Best Actress in a Supporting Role 1969: Catherine Burns in Last Summer

Catherine Burns received her first Oscar nomination for her performance as Rhoda in Last Summer.

Last Summer is a flawed movie about two boys and a girl who become friends during a summer vacation on Fire Esland before their relationship is somewhat altered by a shy, uncool girl who tries to fit in. I did find the movie to be quite interesting but it's also a bit problematic: first off it's visually unimpressive with some scenes being rather poorly shot and edited (like the ending, for example). There are some good things to be found in the screenplay, but the ending is a huge letdown as it feels extremely rushed. The cast is a mixed bag: Bruce Davison is extremely forgettable, Barbara Hershey has some screen-presence but she doesn't really seem to have a deep understanding of her tricky character while Richard Thomas is actually quite good.

Catherine Burns plays Rhoda, the unwelcome addition to the group of friends. She first appears in the movie when the other three characters are trying to make a seagull they found at the beginning of the movie fly, and she points out that they are hurting him. Burns makes quite a strong impact in her first scene and when she appears you can clearly feel a change in the movie's tone: it's not a particularly demanding scene yet Burns immediately makes Rhoda stand out as she is extremely different from the other characters - they are selfish, shallow and careless while she is sensitive and sincere. Through her performance Burns makes the viewer see why Peter, Dan and Sandy would find her annoying, pushy and a downer but at the same time she makes you feel sorry for her - the lack of pretentiousness in both her character and performance makes Rhoda instantly likeable and an easy character to feel empathy for. 

The first scene in which the other characters seem to warm up a bit to her is in her big scene midway through the movie when the guys are playing a game called "Absolute Truth" and Rhoda tells the story of her mother's accidental death by drowning. It's a long, harrowing monologue that Burns plays to absolute perfection: she makes the wise choice of underplaying it and it just couldn't be more devastating. There's a quiet, haunting sadness in Burns' subtle delivery and in those few minutes in which the camera is focused almost exclusively on her face she naturally holds her screen thanks to her heartbreakingly calm approach; in this slow-burning scene she builds up excellentely to the final moment in which she admits she spat on her mother's gave - it's a terrific moment because Burns shows perfectly both the bitterness and grief her mother's death caused her as well as her longing for approval, respect and admiration from the other boys. 

Burns' plain looks certainly makes her an ideal choice for the role of Rhoda but she also possesses a quiet, genuine charm that makes both Peter's growing interest in her and Sandy's increasing jealousy. In her scenes with Richard Thomas, Burns is just wonderful at portraying Rhoda's sweet and caring personality and the two actors' chemistry is actually quite strong - their moments together are the most poignant of the movie because they feel beautifully real and spontaneous, turning the potential romance between Rhoda and Peter the bright spot of the movie. Rhoda is the only character in the movie who truly understands Peter, who appreciates for what he truly is and not for what the person he pretends to be and who scolds him when he acts carelessly because she knows he is a decent guy deep down - Burns conveys all of these feelings wordlessly through the tender warmth of her performance. I particularly love Burns' anxious face when Rhoda buys a new bikini and asks Peter if he likes it - her bright smile when he answers yes is just heartwarming and moving. She is also great when she goes to a date with a guy that Sandy introduces to her: she is heartbreaking as she shows Rhoda's embarassment and awkwardness because she feels so relatable and lifelike, as she feels in her few exchanged looks with Peter in the same scene, in which she conveys so much just with her facial expressions. Then she is extremely moving as she witnesses Sandy, Dan and eventually Peter getting her date drunk and then causing him to be beaten by some local bullies - it's an outstanding scene for Burns as she shows so perfectly her shock and realization of Sandy's true nature. As I mentioned the final scene of the movie does not work very well because it feels way too rushed but I thought Burns managed to bring the needed emotional weight to it, and that's a testament to her ability to make the viewer care about her. 

Last Summer is far from being a great movie but Catherine Burns' performance is nothing short of astonishing. In spite of the film's flaws, Burns delivers a brilliant, realistic, layered and devastating performance that it's so outstanding because of how relatable it feels. It's a wonderful portrayal that alone makes the movie worth-watching. 

5/5