Every time I see a photo of Frances McDormand, I try to imagine what she is thinking. Because, have no doubt, there is something significant going on just beneath the placid surface. Frances seems to be in a constant state of incredulous amusement at whatever lens she finds herself staring into. As the photographer clicks away, I imagine her thinking, “Really, this again? Fine, you’re silly, but fine.” As an actress she is as skilled a chameleon as they come. About the only thing she can’t camouflage from role to role is her piercing intellect. In “Fargo,” she was one of the most fantastically unexpected and exceptionally honest heroines of modern cinema. In “Laurel Canyon,” she easily out sexed her bevy of hot, young costars with a simple, knowing arch of her eyebrow. And in “Something’s Got To Give,” she managed the seemingly impossible feat of stealing scenes from Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. What has always attracted me to Frances most is the sharp and lucid mind that hums behind her steel-blue eyes. Now, if I only knew what she was thinking. Happy weekend, all.
Friday, June 01, 2007
My Weekend Crush
Every time I see a photo of Frances McDormand, I try to imagine what she is thinking. Because, have no doubt, there is something significant going on just beneath the placid surface. Frances seems to be in a constant state of incredulous amusement at whatever lens she finds herself staring into. As the photographer clicks away, I imagine her thinking, “Really, this again? Fine, you’re silly, but fine.” As an actress she is as skilled a chameleon as they come. About the only thing she can’t camouflage from role to role is her piercing intellect. In “Fargo,” she was one of the most fantastically unexpected and exceptionally honest heroines of modern cinema. In “Laurel Canyon,” she easily out sexed her bevy of hot, young costars with a simple, knowing arch of her eyebrow. And in “Something’s Got To Give,” she managed the seemingly impossible feat of stealing scenes from Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. What has always attracted me to Frances most is the sharp and lucid mind that hums behind her steel-blue eyes. Now, if I only knew what she was thinking. Happy weekend, all.
wow - that's the woman from FARG) - cleans up pretty well...
ReplyDeletei love that movie
I swear my breath caught when I saw that photo. I become more enamored of her with each role. "Friends With Money" - now that was a tour de force.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you have captured her essence just right. To me she is this generation's Genna Rowlands and that is the highest praise I can give her.
She looks fantastic on that picture! All of a sudden I see her under another pair of eyes! Don't get me wrong, I always admired her as an actress, but in this picture she looks hot!
ReplyDeleteI like your blog! Found it through AfterEllen.
I loved Frances McDormand in "Fargo." She was incredible. It's one of my favorite kick-ass women roles. The only other thing I've seen her in was a minor role in John Salyes' "Lone Star". A very different role. You make me curious about her other movies.
ReplyDeleteI went to college with Ms. McDormond. We did not run in the same circles, but I knew who she was, and she was impressive back then. Love her work, especially scenes where she goes off. The Old Navy scene in Friends with Money is classic!!
ReplyDeleteI realize this is an old post, but one of my favs that she was in was "Paradise Road". Excellent actress.
ReplyDelete