The Many Faces of… Scarlett Johansson
Every week I take a look at the roles of a specific actor or actress. This week the choice is Scarlett Johansson. She was born in New York in 1984. Her father was an architect and her mother a producer (and film buff). Her grandfather was a director and screenwriter. Her first appearance was in the 1994 movie North when she was only nine years old. Thanks to her roles in movies like The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World people started noticing her and she started appearing in bigger movies.
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For me picking my favorite role isn’t that hard. It’s her role as the lonely wife in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation opposite of Bill Murray. It’s one of my favorite movies and Johansson is great in it.
What is your favorite Scarlett Johansson role?
Yes, ‘Lost in Translation’ is likely her best role. I’m partial to her work in Chris Nolan’s ‘The Prestige’, myself. Fine spotlight.
Thank you. Although she’s not an actress I will have to see in everything she has done, she has had some cool roles. She kicked ass in Iron Man 2.
At this point, I would say… none?
Hahaha, it’s clear you don’t like her acting then Castor?
I don’t really like or dislike her. I just don’t think she has ever given a memorable performance where I would be like “wow no other actress would have done a better job with this role”.
She was fine in Lost in Translation but over the years, I realized that’s basically all “the acting” she could do and now she has gone back to relying on her looks and isn’t really getting anything interesting to play.
Nostra! Nostra! Ha. THANK YOU! I was just listening to her music album this morning! I love this post! I will be back to comment more once I get done drooling and have recomposed myself. Haha. I have a few favorite performances to speak about.
A WONDERFUL version of Friday’s Faces!
Hahaha, I knew you’d like this after you mentioned her in last week’s Moviesite Spotlight. Thought it might be a nice surprise for you, glad you appreciate this one T!
Haha I have not seen Lost in Translation so I don’t really have a favorite performance… but she is pretty enough to make almost any movie she is in enjoyable
Hahaha, so sometimes a pretty face is enough for you to make a movie enjoyable?
I’ve gotta go with Anywhere I Lay My Head, because that was a moment of Enlightenment for me, it was when I first realized that Scarlett doesn’t actually exist outside of my imagination. A woman that looks like that and loves Tom Waits, please! I’m clearly dreaming.
I have never seen that movie. Haha, enjoy your dreams
I’ve never noticed this before, but she’s a woman of many hairstyles, isn’t she? My favorite role of hers is an easy choice: Lost in Translation all the way.
Hahaha, didn’t notice it myself, but you are right Emil! Nice to see another vote for Lost in Translation!
I think I never noticed her beauty until I saw her in Ghost World, when she didn’t tried to look pretty at all. Of all, I might like her the most in Vicky Christina Barcelona. Great choice for many faces!
Yeah, she was just a normal teenager in that. I have not seen that many of her movies, so I don’t know her in Vicky Christina Barcelona.
The worst thing for an actress – I can’t think of a single role that stands out. I know I despised Match Point and unlike the majority don’t like anything Sofia Coppola has done so Lost In Translation is also out. But even in films that I love like The Prestige, I don’t feel she stands out. She has star quality about her but I’ve yet to see her excel as an actress.
Dan, it seems like she is an actress who isn’t liked by everyone. Maybe she will appear in something worth watching for you in the future…
That’s too bad because her most stand out role to, probably, most people is her role in Lost in Translation.
She and I share a birthday!
I think she’s an actress that’s yet to find her groove or find a challenging role that’s defined her. I think everyone still thinks of her as Sofia Coppola’s ingenue from Lost in Translation, it’s been a long time since that film.
Wow, nice to see you share a birthday. Were you born in the same year? That’s the first movie I think of when I hear her name.
I’ve never been all that enamoured with her. She’s one of those actresses that’s just “ok” for me. I’ve never been blown away by her. I’ve not seen Lost in Translation or Ghost World (2 roles people rave about) but … eh.
There are always actors/actresses that a lot of people like, but other feel different about. Personally I really don’t like someone like Meryl Streep even though a lot of people seem to love her acting.
Seeing that Lost in Translation might still be my top film of all time…that’s the easy pick. She hasn’t been nearly that good in any films since, but I’ll always remember in that before she was a mega star.
I remember seeing that for the first time and absolutely falling in love with it (and Japan). It would probably appear in my top 20 of all time favorite movies.
Definitely Michael Bay’s The Island. Anyone?
I saw that one and thought it felt like one big commercial. You liked it?
I think I first saw her in The Man Who Wasn’t There, but I didn’t ‘fall in love’ with her until Lost in Translation. Lately though I haven’t been that impressed with her, too much overexposure and crappy big budget movies I think.
So you would like to see her in smaller movies?
My favorite role is probably Lost in Translation, and it looks like I am not alone on that one. I really should revisit that movie. Don’t think I have seen it since it came out originally.
No, you are not the only one Eric! I agree with you and it is a movie I should revisit as well, it’s been way too long since I’ve seen it although I did rewatch it once.
I like several of her roles actually. While some may not (and that’s okay), I enjoyed her in Matchpoint (surprising), The Island (guilty pleasure), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (enjoyable), Scoop (delightful), and In Good Company (relatable).
Not the biggest “Lost in Translation” fan (GASP!!) haha. But I will watch anything she is in…and own several of her titles myself.
Again, I love this post, Nostra. Thanks!
Thanks T! Seems like you are biggest fan here looking at all the other comments
Scarlett Johansson is one of my favourite actresses, not only because she’s incredibly beautiful, she’s also very versatile. I’d have to go with you here, and say my favourite film of her’s is Lost in Translation, I just simply love that movie. Ghost World is also amazing (although I was put off watching it for quite a while because I thought it would be scary, never judge a book by its cover!).
Happy to see it’s one of your favorite actresses Amy! I always enjoy it when I pick out a actor/actress that some of my readers love.
I agree with other comments that Scarlett Johansson is cashing in on her looks today. Lost in Translation, A Love Song for Bobby Long, The Prestige, Match Point, and Ghost World are her best films I think between 2001-2006, but maybe its not her acting but the stories I like…she is beautiful
ScarJo as Black Widow is pretty awesome…
I agree with you on that, she really had an awesome scene in Iron Man 2. Looking forward if she has similar action scenes in The Avengers movie!
Sorry but I only like her in Lost in Translation, but I know tons of guys love her, especially Terrence so I’ll keep my mouth shut about what I really think
Hahaha, never be afraid to state your opinion Ruth, or does Terrence know where you live?
HAHAHA. that really made me laugh out loud just now! LOL.:D
She’s a tricky one for me. Most of her out put, rom-coms, woody allen movies, period pieces etc, I have never seen, although I absolutlely fancy the pants off her. Loved her in Lost In Translation too and thought she ‘kind of’ worked in Iron Man 2, but perhaps the skin tight rubber suite awarded her most of the points.
Hahaha, she looks nice and that opening shot of Lost in Translation is one to remember
I remember having a crush on her when I saw her in Ghost World. Never knew she would turn out to be so hot! Although my celebrity crush has since changed, I feel that she has a long way to go to make a “real” name in the industry. She has done good work, but she needs a few roles that really pushes her to give a all time best performance.
Interesting history lesson
I never had a crush on her, but I do think she has a very unique look and still a long career in front of her so I’m sure we’ll see it.
My favorite role of hers is Black Widow from The Iron Man 2. I know that’s it’s not a powerful performance but surely she kicks butt in the film and I’m looking forward to The Avengers!
It is a performance which surely stands out. Interested to see as well how The Avengers will turn out.