Tracey Ullman Movies
An irrepressible "Jill of All Trades," British actress Tracey Ullman is master of all of them. Winning an arts scholarship at age 12, Ullman worked as a professional dancer with a German ballet company before channelling her energies into musical comedy. For her work in the West End production Four in a Million, Ullman was honored with the London Theatre Critics' award as Most Promising New Actress of 1981. Two years later, she was presented with a British Academy Award for her efforts on BBC Television. While still in her early twenties, she headlined her own British comedy/variety TV series, Three of a Kind, and climbed the pop-music charts with her singles "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" and "They Don't Know." After an inauspicious film debut in 1984's Give My Regards to Broad Street, Ullman ascended to film stardom in such productions as Plenty (1985), Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), I Love You to Death (1990), Death Becomes Her (1992), and I'll Do Anything (1994). In 1987, she launched her American TV career with the Fox Network's weekly The Tracey Ullman Show, a superb showcase for her many offbeat characterizations, including mixed-up teen Francesca, selfish yuppie Sara Downey, repressed spinster Kay, and Goodallesque anthropologist Ceci Beckwith. The Tracey Ullman Show not only won the Fox Network its first Emmy nomination, but also spawned the popular cartoon series The Simpsons, which first took shape as a series of between-the-acts animated vignettes. While the show indeed served well to earn the wildly versatile actress a loyal stateside fanbase, it was her 1996 Emmy-winning HBO series Tracey Takes On... that truly allowed Ullman the chance to cut loose in front of the camera. A freewhelling comedy smorgasbord that allowed Ullman the opportunity to tackle a different topic each week, Tracey Takes On... continued to give testament to its star's remarkable knack for character play. Later branching out with roles in such popular television series' as Ally McBeal and Will and Grace, Ullman proved that she was as capable of livening up the material of others as she was of creating her own. Supporting roles in such features as Panic and Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks kept the energetic player busy on the big screen, and in 2004 she would take the lead as an uptight suburban mom transformed into a insatiable sex-addict by a head concussionin director John Waters' raunchy comedy A Dirty Shame. Voice work in The Cat That Looked LIke a King, Corpse Bride, and Kronk's New Groove found Ullman flexing her vocal chords to impressive effect in late-2004 and early-2005, and after taking a trip to the land of fairytales in the made for television production of Once Upon a Mattress, it was time to step into the role of the mischevous Mother Mature in director Amy Heckerling's 2007 romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman. In 2008 she launched yet another comedy series, Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, and lent her vocal talents to the animated movie The Tale of Despereaux. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
A diminutive mouse strives to make a mammoth change in his troubled kingdom in this adaptation of author Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning children's book. A long time ago, in the distant kingdom of Dor, a horrible accident broke the heart of the king, left a beautiful princess crestfallen, and filled the townspeople with despair. As the sun disappeared from the sky and the flowers were drained of color, the laughter slowly ceased in this once-magical land. It was into this darkened world that a tiny mouse named Despereaux Tilling was born, and while this virtuous little rodent may have been short in stature, his bravery was ultimately too big for such a small world to contain. An unlikely hero with oversized ears and a discernible wheeze, Despereaux was taken with tales of chivalry, and longed to one day become a noble figure among his people. Sometimes in order to realize their true destiny, heroes must first experience great hardship, however, and when Despereaux fails to adhere to the rigid rules of his society, he is banished from Dor.
