Meow

[fpb]

I found Lauren Bacall's outburst against Nicole Kidman just incredibly depressing. Just a matter of who she is. For decades, Lauren Bacall has managed to project an image of aging with class and grace, of being by far the most impressive of the remains of golden-age Hollywood. And in one burst of senile jealousy, she has blown it all: showing herself to be nothing more than one aged actress, foolishly resentful of a much younger, successful and still radiant colleague. And let us be honest: who would ever have cast Nicole Kidman as Lauren Bacall's rival, until, by her unnecessary outburst, Ms.Bacall herself both made her one and handed her the victory?

Comments

[fpb.livejournal.com]

The issue was whether the words "screen legend" could validly be applied to Nicole Kidman. Nothing else. And the thing is that, while I have little sympathy for much of what Kidman says and does (her last movie, BIRTH, is a kind of disguised hymn to female paedophilia), if there is one younger, currently active actress who deserves the title, it is her. Other actresses have come and gone. Where are Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rebecca de Mornay, Jodie Foster, even Julia Roberts? Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry, who both came in later than Kidman, begin to look past their sell-by date; Kidman just ploughs on, moving gracefully towards her fortieth birthday on a tide of cleverly chosen movies, many of which are in effect dogs, but never dogs that harm her reputation. She has indubitably established herself as the premier actress of her generation. The words "screen legend" are subjective, but, unless we want to apply them only to dead people, Nicole Kidman has as good a claim to them as anyone.

[bruno-greengras.livejournal.com]

She's a good actor, yes, but screen legend...I don't know. As you say, it's subjective. And I should add that I don't really have any strong emotions in this discussion; they can point out whom they like. :) Personally, I would say that a title like that should rather be given to an actor like Meryl Streep...on the other hand, she probably is a legend already.

In this light is does seem a bit silly of Bacall to react so strongly but, I don't know, she might have her reasons.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

You are right about Meryl Streep, and I would add Charlotte Rampling. But these are a bit older, and both seem to be doing very little these days. Kidman is still at the height of her career.

[bruno-greengras.livejournal.com]

Streep is doing productions for TV, I think. The last I saw her in was something called Angels in America, brilliant work. I didn't like her very much earlier, but as I've got older I can see what a marvellous actor she is.
Kidman is at her height, yes, and that's what makes me reluctant to call her a legend. In ten-twenty years, perhaps. She's too young in my eyes; not even Garbo became a legend until after she withdrew from the screen.
I guess it depends what you put in the word legend.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Yeah. My point was just about that particular episode, which actually hurt me. I had used to admire Lauren Bacall.

[bruno-greengras.livejournal.com]

Of course. I have a tendency to wander off when I comment on things...

[fpb.livejournal.com]

And why not? So far as I can see, on LJs this is the name of the game!

[bruno-greengras.livejournal.com]

It is. ;) Perhaps not the best forum when one wants to discuss difficult issues.

You know, you should get AIM, we could chat some time.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

How do you do that? I had it once briefly when I was subscribing to AOL, but I don't know if I can get it without, and I now use another IP.

[bruno-greengras.livejournal.com]

Nah, I don't use AOL and it worked fine anyway. I'll see if I can find it, and send it in a mail.

[(Anonymous)]

Easy-just go to www.aim.com