Remember My Name

Viewed January 23, 2021. Harrowing, deeply felt drama. Alan Rudolph's films are populated by couples with complicated, often violent pasts, which they have to square with their overwhelming passion for each other. In films like Choose Me or Trouble in Mind, Rudolph renders this dynamic with a gauzy dream-noir romanticism and a quirky sense of humor that takes off the edges a bit. But Remember My Name is all edges.

Geraldine Chaplin delivers her only great performance in this odd, elliptical Rudolph film which unites Altman's improvisatory style with a sophisticated continental sensibility. Perkins and Gunn are good, and Goldblum is memorable in his small role as discount department store owner Mr. Nudd. The soundtrack featuring legendary blues singer Alberta Hunter is superb: each song is not only fine in itself, but works to create a mood--and to provide a commentary--on the action.

Geraldine Chaplin and Anthony Perkins both swinging for the fence

It's nice to be wanted.

What was it about the 70s? Was life simply more real or were people just better at capturing the human condition?

this is such a great film focusing on a brief span of time where a character deals with whatever happened to her in a remarkably fun way. rudolph's calm yet a little twisted style works wonders and geraldine chaplin is simply brilliant in conveying the character's stubbornness.

Kind of strange drama but a pretty decent payoff by the end. Woman released from prison stalks her ex-husband and new wife.

Tender.

Gritty domestic drama with strong cast (if you can buy Perkins as a construction worker). A Star Wars poster in the background of one scene and allusions to a fictional Hungarian earthquake feel like Rudolph humblebragging about the intimate scope of the film. Curiously unavailable on home video (at the time of writing).

Geraldine Chaplin absolutely nails this. She acts against Perkins (who is always interesting) and is able to hold her own and then some. A complicated drama with a real sense of dread. The supporting cast is filled with bangers, early in their careers. This does not end up going where I thought it might and it is so much better for it.