I’ve always been aware that actress Penélope Cruz was somewhat ubiquitous and certainly a hard worker. She’s also intensely focused on her craft, more so than you might naturally expect. When I interviewed her for a Variety profile last year (she was in London shooting “Nine” at the time), she was incredibly centered, almost somberly so. She did, however, seem to unwind a bit at a Santa Barbara Film Festival tribute back in January, though.
Anyway, all that aside, I was nevertheless stunned to glance at her IMDb page and see that the woman has been in at least one film since 1993. That’s 16 years without a break, ladies and gentlemen. And this year, following an impressive one-two punch in 2008, she will be featured in no less than four films: “G-Force,” “The Cannibalistic Councilor” and Oscar hopefuls “Nine” and “Broken Embraces.” She doesn’t have much on deck, however.
What spurred the sudden interest in her busy career was this Times article, covering the imminent release of “Broken Embraces” in the UK next weekend. Cruz addresses a burn-out factor that had to come sooner or later and, amid rumors of pregnancy with boyfriend Javier Bardem’s child (she’s guarded about her personal life), indicates a desire to wind things down a bit. Pregnancy will do that, of course, but I imagine she’s earned a few years off after that streak.
Here’s what she had to say:
It’s what I wanted to do. But now I feel differently. You get chronically tired. I don’t want to feel like that. Growing up, learning classical ballet is a very disciplined thing. A lot of my relationship to the world came from the years I danced. If your feet are bleeding you have to carry on dancing and smiling. You think it’s normal. Then you take that attitude to whatever your work is. It’s been an advantage in many ways, but I took it too far.
Cruz, you’ll recall, took home a much-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar last year for her performance in Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Pedro Almodovar’s “Broken Embraces” didn’t exactly set the Croisette alight back in May, but she could nevertheless be a formidable contender in this year’s lead actress race for the film. And Rob Marshall’s “Nine,” featuring the actress in a supporting role, is right around the corner as well.
So soak it up. This year’s media Cruz-fest might be the last one for a while.
Comments
6 responses to “Cruz looking to slow down?”
Bardem is pulling pretty much the same thing following the No Country-Vicky Cristina media blitz– isn’t that why he dropped out of Nine? Either way, if I had Javier Bardem at home doing nothing, I’d sure consider taking a break as well. It’ll make us appreciate her all the more when she comes back.
It’s funny how not that long ago she was derided as a horrible actress by many. Glad to see she is finally getting her due.
Well I can certainly remember a few movies where she was laughably bad. Maybe it was transferring from Spanish to English, but I definitely wrote her off when I began to see her in films. I particularly remember some horrible movie where she was a TV cook I believe, and I couldn’t believe that anyone would cast her anything after that. She’s definitely had her bumps along the way. And to be honest I don’t remember any movie critic being overly fond of her until Volver. Now she’s all over the place.
I love Penelope, but a nom for Broken Embraces is not happening., believe me. I saw it in March, it’s mild Almodovar and she is good albeit not award-worthy.
Nine I don’t know though…
Actually I think the beginning of her comeback came with Don’t Move in 2004, and critics definitely praised her performance if the film wasn’t great. I’m glad to see her getting respect now because before 2000-2004, she really had a nice resume with quality Spanish cinema, and now she’s back on top again it seems and good for her.
“Anyway, all that aside, I was nevertheless stunned to glance at her IMDb page and see that the woman has been in at least one film since 1993.”
Hmm, I was thinking at least two films.