Later, while exploring the outer realms, the lonely Despereaux is joined by a kindhearted rat named Roscuro. Roscuro, too, has been excommunicated from his homeland, and still cannot stand to look into a mirror lest he be reminded of his painful past. Later, as Despereaux embarks on a treacherous quest to rescue the endangered Princess Pea, Roscuro is set down the path of self-destruction after receiving a painful rejection from his highness. Now, on their way to realizing their extraordinary destinies, these two unlikely heroes will face off against the malevolent leader of the sewer rats, who is plotting revenge on humans from his subterranean kingdom; befriend a common serving girl who longs to become princess; and meet a whole host of colorful characters that they will never forget. Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, and Tracey Ullman lead a powerhouse cast in this animated feature produced by Gary Ross and Allison Thomas. Also lending voices to the project are Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, William H. Macy, and Christopher Lloyd. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Later, while exploring the outer realms, the lonely Despereaux is joined by a kindhearted rat named Roscuro. Roscuro, too, has been excommunicated from his homeland, and still cannot stand to look into a mirror lest he be reminded of his painful past. Later, as Despereaux embarks on a treacherous quest to rescue the endangered Princess Pea, Roscuro is set down the path of self-destruction after receiving a painful rejection from his highness. Now, on their way to realizing their extraordinary destinies, these two unlikely heroes will face off against the malevolent leader of the sewer rats, who is plotting revenge on humans from his subterranean kingdom; befriend a common serving girl who longs to become princess; and meet a whole host of colorful characters that they will never forget. Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, and Tracey Ullman lead a powerhouse cast in this animated feature produced by Gary Ross and Allison Thomas. Also lending voices to the project are Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci, William H. Macy, and Christopher Lloyd. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Matthew Broderick, Robbie Coltrane, (more)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless director Amy Heckerling returns to her position behind the camera for the first time in six years with this romantic comedy contrasting the age disparity romance of an older divorcée with the spring butterflies that her daughter experiences upon falling in love for the very first time. An aging professional (Michelle Pfeiffer) with little luck in love has finally found a fitting companion in the form of a much younger man (Paul Rudd). As her relationship threatens to move beyond something simply physical, her adolescent daughter (Saoirse Ronan) begins to wonder if the strange tingling sensation that she feels when she's in the company of a handsome local boy could possibly be the thing grown-ups refer to as "love." Of course anything is possible when Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman) is up to her old mischief, and with higher powers at play there's no telling what will come of the relationships experienced by these two love-starved souls. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, (more)
The voice cast of Disney's 2000 animated hit The Emperor's New Groove returns in this sequel in which newly established restaurateur Kronk attempts to whip his diner into shape before the arrival of his visiting father. Business at his newly opened restaurant just isn't as good as Kronk had hoped, and upon receiving a llama-gram stating that his father is currently en route, the stressed chef and his enchanting partner Yzma begin cooking up a scheme that will give the restaurant the distinct smell of success. When the plan backfires and an enormous cheese explosion leaves Kronk and company scrambling to get back on their feet, it's up to his friends to convince him that the only way he'll ever achieve true happiness is by remaining true to his groove no matter how heavy the odds are stacked against him. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
A love-sick nobleman seeking to marry his sweetheart does his best to find his ruling prince a suitable bride so that he himself may wed in this screen adaptation of the popular Broadway musical The Princess and the Pea. No one in Prince Dauntless (Denis O'Hare)'s kingdom is permitted to marry until the prince himself exchanges vows -- a problem hindered by the fact that the prince's overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain (Carol Burnett), has thus far thwarted all efforts to marry her son. This does not sit well with the honorable Sir Harry, a man whose heart longs to wed the fair Lady Larkin (Zooey Deschanel), and after a long and arduous journey specifically designed to find the prince a bride, Sir Harry returns to his kingdom to present Princess Winnifred of the swamps (Tracey Ullman). Immediately stricken by the princess, Prince Dauntless sets into motion plans for a lavish wedding as his scheming mother cooks up a test that's sure to send his marital plans awry. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carol Burnett, Tracey Ullman, (more)
