I’m not entirely sure when it happened, but it seems like Marisa Tomei is all about the rock-out-with-your-frock-, er, off. First she popped up in her altogether as a trophy wife in last year’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, and now she’s playing a stripper in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler. And you know what? Good for her. Why do I say that? Because she’s doing what had been derided as a thespianic cliche for years, nudity, because the character required it. In both of these films, Tomei is playing women who have erected barriers around themselves, and for each of them the nude body represents either the fortification of that barrier or its destruction.
More than 15 years after winning an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny, Tomei is doing the best work of her career by being brave enough to use every tool in an actor’s shed. And those of us who had a teensy crush on her when she was Lisa Bonet’s roomie on A Different World…well, we’re thankful.
Anyone with me in praising Tomei for throwing caution to the wind and showing off where the sun don’t shine? Or do you think it’s just been gratutious?
I think Marisa Tomei is absolutely stunning and, right now, is looking better than ever. Even my girlfriend agrees and is (semi)ok with my ridonkulous crush on her, which is at least twice as big as George Costanza’s.
More importantly, I totally agree with Marc that Tomei is doing the best work of her career right now. It’s especially nice to see considering her Oscar win for “Vinny” was labeled a fluke (or a misread by the presenter that year) for a long time.
Marisa Tomei DEFINITELY has the “goods” in every sense of the word. (Can you tell I’m a fan?)
I also agree that the nudity in her most recent roles (though I haven’t seen “The Wrestler”) is perfectly justified by the character she’s playing and not some “look at me, I look fab at 40″ type thing.
***cough*** Aniston’s GQ cover ***cough***
she’s one of the most under-rated actresses around. Don’t know why she isn’t bigger…..
I saw BTDKYD recently, and holy cow was Marisa smokin’ hot. This isn’t “throwing caution to the wind” (which I would take to mean some apprehension about showing perceived physical flaws in going nude); this was showing the world that she has the goods. Now I need to see The Wrestler – thanks for the tip.
Marisa Tomei is a really wonderful actress and I can’t wait to see The Wrestler. How about In The Bedroom? Between her and Sissy Spacek, the acting is stunning.
Hotter than Jennifer Anniston – especially loved Tomei’s work on Rescue Me.
any marisa tomei is great. all of her? fantastic! can we give her a show or somehow work it so we get to see her more often, please hollywood?
More power to Ms. Tomei for realizing that if the story calls for it, it is completely legitimate to bare all for the part.
Of course, I too join Mr. Bernardin in having admired her form since A Different World.
I think you’re venerating her a teensy bit too much with this nudity business. It doesn’t strike me as deep as all that. But, I do think she is an excellent actress.
A few points:
1) Bernardin, nice work throwing in the word “erect” while discussing Marissa Tomei’s nudity…subtle.
2) I only wish I was shorter and balder so I could be her type (I’ve got the fatness and the quirkiness down, I think).
3) I find it kind of ironic that she used a body double in “Slums of Beverly Hills” rather than just flashing her own boobs.
Marisa Tomei was fantastic in My Cousin Vinny and totally deserved her Oscar. I can’t believe how great she looks — I’ve always like her.
Why don’t we ever see posts like these dealing with full-body male nudity?
Oh yeah, because there usually is none. Because it’s usually actresses required to doff their clothes. I call for equal opportunity nudity! Hugh, Tom, Russell! Off with your clothes. Then we can discuss how the scene ‘justifies’ it.
Rory, shame on you. ugh.
Rory, you’re never going to see an article about full male nudity because it’s not a big deal for men and no one cares about it. For whatever reason, people in this silly country get really upset about sex and nudity but only in terms of women. Men can show every inch of themselves (except for their junk) and no one blinks an eye. Women show every inch of themselves (except for their female equivalent of junk) and it’s apparently the end of the world. Daniel Craig has gone full nude several times (including his niblits once which you NEVER see a woman do…except Sharon Stone) and no one said jack. Just 2 weeks ago, Neil Patrick Harris showed all but junk on How I Met Your Mother…nothing. But Jennifer Aniston appears on a cover and the world goes into a tizzy. It’s a joke. It’s just nudity. It’s a beautiful thing…for either sex. The world would be a better place if nudity and sex were more acceptable. But we’re a backwards people…war is A-OK but AHH, a BOOB!!! RUN!!!
She looks so hot. unbelievable. I never really thought I liked her, but recently I’ve kind of looked into her a little more and I’ve become a fan.
plus…she looks fantastic.