Category Archives: comedy

Virginia Madsen in Holidazed

Holidazed

Holidazed. Another year, another Christmas effort from Hallmark. And, another Christmas project for Virginia Madsen following on from Better Watch Out and Operation Christmas Drop, kind of.

If you’ve read up on those efforts from me already then you’ll already know I’m not a massive fan of the Christmas theme. But, as always I’ll give it a go.

Holidazed gets off to a good start, the first shot is of Virginia Madsen driving a Pink Cadillac through town, I mean as the start of these things go, I’ve seen a lot worse. OK. So, it’s not Virginia as such but her character, Connie.Virginia Madsen as Connie Manetti-Hanahan in Holidazed. She is seated in the driver's seat of a vintage car, gripping the large steering wheel with gloved hands. She wears a quilted green jacket, and her blonde hair cascades in soft waves over her shoulders. She has a warm, contented smile as she looks ahead, with the car's classic interior and a blurred suburban winter landscape visible through the window.

We follow Virginia Madsen, well, Connie and her Pink Cadillac till she arrives home where we meet some of her family before which sees her married to Chuck (John C McGinley) with grown up kids all coming home for the holidays. From there, the story shifts focus, introducing other families in the neighborhood.

And that would be when we begin to understand the show a little. Each of the families introduced is a bit “quirky” and have their unique family dysfunctions. Gay couples that haven’t come out to their Grandma, divorced couples dealing with new partners and old friends with unresolved attractions meeting up again. All played out to little tunes prompting you to see the humor, or drama, in the situations, etc.

It’s Christmas, you know – Got to have these little adventures and put things under microscopes to see the error of peoples ways or they’d never get that redemption arc we’re all so desperate to see.

Yeah, I know. I sound a little jaded by these things—BUT—no, no buts—I’ve got nothing. I’m just not a fan of these kinds of comedy dramas at the best of times. Throw Christmas in, and I’ve still got nothing. Just not a fan of these kinds of comedy dramas at the best of times, throw Christmas in and I’ve still got nothing. Call me Scrooge, call me Grinch and it’d be nothing I’ve not heard before.
Virginia Madsen as Connie Manetti-Hanahan in Holidazed. She is wearing a festive black sweater adorned with red cherries and green leaves, along with a red headband decorated with pearls. Her blonde hair is loosely styled with soft curls framing her face. She has a thoughtful, slightly amused expression as she listens to someone off-camera. The background shows a modern kitchen with a countertop and some appliances, while a blurred male figure in a brown jacket is partially visible in the foreground

The drama for the Manetti-Hanahan family revolves around a long-running feud with a neighbor, one their daughter has just made worse by falling for the neighbour’s son. This upsets Chuck as head of the household, and the feud who then proceeds to throw jibes at her by calling her a traitor and referring back to his days in the armed forces.

There are 8 episodes in total of Holidazed, the first one introduces us to all the families in the neighbourhood, the next six episodes deal with each family as the main focus and the finale brings them all back together for the wrap up.

I’d hoped for some kind of crossover between the episodes, but there didn’t seem to be any. They are self-contained and all end on some kind of cliff hanger, normally involving some kind of shock to one of the members of the family as some kind secret or revelation is played out.

The Manetti-Hanahan family get their turn in the seventh episode, which gets introduced with Virginia introducing us to a previous Christmas Eve related event via a first person talk to the camera, which gives us more insight on why she’s trying so hard to make this one a success.

This episode picks up where the first one left off, following the usual formula—melodrama, escalating conflicts, and leading up to the inevitable Christmas Day reckoning.”

Although, to its credit Connie does have a line which hangs a hat on the whole thing within the first five minutes with “Is it too much to ask to have a Hallmark Christmas for a change?”, which I won’t lie – Did amuse me.

The rest of the episode delivers exactly what you’d expect. More drama is piled on as we learn that Connie is a bit more highly strung than normal as she’s waiting for a call from the Doctors about a test she had done a few days before. She missed the call from the Doctors with the results and she’s left hanging now till after the festive period.

Virginia Madsen is her usual excellent self here, falling back on her matriarch of the family role as she herds her wayward family into behaving themselves. In the first episode she even whips out a Behavioural Contract she wants her family to sign in an effort to enforce the Holiday spirit.

It’s not a bad thing to watch but nothing we’ve not seen her do before. And, she gets to flex her comedic side once again which is always nice to see. It’s an exercise in balancing exasperation and warmth in a way that makes Connie’s frustrations feel genuine rather than just sitcom-level antics. Just.
A festive family gathering scene from Holidazed. The group, including Virginia Madsen as Connie Manetti-Hanahan, is dressed in colorful Christmas sweaters featuring reindeer, snowflakes, and holiday-themed designs. They stand together in a warmly decorated living room with a beautifully lit Christmas tree and wrapped presents in the background. Some family members are smiling and posing, while young children sit on the floor in front, dressed in equally festive attire. The cozy holiday setting includes a large gray couch with throw pillows, Christmas decorations on the walls, and a warmly lit atmosphere.

