Lisa Temple Actress Your Senator, Doctor, Teacher, Mom

Every January, as SAG-AFTRA members, my husband and I have the good fortune of voting for the SAG Awards. This year marks the 25^thAnniversary of these awards, and I’m proud to say we’ve voted in all but the first. As you can imagine, we feel blessed to preview SO MANY of the best movies and tv shows produced, and we always enjoy every moment. It’s so interesting and fun to watch with one eye on voting, and the other on being entertained, all while keeping track of our favorites.

Not only do we get all these DVDs, but we also get to stream many more. The internet has changed the world, hasn’t it? We’re also invited to private screening rooms around Los Angeles. These screenings are often followed by Q&A’s with the stars of the movies. So amazing! I love hearing things like: how the movies are made, how they build their characters, and what it was like to work with this director. I guess you can see how this is one of my favorite times of the year. It sure helps to get over the holiday withdrawal blues!

The trend these days is certainly for dark and dramatic themes, like the truly scary Handmaid’s Tale. I can’t take my eyes off of Elizabeth Moss. And to think it’s based on a book from the 80s. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney are rocking Ozark, which is also a twisted story based on very flawed characters. And the new series from Amy Adams, called Sharp Objects, is once more an intense story about an extremely dysfunctional family. Since I’m from a small farm town originally, this one feels a little too familiar.

The acting is incredibly good in these shows, and of course we’re intrigued by them, but I’m also feeling the need for stories of a better life. Where people are actually enjoying themselves, you know what I mean? Or is the world really that bad and I’m just looking at it with rose-colored glasses? Maybe I am. 

Seems like we could all use more light-hearted stories. Of course, this year we have Glow, The Kominsky Method andBarry, comedies with lots of great laughs and quirky characters. It’s interesting though, even comedies today have some rough aspects to them. For example, we see lady wrestlers, prostate cancer, spouses dying, and assassins who want to be actors. I guess those are considered realistic slices of life. But are they, or is it escapism?

I think that’s why my web series is a comedy about women who are living happy lives, even as they navigate the many “normal” challenges facing everyone. Life is tough enough without our entertainment being filled with the most painful experiences anyone could possibly imagine. But I guess it’s what people want right now. I’ve even gotten notes from those who’ve read my series, suggesting I bring in more gritty and raw topics. Sigh. So for my rewrites I’ve found ways to deepen the issues, while still keeping it as light as I can.

And I love movies based on real stories like Green Book, The Favourite, Vice, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and Beautiful Boy. These are very different types of historical movies, but they speak of history nonetheless. Of these my picks are Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody, Beautiful Boy and Vice. Such phenomenal performances, and well-directed movies.

I’m so glad Nick Vallelonga told his dad’s story, shedding light on how African-Americans used the Green Book to navigate road trips in the 60s, especially in the South. How very brave of pianist Don Shirley to tour the American South, not to mention hiring a New York bouncer to be his chauffer. And I didn’t realize what a gifted musician Freddie Mercury was, or just how good his voice was. I’d never seen an addiction portrayed quite like the one by Timothee Chalamet, or the unwavering love of Steve Carell as the father. And the Dick Cheney portrayal was disturbing, to say the least. Another story which sheds light on the corruption in our government. I loved how Christian Bale, in his Golden Globe speech, thanked Satan for the inspiration for his character!

So now we wait to see who wins on January 27th at the SAG Awards. I never miss any of the awards shows. I love the chance to have a vote in honoring actors who are doing great work. The acceptance speeches are my favorite thing. So inspiring! I’m grateful for the inspiration and professionalism of the nominees, and for the wonderful opportunity to see all these nominated productions. Thank you SAG-AFTRA, and Happy 25^thAnniversary to the SAG Awards!!