James Foley, director of Fifty Shades Darker, passes away at 71 following a year-long fight with cancer.
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Jim Foley, a versatile director renowned for "Glengarry Glen Ross," has bid adieu at 71 following a yearlong struggle with brain cancer. His representative, Taylor Lomax, confirmed the tragic news on May 9.
Throughout his dynamic career, Foley showed off his skills across numerous platforms, dabbling in music videos, television, and film. Madonna music videos, House of Cards episodes, and both sequels of Fifty Shades of Grey made a noticeable impact in his illustrious career, but it was his 1992 adaptation of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross" that truly left a lasting impression on popular culture. Despite the movie's poor initial reception, it eventually evolved into a beloved cult classic, especially Alec Baldwin's sweary, oft-quoted monologue in the film.
Critic Tim Grierson expressed his admiration for the film in 20 years, calling it "one of the quintessential modern movies about masculinity." He also noted that it stood out among Mamet's other works, partly because "Glengarry Glen Ross" was the one he didn't direct.
Born on December 28, 1953, in Brooklyn, Foley developing a passion for film after studying at the University of Southern California. His big break came when Hal Ashby took notice of his short film during a film school party. Foley later credited Ashby's endorsement for his ability to make his first feature, Reckless, a much-loved romantic drama. The movie starred none other than Daryl Hannah, Aidan Quinn, and Adam Baldwin.
After Reckless, Foley ventured into a variety of projects. His list of accomplishments includes the Sean Penn crime drama "At Close Range," the Madonna and Griffin Dunne screwball comedy "Who's That Girl," and the neo-noir thriller "After Dark, My Sweet," with Jason Patric. Roger Ebert appreciated "After Dark, My Sweet" enough to include it in his "great movies" list, describing it as "one of the purest and most uncompromising of modern film noir." Despite being nearly forgotten initially, it remains a significant accomplishment in Foley's career.
In addition to film, Foley left his mark on the small screen. He directed episodes of Twin Peaks, House of Cards, Hannibal, Billions, and Wayward Pines. He also showcased his outstanding talent in music videos, collaborating with artists such as Madonna, Deep Purple, and Marky Mark (Mark Wahlberg's early rap persona). He even worked on the music video for Madonna's "Live to Tell," which was featured in her film "Who's That Girl."
Rounding out his extensive body of work, Foley adapted John Grisham and worked with Gene Hackman on The Chamber. He also partnered with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg for the teenage love-gone-scary thriller Fear. The Halle Berry and Bruce Willis psychological thriller Perfect Stranger, which was released in 2007, had mixed reception, but it was part of his unique and unconventional collection of projects.
Foley took a break from filmmaking for a decade before reemerging as the director for the Fifty Shades of Grey sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. Despite not being a fan of action sequences, he managed to bring enthusiasm and engagement to his work, even when the actors were absent.
Foley's unique approach to filmmaking kept him unpigeonholed throughout his career. In 2017, he shared that he'd always followed his instincts, rather than sticking to a specific genre or style. Despite leaping from one project to another, he remained dedicated to the craft and managed to make a lasting impact in the industry.
Foley leaves behind his brother, Kevin Foley, and sisters Eileen and Jo Ann. His contributions to various genres and platforms will continue to resonate with film and television enthusiasts.
- Jim Foley, who passed away in 2021, worked with Mark Wahlberg in the early 1990s on one of his music videos, showcasing their collaboration in the realm of entertainment.
- In 1992, Jim Foley directed a particular movie that stood out in entertainment history, both Alec Baldwin's foulmouthed monologue and the film itself becoming a beloved part of pop culture.
- In the realm of movies and TV, Jim Foley can be associated with celebrities like Madonna, having directed iconic music videos of hers, including one for the song "Live to Tell."
- Despite diversity in his work spanning multiple decades and genres, Jim Foley's 1992 movie adaptation of "Glengarry Glen Ross" proved especially impactful, making a lasting impression on the discourse around modern masculinity in movies and TV entertainment.