The eighth and final episodes brings the whole thing full circle and the resolutions to the dramas that have happened previously are all played out. It’s obviously an episode full of spoilers, but I will say it holds very few, if any, surprises.

There isn’t even any reference to the factg that both Virginia Madsen and John C McGinley both starred in Highlander 2 back in the day, I guess it’s still too soon for either of them to joke about.

To be fair to Holidazed, it’s well done for what it is. It’s obvious they aren’t for me, but I can respect them for what they are and a lot of people do like them, especially around Christmas. It’s harmless enough, the actors put in good, if not predictable turns.

Availability:

Not great at the moment. Was streamed on the Hallmark Channel but, it’s too early for a physical release of it just yet. Guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens with this one.

Gallery:

Trailer:

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Virginia Madsen in Better Watch Out

Better Watch Out

“Better Watch Out” I smirked to myself as I pulled it off the shelf, thinking I was clever. I’m not very funny, or clever as it turns out, but easily amused if you can’t tell.

This one was never going to be on top of my “to-watch” list. A Christmas Comedy Horror? Yeah, no. Put the words “Christmas Comedy” together in any context, and I’m already half checked out. Add “horror” into the mix, and… No.

But then there’s Virginia Madsen. And this site. So, yeah, here we are. Again.
Virginia Madsen in Better Watch OutReleased in 2016, Better Watch Out is a [ahem] Christmas comedy-horror flick that made some waves in certain circles when it first hit. It didn’t quite break into the mainstream, but it had enough buzz to pique my interest. The film stars Olivia DeJonge as Ashley, a babysitter, and Levi Miller as Luke, her 12-year-old project for the night.

Luke has a bit of a crush on his 17-year-old babysitter, Ashley, and in classic horror-trope style, he’s convinced that with a little setup of a cozy horror movie marathon and “protection” from scary noises outside, he’ll be able to win her over. It’s a cute idea, or creepy, and definitely cringey.

As the plot unfolds, things take a dark turn. Instead of your typical lighthearted teen “romance”, strange things start happening outside the house. It soon becomes clear that things aren’t what they seem. If you’re familiar with the site, you know I’m all about leaving surprises intact. So let’s just say there’s an early twist that changes the whole tone of the story and turns it into something way darker than a typical “home invasion” setup. Virginia Madsen in Better Watch OutIn it’s defence, it’s a Christmas horror film that actually pulls off a fresh take, blending horror, comedy, and psychological thriller in surprisingly balanced doses. And, that’s pretty high praise coming from me with this kind of film.

Virginia Madsen plays Deandra Lerner, Luke’s mother, and while it’s a relatively small role, she makes her presence known in those brief appearances, mainly in the beginning and end. Obviously, with Luke needing a babysitter, Deandra’s offscreen for much of the film, but Virginia brings her usual mix of warmth and just-right suburban-mom vibe, briefly.

No Oscars for anyone here, but thanks to Virginia Madsen, a touch of class.
Virginia Madsen in Better Watch OutFilms like these are never going to change my mind about the whole sub-genre of them – BUT – As I said, this one gets a nod for at least trying to do something different. The twist I didn’t really expect and so maybe a nod, and a smile.

Bah humbug.

Availability:

Good on DVD and Blu-Ray – You shouldn’t have any problems with this one at all.

Trailer:

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Virginia Madsen in Jake Squared

Jake Squared

I’ve seen my fair share of surreal films over the years, but… Jake Squared has to be up there amongst the most surreal of them all. It’s bordering on chaos at points.

Jake Squared is an indie film from 2013, as well as being surreal and chaotic it’s got a quirky streak a mile wide. The movie’s about Jake Klein (Elias Koteas) who is a middle aged film maker, who in the full throws of a mid life crisis decides to make a film about his own life to figure out what went wrong.

Which would be fine, but pretty soon he’s directing younger versions of himself all the while dealing with people from his past who are all of a sudden back in his life again.Virginia Madsen in Jake SquaredIt’s a weird one for sure – There are times when there are liberal past, present and future versions of Jake all on screen at the same time. Other times it’s kind of hard to work out which version of Jake it is we’re watching, more than once I got confused. It’s not super clear, and I don’t even know if it’s supposed to be – OR – trying to be clever.

And, honestly because of this I’ve taken a pass on it. I did watch it, but it got into a confusing mess pretty early on, I lost interest and I’m not really sure I ever really knew what was going on. I would have watched it again, but frankly I didn’t enjoy it enough to care by the end of it. I perhaps should have called it a day earlier than I did and, then I might have felt like another go. But I didn’t. And now, I don’t want to.

