Working Girl (1988)

[James Luckard]

BTW, Mark Harris's biography of Nichols has some interesting stories about Working Girl.

Alec Baldwin was originally cast as Jack Trainer, even though he was unknown at the time. (He was cast before the release of his other two 1988 films, Married to the Mob and Beetlejuice, which both had juicy supporting roles for him). Anyway, apparently Fox got cold feet about Baldwin and pushed Nichols to cast an A-list male star. Enter Harrison Ford, with Balwdin recast in the smaller role of Mick.

Kind of funny that Ford and Baldwin would soon after famously be up for so many of the same roles, even trading off some of the same roles, like Jack Ryan.

[jt839]

Originally Posted by Beckford

Yes, I watched this last night too, quite by chance. Had enjoyed it when it was new. And was pleasantly surprised how very well it stood up. Director Mike Nichols really knew how to elevate the material at every level.
Definitely Melanie Griffith's finest hour. And regarding Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver, both owe a lot of their well-earned fame to work in other projects (him for the Indiana Jones adventures, Blade Runner etc, her for the Alien franchise) I happen to think "Working Girl" contains their finest work. Ford's charm, charisma and comic timing is flawless. He never gave another performance quite like it. And Weaver is jaw-droppingly good, delivering what remains the definitive high-wire portrait of smoothly seductive corporate villainy. Hilarious and terrifying.

I'd say Griffith's finest hour is Something Wild.

[disco1979]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Harrison Ford was on a roll in the 80s, playing fascinating character roles that really stretched him: Witness, The Mosquito Coast, Frantic, Working Girl. He fit them in among his blockbusters, but by the 90s he was just doing the blockbusters.

I agree, he shows flashes of his amazing comic timing in the Indy movies, but this film really let him shine. He's seems liberated by playing third fiddle, he doesn't have to carry the film. It's absolutely amazing that Ford agreed to do this role at the height of his movie star powers, when he could lead any film he wanted, but chose to play a supporting role here.

It's clear he and Mike Nichols clicked, since they worked again on the flawed but interesting Regarding Henry soon after.

This is my favourite Ford period. He was so handsome in this film and he had such great chemistry with Griffith. Ford often plays very guarded characters, so to watch him in Working Girl play such a charming, easygoing character who is flirtatious and likes to joke around was a nice surprise. It showed his range. I could see Baldwin playing this but I am glad Ford took the role. He was perfect.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

BTW, Mark Harris's biography of Nichols has some interesting stories about Working Girl.

Alec Baldwin was originally cast as Jack Trainer, even though he was unknown at the time. (He was cast before the release of his other two 1988 films, Married to the Mob and Beetlejuice, which both had juicy supporting roles for him). Anyway, apparently Fox got cold feet about Baldwin and pushed Nichols to cast an A-list male star. Enter Harrison Ford, with Balwdin recast in the smaller role of Mick.

Kind of funny that Ford and Baldwin would soon after famously be up for so many of the same roles, even trading off some of the same roles, like Jack Ryan.

He was also attached to the Fugitive as well. Alec seemingly hates Harrison, if his biography can be used as evidence.