"Introducing" Winona Ryder. Here's to 25 Years in Movies
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:21AM Congratulations to our Noni on a quarter century in the movies. Twenty-five years ago yesterday her first film (Lucas) hit movie theaters. Jump forward a quarter century and here she is again; Black Swan hits DVD today as if celebrating that very silver screen anniversary. People will be popping in the Black Swan DVD and Blu-Ray all over the place today and there she'll be, glass raised perversely. On her own behalf?
Oh sure, it's an in-character moment as "Beth", retiring prima ballerina, but don't think for a second that Black Swan's casting wasn't carefully orchestrated for the mirror affect of all those dark pale beauties not to mention the the cruel passing of the stardom and movie goddess batons.
I bring up this unpublicized anniversary because Noni could use a little public love... or at least Hollywood could use a public reminder that she still has many fans. When she's used correctly, as she was in Black Swan, she's really something else.
I fell instantly and madly in love with her the very first second I saw her in Lucas, which is as stated the first time anybody had the opportunity to see her onscreen. She was all of 14 but it wasn't pervy. This was 25 years ago and we were both babies... so age appropriate! Just look at her. This was the thunderous moment, burned forever into my brain.
I was bursting in my seat "who is this?!" Truth: This is the very first time I ever looked for a name in the movie credits. This was four years before IMDb even existed y'all. I memorized her name and hoped against all hope I'd see her again. Beetlejuice rescued me two years later. People kept calling it a "Michael Keaton Movie" and I'm like "WINONA RYDER! Squeeeee!!!" and everyone is like "who?" and after Beetlejuice nobody asked little me that anymore.
Lucas is a sweet movie but it fell apart right then and there because the whole movie is about how 14 year old Lucas (Corey Haim) has a crush on 16 year old Maggie (Kerri Green) and then THIS girl walks in, his friend Rina (Noni) and you immediately realize she loves him and he barely even notices her. So Winona is forced to look at Corey Haim (RIP) longingly for the whole movie. Like SHE is unworthy of him.
Oh, the humanity!
Do you remember the first time you saw Winona? And for those of you old enough to remember movie-watching before the internet (That would be 30somethings on up), did you ever have that "I must find out who this is!" credit scroll moment with anyone?
New to the Film Experience? Try us out for a few weeks to see if you like.
Related Posts of Note: Overheard: Black Swan, Sassy Gay Swan, Aronofsky's Favorite Actors
Reader Comments (38)
Something like that happened to me with Rose McGowan in Scream, I wanted to know who she was and then I wanted to see her in every movie... and the first time I watched Winona was probably in Beetlejuice and I was probably 5 or 6 yo, but I remeber loving her floating dance at the end...
"(...) did you ever have that "I must find out who this is" credit scroll moment with anyone?"
I did. It was with Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. I'll never forget the feeling, because it had never happened to me before, and it hasn't happened since. At least not in such a strong way.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! - first memory of Winona. Most of my movie-going experiences include scanning credits religiously, but the one that comes to mind recently has to be Michael Fassbender in Fish Tank. From the moment Connor stepped on screen, I was like "who IS that?"
I was convinced Beetlejuice would scare me to death so my first time was Great Balls of Fire! Loved her immediately.
Oh! I had those moments so many times with character actors like Wilford Brimley or Julie Bovasso (Cher's aunt in Moonstruck).
beetlejuice.
Thank you Thank you ! Winona Ryder is a favorite of mine.
I have to say, though, Age of Innocence did it for me. I was already smitten by Winona, but when I saw her in a period piece it just floored me. I had fantasies about that movie, because I remember thinking that Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder and Daniel Day Lewis were the most beautiful people on earth. Then I remember saying that I was going to marry Winona Ryder to my family, and they thought that was adorable.
She really only had me in 1994, with the Reality Bites/Little Women double whammy, though I've always found her a candid, reflective, and surprising interview subject. Her Rolling Stone cover story around that era was a good read. And I was sorry that her interesting work in Girl, Interrupted got so eaten up by Jolie, virtually from the moment they filmed the scenes. She was always interesting when she talked about that book and why she worked so hard to get it filmed. I disagree that she was used all that well in Black Swan, and I think I'll always be more curious about her than about her acting, but I'm always glad for people to get more chances.
