Where My Girls At? Blonde Edition
Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 8:00AM Let's check in with some of our favorite ladies to see what they're up to, shall we? When I daydream I sometimes imagine Actresses sitting near piles of scripts in eeny-meeny-miney-mo fashion though some of them have larger stacks then others.
AMANDA & CHARLIZE
Amanda is on my brain because she had the good taste and self awareness to agree with the world very recently that Mean Girls is still her best performance. She'll next be seen in the porn drama Lovelace, which might have some legal trouble brewing. After that she has a lot of movies lined up but the one I'm curious about at the moment is the western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Seth MacFarlane managed to nab two of the most beautiful and busiest actresses in Hollywood for the film. While he was super annoying as an Oscar host it's important to remember that his last effort Ted was more hilarious than we were expecting and in more varied ways than its high-concept synopsis suggested. "Western Comedy" doesn't generally scream "great roles for the ladies" and the plot synopsis doesn't help in determining whether Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried will have anything of note to do:
A cowardly farmer seeks the help of a gunslinger's wife to help him win back the woman who left him.
That could mean that they're both "the girl" aka...just there to be pretty and maybe sassy/badass but basically just facilitate the man's journey and his heterosexuality. But let's hope the roles are fun even if they're non-dimensional since both Charlize & Amanda have wicked comic timing.
AMANDA'S MAMMA MIA MOMMY
First Truth: I not-so secretly wish Meryl Streep, The Undisputed Queen of American Cinema, would step down from her throne for a two-year hiatus aso I could be REALLY excited about seeing her again the way I was in 2002-2003 when she surged back to artistic dominance with not one not two but three of the best performances of her career back to back to back. Second Truth: Even though I feel this way I rarely miss a Streep movie, so I'll be there for Into the Osage County Woods but I must admit that I am considerably less excited to hear about the two films she'll follow those up with.
She'll be reteaming with Robert DeNiro for the fourth time for the adaptation of the novel The Good House. The stars were romantically paired in The Deer Hunter (1978, beloved and best-picture winning) and Falling in Love (1984, modest but worth it for, well, the modesty of Streep just playing a normal woman) but I honestly can't remember their roles in Marvin's Room (1996) which is the last time they shared the screen. The last time I remember thinking about Marvin's Room was in 1997 when I was puzzled on nomination morning that Diane Keaton snagged a nod for it.
Meryl is also in talks to join Jeff Bridges in the adaptation of the dystopian novel The Giver as "the society’s Chief Elder, an authoritative and antagonistic woman who assigns the young their tasks". [Temper Tantrum] Sounds like a perfect role for Michelle Pfeiffer. I realize it's useless to hold on to the now 24 year old dream that that Fabulous Baker Boy and his Susie Diamond would one day reunite onscreen. If they never do they're dumb and I hate them. [/Temper Tantrum]
SPEAKING OF...
Meanwhile La Pfeiffer has nothing in the immediate future after this year's The Family but here's her new character poster.
"___ is One Bad Mother" sounds like a tagline for a Julianne Moore flick.
Michelle might co-star with Tim Robbins in Man Under about a couple thrust into the art world. I would be VERY excited about this one since Robbins is a good director and all three of his previous films have the smartness going for them which is, frankly, something Michelle's filmography could use. But Robbins hasn't actually directed a feature in over 12 years so who knows if financing will come together before the famously skittish Pfeiffer bolts.
how did i miss Kate being honored at Buckingham Palace last year?We end with...
KATE THE GREAT
Things went silent for Kate Winslet on the big screen post-Oscar win (The Reader, 2008) but she's back at Christmas with Labor Day and after that, something infinitely more exciting on paper: The Dressmaker with the one and only Judy Davis (who really ought to get a few of the roles that Streep/Mirren/Dench get if you ask me). The pairing of two world class actresses piques interest but this description from director Jocelyn Moorhouse is everything:
the tale of love, revenge and 1950s haute couture... “Unforgiven with a sewing machine.”
I'll just be over here mopping up gray matter because my mind is blown.
Reader Comments (58)
Oh my, I am LIVING for that Michelle Pfeiffer poster !
I am wondering if this is gonna be a decade with two years of second wins in Best Actress, like it was before the 90's.
This years, with a lot of former winners, is an ideal scenario for a second-time Best Actress winner.
I am guessing Kate Winslet now, because it looks just like a Jane Fonda in Coming Home / Lisituation. She is coming from a break in a movie with two leads by a respected director. Maybe it's time for a his & hers and leadin, too?
And there is the Liz Taylor angle.Since it took so long for her to win this damn Oscar and some people (wrongly, since her performance was SUPERB) think she didn't deserve the first time, maybe Labor Day is her Virginia Woolf?
cal -- i also think Liz is super in BUtterfield 8. I've never understood why people hate that win so much. But as for Kate winning again... what would the narrative be? it'd have to be a very popular movie, i think.
