Marisa Tomei’s Defining Film: The Cassavetes Classic That Changed Her
Marisa Tomei shares the film that transformed her view of acting and filmmaking, revealing how a bold classic shaped her early career and creative outlook.
Every performer has that one film that sticks with them, the one that made them realise what acting could really be. For some, it’s a cult gem; for others, a box office smash. For Marisa Tomei, it’s a standout work from a director who’s a bit of a legend among Hollywood’s top talent, and it’s easy to see why.
If you’re into the craft of filmmaking, you’d know John Cassavetes is often credited with shaking up the industry. He broke away from the usual studio system, making films on his own terms. His first feature, Shadows, was a game-changer, using improvisation and a jazz-inspired approach to storytelling. It showed punters you didn’t need a massive budget, a big-name cast, or a fancy set-up to make something special. Cassavetes quickly became a key figure in the indie scene, and his ongoing partnership with his wife, Gena Rowlands, took his work to another level entirely.
Rowlands and Cassavetes: A Creative Powerhouse
Their collaborations have inspired heaps of film lovers over the years. Many reckon A Woman Under the Influence is their best, digging deep into themes like family, gender, and mental health. Tomei’s a fan of that one too, but her top pick is Opening Night. This film features a powerhouse performance from Rowlands, playing a stage actor grappling with her own sanity after a tragic encounter with a fan.
Tomei, who’s done everything from Chaplin and My Cousin Vinny (which scored her an Oscar) to The Wrestler and even a stint in the Marvel universe, says it was Opening Night that really opened her eyes to what film could do. It’s a bit of a leap from indie drama to superhero flicks, but that’s the journey she’s taken.
Discovering the Scope of Film
In an interview, Tomei explained what drew her to Opening Night.
“Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes. [I chose this one] because of Gena, because I watched it when my mind was first opened up to what cinema could be when I was a young actress starting out and discovering the scope of film.”
She went on to talk about Rowlands’ impact, saying,
“Everything that Gena does in this, as well as in A Woman Under the Influence, the way that it explores femininity and masculinity and the devastating edges of masculinity, as well as so many colours that a woman can be: her fierceness, her devastation, her heartbreak, her going mad…”
It’s not just what’s on screen that impressed Tomei. She was also struck by the way the film was made, noting the behind-the-scenes effort and the unique vision that set it apart.
Breaking Away from the Studio System
Tomei highlighted how Opening Night showed her that you didn’t have to follow the usual Hollywood path.
“And then to understand a film could be shot in someone’s house, that you could just do this, you could find a way to carve your own path away from prescribed studio roles. So, I chose this for the whole package.”
For Tomei, it wasn’t just about the acting or the story, but the entire approach to making films—doing things differently, taking risks, and finding your own way. That’s what made Opening Night her ultimate inspiration.