Moore's nude scene in Short Cuts went on so long that I got embarassed for her, especially since she was bottomless while her top was covered, if memory serves. I thought she was very good in Boogie Nights where the nudity was unavoidable given that she was playing a porno actress. The End of the Affair was a so-so performance by Moore, not up to the level of Deborah Kerr in the original version. She didn't get the anguish of the character particularly well. I don't remember any nude scenes particularly in that. I think she is a good actress but not (not yet anyway) in the league of Diane Keaton, Glenn Close, or Jessica Lange. She isn't even up to the level of Sissy Spacek or Debra Winger at their best.
I just saw "In the Bedroom" for the second time a few nights ago and Sissy Spacek was phenominal -- her anquish was real and I couldn't help being totally receptive to what was going through her mind. Ditto on the other actors but Spacek's performance was the best in the film.
Julianna Moore's performance in "Magnolia," for instance, was not in the same league but she's getting there. Of course, she needs to mature as an actress and hopefully she pines for better calibre of parts and not second rate material like "Hannibal."
Spacek was OK in IN THE BEDROOM although I thought her performance lacked subtlety. I have liked her better in other roles such as BADLANDS, COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, and CRIMES OF THE HEART where she displayed a lighter touch.
Julianne Moore, I'm afraid, has pretty much peaked as an actress--at her age she has done the best she is going to do. I don't expect great work from her in the future. She is too satisfied with staying on the surface of her characters. No Diane Keaton or Jessica Lange or Glenn Close she!
