Those who know me intimately, know that Rebecca Hall has become my life’s greatest obsession – I’ve gone as far as one human can safely go without running the risk of a potential restraining order.
For those of you yet to become acquainted with the beautiful and beyond brilliant actress, let’s assess the situation:
Rebecca Hall is the daughter of the great theatre director, Peter Hall. She started in theatre and is slowly transitioning into an acclaimed film career. To date her film credits include: Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, Starter for 10 with James McAvoy, Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon and best role yet, Vicky in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona – my favorite, favorite movie.
Woody Allen’s comedy is fantastic – funny, witty, neurotic, beautifully shot. All the things we expect from a top-notch Woody Allen film. It won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Penélope Cruz this year and also stars Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson and Patricia Clarkson.
When I saw the movie last summer, it was Hall’s performance that struck me most. The relatively unknown actress more than holds her own against her accomplished co-stars; in many instances, she outshines them.
Her ability to communicate so many emotions with just one look of her eyes is unparalleled by peers. Vicky is a complicated woman, perhaps the most complicated of all the roles: She is neurotic, controlling, insecure, funny, brilliant… It is the most fully realized portrait in the film, and when Vicky questions her motives, insecurities and desires in life, Hall invites us to explore our own issues and questions too. She is the easiest character to identify with, because she is the most real.
Hall received a Golden Globe nomination for her work, and is now traversing the globe performing in The Bridge Project’s productions of The Cherry Orchard and The Winter’s Tale, directed by Sam Mendes. During the productions’ runs at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, I purchased in my tix to The Winter’s Tale in a hot minute and got to see my favorite girl in person, on-stage, in all her glory. She was brilliant in the role of doomed Queen Hermione, squaring off against Simon Russell Beale; proving herself to be a true rarity amongst actresses today: One that shines both on stage and on screen.
Watch the clip below for a taste of Vicky Cristina Barcelona and then go rent it!
Till next time…om, chanti, chanti, chanti, namaste.
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