Site Meter Cinema Hype » Blog Archive » Judging you since 1986: A tribute to Beth Grant

Judging you since 1986: A tribute to Beth Grant

by

So, say you’re a sweet little girl, a beauty-pageant contestant who only wants to do right by her recently-dead grandpa. No, wait. You’re a working mother of three whose house has just been partially crushed by a piece of a passing airplane, and you’re having just a little bit of stress at home. Or maybe you’re just a cowboy running from a serial killer (you know, as you do). It doesn’t really matter. Whatever the situation, this much is sure: Beth Grant does not like you.

I hear you. “I don’t know any Beth Grant,” you say.

Yes, you do. Beth Grant is the kind of “Hey, it’s that guy chick!” that keeps on giving—she’s everywhere, she’s been everywhere, and she’s going to be everywhere (nine movies in 2009, according to the Source of All Knowledge). We at CH can hardly think of a character actor with as much satisfying ubiquity and the same kind of consistent casting: who else specializes in the disapproving, the judgmental, and the rural, and plays them all with such palpable glee? We at CH love her sense of humor—absent in her characters but always present just below the surface—and the fact that her career is on an upswing. Because, really, who doesn’t love the condescending and the downtrodden, when they’re packaged so perfectly?

Here are some of the highlights of (occasionally sympathetic) Grantian disapproval:

Rain Man: Grant first appears in a major motion picture here, playing the illustrious “Mother at Farm House.” A lot of her roles are of this variety: Laundry Lady. Waitress’s Mother. Motherly Secretary. Or else she’s Lil, Loretta, Dorene, or Cora Mae. You could name a whole passel of Depression-era orphans after this filmography.

Donnie Darko: If you’re familiar with Donnie and his family (and if you aren’t, get thee to Netflix), you’re already thinking of best line in the movie, and arguably in her career. Say it with me, now: “Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion!”

Little Miss Sunshine: Pageant Official Jenkins refuses to let Olive Hoover into the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, thereby gaining the hatred of Olive fans everywhere. Casting directors take notice, apparently; film sightings of Grant go way up from this point on. Apparently being a vindictive shrew pays off. (Who knew?)

No Country for Old Men: So maybe the inherent disapproval in this role is a little bit justified. Daughter takes up with potentially shifty cowboy and, without really saying anything explicit about it, ends up running from the scariest man of 2007. We’ll give her this one: maybe Carla Jean should have just stayed home.

So that’s it. That’s how you build an extensive filmography spanning three decades, with the work only flowing faster as you age. You glare, make implications, and leave in a huff. And if you do it just right, everyone will hate/love you for it. Point taken.

, , , , ,

Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Cinema Hype. It's Free!

4 Responses to “Judging you since 1986: A tribute to Beth Grant”

  1. » bCinema/b Hype » Blog Archive » Judging you since 1986: A tribute to b…/b Says:

    [...] Continue here: bCinema/b Hype » Blog Archive » Judging you since 1986: A tribute to b…/b [...]

  2. Beth Grant Says:

    My brother just sent this to me. Wow! I am writing to say thank you to Liz and Cinema Hype and 451 Press. I am so touched by these kind and thoughtful words. It’s so supportive and encouraging to know that people notice us character actors and that our contributions make a difference. Thank you, for all of us, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll stay in show business one more day!

  3. Liz Says:

    Well, Beth, it’s lovely to hear from you (and I am now convinced that the internet is a very small place–I’d better watch my mouth)! I think you’re excellent, and I’m always happy to see you (…everywhere). And tell your brother hi for us.

  4. Beth Grant Says:

    Will do. He is on vacation right now. He sends me only the good stuff he comes across! I know it can’t all be good but that’s okay. I’m just a working girl. I have a bunch of good stuff coming out next year and I’m feeling pretty good in spite of my mom and my teacher’s deaths in October. On we go. Hope you like some of the new work. I love people who love the movies and who pay attention. My husband and I get excited when we see our friends, especially when they get a chance to stretch or do a bigger role than usual. It’s all fun. Happy New Year! This came from my brother’s Google alerts today. Just so you know it’s not creepy!

Leave a Reply


About Cinema Hype

A blog about all things film: the good, the bad, and the really, really ugly. Check us out for news, reviews, haikus, and also other things that don't rhyme, like movie quotations, polls, and commentary. And we won't throw popcorn at you or kick your seat.

Cinema Hype Author(s)

Entertainment & Music Channel Posts

  • Liveblogging the Oscars: Act III
    Okay, we're in it for the long haul, gang. Not much longer now. Awww, I kind of like the In Memoriam montage. And I like Queen Latifah. I feel like these two things make some kind of a weird [...]
  • Liveblogging the Oscars: Act II
    Jessica Biel, why are you telling me about the scientific Oscars? Isn't this sort of akin to the time Denise Richards played a nuclear scientist in that really bad James Bond movie? I...think [...]
  • Liveblogging the Oscars: Act I
    Well, here we are. The Superbowl of the film year, only with more sequins and fewer beer commercials. Are we excited yet? This year, in an attempt to counteract the downward ratings spiral [...]
  • Steve Irwin's Birthday
    On this date in 1962, Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was born -- no doubt in little tan shorts. I have no idea how he got the nickname "Crocodile Hunter" as he didn't actually kill the crocs he [...]
  • Review: Pride and Glory
    OK, so I am a HUGE fan of cop dramas for some reason. I don't really know what the attraction is but if there are cops, I'm there. So as soon as I saw the badge in the previews for this movie I knew [...]
  • Greatest Rock Song?
    Of all the classics coming from the vault we call "Rock-n-Roll", ya can't get any more genuine than Bob Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone. The song was crowned by (of all places) Rolling Stone magazine [...]
  • INXS Loses Fortune
    It was the ultimate in rags-to-riches stories for the new INXS lead singer, J. D. Fortune. He rose from living in his car to superstardom as their new vocalist on the VH1 reality TV show ‘Rockstar: [...]
  • Crop Circles Are Pretty
    The argument over the origin of crop circles is still going on, despite many human artists coming forward and showing how they did it. Some simple crop circles do seem to be made by the wind. Many [...]
  • Judd Apatow's "Funny People" Movie Trailer w/ Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan is Another Winner!
    Judd Apatow has been behind some of the most real to life and hilariously over the top comedies of the past few years; "Knocked Up", "40 Year Old Virgin", "Superbad", "Pineapple Express", [...]
  • Robin Thicke's "Sweetest Love" Music Video is Sexy
    I am a huge fan of Robin Thicke and his soothing R&B style. Not only is he a major dream boat but he has the voice to back it up. I would even say that he has bigger an dbetter singing chops [...]

Hot Off The Press