First saw her in Beetlejuice. Had a crush on her with Reality Bites. Finally became a fan with Girl Interrupted. Today run a fansite about her, own all movies on DVD and also most packs that include her seldom tv-appearances.
I don't have a clear memory of my first Winona. I remember she had that ubiquitous moment when Dracula came out, she was everywhere. She travelled to Italy to join the cast of The Godfather part III and finally couldn't due to "exhaustion" problems and she was then infamously replaced by Sofia Coppola. I remember reading avidly about it (printed movie magazines, no internet!) because I was truly concerned someone would quit a job after exhaustion. In my mind the exhaustion needed to be huge to prevent you from working on The Godfather, part III.
I had many credit scroll moments back in the day (I feel so old), because it was either that or written profiles in movie magazines if you were so lucky they covered the information on the people you wanted. The most remarkable one, here for this blog would be The Dangerous Liaisons. I had no idea who Pfeiffer was even though she was top billed together with Close and Malkovich and got her name and Thurman's confused for a nano second. I was pretty sure Pfeiffer was Mme de Tourvel, but I wanted to be completely certain. And I remember this and Married to the Mob were almost simultaneously in theatres, when movies (still) stayed longer in theatres. So, after Liaisons my next Pfeiffer experience was the total opposite kind of role. I remember clearly I thought why they wouldn't give her an Oscar if Oscar was supposed to award versatility ( I was so young!). I have both movies, in VHS first, and now on DVD. Such good memories!
Ahh! Thanks so much for this post. Winona was my first movie crush and she still has a place so very close to my heart, despite some of the abominations I've suffered through for the love of Noni (Mr Deeds, Autumn In New York, Lost Souls, Boys - eek!). She's one of only two actresses (the other being Judy Davis) for whom I've seen every title on the filmography.
I was 13 when I saw Winona's face in a magazine around the time Edward Scissorhands was released and suddenly I needed to know more. I remember thinking even her name was the coolest I'd ever heard. Although I experienced some momentary confusion regarding her blondeness in Scissorhands, I was utterly captivated by her presence. Heathers, Beetlejuice, Mermaids, Roxy Carmichael: I still think that she gave the best "teenage girl" in cinema - her endearing freshness was the perfect foil for the black and cynical dialogue of the first two; her inherent cool slashed straight through the naivety of the latter two. Never too cute, never too knowing. There was nobody else even remotely like her at the time. Winona kind of invented the modern teen, as far as I'm concerned. Certainly I identified!
I was thrilled with her role in Black Swan - meta casting concepts always excite me disproportionately! I'm holding out hope that as the generation of thirty-something filmmakers who grew up with Winona as their pin-up of choice start to establish themselves as bigger players, maybe there'll be some more exciting opportunities coming her way...
Happy 25th Movie Anniversary, Winona!
Heathers is my first memory of Winona ... and if I am not mistaken, you suggested I see it. I think it took me almost a year, from when you told me, till i finally found the movie .. but I loved it .. still do :)
Lucas was my first. She looked like a childhood crush, so she had me at hello.
Purely based on acting, her best performances so far have been in Black Swan and S1m0ne. Her niche seems to be the petulant actress in small doses. I hope it means she's gotten over herself and she finds a way to capitalize on this.
Reality Bites was the first time I saw Winona. I was in grade school and I fell in love with her and the film. I would keep rewinding the scene where she and Janeane Garafalo dance to My Sharona. I love love love that scene. And as much of a dick Ethan's character was, I wanted Winona to choose him. I grow more fond of the film with every viewing. Killer soundtrack too. Both grow more seminal with each passing year.
But as for checkiing credits, I've only done that a few times. And the first time was for Pfeiffer. I was 7 when Batman Returns came out. I had no idea who anyone in anything one was; I still wasn't into movies yet (who is- at 7!?). But I just HAD to check the credits to find out who this mesmerizing and beautiful woman in a catsuit onscreen was. And the rest is history. I've been madly in love with her since. I wish was older so I could've enjoyed her from the start. I remember watching Batman Forever and waiting for catwoman to show up again! Ha, I was of course sorely disappointed.
I also remember checking the credits to see who played Gia in the TV biopic. Of course we all know who she turned into. ;)
Though I may be a member of the slightly younger set here, I still didn't get internet until my first year in high school. I miss those days when stars seemed less accessible. Mystery enhanced their allure.
