by scribegrrrlNavigation |
Cinematic chameleons: Playing their parts by changing their looksVia digg.com, I came across a list of the "Top 10 physical transformations for film." It recognizes some truly stunning instances of shape-shifting in the service of art, including these: Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry
Charlize Theron in Monster
But, as usual, the list was mostly male-oriented. So here are some cinematic chameleons of the female variety. I'm including TV as well as film, and some of these are really evolutions over the span of a career, rather than transformations for a specific roles. But hairdos, makeup, wardrobe and weight changes have definitely helped these actresses play their parts. Here they are in no particular order. 1. Chloe Sevigny, If These Walls Could Talk 2 vs. Big Love
From breathtaking butch to what-is-that-hair-about housewife. I much prefer her on her bike. 2. Leisha Hailey, All Over Me vs. The L Word
I fell in love with her pink hair and adorable face. I'm still swooning, but she's sizzlingly sexy now, rather than cute — I can't really see her as that quirky kid in the guitar store. 3. Nicole Kidman, The Others vs. The Hours
Two haunting characters with two contrasting honkers. Actually, what impressed me even more than her proboscis in The Hours was the way she carried herself — stiffly, but also with submerged energy, as if her frame were straining to contain all those weighty Woolfian words. 4. Toni Collette, Muriel's Wedding vs. everything else since then
I love her in any shape, size or accent. 5. Laurel Holloman, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love vs. The L Word
I miss cute little chivalrous Randy Dean. I also miss pre-breakup Tina, but maybe she'll be back next season. 6. Frances McDormand, Fargo vs. Laurel Canyon
From "funny is sexy" to "sexy is sexy" with the doffing of an earflap cap. Oh, and a baby and an ear-melting, side-splitting accent. 7. Meryl Streep, Manhattan vs. The Devil Wears Prada
This is what you call aging very, very well. It's all about the hair — or is it all about the pursed lips? 8. Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins vs. Victor/Victoria
I love her in any role too. But she was so dashing when she played a man playing a woman. More like Victor/Victori-yum! Who has made you do a double take? This list is only a start, and we have Chloe Sevigny to thank for that — when I see her in butch mode, my brain surrenders to much baser instincts and I'm useless for at least a day.
Submitted by on October 10, 2007 - 6:19pm. |
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Monster, Yikes!
Man, you had to go there with Monster. I can't watch that movie. It scares the crap outta me. She was scarily very much transformed into a crazy, country, serial killer.
"No one in this world is a virgin, the world screws us all!"
Transamerica
Transamerica
I couldn't agree more, that was an amazing film and Felicity was equally amazing playing the part.
I'm also curious where Cameron Diaz is.....Being John Malkovitch vs. everything else
Felicity deserves to be part of this list!
lesbian without borders
Ah, I wish we could see
Jenette Goldstein
yea!
Wooo Vasquez! When I saw T2... it took me a few scenes to figure out where I knew her from... then I couldn't believe it was Vasquez!
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Hahaha, yes, I'm glad she
Hahaha, yes, I'm glad she has eyebrows too. Charlize did scare me in the film but I don't think as much as everyone else it seems.
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
Chloe!
I think Chloe is just about the most gorgeous person ever... seeing her butch in "If These Walls..." made me love her even more.
I wish she'd go back to playing awesome roles (like in Party Monster and Boys Don't Cry) instead of being on a tv show. Oh well.
Marion Cotillard
!!!!
Mmm.
Great List
Chloe Sevigny is amazing in If These Walls Could Talk 2. I wasn't particularly fond of her character the first time I saw it...I'll admit. However, when I saw it again, she was probably the most endearing character in all three segments, I fell in love.
Hilary Swanks transformation was neccessary for the film as was Charlize's. I thought Hilary was the perfect choice to play Brandon Teena...it was definitely the jaw line. I loved how she put herself on the line to play Brandon before she got the part. She cut her hair and fought for the role. That's what I call awesome.
"Two haunting characters with two contrasting honkers."
