
5
@ML So glad to see you mention"The Baby Dance;" I didn't think anyone else remembered it. It's such a good film with a heartbreaking ending. Both Dern and Channing are amazing.
3
As a high-school and college literature teacher, I have taught the short story, “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” , many times.
The film interpretation while it imagines the potential for violence in very different ways, “Smooth Talk” is an excellent companion piece. Laura Dern plays the young woman “Connie” who is so cautiously teetering on the brink of womanhood just masterfully. Her performance in a very tough story is brilliant.
11
Joyce Carol Oates wrote the story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" I'm always annoyed when the deserved praise for "Smooth Talk" neglects to mention that.
2
If a movie or tv show has Laura Dern in it, I'm watchin' it. For decades now. And what a beautifully written profile.
60
I've always loved Laura Dern in anything she's done and will watch anything that she is in. This was a wonderful article about her.
42
Only the briefest of mentions was made of Ms. Dern’s astonishing presence in “Twin Peaks: The Return.”
I remember the first time we saw Diane – or doppel-Diane – sitting at a bar, and turning to face Albert.
My heart stopped. And every time she was onscreen through that incredible, terrifying, incomprehensible, joyous summer when I literally lived for each episode to air, I was mesmerized by every gesture, every nuance … as I tried to decode everything from her fingernails to her clearly loving smoke-off with David Lynch.
This is probably the best opportunity I’ll ever have to say it, so … thank you, Laura, for everything.
47
Love her work so much. One of those rare actresses that usually only devotes herself to quality work. Enlightened, Citizen Ruth and Rambling Rose are probably my favorite things she's done. None are easy to watch, which is kind of the point...
30
She is the best. Played a small role in a forgotten film - October Sky - (with a young Jake Gyllenhall) to perfection, and lots of others too.
68
@reader
Not forgotten film at all!
3
Laura Dern as Lula and Nicolas Cage as Sailor in 'Wild at Heart' - some of the finest casting in film history.
57
Wow! Laura Dern is the best! She is so versatile as an actor.
52