One of the great directors has left us.
For me, Mike Nichols was like a warm blanket. His work was that of a confident artist. Everything felt very secure, his choices were usually spot on. Everyone has their favorite comfort food. Films work the same way. A rainy day movie for me, Primary Colors, starring John Travolta and Emma Thompson channeling Bill and Hilary Clinton. Not a big film or a massive box office success but, well, watch it and see. Like all Nichols’ work, it casts a spell. You can’t stop watching, grinning or laughing.
With the odd exception of a few missteps (What Planet Are You From?), his work has been superlative. Nichols, who has passed away at 83, has always been an actor’s director. His films were never flashy. They were straightforward, human stories that relied on great dialogue and amazing performances. A small sample of his work includes Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, the Oscar winning The Graduate, the under appreciated Catch 22, Silkwood, Working Girl, The Birdcage, Closer, and Angels in America. All great films, most of them considered classics. Filled with subtle humor that masked serious topics, his work is reminiscent of the great Billy Wilder.
He has left a strong cinematic legacy. He made stars out of Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, and Nathan Lane. His work with Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Harrison Ford will be often cited. His talent was one in a million.
