James Foley, renowned as the Journeyman Director of “Grengar Glenroth,” has died at the age of 71.
His representative, Taylor Lomax, confirmed the news on Friday.
Throughout his extensive career, Foley directed notable projects, including Madonna’s music videos, the series “House of Cards,” and two installments of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” His adaptation of David Mamet’s work earned him the Foul Moh S Pulitzer Prize in 1992, although “Grengar Glenroth” did not garner immediate acclaim. Over time, however, it evolved into a crucial commentary on culture, particularly highlighted in Alec Baldwin’s film.
Critic Tim Greerson remarked that the film would continue to be recognized as “one of the typical contemporary films about masculinity” even two decades after its release. He expressed:
Foley was born in Brooklyn on December 28, 1953, and pursued film studies at the University of Southern California Graduate School. There’s a tale that Hal Ashby, while at a school party, caught a glimpse of Foley’s shorts, which reportedly influenced his trajectory. This led Foley to direct his debut feature, “Reckless,” a 1984 romantic drama starring Daryl Hannah and Aidan Quinn. Interestingly, it marked the first credited work of Chris Columbus, despite some artistic disagreements.
He later directed Sean Penn’s crime drama “Closing Range,” the comedy “Who’s That Girl,” and the neo-noir thriller “After Dark, My Sweet,” which found a special place on Roger Ebert’s list of notable films. Ebert praised “After Dark, My Sweet” as “one of the purest and uncompromising things of modern cinema noir,” even though it slipped into obscurity.
Foley was involved in various music videos for Madonna, including “Daddy Don’t Sermon” and “Live To Tell.” He also adapted works by John Grisham and collaborated with Gene Hackman on “The Chamber,” alongside projects like “Fear,” featuring Reese Witherspoon, and the psychological thriller “Perfect Stranger,” which starred Halle Berry and Bruce Willis.
About a decade ago, Foley took on the “Fifty Shades” sequels, “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” and reflected on the unique challenges of directing, noting:
“The most challenging aspect for me is that it oddly doesn’t involve the actors. The scenes with car chases and stunts lack the energy actors bring. It can be tough when driving vehicles doesn’t provide the same engagement.”
Foley’s style was difficult to categorize, primarily by design. In a 2017 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he mentioned his reluctance to fall into repetitive patterns.
“I follow my instincts, even when it leads me astray,” Foley commented. “The industry’s highs and lows intertwine for me—being pigeonholed is something I want to avoid.”
He is survived by his brother Kevin and sisters Irene and Joe Anne.
