The one scene Jeff Bridges is jealous he didn’t get to act in himself: “That was my favourite”
He may be seen as the perennial cool customer, but even Jeff Bridges has regrets, although they’re not quite what one might expect.
Bridges is something of a Hollywood titan. Born in 1949, his career has spanned seven decades thus far and shows no signs of slowing down. The American actor is well-known for his leading roles in fast-paced genre films and blockbusters, including King Kong, Tron, The Morning After, and, most popularly, The Big Lebowski. In recent years, he has successfully transitioned to working in high-profile television series, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his work in The Old Man.
‘The Dude’ is also involved in philanthropy. In 1984, he and other entertainment industry leaders founded the End Hunger Network, supporting President Obama’s target to end childhood hunger in the United States by 2015. He is also known onscreen and off as being a good-natured, laid-back person, and something of a family man. Somewhat uncommonly for someone in the acting industry, he has been married to his wife for 50 years, and the couple has three daughters.
A recent comment from Bridges on the scene he wishes he had the chance to film, one which he claims is his favourite, speaks both to this theme of family and, perhaps, a broader tendency not to take himself too seriously. In an interview with YouTuber Josh Horowitz, Bridges revealed which scene by another actor he wished he could have acted in. “One of these interviews they asked me…and I did, ‘Give her the shot!’…that was my favourite scene,” he exclaimed, quoting the iconic line delivered by Shirley MacLaine in the 1983 film, Terms of Endearment. He went on to discuss which part of the film makes him misty-eyed, mentioning, “But those kids in that hospital scene…the one kid who’s [saying goodbye]…oh god!”
Terms of Endearment is an American tragicomedy and family drama, directed by James L Brooks and adapted from Larry McMurtry’s 1975 novel. It explores three decades of the relationship between Aurora Greenway, played by MacLaine, and her daughter Emma Greenway-Horton, played by Debra Winger. Claustrophobic and intense, the film was both critically acclaimed and a box-office hit, and led to MacLaine finally winning an Academy Award.
The scene in question is a famous one, taking place in a hospital as Aurora’s daughter Emma nears the end of her life, succumbing to cancer. Her mother, distressed at seeing her daughter’s pain, rushes to the nurses’ station and confronts them about their lack of haste in administering pain medication. Her screams of “Give her the shot” remain a moment in MacLaine’s career that many remember her for.
The scene is powerful in part due to the acting, but also due to the deeply recognisable feelings embedded within it. Aurora is desperate to ease Emma’s pain, and ultimately cannot refrain from lashing out at others as she demands help for her child. It’s a complex moment in which the viewer both feels deeply sorry for Aurora, while also recognising the extreme nature of her emotions, and the futility of seeking to control the situation by shouting at hospital staff who ultimately cannot do much to help. In the end, it’s a scene that also offers a deeper insight into the closeness and protectiveness inherent to the entanglements of many parent-child relationships.
Bridges offers a powerful rendition of “Give her the shot” during the interview, showing that in a gender-blind and age-blind recasting of Terms of Endearment, he would be a good contender for the role. Perhaps he feels genuine regret for the roles for which he would simply never be considered, knowing that in some parallel world, he might have had a career characterised by the same acting vivacity but involving playing entirely different characters. One wonders how common it is for actors to look at roles beyond their own age and gender and think: if only! Perhaps, indeed, this phenomenon of regret is more common than we realise.