Tim Burton returns to the dark but fanciful animated style of The Nightmare Before Christmas with this stop-motion black comedy. Victor (voice of Johnny Depp) lives in a small European village in the 19th century, where he is pledged to marry Victoria (voice of Emily Watson), a partnership arranged by their parents. The two only meet the day before their scheduled nuptials, and Victor performs disastrously in the wedding rehearsal. Later that evening, while he is walking through the woods and hopelessly practicing his vows, he puts Victoria's wedding band on what looks like a branch. Victor quickly discovers this was a big mistake; as it happens, he has put the ring on the skeletal finger of the enchanted Corpse Bride (voice of Helena Bonham Carter), who then whisks him off to a dark and mysterious netherworld where they are now married. Victor is frightened in the land of the dead, and even realizes that he has fallen in love with his true fiancée, Victoria, so he searches for a way back to his own world. Directed by Tim Burton in collaboration with animator Mike Johnson, Corpse Bride features a stellar voice cast, including Albert Finney, Christopher Lee, Richard E. Grant, Joanna Lumley, and Danny Elfman (who also composed the film's musical score). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, (more)
America's leading titan of bad taste, John Waters, returns to X-rated territory (well, actually NC-17-rated territory, but you get the idea) for this wildly over-the-top comedy. Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman) is a wife and mother living in Baltimore who, along with her husband Vaughn (Chris Isaak) and mother Big Ethel (Suzanne Shepherd), operates a local convenience store. One day, Sylvia receives a sharp blow to the head, which leaves her with a concussion. However, the concussion comes with an unexpected side effect -- Sylvia has suddenly become a sex addict, and is soon attended to by the perverse and lascivious sexual evangelist Ray-Ray (Johnny Knoxville). When it becomes evident that Vaughn can't keep up with her sensual appetites, Sylvia throws herself into the strange netherworld of Baltimore's community of erotic overachievers, which includes her daughter Caprice (Selma Blair), who is living a double life as über-buxom exotic entertainer Ursula Udders. A Dirty Shame also features supporting performances from Waters regulars Patricia Hearst, Mink Stole, Mary Vivian Pearce, Channing Wilroy, and Jean Hill. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, (more)
- 2004
Tracey Ullman plays a peppery chef, teaching a cooking class whose students include Will and Jack; Suzanne Pleshette returns as Karen's sarcastic, willful mom, who hires Grace to redo her apartment---on the cheap. ~ TV Guide, Rovi
- 2003
Unlike her earlier comedy series and specials, in which she "took on" dozens of vivid and distinct characterizations, Tracey Ullman focuses herein on only three of her famous alter egos. First and foremost is faded glamour gal Ruby Romaine, veteran Hollywood cosmetician and shameless dispenser of libelous gossip. In her efforts to gain re-entry into Local 706 of the Hair and Makeup Guild, the heavily wrinkled Ruby crosses paths with two other Ullman creations, Russian émigré Svetlana and actress Pepper Kane, a black woman trying to pass as white (not surprisingly, both ladies are prime targets for Ruby's unending stream of ethnic slurs). Somehow or other, Ruby's return to her days of glory also brings her in contact with such real-life popular culture icons as Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Bain, Cheech Marin, Rose Marie, Jane Kaczmarek, and former Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In producer George Schlatter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
Directed by actress Rosanna Arquette, this candid documentary is not only about the iconoclastic and somewhat reclusive film star Debra Winger (who does not even appear onscreen until an hour into the film), but also about the trials and tribulations of actresses in Hollywood who have reached "that certain age." In the course of her "search," Arquette interviews several of her colleagues, among them Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Lane, Teri Garr, Holly Hunter, Vanessa Redgrave, Charlotte Rampling, Meg Ryan, and Sharon Stone, all of whom have their own personal horror stories about insensitive producers and casting directors who tend to think of over-40 (and sometimes over-30) actresses as being suitable only for mother, "other woman," and "hero's girlfriend" roles -- when they bother to cast these actresses at all. The women also discuss the difficulties in balancing a successful career and a private life. Test-marketed on the film festival circuit throughout 2002, Searching for Debra Winger received its largest audience when it aired over the Showtime cable channel on August 18, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, (more)
A middle-aged man finds love in the last place he was looking -- his psychiatrist's waiting room -- in this dark comedy drama. Alex (William H. Macy) is a man in his mid-forties who is having something of a midlife crisis; he's unhappy with his life; his marriage to Martha (Tracey Ullman) is going through a rough patch; he's worried about his six-year-old son, on whom he dotes; and he wishes he hadn't bucked under to the wishes of his domineering father Michael (Donald Sutherland) and started working in the family business. Making things even more problematic is the family's line of work -- Alex is a killer-for-hire. Alex feels as if he's about to unravel from stress when he begins seeing Josh (John Ritter), a psychiatrist. One day, while waiting for his session with Josh, Alex meets Sarah (Neve Campbell), a sweet, pretty, but severely neurotic young woman with an omnivorous sexual appetite. Alex and Sarah take an immediate liking to one another, and Alex begins to pursue a romance with her, though he knows an affair could create more problems than it solves, especially after Michael informs Alex that Josh is his next target. Panic marked the feature debut for writer/director Henry Bromell, who previously distinguished himself as a novelist and a television producer. The supporting cast includes Barbara Bain as Alex's mother, who helped get her husband started in the business. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- William H. Macy, John Ritter, (more)
