Sidney Pollack died

[Chuck Nessa]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/movies/2...pollack.html?hp

[Shawn]

Wow, that's a shock! A very interesting career.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_sydney_pollack

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001628/

[Dave James]

Wow, I just watched him in Michael Clayton last night. He made some terrific movies and was very effective as an actor.

Up over and out.

[jazzbo]

Sad news!

[Shawn]

The first movie of his that I remember seeing was The Electric Horseman, I was only 9 when it came out but it made a lasting impression (my Mother and I used to take weekly trips to the movies). I'd like to see that one again sometime.

There are very few that could balance acting/directing/producing at such a consistently high level.

Edited May 27, 2008 by Shawn

[Free For All]

I've always enjoyed his work as both actor and director/producer.

When I think of his acting, the first thing that pops into my head (for whatever reason) is his performance in Tootsie. His scenes w/Dustin Hoffman were hilarious.

RIP

[GA Russell]

Here's his LA Times obituary:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...ewed-storylevel

[ValerieB]

i am so incredibly sad over this enormous loss. Sydney was probably my favorite person in the industry. i just absolutely admired, respected and loved him. this is just damn lousy.

my heart goes out to all his friends and family. i know he was loved by many.

[Late]

He was great in Husbands and Wives.

[king ubu]

He was great in Husbands and Wives.

Oh yes!

Sad news about his death! He was greatin "Michael Clayton".

Quoting from the NY Times article:

He increasingly sounded wistful notes about the disappearance of the Hollywood he knew in his prime. “The middle ground is now gone,” Mr. Pollack said in a discussion with Shimon Peres in the fall 1998 issue of New Perspectives Quarterly. He added, with a nod to a fellow filmmaker: “It is not impossible to make mainstream films which are really good. Costa-Gavras once said that accidents can happen.”

I'd say that "Michael Clayton" was maybe a minor little incident, but "The Interpreter" was definitely more than that - a very engaged, well-crafted film, quite against/out of its time in contemporary entertainment.

[Shawn]

I'd say that "Michael Clayton" was maybe a minor little incident, but "The Interpreter" was definitely more than that - a very engaged, well-crafted film, quite against/out of its time in contemporary entertainment.

I loved The Interpreter, couldn't understand how that one slipped as far below the radar as it did.

[kinuta]

I've just heard . Awful news indeed. He was one of the few directors who was also a convincing actor, Husbands And Wives and Eyes Wide Shut come to mind. He radiated warmth and humanity.

[Claude]

"Husbands and wives" is one of my Top 5 Woody Allen movies, also because of Sydney Pollack's performance. Among Pollack's directorial efforts I like "Three Days of the Condor" best.

[DTMX]

Wow, I just watched him in Michael Clayton last night. He made some terrific movies and was very effective as an actor.

Up over and out.

What a coincidence - I had rented Michael Clayton a few days ago and never got around to watching it until last night. Always enjoyed Pollack as an actor.

[Dan Gould]

I had no idea that his background in acting helped make him so at ease in front of the camera. I agree that the scenes with Hoffman in Tootsie were classic. I also recall a fine appearance as a very expensive shrink on an episode of Mad About You. RIP.

[BruceH]

Sad news indeed. It's been fun over the years to occasionally see him pop up here and there in movies. Most recently he had a brief appearance in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Will always like him as the director of Three Days of the Condor.

[RDK]

I'd say that "Michael Clayton" was maybe a minor little incident, but "The Interpreter" was definitely more than that - a very engaged, well-crafted film, quite against/out of its time in contemporary entertainment.

I loved The Interpreter, couldn't understand how that one slipped as far below the radar as it did.

The only time I met Sydney was during a rough cut screening of The Interpreter; less than a dozen of us there. Nice as could be, and very accepting of our comments. I've seen a lot of films with directors and/or actors in the room, but for some reason him sitting behind us while also appearing on-screen as an actor struck me as odd and I've always remembered it. Really terrific filmmaker who, despite all his awards and success, I still feel is underrated and not as well-known as he should have been.