Kate won for the wrong movie that year.
brookesboy -- well, correction. Kate shouldn't have won that year at all :)
There's only one Cate the Great and it starts with a C bitch! Let's not rewrite history and no one uses the nickname for the chubby, Oscar begging one anyway!
Why are you throwing shade at Keaton's nomination for Marvin's Room? The kitchen scene where Keaton gets flustered and breaks the dishes and, as she and Meryl are cleaning up the broken dishes on the floor, she gives that soft, smiley speech about the dedication and love she has for their father and Aunt Ruth ... that scene alone was nomination-worthy. Anyone who has taken care of a sick parent could relate to that moment. Besides, it was a complete departure from her normal characters. And she went without makeup. And we all know Oscar eats that up.
I'm glad Kate has interesting projects in the pipeline. "Dressmaker" and "competitive landscape gardener" (in the upcoming A Little Chaos) make for great characters descriptions to add to her already storied career.
I thought with the pregancy the movie wouldn't happen (though we'd still get to see Kate in Divergent and A Little Chaos) but thankfully that's not the case.
I meant both Taylor and Winslet were superb in their first wins, but both cases got a bad reputation, and people felt/might feeling like correcting those wins giving the actress a second prize, for the right movie.
Giving this situation, we go the the Jane Fonda angle. The movie is super and the whole cast is super and both leads win.
I can't see Streep, Thompson, Bullock and Dench winning again, now.
The strongest contender would be Blanchett, with Adams playing the long overdue card if she goes lead (and still, she would be the Clayburgh to Winslet's Fonda).
I thought Watts would sail to a win (royalty porn, beloved icon, mimicry, tragic ending, lots of tears, overdue status) but it seems they won't push that hard.
I think Winslet's movie would have to be a legit BP contender for her to have more than an outside chance at a nomination. Meanwhile Dench and Thompson's movies look very much like a typical Oscar fare, and both could be considered overdue (especially Dench, who has never won in this category). And for what it's worth, John Lee Hancock has already directed one Best Actress winner.
Right now, I've got:
1. Thompson
2. Dench
3. Bullock
4. Streep
5. Blanchett
I'd put Winslet in the top 10 on name alone, but I'm not bullish on Labor Day at all.
Streep and DeNiro in "The Good House" sounds delicious. Maybe John Caneron Mitchell or Sarah Polley as director? I also like the cast for "The Giver" including Alexander Skarsgard. I am the opposite regarding Meryl announcements. I jump for joy.
I would love if Amanda Seyfried in LOVELACE could crack the category but I know its a long shot.. .maybe a Globe nom
I am also very excited about Streep's upcoming projects... The Giver will be a very small role but it will be in an YA adaptation which Streep has never done... The Good House is a great dark comedy with the character of Hildy being a great role for her... I take it you have not read the book, Nathaniel? It just needs a great director for the film... Mike Nichols?
Also, Meryl just took a hiatus from 2010-2012... And came back to win a Oscar... I need more upcoming projects after that 2 year draught! :)
Devon -- i would probably jump for joy if other great actresses were working. I love Meryl Streep but I'm a person who craves variety.
Jamie -- that drought was no drought! Meryl was only absent for one movie season! 2011. haha. and she has so many movies coming.
Nathaniel, off topic, but whatever happened to the new version of Great Expectations with Bonham Carter?
Kate... that hat... that hat. I have no words.
Cate the Great's "The Monuments Men" trailer is out
I don't understand why people want Meryl to take a break, I mean, it's not like she is in her 30s, the woman is 64, and as good as she looks, is not the same for her to take a 2 year break when she was in her 30s than now. She is considered the greatest actress by many and I for one don't have any problems with "the greatest actress" getting good roles, quite the opposite, I'm glad an actress her age gets the work she does because in my opinion, not only as an actress but as a human being, I think Meryl is a great role model, so how could there be too much of her? but I guess that's the fun part, everyone has different opinions, that's mine.
I am supportive of Meryl being a leading lady into her 60’s, 70’s, and however long she and the market want her to remain a big star. It's never happened before. Heck, I am supportive of her becoming the first actress who has her mind uploaded into the artificial intelligence mainframe, so she can keep entertaining people (including us, if we are lucky) eternally with great performances. Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, and Cate Blanchett are her peers and hopefully they too will continue to have vital and long-term careers.
@Cal Roth - Kate's Oscar is engraved "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for The Reader, but seriously, we dropped the ball in 2004. Sorry, Kate! LOLZ!"
WOW! Are you down on Streep .. I originally came to this blog b/c of your love for her..
