Contrary to the Oscar curse they say plagues F Murray Abram, I think she has had a pretty decent and active career. Sure, most people today say “who?” when one mentions her name; my guess is she dropped off the public radar after Summer of Sam. While researching a bit about Mira through imdb.com (great on movies, weak on TV, especially cartoons), I discovered that she starred in the 2000 version of The Great Gatsby as Daisy. I’d definitely watch her in the role any day over Mia Farrow from the 1974 take; plus I hope the actor for Tom is more convincing than Bruce Dern.
My favorite role of hers will always be Romy White from Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion because she said what I always wanted to say to ruling clique. However, I adopted the “living well is the best revenge” strategy in 1993. Besides, I went to five high schools, I never had the amount of vitriol to unload on a Christy Masters-type. Reunion is a “dumb” movie in the same vein as Night of the Comet or Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure but I think it’s a worthy “10-years later sequel” to the good John Hughes teen movies of the Eighties. Beautiful Girls in which she has a minor role, is another one I’d put in my newly created genre/list.
Finally, Mira will always have a place in my heart for being Romy thanks to my friend Isaac. Years ago we went as Patsy and Edina from Absolutely Fabulous for Halloween 1995 because we both liked the show. Since we and other people had such a big laugh over the costumes, we never thought it could be topped. When I returned to Austin in 1998, we talked about going as Romy and Michele for Halloween. I knew I could be Romy due to my height and Mira is 5′ 10″. Besides, I’m the Mary and he was the Rhoda. We never got around to it due our schedules, work and other priorities. If it went half as well as Patsy and Edina, I’m sure we would’ve been a hit amongst our friends of all orientations.