That’s about as honest as it gets.

Virginia Madsen plays Beth, Jake’s ex-wife. And as far as I can tell, she’s had enough of Jake’s mess as much as I did. Which, honestly, just added another layer of surreal into it for me.
Virginia Madsen in Jake SquaredShe’s actually that good in it, that when I was thinking about it afterwards I wasn’t unsure if this was some kind of “message” from the film that Beth’s exasperation with Jake wasn’t some kind of metaphor for what we were having to deal with as viewers watching it.

I don’t really have a lot to say on this one – It’s worth a watch for Virginia Madsen’s performance, she does keep the film grounded, sort of. I actually dread to think where it’d go without her character.

Maybe I’ll give it another go one day, maybe it’s another that I’m not old enough, or young enough anymore, to understand. A film that you need to be in the right place and right time for.

It would of course reunite Elias Koreas with Virginia Madsen after nearly 20 years, they last worked together in the 1995 film, The Prophecy.

Availability:

Good, ish. I don’t think it’s in print anymore but I see copies of it pop up all the time on eBay for Reigon 1 and 4.

Trailer:

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Virginia Madsen in Obliterated

Obliterated (Season 1 Episode 04 – “Walks of Shame”)

Ha. Obliterated.

I was half excited when I heard Virginia Madsen’s name associated with this one. New Netflix show, getting half decent reviews. Nice.

Unfortunately, I heard news of its cancellation before I watched it – One season, eight episodes and done. Life is harsh sometimes.

Obliterated is a show with a half decent, but kind of limited premise;

After stopping a bomb from going off in Las Vegas a crack team of elite special forces agents celebrate with a night on the town, maybe a little too hard. But, they’re early. A very real threat remains and now they’ve to stop it while still intoxicated.

I mean, we’ve all been there…

ANYWAYS – Virginia Madsen has a very, very small role in the Fourth Episode, “Walks of Shame”.Virginia Madsen as Marge McKnight in Obliterated, sitting on a beige couch wearing a plaid shirt. She has curly blonde hair and an expressive look while talking. A man in the foreground, slightly out of focus, is drinking from a beer bottle. The scene has a dim, warm indoor lightingShe plays the Mother (Marge McKnight) of one of the main characters, Chad McKnight (Nick Zano) in a flashback sequence seen at the beginning of the episode. She’s just sat on the couch, chilling with a beer and her son watching Rambo of all things.

And, it is what it is. It’s pretty well done, and even though you don’t know either character quite well there is an obvious vibe and chemistry to their relationship. The short conversation was probably meant to be expanded on at some point given the, mystery, of some of it, but we’ll not see that go further now. Not in this medium at least.  Given the short amount of time these two are together you can’t help but give a little head nod to and appreciate the art.Virginia Madsen as Marge McKnight in Obliterated, resting her head against a man’s chest in an emotional embrace. She wears a plaid shirt, her curly blonde hair slightly disheveled. The man, wearing a white graphic t-shirt, has a solemn expression as he holds her close. The dimly lit room features a softly illuminated curtain in the background, adding to the intimate and comforting atmosphere
Availability:

It’s on Netflix, obviously – HIGHLY doubtful we’ll get a physical release, but you never know.

Trailer:

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Virginia Madsen in Walter

Walter

Walter. For the longest time, as I’ve been working through all these Virginia Madsen films, I don’t think I’ve come across one that has left me quite as stumped on what to say as this one. It’s so offbeat and unusual, but in the best possible way. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, which, honestly, doesn’t happen to me often these days.

And yeah, it’s good, man. Really good.

Released in 2015, Walter is a quirky little film that stars Andrew J. West in the lead role, with a supporting cast that includes Neve Campbell, Milo Ventimiglia, William H. Macy, and, of course, Virginia Madsen. It’s directed by Anna Mastro and written by Paul Shoulberg, who adapted it from his own 2010 short film of the same name.

I went into this movie completely blind, and I’m convinced that’s the best way to experience it. It’s the kind of film that reveals itself slowly, piece by piece, and you should really discover it that way, without knowing too much in advance.Virginia Madsen as Karen Benjamin in Walter, dressed in black with dark sunglasses, standing solemnly at a gravesite during a funeral. She places a flower on the casket, surrounded by white floral arrangements. A young boy in a suit, holding a single white rose, stands behind her, while uniformed officers attend the service in the background beneath lush green trees.Here’s what I will tell you, which is basically the kind of stuff you’d find on the DVD case or in the trailer. The story centres around Walter, a seemingly ordinary guy with an extraordinary belief: that he is the son of God, but he’s not “Jesus”, as he clarifies early on, that was some other Dude.

According to Walter, his divine purpose is to decide the eternal fate of everyone he meets. That’s his true calling. His day job? Taking tickets at a local movie cinema.

