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Cinematic chameleons: Playing their parts by changing their looks

Via 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.

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  • Kawa_Kawa's picture

    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!"

    moox6's picture

    Transamerica

    Where the heck is Felicity Huffman in all of this?  She was truly incredible.
    Meg928x's picture

    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

    Sally10825's picture

    Felicity deserves to be part of this list!

    Felicity Huffman did a fantastic job in Transamerica.  She definitely earned a place in the list of transformations!

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    littlemisscloudshine's picture

    Ah, I wish we could see

    Ah, I wish we could see Chloe Sevigny butch again--- so hot.
    4meAfterD's picture

    Jenette Goldstein

    She played a HOT butch Pvt. Vasquez in Aliens and then went on to play several roles where her look was nothing like it, for example Officer Shapiro in Lethal Weapon 2, Irish Mommy in Titanic and the foster mom Janelle in Terminator 2.
    CyberWoolf's picture

    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!

    Marcie's picture

    AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

    Kawa, I totally agree. In Monster,Charlize scared me...a lot. Her transformation from herself to her character, back to herself is unbelievable. I am just so glad she has eyebrows again!
    SportyLady's picture

    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."

    mohawksfan's picture

    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.

    bealsreveals's picture

    Marion Cotillard

    If ever there was a cinematic transformation worthy of praise, it would be her performance as Edith Piaf.
    boundtostone's picture

    !!!!

    She made me cry. A lot. She was utterly breathtaking.
    boundtostone's picture

    Mmm.

    I have to say Sevigny and Andrews truly take my breath away. Every time I watch Victor/Victoria, I just drool. Not only did Julie Andrews have an impeccable voice (I only use the past tense because of her vocal surgery), she really looked fine as a young cross-dressing "man." And the movie is fantastically camp and lovely, and I think she worked on it with her husband. Which is even more awesome. 

    Sevigny certainly did transform... Nikki is just.. ugh! So frustrating. But she's a great character. 

    I agree with Kawa; I can't watch Monster. Mostly because I can't stop staring at Cherlize (and Christina Ricci) thinking, "why!" And out of all the stories, couldn't they have picked another?

    Leisha maintains an adorableness that is almost impossible to describe. But she's definitely more sensual in The L Word. She's great in both roles.

    Yay, transformations!

    SportyLady's picture

    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."

    SportyLady's picture

    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."

    th1thonly's picture

    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=

    Starshone's picture

    I was amazed by Jewel

    I was amazed by Jewel Staite's transformation into a Wraith child on Stargate Atlantis, but I don't think that's the kind of transformation you're talking about...
    CyberWoolf's picture

    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?

    replicapants's picture

    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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    spotticus's picture

    I don't know if this counts

    But Natasha Henstridge is quite versatile in the characters that she has played. She doesn't get enough credit IMHO.  But I have to admit that Charlize Theron deserved the accolades for her perfomance in "Monster".
    Mizkel's picture

    Cate Blanchett

    I hardly recognised her in her role as Bob Dylan!

    Gweeky's picture

    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!)

    Mizkel's picture

    Karman.. what a Chameleon!

    Ok now that I've watched.. my all time favourite transformation.. Karmen and her ANTM character.. yep hardly recognised her!! 
    Natazzz's picture

    *grin*

    Oh I have to go watch "If these walls.." again...
    Elvis730's picture

    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

    netgirl1983's picture

    Toni Colette

    That made me do a 'Holy Sh*t'

    She be pretty!

     

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    frenchmaid's picture

    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?

    Sally10825's picture

    Julie Andrews is one of my

    Julie Andrews is one of my favorite actresses and she really did a fantastic job in victor/victoria.  I guess a list like this will always leave people we like out, like Felicity Huffman...  But I admit that the best transformation goes to Charlize Theron and to Hillary Swank.  I have both movies on DVD and it is amazing how good they are.

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    RELvoxballroom's picture

    Holy crap!

    I was NOT expecting Toni Collette to be that hot!

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