Hollywood’s blonde bombshells seem to enjoy impersonating previous movie legends. Following in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe (who teamed with Richard Avedon for her very own play pretend) it was Scarlett Johansson’s turn to do so, under the lens of Tim Walker.
After shooting the Moet Chandon adds I featured previously, and excessively sampling the product, the duo agreed it would be fun to do a story based on cinematic icons. Photographed over 14 hours, it would eventually include such personas as Marlene Dietrich, Sarah Bernhardt, Giulietta Masina and Buster Keaton. Elvis, who was at the top of Johansson’s wish list, was ultimately scrapped, because “it just didn’t look appealing”. Well…unappealing or not I’d still like to see it!
as Marlene Dietrich
as Frederico Fellini’s wife and muse Giuletta Masina in movie La Strada
as actress Sarah Bernhardt in the promotional material for Jean Richepin’s play Pierrot’s Assassin
as silent movie legend Buster Keaton
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Happy Valentine
I love the Buster Keaton….she really got into the spirit of the shoot
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Can’t help but notice, Scarlett uses exact same expression for Marlene Dietrich as she did for Giulietta Masina. Not the best re-enactment choice. Johansson doesn’t capture essence of Giulietta’s effervescent personality–particularly the sparkle of energy Giulietta projects with her eyes. Where Buster Keaton looks world weary and contemplative, SJ just looks annoyed and peevish. The talent of actor/actresses she imitated is their ability to project something more than a posed physicality.
Actually, I have to agree with you on this, but then again I’d have to say that Scarlett is more of a pretty face than a versatile actress