Hollyweird Trend?

Okay, movie-making and television production is a business. The entire goal, no matter how lofty the rhetoric, is to make money, lots and lots of money. I get that. Hey, I'm a die-hard (heh) conservative Republican capitalist. I'm all about it. Oh, I have my issues with Hollywood and their ever more left-leaning ways, but they manage to put out some pretty cool right-wing stuff sometimes (see my previous entry on the new series of "V"), and some of it is good enough to just forget politics for a while (mostly).

Where, oh, where am I going with this? Nowhere special, really. I just noticed a trend of late, that's all. I call it, The Trend of the Smoldering Brunette. Now while, as a red-blooded American male of Irish/English/Cherokee descent, born and raised in the glorious Deep South, I have no problem with smoldering brunettes, on screen or off. Smoldering brunettes, simmering blondes, scintillating auburn-haired demi-goddesses, hey, they're all easy on the eyes and they all tend to draw a crowd to the box offices, movie rental stores, and butts to the living room sofas. Bean-counters tend to notice stuff like this. When those responsible for making the decisions that make the money see that something is likely to make more money they jump on board. Who can blame them? I don't hear anyone complaining about their method, either (at least about the smoldering brunette, etc. bit, anyway).

But, here's what I've noticed and I wonder if anyone else has done so as well: Take a look at Eva Green (Vesper in "Casino Royale"). Then let's look at Robin Tunney (Teresa Lisbon on the TV series "The Mentalist"). Okay, got that? Now let's add in Kristen Stewart (Bella from the "Twilight" series). Look closely. I mean really closely. Glance at some magazine covers, 'net hits, red-carpet coverages ... hey, watch the shows, even. Do they not all look like the same girl? I think they at least look like they were cast from the same mold. I can almost see this:

A studio casting director says, "Well, Eva Green was amazingly popular in 'Casino Royale.' We need a face like that to draw a crowd for this new series, 'The Mentalist.' There's simply no way we can afford Ms. Green, though, great international (French) star that she is. Hmm ... go forth and seek someone similar. I want a body double, darn it, and preferably one with some draw of her own."

The assistant returns with a portfolio on Robin Tunney. "Look!" he exclaims. "Ms. Tunney here is a well-established star. She's been in movies and television serials. AND, she has that same ... that same ... look as Ms. Green!"

The exec looks over his assitant's shoulder. "I don't know. There is a resemblance, and they're both hot brunettes ... but ... I dunno, Tunny is more girl-next-door."

"You have to squint a little bit, like this."

"Oh ... OH! ... I see it now! Wow! They both have that oh-so-superior, I'm-barely-tolerating-your-existance-so-what-the-hell-do-you-want-now?! look!"

"Yeah ... er, I mean ... yes, sir they do! They both have that ... that ... look. You see? The way their eyes smolder from under their eyebrows? The way they always manage to look like they're looking down at you, even when they're looking up?"

"Hmm ... 'smoldering look' eh? I like that. Let's go with it."

Time passes. "The Mentalist" is a sensational success, in no small part to Robin Tunney's no-nonsense, oh-so-superior, cut-the-crap-or-I'll-kick-your-arse look. Well, Simon Baker's attitude and flair make the show, but it pings well off of Tunney's character. Anyway, let's pretend that same exec is trying to cast the role of the lead heroine for a book-to-film movie about vampires and such. Let's say this book, essentially an angsty, gothy, emo-teen romance, is immensely popular and they want to draw in people that otherwise would not read it. Said executive calls upon his assistant. "While we want this movie to be good," he explains, "We simply do not have budget to pull in either Eva Green nor Robin Tunney. In any event both, though in their absolute respective primes, are not exactly angsty teen material."

"Still want to go with the smoldering brunette theme, then, sir?"

"Yeah, why not? It's worked so far. Go find me a girl who, if we squint just so, will remind us very strongly of Eva Green and Robin Tunney while at the same time having enough drawing power of her own to ensure we can get some sequels and maybe some other movies out of her."

"Right-e-oh, sir!" The assistant scurries off, returning forthwith with yet another porfolio in hand. "Here," he says, setting the folder down reverently upon the executive's desk. "I present to you, Miss Kristen Stewart."

"My, my, my! She looks ... wow ... she looks like a younger version of either of the other stars. That exact same smoldering look, that same ... say, what do you call that expression, anyway? That whole 'my bellybutton lint is more interesting than you, or it would be if I had an imperfection like bellybutton lint; you are beneath contempt and only I am worthy; now what do you want, as if I care?' look?"

"Um, ... Sociopathy?"

"No! ... Well ... yes, I suppose that is the technical name for it. Let's go with 'Smoldering' and just stick with that for now. How's that?"

"Very good, sir!"

And with that, or some similar process, we now have the Trend of the Smoldering Brunette. All seem to be capable actresses and for me that's what really counts. Yes, I would, in fact, say that even if my wife wasn't reading this. :p Even when single, and though even now still a red-blooded male and quite capable of appreciating the artistry that is a pretty face, I don't and have never watched movies with some convoluted, hopeless dream of picking up the main actress. I'm sure they have enough delluded fans without me adding to the mix. Besides, I'd be a bit concerned entering into a relationship with someone who fakes emotion for a living [shudder]. The prettiest actress won't carry a crap movie, but a plain-Jane acress with vastly more skill than looks can make a good story soar to lofty heights. Hollyweird seem to have stumbled upon a formula that works for them right now and appear willing to stick to it with amazing tenacity. What amazes me more is that they can actually FIND actresses who look so much alike! That kinda puts the "weird" in "Hollyweird" doesn't it, now?"