11 April 2011

Penélope Cruz: overwhelming

“The true princess of Spain is Penélope,” Pedro Almodóvar said in 2001, “much more so than the king’s daughter.”  Penélope Cruz is his muse. Why it took me so long to finally see Volver I can’t really tell. But the fact is that only last week I saw it and although I had enjoyed Penélope in Almodóvar’s other films (including Broken Embraces), I thought that she has never been better than in Volver. Such depth and easiness in playing, such a pleasure to see her on screen. It took one great director to discover her real talent and introduce us to a great actress at her highest performing capacity. “Pedro would push me to the limit. He really knows how to press all my buttons. You can only go into something like that when it’s somebody you really trust.”

And it took another great director to win her a well deserved Oscar. Penélope is the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award: her role in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona is so intense, that it left me a lasting impression of her passion, power of attraction and vulcanic temperament.

“She had a kind of strength that was earthy and eternal-surprising in someone so young.” recalls Almodóvar

Woody Allen: “I don’t want to look at Penelope directly. It is too overwhelming.”

A few scoops of style, fashion and design: legendary vintage fashion in an aviation story: Up in the Air / the beauty and power of a Valentino red dress / so much to find out and admire about the 10 women who changed fashion: A Matter of Style / Carine Roitfeld about fashion today: “You used to be able to be more playful, but now it’s all about money, results and big business.”/ Interior design: Amanda Nisbet / how fun and chic is this Rococo printed skirt? / photography: John Bessler / I love all the fine prints in this home-studio /an urban atmosphere in a French country house

I hope your week is off to a great start!

photos: 1,2-Vanity Fair US November 2009, by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott / 3,4-Vanity Fair Spain April 2009 / 5-Vogue US december 2007, by Annie Leibovitz / 6-Emilio Pereda, link / 7-Vanity Fair US March 2009 Hollywood Issue, by Annie Leibovitz; quotes: vanityfair.com

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19 Responses to Penélope Cruz: overwhelming

  1. My Fashion Tale wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 8:07 am

    I haven’t seen Volver yet, but I’ve heared it’s her best movie by far. Off course…I wouldn’t expect less from Almodovar.

  2. Belichek Craft wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:04 am

    uh)) is an amazing woman)))

  3. Shawna wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:14 am

    Wow, all of these pictures are very stunning! I love that purple dress in the third picture!

  4. juste wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:25 am

    She is like a dark angel! I also didn’t see Volver, but i believe, it is absolutely good, course she is marvelous and so charismatic! I love the picture with harp, the pose the light and tones look perfectly!

  5. Shin wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:54 am

    Hi Ada! I couldn’t agree with you more! Penelope Cruz is such a mesmerizing beauty! I absolutely love her in Vicky Christina Barcelona! She was just so amazing and I love her sense of humor and honesty!

    And about movies today, there are little substance to them and I don’t find vulgarity funny either. I don’t like it when people swear or tell a dirty joke to fit in. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life (happily I might add) rather than give in to peer pressure. I enjoy watching classic movies more and more than today’s movies anyway except really well-made films like the King’s Speech. Wishing you a wonderful week Ada! xoxoxxoo

  6. julie at BV wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 2:38 pm

    She is stunning. I still have to watch Volver yet. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

  7. Dawn {The Alternative Wife} wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Oh wow these photos of her are just spectacular! She is so stunning!
    Have a wonderful Monday xoxo

  8. Katie*Belle wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 3:54 pm

    She is so stunning. I haven’t seen Volver yet, but know I really want to!

  9. amy b.s. wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 5:22 pm

    those eyes!

  10. jasna wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Shes so stunning!! Happy Monday xx

  11. ashley wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 7:13 pm

    wow…ok confession, i’ve never been a big fan of her, but you’ve convinced me to take a closer look. i’m really interested to see the woody allen movie. doesn’t hurt that she’s drop dead gorgeous too!

    xo.ashley

  12. Blogalexboutique wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 7:16 pm

    She is the best spanish embassador. J’adr Penelope

    Alex b

  13. LittleRus wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 8:51 pm

    I haven’t seen this movie either… Don’t actually know why. I love Penelope very much, she is so incredibly gorgeous and talented. Adore her in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, every moment could make a beautiful image to frame, really.
    Wishing you a wonderful week, darling!
    xxx

  14. Captivated by image wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:20 pm

    She is amazing, her acting talent, her beauty! I loved her in Volver too. Actually, in every movie with her I’ve seen. Wish you a lovely new week Ada:)

  15. denise wrote on
    --> 11 April 2011 at 10:26 pm

    i loved Volver and the way Penelope acts in that movie is so natural that you would consider it like a story happening and someone filming from different angles. that song she played touched me to tears. Vicky Cristina Barcelona was a learning lesson about passion.

    denise

  16. zarna wrote on
    --> 12 April 2011 at 12:15 am

    she is so perfect – beautiful & talented!

  17. M wrote on
    --> 12 April 2011 at 12:23 am

    LOVE HER NO MATTER WHAT 😛
    can’t wait for the new pirates movie!

    xx.M

  18. mary jo wrote on
    --> 12 April 2011 at 10:03 am

    I love Penelope, she is just so stunning and talented!

    xo Mary Jo

  19. LatteLisa wrote on
    --> 12 April 2011 at 6:11 pm

    How on earth did I miss this gorgeous post?!!