Who could play Severine today? - Belle de jour (1968) Discussion

[–] ReganRebecca 18 years ago

Nicole Kidman has that kind of ice princessy quality to her (but she's a little old for the part). Gwenyth Paltrow also seems to have the cold quality about her too.

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[–] zxtrueb 17 years ago

Oh! Please ReganRebecca... Gwenyth Paltrow? First, let's not compare Catherine Deneuve's beauty with Gwenyth's looks, her eyes are strange, her nose, don't know what it looks like - her voice so nasal, it hurts my ears... not to mention talent. Gwyneth Paltrow is a text book example of right connections. One of the funniest thing about Gwyneth was the year her went to the Oscar with the pink dress to immitate Grece Kelly, she did not even have breasts to fill up the thing, then the next year when those two guys dressed up to immitated her the year before, they look better than her and someone commented that he looked better than Gwyneth... It was funny, I almost die laughting.

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[–] crachelm 18 years ago

Is this based on likeness to Deneuve or ability to play Severine?

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[–] CoolHandMook 18 years ago

Teri Hatcher

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[–] thatsnumberwang 18 years ago

Teri Hatcher? Are you high? Hell, why not Julia Roberts or Drew Barrymore or Reese Witherspoon or Jennifer Love Hewitt...If we're gonna suggest Teri Hatcher. NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE SEVERINE!

I would maybe suggest Cate Blanchett. She has that inscrutable quality that Severine has...but I don't know if she can play cold enough.
saucybetty.blogspot.com

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[–] nisajaie 18 years ago

Keira Knightely, Scarlett Jo. or Rosario Dawson

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[–] htbdynick 18 years ago

Paris Hilton or Elizabeth Berkeley.

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[–] huckfinn38 18 years ago

Well, the older version of Severine is being played by Bulle Ogier in the sequel Belle Toujours (to be released probably at this year's Venice F. Festival)

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[–] mooning_out_the_window 17 years ago

They wouldnt be any good at the acting though IMO

Borderline obsessive

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[–] blackrockchick 18 years ago

i am surprised that no one said Gwenyth Paltrow...I think she could play Belle...

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[–] rochellemc9110 18 years ago

Natasha Henstridge (The Whole Nine Yards). She resembles her, and she can pull of the ice-princess act.

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[–] rickmeister95 18 years ago

It's a fun question to play with - I'm guilty. But seriously.
If Catherine Deneuve has been her generation's answer to Greta Garbo, both in looks and presence - then our generation has yet to find an another Deneuve.

Catherine hasn't gone anywhere - the film hasn't dated - and the character of 'Severine/Belle de jour' is Deneuve's, once and for all.
If Belle de jour can be successfully re-made, great. But I don't think it can be for many more years. Why should it? 'Belle de jour' is perfect as it is.

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[–] bishops64 18 years ago

I'm going to say Gwyneth Paltrow too. Maybe Scarlett Johansson because Severin had an innocent quality that Johansson has.

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[–] tindog 18 years ago

Anne Hathaway

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[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Miss_Holly_Golightly 18 years ago

Actually, i changed my mind...I think Diane Kruger could possibly play Belle De Jour

whoever said orange was the new pink, was seriously disturbed

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[–] thatsnumberwang 18 years ago

Diane Kruger...I could go along with that. Let's just hope it never gets remade. Movies should never be remade.

saucybetty.blogspot.com

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[–] fiftyfootqueenie 17 years ago

I'm with RickMeister on this one - what is *wrong* with you lot? Someone asks for suggestion on who might play the role of Severine (played by a unmatchably beautiful and otherworldy EUROPEAN actress) in a remake of Belle De Jour (which I hope won't happen) and in you all gush forth with the most predictable roll-call of average Hollywood names imaginable. Gwyneth Paltrow??? Bland as margarine and even less sexy. Reese Witherspoon??? Fine actress, but far too all-American and warm. Diane Kruger??? A name recognised by about 0.1% of the population and completely talentless.

Ideally it'd be Ludivine Sagnier (French dontchaknow! They have actors there too!)

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[–] thatsnumberwang 17 years ago

Ludvine Sagnier? RIIIGHT...She's too unsophisticated, and no real beauty. And yes, beauty is integral to this role. What about letting great films be great films and not ever doing remakes.

saucybetty.blogspot.com

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[–] fiftyfootqueenie 17 years ago

Yes but she's *French*. An I think Europeaness is as integral to this role as beauty, as you correctly point out.

But yes - it shouldn't be remade anyway so all this is pie in the sky.

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[–] tindog 17 years ago

I certainly agree that if it were actually to be made, an unknown would be preferable... but then, when the question is "Who could play the role" it's hard to speculate about unknowns because they're, well... unknown. So I could have said, Barbara Calloway who lives down the street from me, but it wouldn't mean anything to anyone here... so... Anne Hathaway, I could easily see her in the role, she is slowly but surely showing more range.

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[–] Miss_Holly_Golightly 17 years ago

I still say Diane Kruger would be a good choice. She's European and speaks fluent french. If not her, then I also think Eva Green would do very well.She is French and actually a natural blonde. On top of that she is a great actress. I would never want to see an American in this role like Reese Witherspoon or Anne Hathaway. Both are good actors, but not right at all for a role like this.

whoever said orange was the new pink, was seriously disturbed

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[–] mooning_out_the_window 17 years ago

Yeh deffinatly we have not found another Catherine Deneuve and I dont think we ever will. Acting styles and looks have changed perhaps. Dont think it should be remade though.

Borderline obsessive

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[–] kimmyf 17 years ago

When I read the question, I immediately thought Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she would be perfect as the main character.

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[–] fiftyfootqueenie 17 years ago

No! Why do people habitually suggest Paltrow everytime the question over casting for a blonde - any blonde - comes up? Paltrow is narrow of range and very, very un-French. She cannot suggest anything but surface gloss and ice. Severine, if there were to be a remake of BDJ (which I hope there won't be) should be played by a European actress.

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[–] kimmyf 17 years ago

OK- it was only an opinion...I happen to think Gwyneth has a classic beauty that Catherine Deneuve also possessed at that age, that's all. But I also think Deneuve did not show much range in her role as Severine, although I think that is what the director intended.

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[–] fiftyfootqueenie 17 years ago

Well, yes, I know. But do you really think they are equals in looks? I think Paltrow is an ordinary gal next to the young Denevue.

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[–] mooning_out_the_window 17 years ago

I quite agree, Deneuve is far superiour in the looks department, their voices are also 2 different, Deneuve's is better. I also think that Deneuve is the better actress who suited the role perfectly, however, if they would remake it, which should NEVER happen, lol, it would prob not b wise to get someone 2 immitate Deneuve, but rather put their own stamp on the role. I dunno lol

Borderline obsessive

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[–] Krustallos 17 years ago

Winona Ryder in a blonde wig?

She has the same combination of apparent innocence and compulsive behaviour as the character.

I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.

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