She's a horrible actor. She 'acts' the same in every single role.
When she's not stuck in her deer-in-headlights daze, she's doing things like smiling when her character should be cringing or frowning or even having a look of concern. Nope, it's just a dazed look or awkward smile from her.
Can't figure out why people like her. She's annoying, especially how she jibberjabbers her way through her lines.
~
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I agree, although I haven't seen her in much else but in Red. She was very cute and adorable in it but I honestly remembered nothing from her role in it. She didn't wow me at all, did the job fine.

overrated i barely see her enough

You are SOOOOOO correct. Nowadays, if you wanna ruin a show, stick Mary-Louise Parker in it! Same face, same expression,same doped out look.I used to think she was sexy, but her inability to differentiate, adapt, improvise, changeugh, I lost it!

It seems to me she seemed to play the same characters in Weeds, Red and Angels in America. Is there another movie in which she gave a drastically different preformance? Thanks.

Omg you are so right. I love Weeds and I love all the characters, even Nancy Botwin sometimes. But holllly cr*p MLP's face is so manic. She always grins and opens her eyes so wide. It's kind of creepy. And she neeeevvver changes her face, she kind of looks like an insane person. For example:
DEA Agent: "I know you're a drug dealer"
MLP:
Neighbour: (on Nancy's son) "Killing animals is the first sign of psychotic behaviour"
MLP:
Kid on phone: "Nancy I though you might like to know your bakery burned down"
MLP:
looool. When she's happy she smiles, when she's sad she smiles, when she's crying she smiles. When shes mad she frowns no wait, I meant she smiles don't I.
Like she's cute but her personality (Nancy's, maybe not MLP, I dont know what shes like in real life) is such a turn off. She's got this whole hypocritical, ego trip, superiority complex thing going on.
Also, she's quite flat. I don't get why they try to show her boobs off.

I am just now watching "The5b4 West Wing" on DVD and she is driving me bats@!t crazy for all the reasons you mention. I can't stand her character, but maybe it's her I can't stand.

You must see A Place for Annie.
She plays the chracter very differently.
She's very hostile and aggressive and powerful as well as lonely and sad.
The character was HIV positive and drug addictied.
She played relly well in this movie.

Weeds is brilliant! I avoided watching it for years because I thought it was a show about selling pot. Exceptional writing and characters. She's amazing in the show. Sad that you are too narrow minded to enjoy it! So glad they let most of the cast do a victory lap in the last season. One of the best shows in the history of television. Sad it's all over!!!!!!!

Then stick to the 700 Club or something. You are watching a show about a drug dealer! What do you expect?

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Any woman who wants a mother to be drug dealer is pathetic. I've seen her Weeds show and the people on the show are pathetic. I'm tired of sleeze stories where everything is acceptable.
You must REALLY go nuts when you watch "Dexter" lol. And try to think of another word for "pathetic", because you post sounds rather, uh, repetitious. LOL
When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

I think she is so pathetic I can barely stand watching her. She is droopy and depressing and the only film i liked her in was red.the first time i've seen her funny. Any woman who wants a mother to be drug dealer is pathetic. I've seen her Weeds show and the people on the show are pathetic. I'm tired of sleeze stories where everything is acceptable.

Couldn't/didn't reply until now (wasn't bored enough); I DID see all the films you mentioned. You're right, they're very different CHARACTERS, but she plays them pretty much the same - facial & vocal expression & mannerisms-wise. Possible exception is Fried Green Tomatoes. A really good/great actress completely changes her timing, facial expressions, voice - you disregarded my description of a 16d0particular, repeated expression & hesitation with the line that she does OVER & OVER in different roles.
Best comic timing? That's debatable & a matter of opinion. As for making me cry - many, many actors can do that with their eyes, & so do many commercials!
Obviously, you're a huge fan of hers & can't be objective. "She can do ANYTHING"?? I can imagine her doing Shakespearenot.
As for 'drop-dead gorgeous'; again a matter of opinion. I think she's pretty average - brown hair, brown eyesnice skin though. I wouldn't even say she's particularly pretty, but then I come from an exceptionally attractive family, if I do say so myself - actually others say it very frequently.

Look at her performances in Fried Green Tomatoes, Longtime Companion, Grand Canyon, Angels in America, and especially Boys on the Side - and compare them to her role in Weeds All completely different, but worlds away from Nancy Botwin. She has some of the best comic timing in the business, but can make you cry at the drop of a hat using only her facial expression (those eyes!).
The only conclusion you can come to is the woman can do ANYTHING. And look drop-dead gorgeous doing it - at 46