High Stakes (VHS, 1990)

Sally Kirkland was Oscar nominated as Best Actress for her work in Anna in Feb. of 1988.
She won the Golden Globe in Jan. and was on the set of this film when the nominations were announced. The film was made in New York.

This is a must see for Kirkland fans and anyone who is interested in independent films.

It is another strong role for Sally. She acts her heart out and holds her own against Kathy Bates and a young Sarah Michelle Gellar. It is too bad this movie did not get major release.

Sally is a Gem and how she lost the Oscar to Cher for Moonstruck is a mystery. Rumor has it she lost by only a few votes (4) and considering her film had limited release and a small campaign compared to Cher's massive hit and large studio push indicates Sally was the front runner for anyone who watched all the films. A few more days of voting and the results and history books would be different.

Ms. Kirkland has starred in over 110 films and the nicest person anyone could ever meet, if you see her in person.

Given the right role Sally could easily be front and center again. As always she has sex appeal and is totally into her character. She is one of the few actors who understands that great acting is about knowing what motivates your character and being able to recall emotional events in your life to bring those emotions to life in a film.

The film was first titled Melanie Rose and I was so glad to find it on VHS, as it is not available on DVD yet.

Sally Kirkland should have received thank you notes from Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, and Felicity Huffman who all received Oscar Wins or Nominations for the films Boys Dont Cry, Monster, and Transamerica. If Sally had not been as amazing as she was in Anna and gotten the Oscar recognition, at a time when studio films dominated the nominations and actresses in independent films failed to get noticed, these other actresses would have had a much harder time in the future.

Sally was the first woman to get a nomination for an independent film that did not have a major male co-star or director involved. She also assisted in sending out screeners to members during the voting process. Not many other actors would do that. She paved the way and should be remembered for that.

Her continued work in independent film and MSIA proves she is the real deal. Sally Kirkland is one of the greatest actresses of her time.