After a few minor appearances in various TV-dramas, telefilms and motion pictures (such as Floyd Mutrux’ “The Hollywood Knights”, Steven Paul’s “Falling in Love Again” and the last “Charlie Chan”-picture starring Peter Ustinov) she finally landed the role of Stephanie Zinone in the sequel to the smash-hit musical “Grease”. While not nearly as big a success as the original, the film has recently garnered a dedicated cult following; much thanks to Pfeiffer’s memorable performance. Only one year later she starred in Brian dePalma’s violent classic “Scarface”, as Elvira Hancock, Tony Montana’s (Al Pacino) severely neglected “trophy” of a wife.|Her career took flight from then on at an alarming pace. After a number of memorable roles in films such as “Into the Night”, “Ladyhawke”, “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Married to the Mob” and “Tequila Sunrise” Pfeiffer was nominated for her first Oscar in 1988, for her performance in Stephen Frear’s “Dangerous Liaisons”.|The year after she landed one of her single most lauded roles as Susie Diamond in “The Fabulous Baker Boys”; a romantic drama starring Jeff and Beau Bridges as two lounge-jazz, piano-playing brothers in desperate need of innovation for their tired, jaded act of 30 years — namely Pfeiffer as their new and sparkling singer. Her work in the 1990’s was varied to an extent which her films in the 80’s could not compete with.|From the thriller “The Russia House” to the romantic comedy “Frankie and Johnny”, to Catwoman in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” (arguably her trademark-role) to the sensual Ellen Olenska in Martin Scorsese’s “The Age of Innocence”.|At one point she was set to helm the titular role in a film adaptation of the celebrated musical “Evita” with Oliver Stone as director. However, the project fell through as Stone left the project and was replaced with Alan Parker who instead cast pop-vixen Madonna in the illustrious part. She continued to partake in a number of commerical and critical successes before declaring a lengthy hiatus from film in 2003.|She re-entered the spotlight in great form just recently to star in no less than three(!) films in one year; the romantic comedy “I Could Never Be Your Woman”, the fantasy-epic “Stardust” and in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray”, based on John Water’s cult-classic from 1988.|An original sequel to the latter was recently announced, “Hairspray 2: White Lipstick”, but reportedly Pfeiffer will in all likelihood not be asked to reprise her role as villainess Velma von Tussle. In 2008, Pfeiffer partook in the direct-to-video film “Personal Effects” co-starring Kathy Bates and Ashton Kutcher, which acted as a fundraiser for Iowa Flood Relief.|Her latest project, director Stephen Frear’s ambitious adaptation of Colette de l’Académie Goncourt’s immensly popular “Chéri” have been met with mixed reviews, although Pfeiffer’s performance have met universal acclaim and is already being hailed as a possible Oscar candidate next year. |
