You can, of course. Especially if you’re wearing a thong bikini.
I’m not saying that actresses have to be stark naked for a scene to be sexy. I’m saying that unwillingness to disrobe for a movie is an indicator that they are not likely prospects for being sexy. Because when they do that, they’re not being sexy. They’re being the opposite of sexy. It is perfectly possible that a modern actress with a no-nudity clause in all her movie contracts might be very, very sexy in her roles. But the odds are she isn’t. I’d have to SEE teh sexy in a clothed role to buy it. And I haven’t seen that in Parker or Alba. Alba looks GREAT in a bikini, but when I see her onscreen, I think, “Nice kid.” Not “hot babe.” And Parker strikes me as a determined, strong woman with a nice sense of humor. But not a sexy woman. I’m not at all surprised to learn they won’t do nudity.
Example of actresses from Hayes Code days who were hot as hell but never doffed their clothes: Ann Miller (jeebus, when she danced she was hotness incarnate). And Claudette Colbert … the scenes of her as the lesbian Roman matron smooging on the hot Christian chick in “Sign of the Cross” … whoa!
Well, people are either ugly or not, whether or not they’re plastered everywhere. See: Paris Hilton. Millions of dollars have been spent trying to convince me she’s way-hot. Besides an “Eh… her body’s alright,” that money has been wasted on me.
Meanwhile, not five minutes ago, I walked by a girl on the street who was very much NOT on a magazine cover, but very much earned my complete attention.
Also, there’s obviously a higher standard for the starlet types. I might gripe about Drew Barrymore’s cheekbones, but if I met her at a party, would she be anything less than frickin’ gorgeous to me? And, would I care if anyone else thought otherwise? Hell no x 2.
That’s the only time I’ve seen her where I found her attractive. I can’t remember any other work of hers at that time, but in the last decade, there’s nothing I’ve seen that I’ve particularly liked. She’s got that sort of elongated horse face, like Julia Roberts, that just doesn’t do it for me. I’m also not much for her personality, either, so shrug. Y’all got me.
I think she’s pretty, and normal-looking. Pretty as in the girl you might have gone to high school with, not scary supermodel perfect gorgeous. Her attitude has a lot to do with it, as she comes across as down-to-earth, and maybe a little bit nerdy.
Similarly, I think Drew Barrymore is pretty, and the way she presents herself makes her more appealing. She seems like someone who would be fun to hang out with, girl talk and joke and gossip.
Both have very distinctive features, which while not classically beautiful, are striking and memorable.
Throw in Andie MacDowell and you’ve hit my “not attractive” trifecta. I’m not sure what the win/place/show order is, but they’re definitely my top three.
She has the same jaw and smile as her great-uncle, Lionel Barrymore. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Look closely at Mr. Potter. Then look at Drew Barrymore. Same mouth and smile. I honestly cannot look at Drew Barrymore without seeing Lionel. Talk about a turnoff!
The really weird thing about Uma Thurman is that if you gave her a black dye job and a solid tan she’d look very typically Maharashtrian (Indian). The aquiline nose and bug eyes she sports are very typical of Konkanasth brahmins…like Madhuri Dixit, who ruled Indian cinema for a decade before Aishwarya Rai.
Strange that. She the most Indian looking white chick I’ve ever seen.
I agree with you about Uma Thurman, and would add Cameron Diaz. However, my #1 vote for “why is she pretty?” is Claire Danes. I know a lot of people disagree with me, but I think she looks like a man in drag. And not in that hot, Tilda Swinton way.
I can’t see how anyone would ever consider Drew Barrymore to not be pretty. Whatever the case may be with her attitude, confidence, personality, the types of roles she plays or whatever, her face is pretty much the embodiment of classical Anglo-Saxon type beauty. It’s perfectly symmetrical and from an aesthetic standpoint, pretty much flawless.
She is nowhere near on the level of horse-faced SJP.
Claire Danes… not pretty? What kind of world am I living in?
Is someone going to smack me, shove a mirror in my face and shout “You’re Hitler!” next? Because that’s the only way I can be in a world where Claire Danes is not pretty.
Claire Danes is utterly average looking. Not unattractive, but unremarkable in every way. Sarah Jessica Parker, love her or hate her, is at least unique looking and recognizable. Claire Danes was perfect for Shopgirl, because every time I see a picture of Claire Danes, I have to check to make sure it’s Claire Danes. It could just as easily be that girl who waited on me at Neiman’s.
I suppose I have to agree with that. I guess I just can’t get past all the other things you’ve listed (hence, my “not attractive” grouping, as opposed to “ugly”).
Of course, I freely admit that many people have called my taste into question.