And that’s pretty much all you need to know before diving in.

Virginia Madsen plays Karen Benjamin, Walter’s long-suffering mother. And as you’d expect, she brings layers to the role that only she could. There’s a deep sadness to Karen that gradually becomes clear as the movie unfolds. Life has dealt her a rough hand, but she’s carried on with grace and resilience. What I love about her performance here is the way she mixes that quiet melancholy with moments of humour.
Virginia Madsen as Karen Benjamin in Walter, sitting at a kitchen table during a meal. She wears a casual blue and white patterned blouse, her blonde hair pulled back. A glass of milk, a jar of orange juice, and a plate of food are on the table. Behind her, white wooden cabinets filled with books and household items create a warm, homey atmosphere.She manages to flex her comedy chops, and there are a couple of scenes, especially involving eggs, that had me genuinely laughing out loud. Her chemistry with Andrew J. West is just right, especially in those small, slice-of-life moments that make their relationship feel all too real.

(I’m half snorting just remembering a scene around the table with the two of them as I write this.)

Virginia Madsen was one of the first “big” actors to commit to the film, something Paul Shoulberg was grateful for, speaking to Indianapolis Monthly he commented;

“The first person to sign on after that was Virginia Madsen, which is really important for a film. Once you have an established person sign on, people start taking it more seriously. ”

She’s also been spoken fondly of the film and her time working on it as well. In an interview with Melissa Parker for smashinginterviews.com she’d gush about it a little;

“I love to work in an ensemble cast. It’s my favourite way to work. Even though my scenes were only with Walter (Andrew J. West), I’m still in the midst of this wonderful group of people. I wanted to meet the director, and she was very interesting. I would say that it’s a comedy. It does have its dramatic elements, but it is a delight to watch, and it’s more fun than it is sad. Of course, the entire story hinges on how people are dealing with grief. ”

The film as a whole is quirky and clever, filled with dry humour and subtle insights into the human condition. It’s not trying to be flashy or loud, but instead draws you in with its oddball charm. There’s a unique tone here, a mix of the absurd and the profound.
Virginia Madsen as Karen Benjamin in Walter, standing in a dimly lit kitchen wearing a light pink nightgown. She appears startled or concerned, looking toward a man in a red vest who is partially visible in the foreground. Behind her, a kitchen sink, white cabinets, and a window with dotted curtains.It’s got its own flavour all its own. It’s light on its feet but also hits you with moments of surprising depth. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re “huh”ing.

Walter might not have been on everyone’s radar, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. And Virginia Madsen, as always, brings something special to her role, helping elevate the film beyond just its quirky premise. It’s a cast piece again, you can’t fault any of them, really.
Virginia Madsen as Karen Benjamin in Walter, standing in a warmly lit home, wearing a bright blue dress with a black cardigan. She has a radiant smile, her blonde hair styled in soft waves. Behind her, a partially open door leads to another room, adding a sense of warmth and familiarity to the scene.And again, I’m smirking to myself thinking of some of the lines William H. Macy comes out with.

Virginia Madsen has of course worked with William H. Macy before, the first time would be in A Murderous Affair, and they were both in Ghosts of Mississippi as well.

So yeah, if you’re up for something different, something that’ll have you laughing one moment and thinking the next, this is one to check out.

But believe me, the less you know going in, the better. I think so at least.

Availability:

Good, good – Region 1 DVD’s are easy to find. Just be careful when searching as it isn’t the only film out there called “Walter”.

Gallery:

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Virginia Madsen in A Prairie Home Companion

A Prairie Home Companion

A Prairie Home Companion was a “new to me” film when I sat down to watch it for this whole Virginia Madsen thing. I don’t really know why I’ve never watched it before, I missed it on release, bought it and just never got round to it.

A fun little factoid while I’m here – A Prairie Home Companion was the film just starting to get some buzz around it when I sacked off the original version of this website all those years ago. At the time of watching / writing it’s one of the last I’m doing to complete this whole puzzle. Actually getting around to watching it now was kind of full circle for me, I didn’t even plan for it to be one of the last, not on purpose, my subconscious might have had something to do with it though.
Virginia Madsen as the Dangerous Woman in A Prairie Home Companion, wearing a white trench coat with a wide belt. She stands in a dimly lit backstage area, illuminated by a hanging lamp, with a mysterious and commanding presence.It’s the last film directed by Robert Altman, he was 80 while it was being made. The studio were so nervous about this they enlisted Paul Thomas Anderson as a backup in case things didn’t go according to plan.

The cast is amazing; Kevin Kline, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones thrown in with Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin and of course our heroine, Virginia Madsen – I mean – it doesn’t really get a lot better than that on paper.

But, just because something looks good on paper doesn’t make it good on screen as I’ve found out time and time again when doing this whole thing.

