Fantasy Films of Michelle Pfeiffer
From Ladyhawke to Catwoman, Good Witch to Bad Witch
A-List Actress Makes Quality Genre Films
After a seven year hiatus, Michelle Pfeiffer returned to the big screen last summer in three films showcasing her range: a romantic comedy (I Could Never Be Your Woman), a musical (Hairspray), and the grown-up fairy tale Stardust. While sorcery is nothing new to this former witch of Eastwick, Stardust marks her first major foray into villainy as the evil sorceress Lamia.
Stardust (2007)
Stardust is probably the best adult-themed (not like that!) fairy tale since 1987's The Princess Bride. A well-written script and strong performances from the entire cast (including a fabulous turn by Robert De Niro) combined with visually compelling effects result in a beautifully told story rich with magic, mystery, romance, and of course, some good old fashioned evil.
Pfeiffer portrays Lamia with a regal disdain reminiscent of the wonderfully wicked Maleficent in Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959). Where actresses of any age might squawk at portraying a hideous, balding old hag, she revels in the role, playing it to full effect without overdoing it. She's only haggish in a few scenes, though; she's her usual drop-dead gorgeous self throughout most of the film.
Ladyhawke (1985)
Before turning to evil, Pfeiffer was its victim as Lady Isabeau, divided from her love, Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer), by a vengeful bishop. By day Isabeau lives as a hawk, by night Navarre lives as a wolf; only in the brief moments of dusk and dawn can they look upon each other, never able to speak, never able to touch.
Translucent and sorrowful, Isabeau wanders the forest with her wolf by her side, without hope of ever reuniting with her love. Enter impish thief Phillipe (Matthew Broderick), who whips everyone into a frenzy and provokes a dramatic resolution. A great romantic adventure, Ladyhawke holds up as solid fantasy fare all these years later.
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
A feminist fantasy wrapped in dark humor, The Witches of Eastwick pits Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon, and Cher against Jack Nicholson, to vicious comic effect. Overworked single mom Sukie Ridgemont (Pfeiffer) might not seem particularly witchy, but that's before the devil gets his hands on her. She transforms from frazzled to feisty under the tutelage of wealthy newcomer Daryl Van Horne (Nicholson) and unleashes her goddess within.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
Although Titania isn't exactly a goddess, she does pretty much whatever she wants as queen of the fairies in this cleverly adapted Shakespearian classic. Set in 19th century Italy, the lush production design and costuming contribute as much to the film as the actors. Pfeiffer is literally radiant, draped in shimmering gowns and glittering, luxurious hair. All of the acting may not be the best it's ever been, but hey, it's Shakespeare; most people don't understand half of what's going on anyway, but it sure does look pretty.
Batman Returns (1992)
A mere paragraph or twelve could never do justice to the crowning jewel of Michelle Pfeiffer's career in fantasy films. As Catwoman (arguably her greatest performance), she outshines all other female comic book characters on film and most of the male ones, too.
Sure she's gorgeous, but that's not the measure of her greatness. Before her transformation Selena Kyle is neurotic, klutzy, and frumpy, not an easy thing for a beautiful, graceful woman to pull off. And yet Pfeiffer plays it to comic perfection, sidling up to the threshold of camp without straying into parody; she's serious about the character but never takes herself too seriously.
"I am Catwoman, hear me roar."
A totally new character emerges after Selena's transformation into Catwoman, sexy and lithe and on the brink of madness. Pfeiffer transcends her looks, inhabiting the body and spirit of this creature with total confidence. It will always be a travesty she didn't get to play this character in her own film, especially in light of 2004's hugely disappointing Catwoman. Though Halle Berry did the best she could with what she was given, there is just no comparison.
It will take a lot to ever come close to Michelle Pfeiffer's pitch perfect portrayal of Catwoman, though it'll be interesting to see if the new Batman franchise will try.
A Fantastic Body of Work
Pfeiffer has gone from being a ghost as the title character in To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996) to seeing one in What Lies Beneath (2000). She re-teamed with Jack Nicholson in Wolf (1994) and played the animated baddie Eris in Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003). With her trio of films in 2007 and two more on the horizon this year, it seems only a matter of time before she ventures once again into the realm of fantasy.
