Big Blonde

Adapted from a short story by Dorothy Parker, it gives Anderson plenty of room to show what a fine character actress she is–her rich, multilayered portrayal of the title character is inspired. Not only does she become Hazel Morse body, accent, and soul, but she continues transforming herself, becoming cheaper, coarser, and more pathetic as Morse descends from petty adulteress to party girl to glorified prostitute to sad-sack boozer–all without sacrificing the humor or heart in Parker’s story. Even when Morse smacks rock bottom, Anderson mixes the pathos and pithy comebacks with Parker-esque abandon.