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Last week we lost the great Jessica Walter. Like most people, we know her as the incomparable Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development. Later, she took that character and amplified it as Mallory Archer on Archer. But for decades she was a working dramatic actress and we were all woefully uneducated in her previous work. Now seemed like a good time to change that.
Today, while we do start by talking about her brilliance on Arrested Development, we also checked out Play Misty For Me. This was Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, which he also stars in. He plays a well known radio DJ in California. Maybe too well known. Walter plays Evelyn, an obsessed fan who stalks him and tries to assimilate into his life. But as you might have guessed, she is completely unhinged and he isn’t having any of it.
Play Misty for Me was definitely a fun watch, but not entirely our cup of tea. Obviously we’ll expand on that in the episode. But, like most movies from the 70s, it doesn’t really nail the vibe we would have wanted out of a suspense thriller, and it really meanders a LOT. However, Jessica Walter is stunning in it. She’s easily the best part of the movie and despite being pretty over the top, she’s the closest to nailing that “realism” that is sometimes missing from 70s films.
We think you should check out Play Misty for Me. It really checks a lot of boxes if you’re looking to fill in your knowledge of film history. Jessica Walter, check. Clint Eastwood, check. Clint Eastwood DIRECTING, check. Critically acclaimed movie from the 70s, check. A sex scene on the forest moon of Endor, check. There’s a lot to love with just a few things to poke fun at.
If you do watch it, let us know what you think over on Twitter or in the Youtube comments! Also, hit us up with your favorite Lucille Bluth and Mallory Archer lines. We’re going to miss Jessica’s presence in the world, but talking about her we think is the best way to remember her. So settle in for this zinger-filled episode of So…I’m Watching This Show!
