Mad About Biel

Two entries, two days in a row? It seems too much of a dream, right? Well, believe it, kids - I am here!

A friend from Boston visited for the long Memorial Day weekend, which weather wise turned out to be quite beautiful! Highlights of the weekend included spending five-hours Saturday night at Blockeads – only the best place in the world, Hello! $4 flavored margaritas; a first-time trip for us both to the Guggenheim to see the special Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit; and a marathon of “The Golden Girls” on WE, which made it rather difficult for us to leave the house Monday.

Perhaps the top highlight of the weekend was a trip to the cinema to see Easy Virtue, the new film based on the Noel Coward play starring Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas and…Jessica Biel!!!

Mary Camden??? Playing the lead role in a British period film (the action takes place during the 1930s)??? For real???

I’ll admit I had reservations about the former teen star tackling Coward opposite two of Britain’s top thesps. But after reading stellar reviews of her performance in Variety, The Hollywood Report, The New York Observer and Rolling Stone, I was quite intrigued.

I must say, I think Jessica Biel does dazzle. Colin Firth and Kristen Scott Thomas give their usual first-rate performances, but there was something so refreshing to see Jessica Biel hold her own. She’s quite funny, quick-witted and also moving in the role of an American socialite. It’s a fairly light and trivial film, beautiful costumes and fantastic music. Jessica even sings the opening number Mad About the Boy and does so beautifully. This girl has some serious singing skills to boot. Side note: she’s playing Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at The Hollywood Bowl this summer – I’d kill to see that!

Between this film and another good performance in The Illusionist, I am surprised to say that I am a Jessica Biel fan, and look forward to more interesting performances from her in future.

Don’t believe me? Go see the film, and discover her talent for yourself! Attached is a clip of her singing that opening number – have a listen. Until next time, om, chanti, chanti, chanti, namaste!