I got a good chuckle out of that line too. Great list Scribe :).
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
Oh yeah!
We can't forget Kiera Knightly in Bend It Like Beckham and Domino to the POTC movies. She played a butch-like characters in both of those movies and then major transformation in POTC. She made me swoon in Bend It Like Beckham. Kiera and Paminder Nagra definitely had moments of "are they gonna?".
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
Julie Andrews!
Julie Andrews is a total chameleon. I actually never saw victor/victoria, bu for the longest time I had no idea that she was mary poppins AND maria from the sound of music (and i love both those movies). its weird b/c those roles seem so similar, but she played them so different. i actually just looked her up right before i posted this just to make sure she actually DID
play both those characters ;)
p.s. am i the only one who thought christina ricci was HAWT in monster?
p.p.s. okay, hes not a woman (-10 points), but i got to give it up to darrell hammond from snl for his awesome impressions. he's crazy amazing at changing it up, and funny too. donald trump was my fav! here's the jeopardy one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=MxUhfHoaP0Y&mode=related&search=
I was amazed by Jewel
Yes
Charlize Theron... the first time I saw her was when she won the award for Monster. I saw the clip and then her win. I could _not_ believe that was the same person. I rarely think the people that win actually deserve the award as it seems to be a mere popularity contest.
But holy crap... she completely embodied the characterizations and personality as well as looks. The scary part for me? That the story was true. I know not everything is true and some things were changed.. but the murders and the tragic life.
Hillary Swank's performance is so painful for me. Not painful as she did a bad job.. but painful in the way on how well she performed. The emotion in the character... it just hurts to know a person had to go through all that.
What about Terminator 2 Linda Hamilton vs Beauty & The Beast Linda Hamilton?
My absolute favorite
My absolute favorite transformations of all above is without a doubt Charlize Theron in Monster. I saw her once before in some crappy movie about a gorilla (the gorilla was cute though) and I really didn't think about her that mutch. But when I saw her In moster I was like "holy baloney!" Even though it's supposed to be a "monstrous" transformation, I think she looks beautiful as Aileen.
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Lick - For your sapphic fangurl desires | Episode 1x01 of LFVL is coming Oct 11! | http://lickfangurlblog.blogspot.com/
I don't know if this counts
Cate Blanchett
I hardly recognised her in her role as Bob Dylan!
Victor/Victoria
A woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman...
I. Love. That. Movie. It's funny, its feelgood, it has great music (Henry Mancini, 'nuff said), it addresses gender/queer issues, Robert Preston is adorable, Julie Andrews looks FANTASTIC in a tux and breaks glasses with her voice. What more can a girl ask?
@Mizkel: Good call on Cate Blanchett. She looks incredibly different as Bob Dylan. Actually she looks very much like Bob Dylan which is weird 'cause she's hot and Bob, well... isn't (though a great musician and inspiring artist!)
Karman.. what a Chameleon!
*grin*
Your Terrible, Muriel
I luv this movie mostly coz I luv Toni and Rachel and ABBA...I mean how could you not luv it with that combination!
Toni Collette was brillaint in this movie
And who doesnt love Julie Andrews? Honestly I dont think it's humanly possible to not luv her.
Marrion: Now, tell me what do you see?
Kel: Two lovers in a passionate embrace
Kath:...Two dead sticks
Toni Colette
That made me do a 'Holy Sh*t'
She be pretty!
The Way The Cookie Crumbles - http://blog.alrightstill.net
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Joely Richardson
Joely Richardson in "Sister My Sister" (1994) is another one for that list..... She looked so different! She had brown hair and brown eyes for the role of Christine Papin (which I actually think suited her very nicely), and although she had to look stressed out and somewhat grim for the character, whenever I look at that movie I am always struck by how naturally beautiful and fresh faced she looked in comparison to her bleached blonde, permatanned Hollywood look now.... It's a really fantastic movie by the way, the best I've seen from Joely!
What about your mother- your mother earth?
Julie Andrews is one of my
lesbian without borders
Holy crap!