Thirty-one years after Take the Money and Run, Woody Allen returns to a life of crime in this broad comedy. Allen plays Ray Winkler, a low-brow con man who is married to Frenchy (Tracy Ullman), a former stripper. Ray and his buddies concoct a scheme to rob a bank by digging a tunnel from a defunct pizza place next door; as a cover, Frenchy opens a cookie shop in the storefront while Ray and company dig in the back. Ray's burglary is a failure, but Frenchy's cookies are a rousing success, and within a year the store has spawned a nationwide franchise that makes the Winklers rich. However, while Ray wants to move to Miami and bask in the sun, nouveau riche Frenchy now aspires to join high society, with posh art dealer David (Hugh Grant) as her guide. Written and directed by Allen and shot in New York City, Small Time Crooks features one of Allen's trademark strong supporting casts, including Michael Rapaport, Elaine Stritch, Jon Lovitz, and Elaine May. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Woody Allen, Tracey Ullman, (more)
- 1999
Originally telecast by HBO from January 13 to March 17, 1999, season four of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at 12 different topics. This year's crop of single-issue episodes include "Dating," "Drugs," "Scandal," "Hair," "Lies," "Erotica," "Books," "Road Rage," "America," "Hype," "Obsession," and the appropriately yclept series finale, "End of the World." Many of Ullman's familiar "alter egos" are still in attendance, including elderly Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, ageing male homosexual Trevor, suburban Jewish widow Fern, posturing magazine editor Janie, ruthlessly ambitious lawyer Sydney, burned-out rock musician Erin, and washed-up nightclub singer Linda. Breaking a tradition from previous years, this final season of Tracey Takes On... does not conclude with a special hour-long best-of highlights episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1998
Originally telecast by HBO from January 4 to June 4, 1998, season three of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at ten different topics. Among the sacred institutions skewered this season are "Marriage," "Hollywood," "Smoking," "Loss," "Agents," "Age," "Religion," "Man's Best Friend," "Culture," and "Sports." Among the characters in Ullman's one-woman "repertory company" are airport security guard-cum-author Sheneesha, earthy Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, ebullient born-again Christian Birdie, 19-year-old virgin Hope, and sharkish lawyer Sydney. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1997
Tracey Takes On...Sex, Romance, Fantasy is a 78-minute collection of skits from the HBO comedy series Tracey Takes On, starring Tracey Ullman as several over-the-top characters. Meet young feminist Hope Finch, lesbian championship golfer Midge Dexter, elderly makeup artist Ruby Romaine, and sexaholic Linda Grainger. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- 1997
Tracey Takes On...Movies, Vanity, Fame is a 78-minute collection of skits from the HBO comedy series Tracey Takes On, starring Tracey Ullman as several high-maintenance Hollywood characters. Rayleen Gibson is the Australian stunt woman to the stars, Janie Pillsworth is the glossy magazine editor, and Sydney Kross is the stressed-out entertainment lawyer. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
Originally telecast by HBO from January 18 to May 28, 1997, season two of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at 15 different topics. Episode titles this season include "Sex," "Fantasy," "Mothers," "Las Vegas," "Secrets," "Childhood," "1976," "Food," "Crime," "Movies," "Money," "Race Relations," "Supernatural," "Politics," and "Music." Among Ullman's hilarious "other selves" in the course of the 15 episodes are the perennial virgin Hope, the trash-talking Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, mother-dominated bank clerk Kay, barracuda-like Beverly Hills lawyer Sydney, fiftysomething suburban Jewish matron Fern, over-the-hill nightclub entertainer Linda, and high-strung magazine editor Janie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1997
After Ally's first date with Greg Butters (Jesse L. Martin) ends in a car accident, she defends him in court against the plaintiff's lawyer---a 9-year-old genius (Josh Evans). ~ TV Guide, Rovi
- Starring:
- Calista Flockhart, Courtney Thorne-Smith, (more)
- 1997
A high-pressure case and more visions of the dancing baby prompt Ally to go into therapy with the Biscuit's therapist (Tracey Ullman). Meanwhile, Richard pursues Janet Reno (Linda Gehringer). ~ TV Guide, Rovi
- Starring:
- Calista Flockhart, Courtney Thorne-Smith, (more)
- 1996
Tracey Takes On...Fern & Kay is a 50-minute collection of skits from the HBO comedy series Tracey Takes On, starring Tracey Ullman as the characters Kay Clark and Fern Rosenthal. Kay is a dowdy bank teller who has spent her life taking care of her invalid mother. Fern is a Jewish housewife from Long Island who lives in Florida with her husband, Harry. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
Originally telecast by HBO from January 24 to April 3, 1996, the first season of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at ten different topics. This year's episodes include "Romance," "Charity," "Nostalgia," "Royalty," "Family," "Law," "Vanity," "Death," "Health," and "Fame." In the course of these episodes, the star appears in such guises as pretentious magazine editor Janie, mother-dominated British bank teller Kay, redheaded Australian stuntwoman Rayleen, foulmouthed cabbie Chic, donut shop owner/philosopher Miss Noh Nang Ning, landed-gentry Englishwoman Virginia, ageing male homosexual Trevor, and septuagenarian Hollywood makeup artist Ruby. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
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