Gloria (1999)

Fashion tabloids will often ask “Who Wore it Better?” when starlets don duplicate dresses. The same can be said for acting roles. This has Mr. Man asking, “Who Was Better?” Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) or Jessica Lange in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)? Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce (1945) or Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce (2011)? Gena Rowlands in Gloria (1980) or Sharon Stone in Gloria (1999)? Since Gena was married to the movie’s writer and director John Cassavetes, she definitely has the edge. Add in the fact that she nabbed an Oscar nom for Best Actress while Sharon was nominated for Worst Actress at the Golden Raspberry Awards, and it’s pretty clear Ms. Rowlands wins hands down. Nevertheless, Ms. Stone’s version can make viewers rock hard since it includes a scene with many unclad men. Thanks to the direction of Sidney Lumet, this neo-noir flick follows the titular character (Stone) out of prison after doing time to save her boyfriend from being accused of a crime. But since he never visited her in the big house, she’s moving on — with a kid (Jean-Luke Figueroa) she saved from a mob hit. Speaking of hits, this pic was a critical miss and box office flop. Nevertheless, it’s worth a watch just to see the skivvies on Kevin (Jeremy Northam), Mickey (Jerry Dean), Raymond (Don Billett), Sean (Mike Starr), and Terry (Barry McEvoy). If that’s not kinky enough, the skintastic actors also bare their naked T&A. Glorious!