Believe it or not: Carrie Fisher's colorful filmography
Children of celebrity parents must not only live under public scrutiny but also deal with the high expectations (of having a successful career like their parents). Reports of these famous kids checking in for alcohol abuse (or drug abuse) would become a fodder of tabloid. Carrie Fisher may be most remembered for Princess Leia, but she carved a successful career in showbiz. Most famous children couldn't say the same thing.
Carrie Fisher is the oldest child of Eddie Fisher, a famous singer during the 1950s, and Debbie Reynolds, one of the big names in the MGM musicals. It was a match made in heaven, but Frank Sinatra warned her about crooners not being faithful to their wives (or girlfriends). Carrie Fisher was barely a few years old when Eddie Fisher left Debbie Reynolds for Elizabeth Taylor, who was grieving over the death of (third) husband Mike Todd. The two couples happened to be close friends, while Taylor and Reynolds would go back to the early years of MGM. It could be similar to Brad Pitt leaving Jennifer Aniston for Angelina Jolie, and it wasn't hard to imagine Carrie Fisher struggling to understand what was once a huge scandal in Hollywood. But Reynolds managed to get over it (and become friends with Taylor again). Fisher wrote the screenplay of "These Old Broads" (2001), where Fisher and Taylor played an aging star and her agent respectively.
Fisher was a Jill of all trades if there would be such a term, acting, writing screenplay and books, and appearing in once-act comic plays. Her fans would remember her for her appearance on the big screen, and she had a prolific career. She played Mother Superior ("Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"), therapist to a madman ("Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery"), and herself ("Maps to the Stars"). She also appeared in some acclaimed films (like "Hannah and her Sisters"). But let's look at her more noteworthy performances. Here's a shortlist:
When Harry Met Sally... (1988) by Rob Reiner. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan may not have turned out to be the modern reincarnation of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, but Nora Ephron's thoughtful, if not talky, screenplay made sure that moviegoers would remember them. Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby played Marie and Jess, their (respective) best friends who became witness to their unlikely romance. These characters would be side shows in romantic comedies, but Ephron's script could leave some viewers with a case of what might have been. Marie and Jess might have a more memorable (love) story, as Fisher and Kirby managed to steal the show (from Crystal and Ryan) in some parts of the film. Ryan's girl-next-door appeal may have turned her into America's sweetheart, but Fisher was the real deal here.
The 'Burbs (1989) by Joe Dante. Tom Hanks tried everything in comedy during his younger years. In this case, a black comedy about a spooky neighborhood (or so a married couple thought). Fisher was a loving wife but kept a close eye on him. She didn't let Hanks do a one-man show.
Soapdish (1991) by Michael Hoffman. Robert Harling's story would relate to this all-star cast, about the drama (and backstabbing) behind a successful soap opera. Everyone seemed to have a field day, as they knew showbiz too well. Fisher couldn't be missed here.
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