It’s actually a quirky little (but big) film. We follow the story about the end of an era, the final broadcast of a long running Radio Show called, A Prairie Home Companion. It’s all done in a behind the scenes kind of format. You get the very real feeling you’re watching it play out live, or one of those Netflix documentaries where they film everything. It’s quite voyeuristic in places and a delight to watch actors of this calibur do this kind of thing.

And, it’s voyeuristic with good reason. It’s kind of, sort of, based on a real radio show, called “The Prairie Home Companion”, funnily enough. The host of the radio show, Garrison Keillor, would be the writer of this film version. More than a couple of people involved with the actual show would make their way over to this fictional version of it including Garrison himself, Tim Russell and Sue Scott.Virginia Madsen as the Dangerous Woman in A Prairie Home Companion, wearing a white trench coat. She leans over with a solemn expression, watching over an ailing man in a dimly lit room filled with candles and music memorabilia.Virginia Madsen plays a character who just goes by “Dangerous Woman”, though she’s widely regarded to be the actual Angel of Death. The “Dangerous Woman” moniker probably comes from her waltzing around in a trench coat and being all mysterious. Which, to be fair, she does pull off a trench coat quite well.

It’s not the Angel of Death you’re probably thinking of, not the way it’s played on screen at least. She’s a very serene figure with an ethereal presence. Almost soothing. It’s odd, there is almost no drama to her on screen despite you being painfully aware of what she represents. This is noticeable from when we first meet her in Kevin Kline’s office, to the way she enters the diner at the end of the film. In amongst the general chaos of the rest of the film it’s a unique performance that I don’t think just “anyone” could pull off. You very much get the impression that she’s heavily involved with the characters, deciding their fates, but the way she blends into the background and generally goes unnoticed unless she wants to be. Well, it’s kind of genius. Full credit to Virginia Madsen on this one, very subtle but very effective.

It’s all completely by design as well. Speaking with Jimmy Guerts for the Herald Tribune she’d explain;

“So I got to sit next to Robert Altman and Paul Thomas Anderson sometimes all day and just watch them work and listen to how he directed. Every once in a while, he’d say ‘Put in the angel!’ and I’d go in and he’d go, ‘No, no, bring her out.”

I realise I’ve been very complimentary about the film so far, and that’s because I very much did enjoy it. But I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m not even sure there’s much of a plot, really – It’s just a film about life and due to the way it’s shot, that’s what you end up watching, life.Virginia Madsen as the Dangerous Woman in A Prairie Home Companion, wearing a white trench coat. She walks through a vintage hallway with a calm, enigmatic expression, her reflection visible in a foggy window beside her.It’s a little slow, but it’s not supposed to be anything fast paced. It’s a sentimental old fool’s love letter to a dying form of art. It’s homely, it’s… Nice. For want of a better way of putting it.

And, of course it would give Virginia Madsen a chance to work with Tommy Lee Jones again (sort of, he only has a small role) after all those years back in Gotham / The Dead Can’t Lie. And, kinda odd that the role she plays here isn’t a million miles away from that role either. Funny how that happens sometimes.

Availability:

Good, not hard to find on DVD in many different languages and regions.

Gallery:

Trailer:

Virginia Madsen in A Change of Heart

A Change of Heart

Well now, here’s an interesting one for us Virginia Madsen fans. Or, frustrating. Perhaps even both. No, definitely both.

A Change of Heart has never been released to the general public.

Shot in 2014, Directed and Produced by Kenny Ortega with some help from Emilio Estefan in South Florida the film stars the likes of Jim Belushi, Gloria Estefan and Virginia Madsen.

It seems to have sat on shelves for a little while before being shown at film festivals in 2017, The Miami International Film Festival, the OUTShine Film Festival and Parool Film Fest and was well received enough to get two nominations from the Imagen Awards that year. One for best Film and another for best Director.

Then, nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zerotown.
Virginia Madsen in A Change of Heart I’ve never seen the film, so I can’t really comment on it. I’ve done a fair bit of Googling around it though, and this is the best synopsis I can come up with based on reviews, interviews and snippets;

A Change of Heart follows the story of Hank (Jim Belushi), a gruff, old-school firegfighter forced to retire and now making is living as an exterminator. His life is far from perfect. His wife, Deena (Virginia Madsen), is leaving him, his youngest daughter, Josie (Aimee Teegarden), is a lesbian with a girlfriend, Teddy (Cody Horn), and his eldest daughter, Laurie (Dawn Olivieri), is dating a Cuban refugee, Carlos (William Levy). Hank, set in his outdated ways, struggles to accept the increasing diversity around him, clinging to the prejudices he’s always held without ever even knowing why he held them. We all, unfortunately, know the type here. 

Hank isn’t exactly the type to be shy about his opinions, openly questioning Latinos about their citizenship and longing for the “good old days” when life seemed simpler (for him, at least).

