An adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond” comes out in theaters today. Directed by Jodie Markell, the story examines the lust and longing of Fisher Willow, a tenacious, sometimes foolhardy young woman living in the South. I picture Fisher as the kind of woman who shatters glasses, slaps faces, and kisses while sobbing. She isn’t very tough, but she likes to think she is. She’s well-traveled and flighty.
The kind of woman who lives on the verge of insanity, who won’t define right and wrong, whose radical values are affirmed after many exciting trials, in light of her bright eyes, long legs and sophisticated intellect. The story is totally romantic.
I call it romantic because this character is one I always dreamed of being. As a child, my imagination was encouraged but I didn’t have the kind of nomadic, liberal, or unfortunate upbringing that creates moody musicians, free-thinkers or bad-asses. Of course now I believe character traits like that can stem from any background. I also believe there is no way to fake sexy-crazy. I hope actor Bryce Dallas Howard’s plays Fisher Willow with sincere formidably; because to fake that kind of misunderstood sadness is a disservice to sad people. Tennessee Williams’ would know.
