Marsha Mason, born in 1942, is an American actress known for her compelling performances in both theater and film. In Blume in Love (1973), she delivers a nuanced portrayal of a woman navigating the complexities of love and relationships, while in Audrey Rose (1977), she plays a mother grappling with the supernatural and the loss of her child. Mason's work in these films highlights her ability to bring depth to characters often found in cult and genre cinema, making her a significant figure in this realm.
Blume in Love
Wandering alone around St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, where they first honeymooned, Stephen Blume wonders what possessed him to be unfaithful to his ex-wife Nina, a woman he continues to love in spite of himself. Through a series of extended flashbacks, he reflects on the aftermath of their breakup and divorce. Blume, a successful Beverly Hills divorce lawyer, had been caught by Nina while sleeping with his secretary at the home that he and Nina had shared. Nina promptly leaves him and, though Blume begins to date actively, he is unsatisfied and grows wistful of his married life. Meanwhile, Nina, a social worker, sets about a journey of self-discovery, trying out new experiences like yoga and taking up with a man 12 years her junior, Elmo, a free-spirited unemployed musician. Nevertheless, after their divorce, Blume discovers how much he loved Nina and he goes to great, sometimes humiliating, mostly futile lengths to win her back, complicated by the fact that he finds Elmo to be quite a nice guy. Though Nina remains rightfully skeptical of his motivations, Blume befriends the easygoing Elmo and the three form an unlikely if precarious friend group. One night Blume comes to Nina's house, ostensibly to see Elmo, but he isn't home. He and Nina begin talking, and Blume tells her he still loves her and wants her. She tells him to leave, but he forces himself on her. Elmo walks in on them and Nina tells Elmo that Blume raped her. Blume admits this and Elmo hits him, ending their friendship. Some time later Elmo comes to Blume's office to let him know that Nina is pregnant with Blume's baby. Elmo also tells Blume that he is leaving town because "it's time to go." Blume goes to Nina and says he wants to help support the child, but she is hesitant. They stay in communication and eventually Nina tells Blume she wants him to leave town for two weeks so she can decide what she wants. We again see Blume in Venice, where he has gone for the two weeks. He sees Nina across the square and they go to each other.
