When I work on my manuscripts, I often search out photos of actors whom I've 'cast' as my characters. It's quickly apparent that many actresses have highly sexualized photos available, whether or not their professional personas tend more toward intelligent film roles.
The same is not true for actors.
In a completely random search of the web, I was easily able to find these sexy shots of actresses whose work I really admire. With the exception of Meryl Streep! I had to really root around for the picture posted here.
Cate Blanchett
Jennifer Connelly
Julianne Moore
Meryl Streep
Emma Thompson
Kate Winslet
Actors are open to experience and exploration by nature, and many of these actresses and actors have appeared nude or partly nude for film roles. I wasn't looking for stills of those scenes - I was looking for photo shoots which portrayed actresses and actors as highly-sexualized.
As you can see, actors whom I regard as very talented and on the same level in their craft as the actresses above are not portrayed as sexily as their female counterparts. Here are the sexiest shots I could find for these actors:
Gael Garcia Bernal
Russell Crowe
Johnny Depp
Viggo Mortensen
Clive Owen
Mark Ruffalo
I've been wondering about this discrepancy for awhile now.
Do actresses still feel the need for validation through their physical appearance, regardless of their degree of talent?
Or do talented actresses have to be merely cerebral, or can't they be sexy, too?
Are incredibly attractive actors trying to downplay their sexuality? Do they equate sexiness with a perception that they won't be taken seriously?
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