This is part 2 of my discussion of five of Scarlett Johansson's films. Part 1 is below. In part 1, I reviewed Ghost World and Girl with a Pearl Earring. Here, I'll be taking a look at Lost in Translation, A Love Song for Bobby Long, and The Other Boleyn Girl. These three films showcase different parts of Scarlett's talent. It also shows how she can rise above a mediocre film. Upon viewing these movies, I realized that Scarlett Johansson may not be the most beautiful woman in Hollywood but she does have an unmistakable charisma and screen presence. For me, she's one of the actresses whose 1 film (whichever it may be) makes me want to watch a few others as I am just obsessed with her and most of her films.
3. Lost in Translation (2003; with Bill Murray, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris)To be perfectly honest, I did not like this movie at all. The problem doesn't lie with the cast but with Sofia Coppola's screenplay and direction. It's a pretentiously minimalist film, as if Coppola decided that her film would be more "deep" without overly hilarious situations or overly moving dialogues. The characters drift from on-location set to on-location set and the actors (Johansson especially) try to figure out what they should be doing. This film is widely praised , winning Scarlett a BAFTA awatd and several nominations so perhaps I am the one who is missing something. (It's happened before.) I will give this film a second chance in a few months and perhaps you'll see a wholly different review on this very blog.
4. A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004; with John Travolta, Gabriel Macht, Deborah Kara Unger)
Of the five films I viewed for my ScarJo marathon, this film is the best. Scarlett Johansson earned her 3rd Golden Globe nomination for this film and she delivers one of the best performances of her career as Purslane "Pursy" Will. With a slight Southern accent, Scarlett is delightfully controlled in this picture, never once going overboard like Mr. Travolta. Of everyone in this Southern passion-drama, Scarlett is the best. She gives Pursy depth and vulnerability. This film is funny, insightful and harmless. It never deviates from its central three characters to the point of distraction, the twists of the plot seem believable (for a Southern passion-drama, that is). Best thing about the film: the so-understated-it's-not-even-there romantic chemistry between ScarJo and Gabriel Macht. Other films would have given them an overblown romantic subplot. But Bobby Long just isn't that kind of film.
5. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008; with Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jim Sturgess)
Can I be candid right now? I added this film to the marathon simply because I just love it. Yes, I'm not ashamed to love this gorgeous, historically inaccurate soap opera. I love it simply because it is gorgeous, historically inaccurate and a soap opera. Every actress needs a period piece on her resume and casting Johansson as Mary Boleyn was an inspired choice. She brings a vulnerable virtuousness to the role that other adaptations (namely Showtime's The Tudors) missed out on. The Mary Boleyn on that show is almost just as conniving as Anne Boleyn even though everyone knows that 2 conniving sisters is overkill. One conniving and one virtuous is just right. Also, Scarlett Johansson's English accent is impeccable and she looks just marvelous in those dresses. She and Natalie Portman (as well as she and Eric Bana) are just excellent together. This by all means is not a perfect film. But it's well-acted and a fun showcase for ScarJo's awesomeness.
This concludes my 2-part series devoted to Scarlett Johansson. Feel free to leave comments and make sure you come back soon for more updates. Thanks for reading!
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