KEL -- well, from the reader of the day feature there are a lot of younguns here, too. It's an all ages safe zone since we don't believe in only talking about movies that haven't come out yet (like 80% of blogs)
NICK -- i'm curious why you don't think she was cast well for Black Swan? Or is it just that you don't like the performance? but you're absolutely right about what a good interview she is. I remember the INTERVIEW cover on her around the Heathers/Mermaids time period was just jawdropping and how little she censored herself. loves it. She even called Christianity a "death cult" or something. But back then people weren't so hung up on religiousity so people didn't get in as much trouble for saying controversial things.
7BIS -- yes. her name fascinated me, too. And then i started calling her "Noni" because of some interview (like the way I got hung up on calling Kirsten Dunst "Kiki" which is maybe too familiar, but so what ; ?
is there a time when winona ryder wasn't apart of the cinema lexicon? she was my complete favorite as a child. beetlejuice, edward scissorhands, and heathers (which i watched at a friend's house during a sleep over since it was rated R!) were my introductions to her and i was obsessed after that. i must have been the only 12 year old boy to rent the age of innocence. i have missed her over the years (what's a little theft anyway...) and her appearance in black swan was the highlight of the film for me. (no offense, natalie, but noni was here first). hopefully she hasn't reached a point in her career where she is just a glorified cameo. can't wait to see what the next 25 years bring.
WINO FOREVER!
As a kid, I was scary, so Beetljuice for me had nothing to do with the weird daughter character in the film. I did start to care for her as an actress through the home video trailer for Mermaids attached to Robocop 2. She and Christina Ricci really looked like they came out of Cher! It's always been strange to me that Cher's real-life mother, sister, and daughter were all blonds.
If I were to sum up Noni's acting style in one word, it'd be "awkward". She often times felt uncomfortable not so much in the character she's playing but in delivering the payoff as an actor to convey the emotion of the scene. She's alread in the state of mind she's suppose to be in by the end of the scene right at the beginning. Offering in the end no peaks or valleys, just valleys or peaks.
She dated my teen idol crush. He said in an interview that she's a very sexual girl.
Win was my favorite character in Black Swan.
Thank you so much for your blog & especially this great article about Winona!!! Beetlejuice was the first movie I saw of hers & I'm still hooked, I've seen them all! Can't wait to see what she does for the next 25 years!
I first saw Winona in Lucas, I loved that film, and I totally related to her character (the friend-girl), but I didn't really remember her as an actress. Then I saw Mermaids, and I have been a fan of hers since.
PS. I had the biggest crush on Charlie Sheen after seeing Lucas. That laundry-scene! * sigh *
Had the exact same experience with Lucas, and wished Winona's character had been featured more. Next for me was Heathers, which sealed my love.
Miss her. It's so strange to me that she's doing cameos in big movies--not only Black Swan but playing Spock's mother (!?) in the new Star Trek.
she's sooo good. i'm glad she's back. my favorites are heathers and girl, interrupted.
First Noni movie? Edward Scissorhands. For ages me and my sister thought her name was Wiona Ryder, and then when she found out it was Winona, she didn't tell me so I thought it was Wiona untill I saw the trailer for Girl, Interrupted. What people must of thought. I also used to pronouce the P in Pfeiffer
First person I made an effort to look up? Stuart Townsend...I used to walk past a Queen of the damned billboard on the way home school, and I just thought he was the best looking thing i'd ever seen. The movie turned out crap, but Ive liked Townsend ever since.
abstew -- omg. i totally spit out my drink when i read WINO FOREVER. Haven't heard someone reference that in soooo long. Just goes to show you how much Johnny Depp has filled out his star mythos that that's only a footnote now.
Oh Edward Scissorhands...God I love Winona Ryder. I'll never get over her.
Mermaids!
I first saw her in Mermaids on video. It's interesting, I was about 7 to 8 years old in 1990/1991 and I remember my babysitter must have had a thing for Winona, because I saw all her movies on video at their house. It was first Mermaids, then Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Lucas, and finally Heathers. Yes, a babysitter thought it was a good idea to show a 8 year old Heathers... and I'm very grateful for that.