Then, life throws Hank a curveball, he suffers a heart attack. His life is saved by a heart transplant, but, as there so often is in life when it comes to these movies, it comes with a twist. Hank believes that his replacement heart comes from a Puerto Rican drag queen.

And, so, he finds himself doing things he believes Puero Rican drag queens do. Because, that’s what happens with heart transplants…[cough]

Cue the “comedy” as we see him embrace a whole new way of living. He gets streaks in his hair, wears high heels, performs in drag at his local gay club and starts making fancy meals. As Hank stumbles through his new lifestyle, he’s guided by his therapist Dr. Farjado (Gloria Estefan), who tries to help him navigate these troubled waters he finds himself in, but just as Hank begins to embrace his new self, another twist…

As it turns out that his heart donor wasn’t who he thought. In fact, his heart came from a heterosexual Japanese sushi chef, leading Hank into yet another chapter of soul-searching…

And a fondness for sushi, because, again, that’s what happens…Virginia Madsen in A Change of HeartI’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a redemptive arc for Hank and by the end of it, everyone is laughing and joking and Hank is no longer the grumpy old man we met at the start of the film with a new appreciation for life and more tolerance and understanding for others…

Sooooooooooooooo. Yeah.

From all I can read, the best guess I have is that someone, somewhere, realised, or at least thought, that this film probably wasn’t going to land well with today’s, more aware, audience and it was quietly shelved before anyone could get their knickers in a twist over it.

I mean. I get it, I’m not 100% sure when we lost the ability to laugh at ourselves and others without causing offence. And, sure – I get that the film probably hits a few stereotypical outdated concepts and playing it for laughs in the way that it does probably sets off a few alarm bells.

But I suspect it probably wasn’t as tasteless as it would have been some time ago and that no actual harm was meant. The message was there “old Grumpy man changes his mind about things he’s been brought up with to enjoy a new enlightened life”, and it’s not a bad message.

I mean both Emilio and Gloria Estefan were both honoured shortly before their involvement with the film by Miami’s Gay & Lesbian Film Fest Ally Awards. Kenny Ortego is himself gay and has been known to comment on how he make films “queer kids can relate to” and would direct the remake of the Rocky Horror Picture Show shortly after making this.
Virginia Madsen in A Change of HeartAnd we all know how inclusive Virginia Madsen is with this kind of thing, especially having starred in well received films such as Becoming Colette and moving on later in her career to make 1985.

I honestly don’t think that anyone set out to make an offensive film here, I really don’t – I think some feet got cold about the way film could be perceived. Which, seems kinda dumb all things considered.

But. All this is a guess we shall never actually know.

Had it been released, this would have been the second time Virginia Madsen and Jim Belushi had worked together on a film, the first time being way back in 1999 in the movie, The Florentine.

Anyway…

In the absence of any form of Availability – Film poster:

Virginia Madsen in a Change of Heart

Trailer:

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Virginia Madsen in Father of Invention

Father of Invention

This 2010 film might not be the most famous in the filmographies of its stars, and it certainly leaves little imprint on the minds of those who give it a watch. Father of Invention is one of those quirky comedy-dramas you might stumble upon when you’re down to the last few movies on your list. And, perhaps it should stay there.

Directed by Trent Cooper and starring Kevin Spacey, the film tells the story of Robert Axle, a man who once ruled the infomercial world, becoming a self-made billionaire, only to end up serving prison time for a disastrous invention gone wrong. It’s a film about second chances, taking a humorous but often bittersweet look at how to rebuild your life after losing everything.

Now, on that note, time to be serious for a moment.

[Ahem.] Kevin Spacey’s role in this film comes with some context that’s worth acknowledging, everything considered. Kevin Spacey has faced multiple serious allegations of misconduct, some of which have been dismissed or ended in acquittal. While the legal outcomes have been in his favour, the controversies have undeniably impacted his career and public perception. How audiences feel about watching his work now is a personal decision. For this write-up, and in keeping with the focus of this Virginia Madsen centred website, the attention will remain on the film itself and its part in Virginia Madsen’s career. [/Ahem.]

Anyway…
Virginia Madsen as Lorraine in Father of Invention, standing near a metallic door with one hand on the handle. She wears a bold, patterned blouse with layered necklaces and large hoop earrings, her long wavy hair framing her confident expression.Robert Axle was once a man of high standing. He wowed the public with his eccentric inventions, sold on late-night TV, building a billion-dollar empire in the process. It’s a true rags-to-riches story (and, funnily enough, Virginia Madsen would later co-star in Joy, another film about a creative entrepreneur).

Axle’s downfall comes when one of his products, the “Ab-Click,” malfunctions and causes injuries due to improper use. Though the blame seems a bit excessive, Robert is held responsible and sent to jail for eight years. This disaster not only destroys his career but also fractures his already fragile relationship with his daughter, Claire (Camilla Belle).

