Amy Adams (actress)
Ingrid Bergman is my favourite actress but if I cheat and add 'living' to the mix then I arrive at Amy Adams.
My 'who the hell is this?' moment for Adams was in Spielberg's excellent "Catch Me If You Can" in which she plays the sweet, awkward nurse Brenda.
With a mouth full of braces and a voice that seems incapable of rising beyond a whimper she immediately creates an impression.
The character could have come off as frustrating - detestable even. She is interminably innocent and cloying after all.
But Adams imbues Brenda with something that a lesser actress may not have.
It's a sweetness but there is also a balance of vulnerability and confidence that is on full display when she succumbs to her desire for DiCaprio's Frank Abignale.
(And let's not ignore how good DiCaprio is in this wonderful scene)
I was an instant fan and immediately sought out more of her work.
I always find this an interesting time as there is the possibility that the actor I am a new fan of favours through fate or preference the sort of dross that I actively avoid (Kate Hudson / Katherine Heigl level rom-coms for instance)
In Adams case she was mainly utilised in roles that demanded little more from her than her considerable beauty.
So 'Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Cruel Intentions 2" and a bit of tv including "That 70's Show".
And then there is "Psycho Beach Party".
I wouldn't go so far as to say that the 2000 film is a great movie but it sure is goofy fun.
A camp, silly throwback to the likes of Annette Funicello's "Beach Blanket Bingo" it stars up and comers Thomas Gibson ("Darma & Greg" / "Criminal Minds"), Lauren Ambrose ("Six Feet Under" / "Can't Hardly Wait") and Kathleen Robertson ("Beverly Hills, 90210)
It is Adams who is the standout however playing the super bitchy Marvel Ann.
It isn't a huge role but it does provide the best line of the flick....
BERDINE
'They look like beatniks, should I unpack my bongos?'
MARVEL ANN
'I intend to unpack mine'
Playing Marvel Ann Adams shows some of the sweetness she brought to Brenda from "Catch Me If You Can" but adds in a whole lot of manipulative slut.
She struts and pumps out her bikini clad chest and in one scene loses her bikini bottom to comic effect.
If the movie wasn't exactly a hit at least it serves as a suitable showcase for Adams ability to pick perfectly the tone required of her character.
With "Catch Me If You Can" Adams had expected a breakthrough role.
Sadly although the movie was a hit both critically and commercially it surprisingly didn't light a fire under Adams career.
Spielberg himself assumed that it would launch her career but it wasn't to be.
In fact she almost quit the business.
She was fired from two tv shows and it was only the reassurance from her lawyer that to even get two shows in pilot season she was doing something right that kept her in the business.
Good thing too because the perseverance finally paid off with the 2005 movie "Junebug".
Phil Morrison's comedy drama featured a perfectly cast ensemble that included Embeth Davdtz, Alessandro Nivola, Celia Weston, Stuart Wilson and Benjamin McKenzie.
It is again Adams who delivers the noteworthy performance and this time it was noticed.
Her performance as the heavily pregnant Ashley won her an Academy Award nomination.
The performance is astounding - maybe the best I had seen in a decade.
On one level Ashley appears to be an airhead designed purely to add humour to the movie but as we learn more about her via Adams' expressive, deeply thoughtful performance it becomes clear that she is sensitive, caring and desperate for her husband to reciprocate her feelings.
Her final scene is a painful tearjerker and I would imagine was the exact point in time when the Academy sat up and took note. Not to take anything away from her work in this film prior to this moment which is rich with charm and subtle characterisation.
You sense what Ashley is thinking almost before she says it and it is testament to the nuanced work that the actress does.
If further evidence is required check out the dvd extras on the "Junebug" disc for Adams audition for the role. She has the character already figured and the audition is indistinguishable from the final performance aside from a wardrobe change.
Adams would ultimately lose the Best Supporting Actress award to Rachel Weisz for another excellent performance in the brilliant "The Constant Gardener" but the nomination brought her to the spotlight and more roles worthy of her quickly followed.
She worked twice with Meryl Streep - once on screen in "Doubt" and again without sharing a scene in "Julie & Julia".
She has added an additional four academy award nominations since the first and to date there has not been more then three years without her name appearing on the ballots.
None have resulted in a win but it is surely merely a matter of time at this point.
Her range has been impressive with everything from musical whimsy ("Enchanted"), hard edged drama ("The Fighter"), quirky character piece ("American Hustle") and outright blockbuster ("Man of Steel").
