The Hollywood community and movie-lovers everywhere have been devastated this morning by the death of screen icon Elizabeth Taylor at the age of 79.
Ms. Taylor had been suffering from congestive heart failure for years, eventuating in her hospitalisation at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai six weeks prior to her death.
Michael Wilding, Ms. Taylor’s son, spoke fondly of his mother as he told the press that she died with her loving family around her.
“My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour and life.”
No truer words could be spoken of this talented Welsh born actress, who begun her acting career at the tender age of 10 in the American movie There’s One Born Every Minute (1942).
Her status as a star did not truly begin, however, until she was casted as Velvet Brown in the classic film National Velvet (1944). This was her third feature film and saw her acting alongside screen legends Mickey Rooney and Anne Revere (who won an Oscar for her supporting performance as Velvet’s mother in the acclaimed film).
Taylor’s performance was well beyond her years. She successfully conveyed the mature determination of her headstrong young character while retaining a youthful innocence, shown through Velvet’s touching relationship with her childhood horse.
It was this early performance that not only illustrated Taylor’s true raw talent as a leading actress but allowed her to establish her own unique film presence, defining her career that spanned over five decades and two Academy Awards.
While I have never been lucky enough to view either of her Oscar winning performances in BUtterfield 8 (1960) and Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), I will never forget her sheer brilliance as Maggie ‘The Cat’ in the classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), where she crossed vicious words with the equally talented Paul Newman.
When I first watched this film, on an international flight from Abu Dhabi to Paris, I was blown away by Taylor’s ability to capture the feminine vulnerability of a wife struggling to hold onto her husband and the lifestyle which she had become accustomed to. It was raw, layered and utterly believable, complemented by her unique natural beauty and strong screen presence. Taylor developed a character that was incredibly hard to ignore.
And It was in this dimly lit aircraft that I fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor. And when I heard the tragic news of her passing I remembered that flight, that film and that performance.
But today as the world remembers the illustrious career of a woman dubbed “the last of the great screen legends,” it is humbling to know that she will remain immortal forever through the memories of everyone who was ever been touched by her. Touched by her talent, her grace, her beauty and her life.
Rest in Peace.
The Film Dissection 