What is this role hogging she does??? Come off it .. Just b/c your Michelle and Julianne are not big stars, they are in a number of movies in the last couple of years
What about Mirren, Dench, and other women of age ... they seem to be putting out a lot of movies ... So stop the little boy histrionics about Streep... she should do all the movies she is offered as she is a woman of age, too...
The Homesman and THe Giver are but cameos... so let it go!
I thnk the point with Meryl is that it's great that she's working consistently, but in the perfect world she, Davis, Close, Weaver, Lange, Fonda, and the myriad women who make up that peer group would also be getting great work (or work at all). I love Meryl more than almost any other actor, but it'd be easier to cheer for her if all of those other great actors were getting excellent screen work at the same time. You can't have too many good movies.
Marvin's Room is one of the over looked Meryl perforamnces plus early Leo,the scene where she tells him her love is like fish hooks is great actressing.
@John T. - I was thinking the same thing. I'd love for Meryl to take smaller but equally interesting roles and let Allen, Close, Lange, Pfeiffer and Weaver enjoy some plum roles for a change. It just seems a bit unfair to hog all of the good work. I mean, from a business perspective it makes sense. Still, spread the wealth, Meryl. Spread the wealth.
The film industry is a business... Is it possible to admit that maybe Streep is just working harder than her contemporaries?
@cal roth - Oh, one last thing! I think Blanchett's narrative practically writes itself. I mean, people have been calling her Streep's heir apparent for some time and now she's poised to win a Best Actress Oscar for a mercurial performance that many think is better than the film containing it after receiving an award in the supporting category. Sound familiar?
Manny: I hope you are not comparing Blue Jasmine to the most beloved performance of all time in Sophie's Choice?? I'll give you The Iron Lady :)
Sad man -- i have no idea. It didn't open in the States.
John T & Manny & Sally & Rick -- I would never in a million years want to be without Meryl Streep. But the way people only love her -- like many readers who take me to task for suggesting that sometimes someone else would be better in a role -- and refuse to acknowledge the gifts of her contemporaries is truly disheartening and I think very anti-actress. It's the actress equivalent of only wanting to watch superhero movies and refusing to try other things out so that's all Hollywood will end up making.
Man cannot live on Streep alone (and feel free to subsitute any name there. I would rather lose Michelle Pfeiffer in movies altogether than ONLY be able to watch her, and y'all know she's my favorite!)
the point is artistic variety is good for the soul.
Can this be a regular feature?
How about if I just watch superhero AND Meryl Streep films. Is that enough variety for you? ;)
Also I don't have time for Kate the Great backlash. I say GET YOURS GIRL.
I too would find it easier to worship at the altar of Streep if other actresses were working. I feel that Streep is offered so many roles that she does well, but someone else would have done better or at the least differently. Shes a safe bet for producers and I find her work a little dull and predictable.
@Sad man - I just saw by happenstance on IMDB yesterday that the Bonham-Carter Great Expectations is supposed to be released in the U.S. on October 11. Hope nothing changes.
@Nathaniel - I don't quite understand the reaction to your suggestion myself except that when the topic is Streep, logic and reasoning go out the window quicker than Ed Harris in The Hours. (Too soon?)
Yes, Streep's amazing, you guys; there's no two ways about it. However, there are other amazing actresses out there who are criminally underused. Think of it as taking a break from one terrific song to listen to several others you haven't heard in a while.
@Jamie - I actually haven't even seen Blue Jasmine yet! :P I doubt I'll love her Jasmine as much as I love Sophie Zawistowski, but the narrative still fits. :)
Sorry, but I just don't get why people complain that Meryl Streep takes all the juice parts for actresses her age. In the end they're in movies made by medicore-to-bad directors. So what?
Why do you want other actresses taking these parts?
Let's face it: Meryl does not get all the best roles (aside from A:OC and maybe Into the Woods). She just make them look good on paper because of her name alone. That's all, folks.
I love other actresses and never have conceived that Streep should have had such and such a role other actresses have..
I will go to any movie that has an actress in a good role... I can't wait to see Blanchett in Blue JAsmine ...
You seem, Nathaniel, to flip flop between adoring certain actresses ... while some of us stay faithful to our favorites, but totally enjoy other actresses ..
You started with Streep when I first came to this blog ... then Moore, Kidman,Pfiffer etc.
I enjoy Mirren Dench Moore Vera Fermagia(sp?).. but I will not miss a Streep performance.
Sonja -- i fail to see how Julia Childs and Maggie Thatcher (two of the most definitive women of the century) and the lead roles in adaptations of three of the most acclaimed stage plays of the past 30 years are not "the best roles".... but you're right that a lot of them turn into mediocre movies. That's probably because she doesn't tend to work with A list directors.