In "Enchanted" her remarkable singing and dancing talents were utilised to great affect.
Pretty much a loving parody of cell animated Disney movies it is an utter delight.
There are a number of high points but perhaps the best is the Oscar nominated song performed by Adams "The Happy Working Song".
As someone who hates musicals this is high praise.
With great support from Patrick Dempsey, Timothy Spall, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon "Enchanted" is not only loaded with brilliantly written and performed songs but a huge dose of humour.
Her comedic talent was required again with a role in the Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nighhts".
It was a small but notable part.
She had more screen time in the 2009 hit "Night at the Museum 2: Battle For the Smithsonian" and in fact the movie is at its best whenever she is on screen. Her wonderfully energetic performance as Amelia Earhart seems inspired by the likes of Katherine Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby" and Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday".
She was back in Oscar nomination territory again with back to back David O Russell movies "The Fighter" (2010) and "American Hustle" (2013) but in between gave her musical talents another workout in "The Muppets" (2011).
A clever, witty movie with some great songs it was Brett Mckenzie's "Man Or Muppet" that won the Oscar for Best Song.
"The Muppets" was never going to get much awards attention for Adams nor did it appear to be the aim.
As Adams told the Huffington Post....
"This is something I grew up with and was in love with. When I heard they were doing a new one I was really excited. Jason sent me a DVD where he and Kermit were inviting me to be part of The Muppets. It was really cool. Once Kermit asks you to do something it is really hard to look at him and say, 'No.' So I was hooked!"
Her next few roles put her back in more familiar territory.
"On the Road" was an ensemble piece based on the life of Jack Kerouac while "The Master" reunited her with frequent co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman.
A thinly disguised Scientology inspired movie about the power of cults it garnered Oscar Nominations for Adams, Hoffman and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix.
She worked with Clint Eastwood on the little seen baseball movie "Trouble With the Curve" in 2012 before plunging into her first major big budget movie - "Man of Steel" the following year.
Packed with big names including Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon and Laurence Fishburne this was to be DC's answer to the huge success of rival comic book studio Marvel.
As Lois Lane Adams brings intelligence and grit to the role and more than holds her own in the action stakes.
The film's big success will see Adams reprise the role in next years "Batman vs Superman" and then in 2017's "Justice League Part One"
She returned to more modest budgeted "Her" next which re-united her with Joaquín Phoenix.
A strange movie about a man in love with an operating system Adams de-glams to play an unusual love interest.
It's a great film filled with ideas that deservedly won writer-director Spike Jonze a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
Adams may have had a slow start in the business but once enough people were exposed to her talent she made up for it.
She is without equal when sweetness is called for (Giselle in "Enchanted", Ashley in "Junebug") but can just as easily turn on the power (Charlene in "The Fighter" and Sydney in "American Hustle")
Her ability to belt out a song and perform a dance number is beyond doubt too with superb work in the likes of "The Muppets" and the wonderful "Enchanted".
As impressive as her work has been to date you do get the feeling that her best role is lurking somewhere in her future.
I would imagine that she has a large say in what roles she takes at this juncture.
She rarely stars in a stinker and even the less successful movies afford ample scope for her to deliver.
"Sunshine Cleaning" from New Zealand director Christine Jeffs didn't live up to its promise but the performances of Adams and co-star Emily Blunt alone make it worth the price of a ticket.
Interestingly Blunt and Adams are very close friends.
Adams had starred with Blunt previously in Mike Nichols superb "Charlie Wilson's War" which she has called a film school for her watching Hanks, Hoffman and Nichols work.
I have previously written of my love for this underrated film - Here
Adams was 41 this year and while she is well within the dreaded zone where roles dry up for actresses (unless you are Meryl Streep) she thankfully shows no signs of slowing down.
Her appeal is easy to figure.
She is magnetically, uniquely beautiful and her acting chops are easily spotted within minutes of her entering the frame.
Maybe the elusive Oscar will never come and who knows- maybe she doesn't care but one thing we can at least count on is that whatever role she takes will instantly make the project that whole lot more more promising for her inclusion.
Amy Adams:
Born 20th August, 1974 in Vicenza, Italy (raised in Castle Rock, Colorado)
Spouse: Darren Le Gallo (actor) - married 2015, one child
Trivia:
Worked at a Hooters until she turned 18 and was required to wear the standard orange shorts and tank top.
