Formative Performances: Natalie Wood in “Splendor in the Grass”

[The following is a guest post from abovethetitle.]

I think she’s one of the very best actresses in history, maybe somewhat undervalued by Hollywood at certain points in her career, but she gives this performance her all. I remember being recommended this film by a great friend who is also a Wood fan and I was completely knocked out. It’s one of the great portraits of teenage depression. The movie might be tainted forever by being the namesake for the boat where Natalie spent her ill-fated last night of life but nothing can ruin Natalie’s acting prowess in the bathtub scene. It’s quite remarkable to think that she was so famously terrified of water but probably the best scene of her entire career was right here.