While only 23-years-old, the refined Ms. Hathaway has more than convincingly demonstrated she is much more than just a royal ingénue. While her classic-good looks and perfunctory mannerisms have caused critics to hair her as the next Audrey Hepburn or a brunette Grace Kelly; it is her self-possessed, take no prisoners, on-screen presence in her latest films, HAVOC and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, that convey the extent of her depth and character which far defy her numerical age.
Innocent no more, the naturally raven-haired beauty, Hathaway taking on stronger roles and appearing topless on-screen in both HAVOC and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN; has become the "hot" subject of pictorial spreads in such men's magazines as: Maxim and FHM.
In the recently released, critically praised, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN-based upon the short story by Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Annie Proulx, the film is directed by Academy award winning director Ang Lee-it is Hathaway as Lureen Newsome, "the prettiest little female rodeo queen you ever did see," who helps to set the tone of Texas-style, upper class domesticity in the 70s.
Capturing the era's preference of denial whereas a person's sexual orientation was concerned, Hathaway's Lureen, while sassy and brash, remains somehow still very likeable. Unfortunately, it is she who is also the last to know in terms of her husband's (Jake Gyllenhaal's) homosexual infidelity.
In HAVOC (directed by Academy Award® winning documentarian Barbara Kopple), Hathaway plays the lead role of Allison, an affluent high-school teenager from the Pacific Palisades who, along with her clique of friends, takes an interest in gangs, in particular, an inner city Latino one. A truly spell bounding performance by Hathaway who, upon developing a relationship with one of the gang members (Freddy Rodriguez, profiled in a previous Take a Closer Look column) and seeing her friend abused, takes a different perspective on what she perceived to be a "boring, sheltered" life.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1982, Hathaway grew up in New Jersey. Theatrics and acting contracts were in her genealogy, as her mother, Kate McCauley, was a stage actress and her father, Gerard, an attorney.
The first teen to be accepted in the prestigious NYC Burrow Group acting program, Hathaway was also accepted into her first choice college –that of Vassar-where she majored in English Literature and minored in women's studies.
Her first big break came in the 2001 box-office hit, THE PRINCESS DAIRIES, while though intended primarily for an adolescent-based audience, the comedic film directed by Garry Marshall, embodied many favorable qualities. Only one of which was Hathaway's engaging performance as an awkward high school girl who learns she is heir to the throne of Genovia, a small country in Europe.
The same year, People Magazine, included her among the round-up of the "Breakthrough Stars." And, the following year, Teen Magazine listed her as one of the "Hottest Stars under 25."
In 2002, she played Madeline Bray in the classic period film, NICHOLAS NICKELBY and Jean Sabin in THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN, the South Pacific-set missionary story based upon Elder John Groberg's real life experiences. In 2004, she reprised her role as Mia Thermopolis in the THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT and within the same year she took on another fairy tale role of sorts playing Ella of Frell (a fair godmother able to grant wishes) in ELLA ENCHANTED.
While adept at both drama and comedy, Hathaway also appears to have mastered the voice-over genre, as well. Later this month, audience-goers can hear her in HOODWINKED as "Red" (that would be little red riding hood) along with Glenn Close as Granny and James Belushi as the Woodsman.
In 2006, Hathaway, moving once again away from the child-adolescent fare, takes on a large mainstream role playing, Andrea, in the eagerly awaited THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, based upon the best-selling book about the not-so-nice world of magazine publishing. And, Hathaway has a third film in the works, BECOMING JANE, playing the title character of revered 18th century, English novelist, Jane Austen.
One not focused on commercial success, Hathaway seems more interested in selecting films based upon their content. As she stated in a recent interview, "I don't mean to sound completely naive about the whole box office thing. I know that it's important enough, the key to getting more work, and if a film then does well I'm thrilled. But that can't be the full reason why you do it. You have to have a passion for the craft and for the experience."
Hathaway, akin to Lureen in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, is one focused actress who knows what she wants and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Apparently she is aware that half-measures only avail half results. Therefore, Hathaway is one of those actors who either takes on a role full-throttle or says, "No Deal...."
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A capsulized profile on an emerging talent, i.e., actor/director in the film world and a snippet as to why he or she is destined to soon become a household name.
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| Nancy Simon |
A Chicago-based freelance writer and film enthusiast, Nancy has an insatiable curiousity and knack for picking out talented, promising individuals.
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