We continue our latest series of examining some of the works outside the saga of some of our most beloved actors in a galaxy far, far away.
Today we continue with our late Princess, the irreplaceable Carrie Fisher.
Bio
Carrie Frances Fisher was born 21st October 1956, the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, which made Carrie Hollywood royalty. In 1973, she enrolled in the London Central School of Speech and Drama and it was in 1977 – at just the tender age of 20 – that Carrie was catapulted to superstardom. During her lifetime, Fisher was brutally honest about her bipolar diagnosis and her addiction issues with cocaine and prescription medications and she became a powerful voice for mental heath advocacy. Fisher tragically passed away aged 60 on 27th December 2016 following complications four days earlier whilst on a flight to Los Angeles. She is survived by her daughter Billie Lourd. One day after Carrie’s passing, her mother – Debbie Reynalds – sadly died also. Some of Carrie’s ashes are laid to rest with her mother’s. The rest are held in a giant pill of Prozac.
Drop Dead Fred (1991)
This black comedy is wildly inventive and has gained cult status over thirty years on. Starring the wickedly talented, and sadly now late, Rik Mayall in the title role the story follows an unhappy woman who is given a lift when her childhood imaginary friend makes a return. Rik Mayall tears the screen apart here and it was supposed to propel him to Hollywood stardom. That, however, didn’t quite happen but what we’re treated to here is a fine comedy indeed. This was a staple of repeat viewing in my household growing up and it was only until I got older that I realised that Carrie Fisher had a prominent supporting role in the film playing Pheobe Cates’ best friend who tries to help her following a breakdown. It’s a lovely film that really is worth a watch if you’re at a loose end.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Perhaps one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time, this film ranked 23rd on the American Film Institute’s Greatest Comedies. It received Oscar nominations, was a widespread critical success and made 93 million dollars at the box office on a budget of just 16 million. It is, perhaps, best known for its infamous diner scene and asks the question that has plagued mankind for thousands of years…can a man and woman ever just be friends? Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan lead the cast, but Carrie Fisher delivers a stoic performance as Marie, who originally goes on a date with Harry. The film should not only sit on your list of Carrie Fisher movies to see but also your ‘films to see before you die’ list. On that note…”I’ll have what she’s having.”
Wishful Drinking (2009)
Carrie’s one-woman stage show opened on at the Geffen Playhouse in LA before moving to successful runs in San Francisco, Washington D.C and Broadway. The show was a critical success and was lauded for Carrie’s writing, humour, performance and mental health honesty. In 2010, HBO filmed the show for all to see. This show then became the book of the same name which became one of Carrie’s most famous. When you watch this show, I think you’ll have the same thought I’ve always had. “If Carrie had done stand-up comedy, they’d have been no stopping her.” She really was a fearless mind. And she was funny. Really, really funny.
Bright Lights (2017)
This documentary would sadly serve as the epilogue in the story of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. It was released just a few weeks after their deaths and gave us a fascinating insight into their lives and relationships. The film contains a genuine glimpse at some of their most intimate moments as they navigated their way through their respective highs and lows. Reynolds was still performing her nightclub act in Vegas and Fisher was preparing to return as Leia Organa in a new trilogy of Star Wars films. Words don’t do this film justice as it’s better to let Carrie say it in her own verse. Just like Carrie, the film is funny, emotional, powerful and honest. Of everything here on this list, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Catastrophe (Television series – 2015)
This comedy series was a breakout hit from the start. The show stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney as a pair who have a six-day fling. They soon discover that the American has impregnated the Brit and he moves from Boston to be with her and the baby. Fisher played Mia Norris, Delaney’s mother, and she brought her sharp wit and impeccable comic timing to the role. This role would be the last that Carrie played as she wrapped filming of series 3 only a few days before she died in 2016. Her character was written out and the series is dedicated to her memory. This show is available on All4.
Written by Carrie Fisher…
To most when you say “Carrie Fisher” – they think of Leia. To others, she was one of the most important feminist icons. To many though, she was equally famous for her writing. After the original trilogy came to close, Carrie became a Hollywood ‘script doctor’. One of the most sought after to be exact. Script doctors are uncredited writers who generally rewrite a film’s script before filming and ‘save it’ when it’s just not working. Some of the films that Carrie doctored include Sister Act, Last Action Hero and The Wedding Singer. Her projects were countless as a writer. Carrie was also a writer on the sitcom Roseanne and stayed closer to home at Lucasfilm as she worked as a writer on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles throughout the 1990s. One of her most famous books – Postcards from the Edge – was adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep with Carrie penning the screenplay. She wrote material for many of the Academy Award Ceremonies over the years and of course was an accomplished author. Her books included Postcards from the Edge, The Best Awful, Shockaholic, Delusions of Grandma and her final book – The Princess Diarist. The latter was based on journals that Carrie had found and detailed her time during the filming of the original Star Wars and her affair with Harrison Ford. I have read all of Carrie’s books and really do recommend that you put them on your reading lists.
Carrie Fisher once wrote how she wanted her death to be reported. Here, you’ll see, is Carrie’s other-worldly talent as a writer and beautiful sense of humour.
And so, as per her wishes, I’ll leave that report of her passing here…
“Carrie Fisher drowned in moonlight, strangled by her own bra.”
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