By the time Robert is released, his life has completely unravelled. He’s still “cancelled” in the public eye, and Claire, who has long since moved on, refuses to even speak to him.

So, off we go on the road to redemption for what becomes a rather predictable journey.Virginia Madsen as Lorraine in Father of Invention, leaning over a white railing in a modern building. She wears a flowing turquoise tunic and matching leggings, her expression tense as she looks downward.Virginia Madsen plays Lorraine, Claire’s room-mate. And, you know what? It’s a good role for her. We get to see her empathy and general good nature come through. It’s not a massive role, nor one she could really run with, but as always, Virginia Madsen manages to make it believable, authentic and give it her own charm.

For what it’s worth, she does seem to be having a good time with her character. When we first meet her she’s playing an electronic piano and generally having a good time by herself until the knock on the door from Robert, she opens the door (complete with cigarette in her mouth) and her whole demeanour changes from playful to pissed off. Top stuff.

Unfortunately, the film itself isn’t good. As I watched, I kept wondering why somebody, somewhere, didn’t just say, “Stop.”

“It’s a massive waste of time and talent,” was the exact phrase that popped into my head as I pressed the eject button.Virginia Madsen as Lorraine in Father of Invention, leaning against Craig Robinson’s character in a relaxed pose. She wears a colorful patterned blouse, while he smiles warmly with his arm around her.So, would I recommend it? No. No, I would not. Watching this for Virginia Madsen earns you a badge of dedication, but I couldn’t, in good conscience, suggest it to anyone.  I mean, seriously, we’re bordering on Hot to Trot territory here. And I actually think I’d watch that over this.

Availability:

Good. For some reason. Almost as though nobody wanted to buy a copy.

Gallery:

Trailer:

Virginia Madsen in Monk

Monk

Monk may seem like a bog standard “crime of the week” procedural show on the surface, but it offers so much more. Beneath the crime-solving with a bit of quirky thrown in premise is a properly human portrayal of a man grappling with his own mental health.

The series aired from 2002 to 2009, with Tony Shalhoub in the lead role as Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While Monk’s OCD is what makes him brilliant as an investigator, the show doesn’t shy away from the darker, more debilitating aspects of his condition. Tony Shalhoub’s portrayal of Monk won him numerous awards, and for good reason. He balances the genius that is Monks with the tragedy of his illness.

Monk’s OCD is both a gift and a curse. Yes, it sharpens his attention to detail, making him an incredible investigator, but the show never treats it like a superpower. Instead, it offers a realistically nuanced portrayal of the emotional toll the disorder takes on him, and those around him. The show’s honest depiction of this struggle is what takes it beyond the typical TV Show formula used here.

While Monk focuses on solving standalone mysteries, there are deeper, long-running arcs that add an emotional weight to the story. Central to the series is Monk’s quest to solve the murder of his wife, Trudy. This mystery haunts him, and despite his investigative genius, the answers always seem just out of reach—until they aren’t. Without giving too much away, the way the show resolves Trudy’s murder is possible on the most satisfying things ever filmed for Television.
Virginia Madsen as T.J. Jensen in Monk, wearing a silky pink blouse and speaking with a concerned expression. Her brown hair is styled in an elegant updo as she converses with a male character in a well-lit office setting.In the show’s eighth and final season we’re introduced to T.K. Jensen, played by Virginia Madsen. T.K. quickly becomes a part of Captain Leland Stottlemeyer’s life in the later seasons. Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine), is Monk’s closest ally, often frustrated but always loyal. As a police captain, Stottlemeyer has a tough exterior, but T.K. brings out his softer side.

She’s introduced in “Happy Birthday, Mr. Monk” as a journalist who reviews household appliances, and Stottlemeyer is instantly smitten with her, I mean, yeah – Who wouldn’t be? Right?

We next see Virginia Madsen as T.K. In “Mr. Monk is the Best Man,” she. and Stottlemeyer are preparing to get married, but the dangers of his job begin to take their toll on her. After their home is broken into and a stalker threatens their safety, T.K. has second thoughts about marrying a police captain. With some help from Monk’s assistant, Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard), T.K. ultimately decides to go through with the wedding, leading to a beachside marriage.Virginia Madsen as T.J. Jensen in Monk, wearing a black dress with her brown hair in soft curls. She speaks to Tony Shalhoub’s Monk with a warm yet confident expression in an office setting.T.K.’s final appearance comes in “Mr. Monk and the End,” where she remains a supportive presence as Monk finally uncovers the truth about Trudy’s murder. It’s pretty much a blink and you’ll miss it kind of appearance, but a nice touch for the final episode and the wrap up of Stottlemeyer’s story.

Could anyone have played T.K.? – Well, probably if I’m honest, but – it’s always a treat to see Virginia Madsen playing a role in anything.

