Movies
Irene In Time, Perfection
By Tommy Garrett
May 17, 2009 - 4:06:10 PM

SANTA MONICA— Actress Tanna Frederick takes a dramatic turn in her career and portrays a character in the film “Irene In Time.” The award-winning actress has been paired again with Hollywood’s most talented and brilliant director Henry Jaglom, who has produced and written some of the most critically acclaimed works for decades. This film “Irene In Time,” is one of the most poignant and heartbreaking films I’ve ever seen. But underlying it all is a story about hope, about truth and the effect a father has on his daughter’s life.

The film, which will be released on June 11 across America in limited distribution, will certainly garner Frederick and Jaglom even more acclaim.  Frederick’s work in this film is surely Oscar worthy and hopefully peers in the Academy will take a look at one of the most talented women in Hollywood since Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis.

When I first was given a preview of this film, I found myself crying while watching Irene’s pain, and what she and other young women endure who have less than adequate relationships with the paternal parent in their lives. But I also saw the hope in the actress’ eyes. Frederick who is trained as a thespian has the most exciting qualities as any actress in this generation. Maybe only Drew Barrymore and Cate Blanchett can compare to her awing brilliance as an actress. But again, they can only compare, they do not come close to being as enigmatic as the young star.

Henry Jaglom is one of the most outstanding directors of our lifetime and his work with some of the most talented women like Lee Grant, Mary Crosby and Karen Black has revived the careers of many great ladies in film. But in Frederick’s case, he has given her a vehicle which has propelled her into a category that no actress in the past fifty years could be placed. Frederick makes the list of very talented women in Hollywood: Garbo, Davis, Crawford and Hepburn.

Jaglom has even fewer to compare to. Wyler, Wilder and Hitchcock. “Irene In Time” will be released on Friday, June 19 in select locations around Southern California and in New York City. It’s surely a film that I feel will be the best film of Summer 2009.

“Irene In Time” gets Five and a half of Five Stars. www.ireneintime.com.