Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Film Grrrl power
Posted by Pat Graham on Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 6:28 PM
All right, no snickering ... but what is it about Milla Jovovich as cartoon action hero? I mean, what does she have that, say, Parker Posey doesn't—who's obviously no action diva but still came to mind in the middle of Resident Evil: Extinction, for the patented "drop dead, you idiot" baleful stare, the hint of a smirk along an ever so slightly dropsical lower-lip line. Like Christopher Lambert in androgynous mascara—or has he tried that already?—and just about as convincing. But there's something in the imagery, of brute iconography and fashion, like rude beasts slouching toward the runways of Paris and Montreal, that carries them through the action fire.
It was Milla as a superpunk Maid of Orleans in Luc Besson's The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc that first got me thinking about this. All raw intensity, no discernible talent, a headbanger's idea of Oscar-level emoting (though in fact it's my idea too: I'd have nominated her in an eyeblink) ... unless, of course, the intensity is the talent. Going where no certifiably sane person has ever gone before, and she takes you on that journey. So beautiful, so brain-dead—also so galvanizing, like 1,000 volts of live wire in the middle of an electrical storm. No wonder they made her a saint.
But Resident Evil: Extinction's not up to that level of energy ... though it does have Lambert's favorite action director in Russell Mulcahy—and is there anyone better with sabers and knives and the whole quasi-medieval apparatus of battle? Not that Mulcahy's what you'd call a nimble-footed stylist—more of a brooder, actually, who clodhops his way through visual apocalypse in the equivalent of concrete loafers—but there's a nice Ad Reinhardt feel to the low-level contrasts, the gunmetal grays and somber earths and menacing inky voids. (Though the implied anti-immigrant posturing almost goes by him: "Look what will happen, America, if we don't close our borders now!")
But in the end it's all about Milla and how many cannibal zombies she can decapitate with her feet. Pout, snarl, you go girl. Just be sure the L'Oreal doesn't rub off ...
Showing 1-17 of 17
The connecting thread of all her movies is how Milla Jovovich wants to be a boy
I'll give you the Resident Evil movies, the Messenger movie, and even Fifth Element (well, I did enjoy that one); but I do think she was decent in Michael Winterbottom's The Claim
You know who should have directed the newest Resident Evil? Catherine Breillat. Of course, then it would have been a comedy, but still...
JEFF--then what to make of her "l'oreal ambassador" identity (see link in post)? * albeit filmwise, it's the gender ambiguity that gives her screen persona a little extra kick ... which is why i'd disagree w/NOEL: more "modest competence" isn't really the point ... the ideal action pairing would have christopher lambert trundling toward ominous collision w/milla at the androgynous center of the world--no gender identity could ever survive that! BRAD--now THERE's a movie for you ... who needs catherine breillat?
God, this blog is so hollow sometimes. Way to make the L'Oreal connection at the end there; gee, that's awfully incisive.
EMMA--frankly i'd guess that lars svendsen, anne hollander, erving goffman, et al would find the contrast between RESIDENT EVIL milla and the l'oreal version (that's her, by the way) a source of endless fascination, but if you prefer to think of it as "hollow," then be my guest ...
What ever happened to Lori Petty?
has jonathan rosenbaum given up on posting to this blog? I can just imagine him grimacing at the idea of just anyone being able to interact with him. still, he's insightful. why so much pat g. and no rosenbaum or at least the *nice one* j.r. jones?
This Pat. G post wasn't so bad. It's pretty innocuous but at least it wasn't as muddled as her usual blogs.
wait, pat graham is a woman? that's kind surprising.
I believe, Pat Graham, she/he/it should watch her/his/it mouth for it is unprofessional to attact the actress with sexist cues. And, let me guess,Pat,you're in your forties, overweight... Start from yourself, before judging other.How much did you successed in your life? Did you get filmed in crapy action movies, made millions, and can support, and give a dream life to your family? Have a good one!
Did they fire Rosenbaum after the Bergman controversy?
EDWARD--won't get into this since it's none of my business, but your scenario's way too paranoid ... like, this is america, right?
damn, something about blogging brings out the worst in people. best milla role will always be "the fifth element." no contest.
No way. Milla's best role was in Dazed and Confused. She even sang (sort of).
Yes; let us let forth our anger at the audacity of a blogger who dares combine aesthetic theory and a Frankfurtive eye to pop culture, all while supplying incisive critiques on international film! Our Ducks: They are in a row, see them waddle.
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