Has six brothers and sisters
Trained dancer and performed all of her own songs for "Enchanted", "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day" and "The Muppets"
Met her husband in 2001 and was engaged for 7 years
Ingrid Bergman is my favourite actress but if I cheat and add 'living' to the mix then I arrive at Amy Adams.
With a mouth full of braces and a voice that seems incapable of rising beyond a whimper she immediately creates an impression.
The character could have come off as frustrating - detestable even. She is interminably innocent and cloying after all.
But Adams imbues Brenda with something that a lesser actress may not have.
It's a sweetness but there is also a balance of vulnerability and confidence that is on full display when she succumbs to her desire for DiCaprio's Frank Abignale.
(And let's not ignore how good DiCaprio is in this wonderful scene)
I was an instant fan and immediately sought out more of her work.
I always find this an interesting time as there is the possibility that the actor I am a new fan of favours through fate or preference the sort of dross that I actively avoid (Kate Hudson / Katherine Heigl level rom-coms for instance)
In Adams case she was mainly utilised in roles that demanded little more from her than her considerable beauty.
So 'Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Cruel Intentions 2" and a bit of tv including "That 70's Show".
And then there is "Psycho Beach Party".
I wouldn't go so far as to say that the 2000 film is a great movie but it sure is goofy fun.
A camp, silly throwback to the likes of Annette Funicello's "Beach Blanket Bingo" it stars up and comers Thomas Gibson ("Darma & Greg" / "Criminal Minds"), Lauren Ambrose ("Six Feet Under" / "Can't Hardly Wait") and Kathleen Robertson ("Beverly Hills, 90210)
It is Adams who is the standout however playing the super bitchy Marvel Ann.
It isn't a huge role but it does provide the best line of the flick....
BERDINE
'They look like beatniks, should I unpack my bongos?'
MARVEL ANN
'I intend to unpack mine'
Playing Marvel Ann Adams shows some of the sweetness she brought to Brenda from "Catch Me If You Can" but adds in a whole lot of manipulative slut.
She struts and pumps out her bikini clad chest and in one scene loses her bikini bottom to comic effect.
If the movie wasn't exactly a hit at least it serves as a suitable showcase for Adams ability to pick perfectly the tone required of her character.
With "Catch Me If You Can" Adams had expected a breakthrough role.
Sadly although the movie was a hit both critically and commercially it surprisingly didn't light a fire under Adams career.
Spielberg himself assumed that it would launch her career but it wasn't to be.
In fact she almost quit the business.
She was fired from two tv shows and it was only the reassurance from her lawyer that to even get two shows in pilot season she was doing something right that kept her in the business.
Good thing too because the perseverance finally paid off with the 2005 movie "Junebug".
Phil Morrison's comedy drama featured a perfectly cast ensemble that included Embeth Davdtz, Alessandro Nivola, Celia Weston, Stuart Wilson and Benjamin McKenzie.
It is again Adams who delivers the noteworthy performance and this time it was noticed.
Her performance as the heavily pregnant Ashley won her an Academy Award nomination.
The performance is astounding - maybe the best I had seen in a decade.
On one level Ashley appears to be an airhead designed purely to add humour to the movie but as we learn more about her via Adams' expressive, deeply thoughtful performance it becomes clear that she is sensitive, caring and desperate for her husband to reciprocate her feelings.
You sense what Ashley is thinking almost before she says it and it is testament to the nuanced work that the actress does.
If further evidence is required check out the dvd extras on the "Junebug" disc for Adams audition for the role. She has the character already figured and the audition is indistinguishable from the final performance aside from a wardrobe change.
Adams would ultimately lose the Best Supporting Actress award to Rachel Weisz for another excellent performance in the brilliant "The Constant Gardener" but the nomination brought her to the spotlight and more roles worthy of her quickly followed.
 |
| As Ashley in Phil Morrison's quirky, touching "Junebug" |
She worked twice with Meryl Streep - once on screen in "Doubt" and again without sharing a scene in "Julie & Julia".
She has added an additional four academy award nominations since the first and to date there has not been more then three years without her name appearing on the ballots.
None have resulted in a win but it is surely merely a matter of time at this point.
Her range has been impressive with everything from musical whimsy ("Enchanted"), hard edged drama ("The Fighter"), quirky character piece ("American Hustle") and outright blockbuster ("Man of Steel").
