Marion Cotillard was mesmerizing as Adriana, muse/lover to several great artists in Woody Allen’s latest film, Midnight in Paris.
She looked stunning (I already think she is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen), as her character is a student of Coco Chanel, and brought an interesting subtlety to a person that inspired others’ artwork, but also had to do a great lot of listening, which for an actor is more challenging than your few moments of lines.
I can watch anything with Emma Thompson in it. She is someone aspiring actors and even her peers should watch and learn from. Her expertise is in her subtlety. In “Love Actually”, you’ll see Hugh Grant playing the same bumbling and charming buffoon with tousled hair as always, but you will watch Emma and (spoiler alert) feel the breath knocked out of your own lungs and your heart broken as she quietly realizes the expensive jewelry hiding in her husband’s coat was not bought with her in mind.
I haven’t seen any of her Shakespeare work yet - but I’ll definitely queue them up soon! And this funny lady (watch ANY of her speeches- or appearances on QI with Stephen Fry especially!) has attracted the likes of Hugh Laurie and (married/divorced) Kenneth Branagh. She is an intelligent, eloquent, beautiful and talented idol of mine.
These are deleted scenes from the film featuring her (if anything, watch the scene that lasts from 3:00 to the end).
A letter written by the 50-year-old Emma Thompson to her 16-year-old self from Letters of Note. Brilliant advice for anyone.
Emma Thompson
May 29th 2009
Dear Em (16)
I realise that you are young and in love and that nothing much that anyone old says seems relevant, but seeing as it’s me — that is, you; that is, us, I think it’s worth a go.
Two Top Tips from 50 to 16:
1) Don’t EVER EVER EVER bother to go on a diet. I know you’re obsessed and have that awful thing of standing in the 6th form canteen trying to choose between a yoghourt & a breathe of fresh air (whilst wanting chips & a cheese salad). Don’t sweat it. Eat regularly, try & avoid rubbish and never diet. You’ll end up the same size anyway, so drop it girl, & drop it NOW. Believe me — nobody cares. Diets are the best way of confusing your metabolism for the rest of your life. Just be you & get on with it, I cannot tell you how much time & energy you’ll save & how much happier you’ll be.
2) When he says he doesn’t love you, believe him. He doesn’t.
That’s it. All the other mistakes you make are worth their weight in gold.
I love you — Em (50)
Emma Thompson is so wonderful.
As Colin Firth said, “Emma’s got a nauseating long list of talents and virtues. She could really afford to lose a few of them, I think.”
