Trailer!: Salt

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Trailer!: Salt

POSTED: Friday, November 6, 2009, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Movies trailer!

While it's ostensibly a by-the-numbers spy thriller, I've been fascinated by Salt since they started discussing it in the trades earlier this year. It simply looks like Angelina Jolie in yet another bid to show that she can simultaneously be a serious actress, shoot stuff and have lips so pillow-y you could Rip Van Winkle-it on them and not really give a shit that you slept through the last century (plus, when you wake up, there could possibly be flying cars. While a definite plus, that's not the point). That's not why this is an interesting movie: The role of "Evelyn Salt" was originally written as Edwin Salt with Tom Cruise slated as the lead. Look, movies often drastically change from script to screen. Annie Hall was supposed to be a murder mystery but a gender switch in an action movie seems like an even farther leap than that.

I would love to get my hands on the original Salt script and see how it changed. Sexuality isn't a huge component to the persona of the male action role. He can take it (James Bond) or leave it (Rambo). But action roles written for women always have a sexual component to them, whether that chemistry is ultimately with a love interest or a villain.

Jolie should know, having traversed the rough waters of a female action star before. She has to be masculine, without coming off as manly. Jolie can consistently carry action movies (name another actress who consistently takes on action-centric roles? Kate Beckinsale is the only other working actress that immediately comes to mind) because of the way she looks but also because off-screen she plays the part of Mother Angelina with her United Colors of Benetton brood. It's not a new idea; Pearl White, the first female action star, lead a number of ass-kicking-damsel-in-distress silent serials (The Perils of Pauline, The Exploits of Elaine), where the heroine was rarely saved by a man (rather than herself) and incredible White did most of her own stunts. But celebrity magazines of the time always made it a point to play up her at-home womanliness, even though her marriage was disastrous. But she was also a huge star. Because White, and now Angelina, embody the ultimate in femininity offscreen, they are allowed to play with big guns on.

And play with the big guns Angelina does. I'm totally digging that scene where she shoots out the window with what looks like a homemade bazooka (I think I just found my weekend plans'). And the girl can sprint in heels, which I think is much more impressive than jumping off subway trains and the like (I'm sure anyone who has done both will agree with me). Bonus points for casting the wonderful Gaius Charles (the young black man in the background of the interrogation scenes) who played Smash Williams on Friday Night Lights and is apparently carving out a niche for himself on the NY stage.

But here's what irks me: The Russians? Seriously, the Russians? Aren't they just bit played out? Can't we give them at least a two decade break before they become the villain again? The Cold War was, like, a super long time ago.

Also: Why does everyone on the lam think that they will be unnoticed if they dye their hair?
I doubt anyone in the CIA wouldn't notice Angelina/Evelyn in a crowd and think "Whoa, look at that exact replica of the person I'm looking for! If only she had blond hair'

Genevieve

Posted 2009-11-08 13:50:42

I agree with you. I read the Salt script while it was still about a male - Edwin Salt. It's probably still online. It was very gripping and I didn't stop reading til I finished. I also thought what a great movie it will be. It also has quite a bit of pathos with the backstory of the main character.



Of course, you are right about the hair dye when it comes to close encoounters but in a crowd or just traveling alone the eyes of searchers wouldn't be immediately drawn to dark hair if they are looking for a blonde. Those are vital seconds or minutes that would allow an escape. Listen to me seriously thinking about a spy escape plan. LOL!

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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