In "Enchanted" her remarkable singing and dancing talents were utilised to great affect.
Pretty much a loving parody of cell animated Disney movies it is an utter delight.
There are a number of high points but perhaps the best is the Oscar nominated song performed by Adams "The Happy Working Song".
As someone who hates musicals this is high praise.
With great support from Patrick Dempsey, Timothy Spall, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon "Enchanted" is not only loaded with brilliantly written and performed songs but a huge dose of humour.
Her comedic talent was required again with a role in the Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nighhts".
It was a small but notable part.
She had more screen time in the 2009 hit "Night at the Museum 2: Battle For the Smithsonian" and in fact the movie is at its best whenever she is on screen. Her wonderfully energetic performance as Amelia Earhart seems inspired by the likes of Katherine Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby" and Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday".
 |
| Adams as Amelia Earhart in "Night At the Museum 2: Battle For the Smithsonian" (2009) |
A clever, witty movie with some great songs it was Brett Mckenzie's "Man Or Muppet" that won the Oscar for Best Song.
"The Muppets" was never going to get much awards attention for Adams nor did it appear to be the aim.
As Adams told the Huffington Post....
"This is something I grew up with and was in love with. When I heard they were doing a new one I was really excited. Jason sent me a DVD where he and Kermit were inviting me to be part of The Muppets. It was really cool. Once Kermit asks you to do something it is really hard to look at him and say, 'No.' So I was hooked!"
Her next few roles put her back in more familiar territory.
"On the Road" was an ensemble piece based on the life of Jack Kerouac while "The Master" reunited her with frequent co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman.
A thinly disguised Scientology inspired movie about the power of cults it garnered Oscar Nominations for Adams, Hoffman and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix.
She worked with Clint Eastwood on the little seen baseball movie "Trouble With the Curve" in 2012 before plunging into her first major big budget movie - "Man of Steel" the following year.
Packed with big names including Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon and Laurence Fishburne this was to be DC's answer to the huge success of rival comic book studio Marvel.
As Lois Lane Adams brings intelligence and grit to the role and more than holds her own in the action stakes.
The film's big success will see Adams reprise the role in next years "Batman vs Superman" and then in 2017's "Justice League Part One"
 |
| In Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" with Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Meloni and Henry Cavill |
A strange movie about a man in love with an operating system Adams de-glams to play an unusual love interest.
It's a great film filled with ideas that deservedly won writer-director Spike Jonze a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
Adams may have had a slow start in the business but once enough people were exposed to her talent she made up for it.
She is without equal when sweetness is called for (Giselle in "Enchanted", Ashley in "Junebug") but can just as easily turn on the power (Charlene in "The Fighter" and Sydney in "American Hustle")
Her ability to belt out a song and perform a dance number is beyond doubt too with superb work in the likes of "The Muppets" and the wonderful "Enchanted".
As impressive as her work has been to date you do get the feeling that her best role is lurking somewhere in her future.
I would imagine that she has a large say in what roles she takes at this juncture.
She rarely stars in a stinker and even the less successful movies afford ample scope for her to deliver.
"Sunshine Cleaning" from New Zealand director Christine Jeffs didn't live up to its promise but the performances of Adams and co-star Emily Blunt alone make it worth the price of a ticket.
Interestingly Blunt and Adams are very close friends.
Adams had starred with Blunt previously in Mike Nichols superb "Charlie Wilson's War" which she has called a film school for her watching Hanks, Hoffman and Nichols work.
I have previously written of my love for this underrated film - Here
 |
| Accents, ensembles, outfits and epic songs- left three images... American Hustle and right... Enchanted |
Her appeal is easy to figure.
She is magnetically, uniquely beautiful and her acting chops are easily spotted within minutes of her entering the frame.
Maybe the elusive Oscar will never come and who knows- maybe she doesn't care but one thing we can at least count on is that whatever role she takes will instantly make the project that whole lot more more promising for her inclusion.
Amy Adams:
Born 20th August, 1974 in Vicenza, Italy (raised in Castle Rock, Colorado)
Spouse: Darren Le Gallo (actor) - married 2015, one child
Trivia:
Worked at a Hooters until she turned 18 and was required to wear the standard orange shorts and tank top.
Has six brothers and sisters
Trained dancer and performed all of her own songs for "Enchanted", "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day" and "The Muppets"
Met her husband in 2001 and was engaged for 7 years
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