Elizabeth Taylor, violet eyed and raven haired, descended from the aethers of the universe into the international consciousness in 1944's National Velvet as a young girl who unexpectedly rides a horse to victory. Half a century later, in 1994, she made her final silver screen performance as Fred Flinstone's mother in law. In between she made screen history when allowed to sizzle, in films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Place in the Sun, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. And yet, Taylor was no Garbo, Davis, or Streep -- her quieter performances tended to bore more than bewitch.
Notoriously, it was her personal life that made Elizabeth a star beyond her work. Her life's masterpiece was, indeed, her life. But beyond Burton, her glamor, her other husbands, her Oscars, her caftans, and her diamonds there was something else: that rare duo of bravery and love. Never a highly educated Dame, she instead gained wisdom through lifelong suffering. Prone to sickness throughout her life, including several near death experiences, she was one of the first to fight HIV/AIDS at a time when only the most courageous spoke out. She befriended the lonely and the misunderstood, and occasionally married them. She was the first on the scene of her dear friend Montgomery Clift's disfiguring car accident. She forced herself into the wrecked vehicle and saved Monty's life by digging out the teeth which had been lodged in the back of his bloody throat. Later, she credited "adrenaline" as the hero.
Many were shocked that Taylor was only 79 when she died. Indeed, it has seemed that she's been on the verge of death for the past couple decades. Her New York Times obituary was composed years ago; the writer has already passed away.
Notably impulsive in her youth, she observed in her later years that "it is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting." Elizabeth Taylor didn't need to rush through a desperate bucket list in her old age, because she did something most fail to do: she actually lived.
Notoriously, it was her personal life that made Elizabeth a star beyond her work. Her life's masterpiece was, indeed, her life. But beyond Burton, her glamor, her other husbands, her Oscars, her caftans, and her diamonds there was something else: that rare duo of bravery and love. Never a highly educated Dame, she instead gained wisdom through lifelong suffering. Prone to sickness throughout her life, including several near death experiences, she was one of the first to fight HIV/AIDS at a time when only the most courageous spoke out. She befriended the lonely and the misunderstood, and occasionally married them. She was the first on the scene of her dear friend Montgomery Clift's disfiguring car accident. She forced herself into the wrecked vehicle and saved Monty's life by digging out the teeth which had been lodged in the back of his bloody throat. Later, she credited "adrenaline" as the hero.
Many were shocked that Taylor was only 79 when she died. Indeed, it has seemed that she's been on the verge of death for the past couple decades. Her New York Times obituary was composed years ago; the writer has already passed away.
Notably impulsive in her youth, she observed in her later years that "it is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting." Elizabeth Taylor didn't need to rush through a desperate bucket list in her old age, because she did something most fail to do: she actually lived.
I cannot pretend to be an Elizabeth Taylor aficionado by any means, but this was an absolutely lovely tribute. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteEvery time we lose a piece of the 20th century, a little part of myself dies as well. The 21st is sad and decadent, and I'm of the doomed sense that there likely will not be a 22nd. We're all on borrowed time. But at least we have the electric image of Elizabeth Taylor emanating out into the universe. Just as we unearthed the Venus de Milo from an underground cavern and proclaimed it ideal, some entity, somewhere, will finally comprehend human beauty when the they glimpse a vision of Elizabeth Taylor. May she rest in peace as she lives forever.
ReplyDeleteHusband thieving shriek-prone diamond studded bitch, she was, with breath that stank of regurgitated Scotch.
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