I'll let you know which five films were my favorite from this year's Sundance Film Festival tomorrow, but in the meantime I'd like to highlight two actresses who wound up surprising me with a couple of really great performances during the fest.
Malin Akerman in 'HappyThankYouMorePlease'
Personally, I've never been much of a fan of Malin Akerman. I feel like she's done a decent enough job serving as eye candy in films like Watchmen, The Heartbreak Kid and Couples Retreat, but that's about it – she's not memorable, nor is she an actress to really look out for. That all changed (for me) after watching her play an ex-party girl who contracts alopecia, which is a disease that makes one lose their hair, in Josh Radnor's dramedy HappyThankYouMorePlease. Not only did Akerman surprise me with one of the most genuine and heartfelt performances from this year's fest, but she's also fairly unrecognizable with a bald head wrapped up in some sort of hippie-ish head wrap.
This was the sort of performance we've been waiting to get out of Akerman, who up until this point has played nothing but the generic hottie in one romantic bust after another. Hopefully it will open up some eyes and make it so the girl lands more challenging projects in the future. As far as when you'll get to see HappyThankYouMorePlease, we're still waiting for it to strike a deal for distribution.
Katie Holmes in 'The Romantics'
It's no secret that Katie Holmes has taken some time off from acting to take care of her young daughter, churning out only one forgettable performance (Mad Money) in the past five years. But now Holmes has proven how much she belongs in front of the camera after absolutely knocking my socks off in The Romantics, a Big Chill-ish type dramedy about a group of old friends who reunite for a wedding.
In the film, Holmes plays the Maid of Honor (to Anna Paquin, who turns in the film's second best performance), though an old relationship with the soon-to-be groom (Josh Duhamel) begins to wedge itself into the marital festivities. Playing a girl who, on one hand, wants her old friend (and college roommate) to find happiness, but on the other can't seem to shake the feelings she still has for her old flame, Holmes is equal amounts charming, sincere and emotionally explosive. She seriously makes the film, and I won't be the only one who demands more from her after The Romantics eventually hits theaters (hopefully) later this year.
Stay tuned tomorrow for my five favorite films from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
