
Broke Even (2000) Elizabeth Berridge returns to the big screen opposite Kevin Corrigan in the role of Leslie, described as "beguiling, elusive, beautifully mad, a woman who catapulted herself headlong into every blessed moment of life." The independent film has only played film festivals so far, but hopefully it will hit theatres or DVD sometime soon.
Elizabeth Berridge has an unbilled cameo as a prostitute in a bar who gives Mel Gibson's character some important information.
A group of friends share a house in Los Angeles, trying to find success and happiness while ultimately getting entangled in each other's lives. Elizabeth Berridge portrays Frankie, a woman who is head-over-heels in love with her boyfriend, Taylor (Brian McNamara). However, things get complicated when her manipulative best friend M.J. (Rae Dawn Chong), also a former flame of Taylor's, succeeds in seducing him back into her life. The film also stars Sandra Bullock, Kris Kamm, and Fisher Stevens.
Image: Elizabeth Berridge as Frankie in When the Party's Over
In Five Corners, two disparate groups of Bronx twentysomethings are affected by the recent release of a rapist (John Turturro) who is back in the old neighborhood. Elizabeth Berridge plays Melanie, a fun-loving junkie whose fiancé Sal gets so fed up with her that he pays two guys to take her and her friend Brita (Cathryn de Prume) off his hands. The girls wake up in a strange apartment and are invited by their new friends on a rigged-elevator joyride that quickly turns bad. Jodie Foster and Tom Robbins also star.
IMAGES: Elizabeth Berridge in Five Corners
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Smooth Talk stars Laura Dern as Connie, a teenager whose coming of age has strained her familial relationships. Elizabeth Berridge co-stars as Connie's dutiful and somewhat resentful older sister June. The film also stars Mary Kay Place and Levon Helm as their parents and Treat Williams as a character named Arnold Friend.
Smooth Talk was originally produced for PBS' American Playhouse and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1986 Sundance Film Festival. It is based on the story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates.
More Information: Joyce Carol Oates - Smooth Talk
IMAGES: Elizabeth Berridge in Smooth Talk
Amadeus (1984)
& Amadeus: Director's Cut
"In 1781 Vienna, court composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) is maddened with envy after discovering that the divine musical gifts he desires for himself have been bestowed on the bawdy, impish Mozart (Tom Hulce), whom he plots to destroy by any means necessary. And by means of cinematic craft and sublime music, we watch spellbound"
Elizabeth Berridge portrays Mozart's young and devoted wife, Costanze. Elizabeth was famously cast in the role after the original Costanze, Meg Tilly, sustained an injury just before filming started, but she delivers a beautifully realized performance that is certainly one of the most celebrated of her career to date.
The film is based on the stage play by Peter Shaffer, and won several Academy Awards the year it was originally released, including Best Picture and Best Director for Milos Forman. 2002 saw the release of Amadeus: Director's Cut, a version of the movie that contains 20 minutes of additional footage, including several scenes that deepen our understanding of Costanze. I highly recommend the DVD release of the director's cut as it also features a documentary in which many of the major players reflect on the making of the film. (Read Elizabeth's Amadeus bio + other info)
IMAGES: Elizabeth Berridge in Amadeus
Link: Amadeus: Director's Cut - Official Website
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The Funhouse (1981)
From Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, comes this truly frightening horror flick set at a traveling carnival. Amy Harper (Elizabeth Berridge) is out on a double date with boyfriend Buzz (Cooper Huckabee) and friends Liz (Largo Woodruff) and Richie (Miles Chapin), when they decide it would be fun to spend the night at the carnival. Instead, they end up spending the night fighting for their lives.
The Funhouse is based on the novel of the same name by Dean R. Koontz. Footage from the movie was also used in a horror compilation from 1984 titled Terror in the Aisles. (Several lobby cards and stills from The Funhouse can be found in the Gallery.)IMAGES: Elizabeth Berridge in The Funhouse
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An unhappy publisher, Paul Steward (Hal Holbrook), makes the decision to kill himself and his family when he gets home that evening, and spends the day reflecting back on his life. Elizabeth Berridge appears briefly in a non-speaking role as Sheila, one of the Steward children. Louise Fletcher also stars as Paul's wife.