About

Cheryl Miller is a 2007 Phillips Foundation Journalism Fellow and the editor of Doublethink magazine. Her work has appeared in such publications as The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Wall Street Journal, Reason, and The Claremont Review of Books.

She can be contacted at cheryl [at] americasfuture [dot] org.

Read my other blog. The one that's not obnoxious and self-absorbed!

Recent publications

"The Master" in The Claremont Review of Books

"Scary Rise of the 'Sanctimommy'" in The Washington Times

"Why Malamud Faded" in Commentary

"Blogging Infertility" in The New Atlantis

"Outsourcing Childbirth" in The Wall Street Journal

"The Painless Peace of Twilight Sleep" in The New Atlantis

"The Genius of Old New York" in The Claremont Review of Books

"Parenthood At Any Price" in The New Atlantis

"Modern Girls and the Moral Revival They Are Leading" in The Washington Times

ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Links

Friday, March 7, 2008

My Scarlett Johansson Problem

Along with my architecture education, I've been trying to convince J. of the greatness of classic film. This has not worked out so well--mostly because he succeeded in convincing me of the greatness of The Wire first, and now that's all we watch. But pre-Wire, I had just begun to introduce him to Alfred Hitchcock. We saw exactly one film, Vertigo, albeit the greatest Hitchcock film ever. (And yes, North by Northwest is a strong contender, but Vertigo is still better.)

It's probably for the best that our experiment was so short-lived since his main observation at the time was that he found Kim Novak to be "matronly." I was slightly reassured when he explained that (the decidedly not stick-thin) Scarlett Johansson was more to his liking. That is, until I realized serious cleavage makes up for a lot. And that Scarlett Johansson is only "fat" compared to Kate Bosworth, who is now more bobblehead doll than human being. Alas.

Anyway, all of this is a roundabout way of saying I think the old movie stars are a much more glamorous group than the current crop (and I hate Scarlett Johansson). As proof, I submit this Vanity Fair slideshow recreating iconic moments from Hitchcock films. (Don't miss the "behind-the-scenes report" where the director boasts about spending half of Africa's GDP to get these shots.)

My quick assessment: Renee Zellweger as Kim Novak? Seriously? (Also, she just looks weird in that shot.) Naomi Watts makes a good Tippi Hedren; Scarlett Johansson isn't bad as Grace Kelly--better than Gwyneth Paltrow anyway. Note how all the men cast as Cary Grant fail miserably.

Labels: alas, gender wars, the arts

posted by Cheryl # 10:48 AM

Comments:

I am partial to N by NW, then Rear Window, then Vertigo.

But I can see how somebody could disagree.

# posted by

FLG : March 7, 2008 3:28 PM

I almost forgot. I like strangers on a train. The Birds is an anti-woman film. If you don't think so watch it again. I don't like it. Cheers.

# posted by

FLG : March 7, 2008 3:47 PM

Re The Birds: All of Hitchcock's movies are misogynist.

# posted by

Cheryl : March 7, 2008 4:07 PM

True, but the Birds more than most.

Also, sorry about breaking the truce.

# posted by

FLG : March 7, 2008 9:29 PM