Scarlett Johansson’s success in the film industry has been nothing short of impressive. Despite her relatively brief time in Hollywood, this New York-born actress has already made a name for herself through her outstanding performances. Not only is she the highest-grossing box office star in history, but her acting skills have also garnered critical acclaim in movies such as Lost in Translation, Match Point, Her and Marriage Story.
Johansson’s role in Jonathan Glazer’s 2013 sci-fi film, Under the Skin, is one of her most captivating performances. She portrays an otherworldly woman who hunts down men in Scotland while speaking with a British accent that many didn’t know she could do. Surprisingly, the film received mixed reactions during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The audience cheered and booed, and Johansson handled it well.
During an interview with The Guardian, the actress expressed her discomfort at the Venice Film Festival due to the mixed reactions the film received. She confessed that she felt extremely vulnerable and exposed. The experience was odd for her, as it was the initial time she watched the finished film with a live audience. Additionally, she was seated on a large mezzanine which added to her unease.
As she recounted the experience, she shared, “As soon as the lights went up, there was this cacophony of both cheers and boos that erupted with equal fervor. I didn’t know quite how to respond to it – it was a bit jarring, to be honest.” Johansson fully anticipated Glazer to have a similar reaction, but instead found him in a state of pure elation. He exclaimed to her, “That was the most incredible sound I’ve ever heard! What a reaction!” Clearly, the director was aware that even excellent films can receive mixed reviews.
Johansson’s recent experience at the Under the Skin premiere got her thinking about the time she saw Stanley Kubrick’s Eye Wide Shut. Despite initially hating the film and having a visceral reaction to it, Johansson ended up seeing it three times in the theater. She couldn’t resist the draw of the movie, which stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman and is based on Arthur Schnitzler’s Dream Story. It took some time for Johansson to fully understand the film, but she eventually did, and that experience related to her recent premiere.
Johansson concluded by expressing her newfound love for the film. Despite initially disliking the emotional journey it took her on, she recognized the intense passion behind it and now can’t completely condemn a movie she may not personally enjoy. Take a look at the preview for Eyes Wide Shut down below.
