West Side Glory: Interview with Rita Moreno
Review Journal, 10.3.08
By STEVE BORNFELD
Multiple award winner Rita Moreno takes the stage at UNLV
-excerpted-
Q: Recently, you had a multiepisode arc on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" as Detective Goren's dying, schizophrenic mother. Vincent D'Onofrio, who plays Goren, is such a quirky, interesting actor. What was it like working with him?
A: Like bread and butter. Wow! I love him. The very first day I came in for the first episode, as we were rehearsing, he stopped the scene and said to me in the most polite way, you know how he speaks so softly: "Excuse me, Rita, would you mind if we don't allow each other to finish each other's sentences?" I knew exactly what he meant -- just make it look improvised. And that's all I did. I got the most wonderful letter from the producer who said to me, "I can't remember when I've seen Vincent better, and it's because of you." I just love that man.
Full interview
Thanks Judy!
posted by thereel @ 6:53 PM
10 Comments:
What a great compliment from a fellow great actor!! It's nice to know that a multi-award winning actress thinks so highly of our guy. Proves that Vincent truly cares about the end product, gives 110% and is passionate about his craft.
I've been a fan of Rita's for many, many years. Such an incredibly talented and lovely individual. LOCI was fortunate to have her. Nice to know she thought so much of working with Vincent. They BOTH should have been at least nominated for emmys. Yeah, I'm still beating that dead horse! LOL
The LOCI scenes with Rita and Vincent truly were magic. They did indeed inspire each other. It's wonderful to read that Rita, with her amazing talent and stature in the industry, thinks so highly of Vincent. It's also heartwarming to hear him described as soft-spoken and polite, such down-to-earth, genuine terms. Much to my regret, I have never met Vincent, so I am always thrilled when the lucky ones who do know him confirm my opinion of how wonderful he is.
To get such a great compliment from such a talented actress as Rita Moreno is indeed an honor-
I wish they had left Frances alive and doing more episodes-
Regi.
OK I adore Rita Moreno ANYWAY (I can remember her tango-ing with an ENORMOUS muppet Frenchman on Sesame Street back in the year I-don't-care-to-remember-what), but now I love her even more.
Ms Moreno had better join the end of a very LONG line of those loving him.
What a wonderful compliment to our Vincent though! Having at first thought that Rita was a strange choice, they worked so beautifully together, and had some of the most memorable scenes in the history of LOCI. Kudos to both of them.
What a wonderful complement from such a great actor.
The scenes Vincent had with Miss Moreno were always breath taking and just sucked you in to their reality.
vivienne
There was so much feeling in those scenes. Those two brought out the best in each other. And we all know how wonderful their best is.
"America" remains one of my favourite ever scenes in a movie, and now I've added dozens, hundreds of Vincent ones to join it.
"Only a goldsmith can assess your gold"........
It's definitly heartwarming when a talented, experienced actor such as Ms. Moreno describes our Vincent as an outstanding actor, as well as a remarkable person.
And their dialogues.....
Never out-of-date; never cease to move you, after watching them together, over and over.
Some of the truely "classic" moments in the history of tv shows.
It's interesting that not only Vincent is not afraid to help his co-stars "shine", but it also brings out the best in him, too.
We can always hope, that Frances returns -in flash back scenes, of course...
By the way folks, please take the time to post a comment on the Review Journal site, too -if you wish them to interview Vincent, or wish Ms. Moreno to return to CI; etc...
And of course, if Vincent's "Emmy cut out" still bothers you -as much as it bothers this humble blogmate of your.
Saghy
Wonderful to know that a fellow member of Vincent's profession admits she'loves' him!
They were wonderful together, but unless Frances Goren comes back in (new) flashbacks, or as a ghost (unlikely in both cases I would have thought), Rita's character died at the end of season 6, so it would be nonsensical to have her back in Season 8.
Thanks so much for posting the interview.
Lizzie
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