Allyson Dailey
It’s the one time of year, where girls wear a bra and panties to the bar and guys can get away with wearing bed sheets as dresses. Yep, this past weekend was one of the most celebrated of the year, Halloween. I for one could care less about dressing up (throw some camo pants on and my costume is complete). Others spend weeks picking out the perfect costume. Something about dressing up as someone, or something else, is freeing in a way. The latest trend in Halloween costuming is to not be the scariest, but to be the most creative. Inspiration for these clever costume come from a variety of places including commercials, television shows, movies and the news (I guarantee that everyone has seen approximately 300 “balloon boy†costumes.)
As we celebrate one of the most entertaining days of the year, and spend hours transforming ourselves into different characters and creatures, I would like to look at a few of the great movie transformations. We may know these folks as some of the most accomplished actors/actresses in Hollywood, but they have also perfected the art of personal transformation. From women to man, to man to monster, these celebrities take “getting into character†to a whole new level. Let’s take a look at my favorite top five on-screen transformations. These celeb performances call for a double-take.
5. Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button†— The typical epic film takes you through a person’s life from baby to adult, but very few movies take you through that life in reverse. This incredible story of a baby born as an old man, who ages in reverse allows Brad Pitt to put his acting chops to work. Brad is one of the most sought out actors in Hollywood and his breathtaking transformation into Benjamin Button is a prime example as to why. Plus, only Brad Pitt could make an 80 year-old man look hot. I guess that’s why he has been deemed by many as the sexiest man alive.
4. Dustin Hoffman in “Hook†— I swear for the first 15 years of my life, I had no idea that Captain Hook was played by Dustin Hoffman. What a shock! With his George Washington-esque wig and his regal mustache, I couldn’t even identify him. Hoffman is one of my favorite actors of all time and this role was one of his finest. Alongside Julia Roberts and Robin Williams, Hoffman delivers an amazing performance as Hollywood’s most celebrated pirate, fully complete with a metal hook as a hand. Dustin takes the prize as my favorite Hoff.
3. Charlize Theron in “Monster†— Charlize Theron has been called one of the most beautiful women in the world, but her uncanny portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in “Monster,†leaves us asking “Why?†The film is based on the true story of an aging prostitute who turns into an unrelenting serial killer. The portrayal earned Charlize an Oscar and earned the film several nominations. Although “Monster†is a great movie, one thing it is not is light-hearted. The story of Aileen’s struggles is hard to swallow and the story of her life has a tragic ending. Charlize proved to be a Hollywood heavy-hitter with this role; we hope she can keep up the good work.
2. Renee Zellwegger in “Bridget Jones’s Diary†— As the loveable, spunky title character in the romantic comedy “Bridget Jones Diary†the usually rail thin Renee transforms into a pudgy English gal. As Bridget wallows in her own self-despair she also manages to discover her true self and find true love. Bridget steals our heart as a lonely British woman who desperately wants to fit in, but doesn’t really float under the radar. Renee packed on over 20 pounds for the role by indulging in pizza, garlic bread and chocolate. With that diet, the women probably lined the streets to audition.
1. Robin Williams in “Mrs. Doubtfire†— “I don’t do the boys, because I used to be one.†This classic line sums up all you need to know about Mrs. Euphephengia Doubtfire. After a nasty divorce, and the threat of losing his children, Robin’s character comes up with a plan to transform himself into a nanny so he can be close to his kids. And oh what a magical transformation it was. Robin Williams is hilarious as the elderly nanny, who plays soccer in panty hoes and heels. At the end Robin’s true identity is revealed, and luckily there is a happy ending. By far my favorite Hollywood transformation, that dude sure looked like a lady.
Allyson Dailey is a communications senior.
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