BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) THE NANNY DIARIES
I could have gone with a few choices here. Iron Man 2 technically counts. There is A Love Story for Bobby Long, the Spongebob Movie, The Island, Match Point, Black Dahlia, or Vicky Cristina Barcelona. All valid opinions for sure. I’m going with Nanny Diaries. Scarlett Johansson takes the lead in this movie as a young nanny to a rich family. She connects with the kid, deals with the parents of the kid being bad rich people played by Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti, she gets into a relationship with Chris Evans, and she hangs out with Alicia Keys. On paper this sounds like a terrible PG romantic comedy crap fest. It’s better than that. It’s not going to change the world or anything, but if anything you get to see Scarlett Johansson carry a movie with grace and interest.
(THREE) THE PRESTIGE
Scarlett Johansson should be in more Christopher Nolan movies. In this movie she gets to play a magicians assistant in a 19th century period piece thriller. It’s a great story and a really well done film. Scarlett Johansson gets to with Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, and even David Bowie. I did enjoy this movie, but I’ll be honest. I’ve not seen this in like a million years. It makes the list almost purely because David Bowie is involved and rocks a mustache. Scarlett Johansson is beautiful in it and plays the role very nicely though.
(TWO) SCOOP
This 2006 Woody Allen movie is often overlooked. I think this is a pretty big injustice. It’s not Annie Hall or Crimes and Misdemeanors by any stretch, but it’s a fun and light romantic comedy with a good dose of murder mystery. Scarlett Johansson plays a young journalist who gets caught up with an old magician played by Woody Allen himself, a ghost played by Iam McShane, and a fancy business man played by Hugh Jackman. It was just a fun movie. I don’t understand why it’s not held in higher regards. If it’s any consolation, it’s my number 2 Scarlett Johansson movie. I’m sure that’ll make up for everything.
(ONE) LOST IN TRANSLATION
This is not only the best Scarlett Johansson movie, but one of my favorite movies of all time. Yeah, not much “happens” but there is a lot going on here. The relationship between the disjointed imports of the older actor and the young woman is one of the best ever. He’s not trying to get laid; he’s just looking for a connection in a country where he’s completely alone. She’s in the same boat. They come together in boredom and fate, but they bond way more than they intended. There is no way anyone can watch this movie and say Scarlett Johansson is not a good actress and most definitely not a beautiful. I dare you to try. You’d be very wrong.
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