Totally Awesome Women

This actor, most known for her portrayal of villainous characters, was actually once referred to as the “corset queen” for only playing pre-19^th century characters.  But, in her most recent role, which garnered 29 award nominations, she became a different kind of Queen.

 

I know the movie is called The King’s Speech, but in my opinion, Helena Bonham Carter’s interpretation of Queen Elizabeth is just as impressive.   FYI, out of her almost 30 nominations, only 5 were for the entire ensemble.

 

Regardless of what comes to mind when we think of HBC, Marla Singer, the Red Queen, or (for me) Bellatrix Lestrange, Bonham Carter has made her unique mark on acting, fashion, and feminism.

 

I have to admit since I’ve been doing this series, I usually begin a post by researching videos, articles, movies, etc., to get a well-rounded perspective on the T.A.W.-in-question.  Then, I put the research away and figure out what resonates with me.  I try to keep in mind that the goal isn’t a complete biography and analysis but rather my perspective on someone who inspires me.

 

Having said that, for HBC, I got a little stuck on the “research phase.”  By that, I mean I spent a little too much time (i.e. three hours) watching her interviews, award acceptance speeches, etc….

 

However, at this point, I can safely say that I have probably read and seen more about HBC than most.  I couldn’t help it.  She is funny as hell.  That reminds me, you should all watch her on her on the Late Late Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyyxGwX70QM).  I think a response from a random YouTube-r describes the interview perfectly, “They talked about nothing and it was the best interview I have ever seen.”

 

But, to get back on topic, here are some things in her life that I found interesting:  Bonham Carter never received any formal acting training.  When she was 16, HBC won a national writing contest in the UK and used her prize money to join an organization for actors looking for work.  She was denied admission to Cambridge (even though her grades and test scores were good) because the school thought she would quit to pursue her acting career.  After watching (all?) her interviews, I found that her intelligence and knowledge of the profession comes out naturally in her discussion.  She doesn’t brag about her experience or over-answer questions just to seem smart.

 

Let’s put on the brakes for a minute.  I am already taken aback.  Judging by my naivety and idiocy at age 16, I think it would take a lot of focus and ambition to use prize money for work, especially in such an exclusive profession.  I would have, like, totally spent the money at, like, the mall or something, like. Maybe not, but let’s move on.

 

Even if I had the focus to pursue acting on my own at such a young age, I don’t know how I would be able to get past rejection from Cambridge when I had the grades to get in.  When you’re a teenager entering college, you’re not quite aware that even when you do the work, life is still unfair.  Occasionally, we’re told about this strange phenomenon when Coldstone runs out of our favorite ice cream.  But, we don’t actually internalize it.

 

As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I can honestly say it still bothers me every day.  It must be even more difficult to take rejection and say, “Well, fuck you Cambridge, I’ll just start acting now.”  But, essentially that’s what she did.

 

I also think her current successes show a lot about her individuality and dedication to herself.  Helena does movies that she finds interesting.  She doesn’t want to be the prototypical blonde movie star.  In her interviews, she often says the reason why she picks darker characters is because they are funnier, more challenging, or more interesting.  As shown by the new Alice and the Harry Potter series, she’s definitely not afraid to be the “ugly” character.  Interesting enough, when she creates these ugly characters, they turn out to be some of the best performances in modern acting.  (And, she’s far from ugly.)

 

She also takes her roles very seriously.  For instance, when auditioning for Sweeney, it was very important to her that she was approved by Sondheim for the role of Mrs. Lovett and not just her partner and director, Tim Burton.  She also puts a substantial amount of work on each character.  For every movie she makes, Bonham Carter consults her mother, a psychotherapist, for tips on how her characters would act based on their mental characteristics.  She is also very hands-on for her character’s make-up and hair, particularly in the HP films.

 

Another impressive feat is that she puts just as much work in her home life as she does her career, and in an unconventional way.  She has been with Tim Burton for over 10 years but the two are not married and don’t “officially” live together.  The both purchased adjacent homes in London that are connected by a doorway so that they can be together, but still have their own space.  I think this and many of her choices show that you can be successful, independent, different, intelligent, beautiful, talented, a woman and good role model all at the same time.  Helena Bonham Carter may have had the same girlish princess dreams many of us had growing up (I think she wanted to be Jane Seymour), but she definitely came into her own and decided being queen is a better alternative.

 

So, let’s talk.  What do you think of HBC and how do you think she has contributed to the women’s movement?