You like her, you really like her. But she didn’t
always like herself. Sally Field’s memoir In Pieces shows a
woman with a troubled childhood, problematic relationships as an adult, and
plenty of confusion and lack of confidence. It took her over seven years to
write this memoir, to pull the puzzle pieces together, face some demons, and
find peace. It’s well written and interesting.
The girl we met as Gidget, who became the Flying Nun, hated
these roles. Her need to get validation was rejected over and over again. Not
pretty enough, not fitting the Hollywood mold. It’s a tough business. Her
time with the Actor’s Studio proved enlightening. She could explore more, seek
help, and make connections. Meanwhile, a rocky marriage and two young boys,
kept her grounded in reality. She was the breadwinner. It was a lot of pressure
when she wasn’t getting auditions or jobs. It seemed directors didn’t want to
take a chance on the former Flying Nun, like she was a joke.
Finally – the breakthrough of Sybil. The
part brought much of her own issues to the surface. She gave her heart and
soul to the despair of a woman with multiple personalities. Working with
Joanne Woodward gave her strength and she won an Emmy for her portrayal.
Meanwhile, she had filmed Smokey and the Bandit and was paired
with Burt Reynolds. Her trajectory into the limelight soared. But Burt had his
issues and this was another unhealthy relationship. Again, she segmented her
life – trying to be a mother, be an actress, and be subordinate to a strong
personality. Finally, she broke free.
Norma Rae and Mary Todd Lincoln demonstrated the
growing range of this tough little cookie. She enjoyed success as the matriarch
in Brothers and Sisters. Now in her seventies, she’s happily
married. Proud of her boys – now young men – she can reflect on the life her
path took. She can forgive her mother – a powerful cord through the book. Her
life In Pieces has pulled together and Sally Field is still
exploring.