There are a couple of misconceptions floating around here. One is that Meryl takes good parts away from other actresses. She has her own niche audience and along with Sandra Bullock, she is one of the few major female movie draws with a proven box office record. Studios do not even like to make Oscar movies anymore, because they can make more money on comic book films or YA franchises like Hunger Games. The other is that Meryl turns down work from A-list directors. Most of the A-list directors are men, and they like to work with other men or with young women. This includes Scorsese, Spielberg, etc. who rarely if ever build a fiilm around a woman over 40.
rick -- you say flip flop. i say "nuanced thinking" ;) when i don't like a Pfeiffer performance (yes it has happened) the Pfanatics gets furious. when I wish someone else had played a Streep role people say I hate Streep. When I wrote a review of Blue Jasmine this weekend in which I spent two paragraphs talking about Cate's AMAZING vocal work and my two favorite scenes of hers one of the last comments said "it sounds like you weren't sold on her work. you must really hate her. wow". the reaction to my fluctuating opinions (if opinions dont fluctuate about any contemporary artists -- whose careers are still unfolding -- there's something wrong with the opinion)
Meryl Streep was immediately one of my top ten actresses of all time since I first became obsessed with movies and still is. It's okay to feel that way and still wish other actresses would get a fair shake from the public .
@ Nathaniel: Whenever Streep is the topic you sure do get a lot of reader comments :)
Nathaniel: That comment on your Blue Jasmine review is hilarious! "I am not sure if I am missing something from your review..."
Jamie -- i know. Streep is good for box office and for comments. :)
Jamie You beat me to the punch... about pushing people's buttons when Streep is brought up...
And Nathaniel, I love the" conversations" about Streep and your other favs... and , in no way, am I arguing... otherwise, I would not remain on the blog ... after teaching literature,, I have learned to present certain topics in a divisive way to get good conversations going ... now my secret is out!!!!!
Completely OT, well, but speaking of blonds. I just saw the trailer of "Her" and it somehow clicked with me. Could you please do a Yes, No Maybe So...pretty please
I agree with Nathaniel. Streep is an awesome actress, but from an artist POV, the film industry should think outside the bank box. They can choose between:
Glenn Close, Jessica Lange, Sigourney Weaver, Susan Sarandon, Holly Hunter, Emma Thompson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jane Alexander, Angelica Houston, Barbara Hershey, Judy Davis, Charlotte Rampling, Julie Christie, Joan Allen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kathy Bates, Stokard Channing, Parker Posey, Angela Bassett, Isabelle Huppert, Michelle Yeoh, Diane Keaton, Isabella Adjani,
Manuel
all of the actresses you mention ( but a couple of them) are wonderful actresses... but they have no box office and sad to say that is the business today) when the studios were in their glory all of these actresses would be in major pictures...
If a director/scriptwriter wants to get their piece into a movie, they must think star= money
I think that is why there are so many bombs ( of big budget ) movies lately.
@ Manuel: that is a great list to choose from. Too bad most of them are stuck in tv contracts. The truth of the matter is none of them have been proving themselves artistically and profitably on the silver screen in a while... You have to work towards Streep's success and not wait until she passes a role over to you....
Belinda hit the nail on the head. Everyone can think that Streep is hogging all the great female roles, but in reality the producers and studio heads are the ones responsible for Meryl's dominance in American cinema. She SELLS tickets! I remember Nora Ephron saying in an interview that Julie & Julia would most certainly not have been financed if another actress was cast instead of Meryl Streep. The producers WANTED her. When was the last time Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sigourney Weaver, or Jessica Lange had a box office hit on THEIR NAME alone (and NO, Avatar does not count)? I'm not saying this is right--I would love to see these actresses rip into some juicy parts on the big screen (especially Lange. I think she's fabulous!). But sadly this is a business, and if you are an actress of a certain age who's not named Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, or Helen Mirren, then you will not be offered the same roles.
Jocelyn Moorhouse! PROOF is still a masterpiece, I say. And with Winslet *and* Davis?
Belinda and Aaron hit the nail. This isn't Meryl fault. It mostly a Hollywood problem. We talk about a medium where the men aged but the women stay young. I would love to see older women on films, but then even A-list directors didn't make proper films with older actresses as leads. A question would be, Which actresses over 40s. are still making big films as big leads? If we considerate lists and rankings, we have two or three names:
Sandra Bullock
Meryl Streep
and currently Melissa McCarthy
After that we have another list of other names with actresses taking current leads/supporting roles in big films in major or minor track:
Judi Dench
Helen Mirren
Nicole Kidman
Cate Blanchett
Kristin Scott Thomas
Emma Thompson
Julianne Moore
Annette Bening
Naomi Watts
Amy Adams
It's an small list, but then blame the producers, writers and directors for making these decisions.