Her character definitely adds to a show on its final approach to its landing. Most of the heavy lifting happens in her second episode, and she does an excellent job portraying the conflict of someone preparing to marry a man in such a dangerous line of work.
Virginia Madsen as T.J. Jensen in Monk, sitting at a cozy kitchen nook with a smile while reading the San Francisco Chronicle. She wears a plaid shirt, her wavy brown hair framing her face.Virginia Madsen enjoyed her brief time on the show, particularly her more background role. Speaking with The LA Times in their Sunday Conversation section she’d have this to say;

“I don’t necessarily need to be the star. And when you work in an ensemble, it’s exciting and it’s fun and it’s creative, and I work really well as a team. I like the family feeling. “Monk” was like that. There wasn’t any mean competition. There were no divas on the set. It was a real feeling of family. That was another thing we talked about at the beginning: I said we’ve got really young people on this show, and I want you guys to support me in making a family, so I want to do stuff together and I want to bond, and they were like, “Cool.””

I think it’s obvious I’ve a soft spot for Monk and his adventures over the years, and it hardly seems worth bothering to recommend a show with eight years of history before you get to the Virginia Madsen part.

But, if you’re the kind that likes to binge a box set every now and again you can do much worse than this show. Even if you just watch the final season you should get some enjoyment out of it.

Availability:

Good. You can buy individual series on DVD, or treat yourself to the whole thing.

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Virginia Madsen in Sideways

Sideways

This film is the elephant in the room for me. I might as well come out and say it.

I’m not a fan of Sideways. Yes, I know. This is a site dedicated to Virginia Madsen, and yet here I am, admitting I don’t love the film that resurrected her career. The film that brought her back into Hollywood’s spotlight, earned her numerous accolades, and showered her in awards.

How can that be?

It’s not for lack of trying, I promise. Before rewatching, I half-convinced myself that maybe it was a matter of timing. I was younger when I first watched it, and I thought perhaps a more world-weary, mature version of me might appreciate it. So I gave it another go.

And. Nope. I’m sorry, but I still don’t get it.
Virginia Madsen as Maya in Sideways (2004), smiling softly with teary eyes. She sits in a dimly lit setting, wearing a brown jacket with floral embroidery, as she listens intently to someone off-camera.At its core, Sideways is a road movie – We follow Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) as they embark on a trip through California’s wine country, celebrating Jack’s upcoming marriage. But the two friends have wildly different ideas of what this last hurrah should be. Jack wants one last fling before settling down, while Miles, reeling from his recent divorce, is searching for something deeper, using his love of wine as the backbone for the journey.

Along the way, they meet two women—Stephanie (Sandra Oh), a free-spirited firecracker, and Maya (our very own Virginia Madsen), a thoughtful and introspective waitress. The women reflect the two men perfectly: Stephanie with her spontaneity mirrors Jack, while Maya, with her quiet contemplation, is the ideal match for Miles. It seems like the perfect set-up, right?

But of course, things go awry, and Jack’s recklessness threatens to ruin everything, including the connection forming between Miles and Maya.

So, why don’t I like it? I don’t know, really.

The older, more “mature” me thought I’d appreciate its subtleties this time around, but instead, I found it boring.

Maybe I was too young the first time and now too old the second? I see a lot of myself in Miles and know plenty of friends who could be Jack, but still, the film leaves me cold and wanting.

Maybe it’s because I’m a beer man over wine? Would it have been different if they’d been drinking beer all the way? Who knows?

That said – Virginia Madsen as Maya? You can’t help but appreciate that, I mean, c’mon.
Virginia Madsen as Maya in Sideways, holding up a bottle of wine with a knowing smile. She wears a red top, her curly hair framing her face, as she sits near a wine rack in a warmly lit setting.Virginia Madsen deserved every award she got for this performance. Even as someone who doesn’t drink much wine, I hung on every word of that speech about wine’s evolution. It’s a moment that transcends the film, one that you can’t imagine anyone else pulling off. And I’m not just saying that as a fan.

Looking back, you can see how her previous roles from The Rainmaker to Sideways; The Florentine, Almost Salinas, Just Ask My Children and American Gun they all built to this one. Those performances laid the groundwork for Virginia Madsen to totally transform into  Maya, and Sideways was her moment to truly shine.

If you watch the speech again, separate from the context of the film she is almost telling you this herself;

Would I recommend Sideways as a whole?

Honestly, no. As a film, it doesn’t resonate with me. But as a showcase for what Virginia Madsen is capable of? Absolutely. Her performance, to me,  is the jewel in Sideways’ crown, and for that alone, it deserves a watch.

Availability:

Easy to find on DVD, and it’s on plenty of streaming services. You’ll pay over the odds for a copy on Blu-Ray though – Not sure why.

Gallery:

Trailer:

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