She always reminded me of the girls I was growing up around only a mature woman and for someone so mall she had a wonderful body. Though there was something Different about her. She could easily be labeled more an around the way girl type. she was what some might considered unpolished or street but she had a certain poise and grace. She also helped me at a young age to realize that beauty can come from anywhere. Especially when not looking for it. As when you watch her she doesn’t necessarily scream star at first but there is something different special that does make her stand out.
It also helped that at first she never saw herself as an actress. she started off as a dancer (on SOUL TRAIN) and eventually choreographer (For the television show IN LIVING COLOR in particular. After her first film role) who got discovered or offered a role by Spike Lee.
She was also my first introduction to a Puerto Rican woman (knowingly) at the time there were always Latin’s and Spanish actors that were under a general blanket and though maybe darker skinned looked either more caucasian or European.
For someone so small she packs a punch and brings the fury of someone much bigger. She is quite, the right nice little package herself with everything spilling over.
She has played a wide array of roles different form one another generally. So that she is rarely stereotyped and big enough a name that if you say it, most will recognize her name immediately with some familiarity
Maybe it was that the first time. I saw her was DO THE RIGHT THING not only at a young age but close to puberty and in that role she had a nude scene (that later found out she cried through) thoguh that definitely stood out in my memory and In Other films she has shown Nudity (barely) and had sex scenes (a few) and always has noticeable cleavage but also over the years she has still kept her looks beauty and body. There is a sensuality to her.
It was a sexual awakening because here was this nudity in the wrong place but at the right time, this was a drama with nudity in it. It wasn’t heavily featured or the main point to the film, then there all go a sudden. It was like a subconscious wish come true of sorts. It just happened while wondering what she might look like In That way. I mean it was topless not totally naked but still shocking. For me at that age.
Maybe that accelerated the crush as the mystery was no longer there but even after, I was still fascinated and not just Hoping she would disrobe again she was that fascinating to me, that I still wanted to see more of her work and her onscreen not just naked but to be bathed in by her beauty and talent.
After that she guest starred on An episode of 21 JUMP STREET (one of my favorite television shows) right after DO THE RIGHT THING
Her next role was one of her best. WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP. the fact that she was constantly hilarious and kept it real in That movie and stayed sexy that she almost stole the movie from The stars of the film. Just as it reveals that she was probably the smarter of all the characters throughout the film. Also of note there was a graphic sex scene where there was not full frontal nudity, but you saw some glimpses
She then started Playing more comedic roles in NIGHT ON EARTH (A Jim Jaramusch Cult Classic) IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (where she is almost practically the villain) WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP (which might be one of her more popular roles. Supposedly Woody Harrelson fight hard for her casting in the movie as his girlfriend) Then she handled a surprisingly deep drama like FEARLESS for which she actually got an Oscar nomination for. Which came out of nowhere and no one expected and that is where I believe she really started to get more respect in the industry.
Her wildest most bizarre role was In The cult film PEDRITA DURANGO (DANCE WITH THE DEVIL) which showed aqshe has a wild side hinted at, but in full view like finding out an embarrassing secret yet shared with the world.
Even in interviews she was always outspoken, herself and not afraid to tell her true opinions on her co-stars or other celebrities she met. Which also made her very popular on talk shows because of her boldness and I don’t care attitude.
In her career she clearly has a taste for more indie film roles though occasionally playing small roles like RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS where Played a bit role of a junkie. The film was Directed by The legendary Penny Marshall. Though it was a well recognized cast. So she was in good company
She is a more natural method actress. she doesn’t seem to play fake or what she might not know it believe.
She has played the sassy best friend in films like UNTAMED HEART and LACKAWANNA BLUES. She has also done a bunch of theater and television guest appearances. She is one of the most noted and popular Latin American actresses since Rita Moreno and it still feels like she doesn’t get her due.
She even has a few voice acting roles in movies like THE ROAD TO EL DORADO that played at a movie theater I worked at at the time and the movie advertisement stand in would play the theme song for the movie endlessly. So much that to this day I have never watched the film.
She is an actress who at least for me when you see her there is an identification. She always represents New York in my eyes no matter what toes she plays or wherever her character is supposed to be from even when playing an incarcerated Mexican drug delivery dealer int he movie THE COUNSLER. Though she is overshadowed by the then all star cast and other two Latin actresses who are mroe heavily featured in the co-starring roles.
There is a certain toughness and grittiness about her but also an obvious beauty and a kind of grace about her.
Later In her career Once she finally got to be on a talk show daily. On THE VIEW she seemed neutered or like she was holding back to a degree her true opinion. It also didn’t help that she was still acting at the time and even doing a broadway play daily. So she might have been more exhausted and tired and didn’t feel the need to be 100 percent always. Unless it was really a subject that meant something deeply to her.
She seemed to speak her mind but stay quiet as either she didn’t want to go into the conversation out of disinterest or knowing once she might starts she might be able to hold back and stop and will get herself into some trouble.
Even this year playing an action hero on BIRDS OF PREY. Which before this the most recent performance i remember her playing the dirty cop in THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS which involved some action.
Some might laugh but those who truly are fans will admire.
I will admit herr are some roles of hers that I have skipped or not watched yet THE 24 HOUR WOMAN, WON’T BACK DOWN, HUMAN NATURE, KING OF THE JUNGLE and Some I’d rather forget and also easily forgettable THE DEAD DON’T DIE, PUERTO RICANS IN PARIS, THE TAKE
Then there are Some hidden gems A BROTHERS KISS & SUBWAY STORIES (both written and directed by her ex-husband Seth Zvi Rosenfeld) that really put her sensuality on display.
She is recognizable and luckily has has had at least a few iconic roles. For me those will be those mentioned DO THE RIGHT THING, FEARLESS, NIGHT ON EARTH, WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP
She is an obvious beauty whose sexiness sneaks up on you. Yes there is a difference beauty is skin deep. Sexiness is a feeling, attitude and personality all to itself. Some have it some don’t. It can be fleeting for some or just always be there dormant at times and
aggressive and fully unleashed at other times.
Right Now in these tough times she is the voice of the New York subways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Giving messages of wearing masks.
I am happy that she is still working and manages to surprise audiences and her fans once in a while. As for some of us she shall stay immortal no matter what.
No comments:
Post a Comment