But it was Mermaids where I fell in love with Cher, Noni, Christina Ricci and of course Jake Ryan... which isn't his real name. But I also saw a lot of Molly Ringwald movies at her house, and Sixteen Candles introduced me to loveliness of Jake Ryan. So when I saw him again in Mermaids I just died! First crush. His name is Michael Schoeffling... I wonder what happened to him?
Anyway, I love Winona and I've been happy to see her in small successful parts lately, like in Star Trek and Black Swan. I hope she keeps working it.
That animated gif is lightning in a bottle. Thinking of the chronology of it all, makes me wonder if Winona made a faustian pact to steal Phoebe Cates' career mojo. There's something very FT@RH about her aura...
She's a terrible actress her acting is beyond bad.
Beetlejuice. at the movies. Saw most of her movies in the theatre. She was a drawcard for me. So glad to see her in Black Swan. Definitely a self aware piece of casting. Congrats on 25 yrs in the biz Winona. Keep working and keep outta trouble hon.
Have you done a Beetlejuice post? I LOVE that movie...it's one of my comfort films along with Practical Magic.
"His name is Michael Schoeffling... I wonder what happened to him?"
He actually does some kind of woodwork in Pennsylvania now, furniture making, I think - he's got the family and kids too. I know someone who lives near him and my cousin went to high school with him in Jersey. I don't think he was really cut out for Hollywood.
Bia -- i have actually never written about Beetlejuice, no.
Oh My God...Winona in the 90s was the best! Beetlejuice, Heathers, Dracula, Age of Innocence. I'm the same age as her and Winona Ryuder is the reason why I've consciously stayed out of the sun since I was 19!! Her pale white skin, obsession with Catcher In the Rye - she was so cool.
My first cinematic love. Before Drew, before even Dame Maggie herself, there was only Winona. Beetlejuice was my first, but Edward Scissorhands made me stay forever. And dammit, Anna Paquin STOLE her Oscar.
Watching Heathers on Sundance as I type this (my first time)!
What can i say about Winona...the strange fragility that she brought with her to the screen all the way from Lucas through to Beetlejuice,Mermaids,Dracula,Age of Innocence,Little Women,How to Make An American Quilt and The Crucible still makes me sit back in awe.It wasn't just her lack of confidence on screen but the frank honesty in which it was carried out only made me love her more.It is true that she defined a generation but more importantly she represented the outcast and people often left behind due to their awkwardness and oddities.Although her star has faded significantly since then i think she still represents one of the most interesting actors to have graced the screen.Congrats Winona for 25 years in movies,hopefully we will continue to see you in more quirky and distant roles......
Good lord, how I love this woman. Her slow resurrection of late has been a thing of wonder, even if only reduced to glorified cameos but, c'mon, Star Trek and then Black Swan a year later? It's like she's winking at us, she's knows what we stans want! UGH, love her. WINO FOREVER indeed
First Winona? Well, first real movies were probably Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands (Tim Burton's signature heroine, she will always be for me -- glad they're reuniting again after so long) but first love was Girl, Interrupted at age 14/15. I was OBSESSED. The book, the movie, the characters, the actors (although strangely enough, minus Jolie -- even my 14 y.o. naive movie buff self could sense the selfish and off-putting scene chewing going on) I was all about this idea of a pale raven haired troubled beauty finding her way in the world. She was me, I was her. It was all very appealing to me at that age. I look back at the movie now and still find some things to admire about it but mostly just imagine how much better it could've/should've been. LOL, alas. My personal favourite of hers now is actually Reality Bites. That film actually gets funnier and more clever every time I watch it.
First credit check? Hmm, don't remember the very first but since they're extremely rare for me I can kinda name them all: Patrick Wilson in Angels in America, Rupert Graves in Maurice, Ari Graynor in Nick & Norah and Juno Temple in Atonement were all honest-to-god genuine moments of WHO WAS THAT? for various reasons. Most of those are modern but then again, I'm not a 30something. :(
Anyways, I hope Noni makes a full-blown comeback soon. Darren, Woody, somebody needs to write a vehicle for for. We all know she has it in her!
I do hate people calling her Noni. As an Australian I will always think of the great Noni Hazlehurst first. Also Winona is a cool name, shame for you guys to waste it.
Dracula. God's grace is real.
I wished people would just move over her mistakes and give her another chance. Who doesn't steal? Raise your hand.