Paths of Glory: Claiming International and Hollywood Stardom

The following article is an examination of actresses who are (or have already) under the radar of Hollywood.

This may be an obvious insight, but Hollywood loves international talent. Now, not to sound like a xenophobe-but Hollywood loves perfected accents from international talent and for those that do not, well they can go back and do films in their native language. Is it really that difficult? I mean, most great film interpretations from Americans demonstrate excellence in inhibiting foreign-American accents (tapping Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice" for example). We can't exactly say that Hollywood actors have done a great job in executing with precision our own accents (who could forget the horrendous southern accent of Leonardo DiCaprio in an otherwise great performance in "The Aviator").

So why is Hollywood so critical of international talent? Well...maybe because we have higher standards. Maybe because execs are trying to protect their priceless female roles for American actresses (because I mean we just have so many A-listers). This is all to reflect an extreme xenophobic side of Hollywood. But we all know this isn't true, but can we just get one fact straight..."These women got to speak good English."

We cannot possibly go over the whole list of international talent and their paths to possible acclaim and fame in Hollywood, but here are four that have demonstrated a "razzle-dazzle" splash:

1) Marion Cotillard: This actress is earning rave reviews as the tragic and prolific singer Edith Piaf in "La Mome" (French title or "La vie en rose" for American distribution. Cotillard first introduced herself to American audiences in Tim Burton's "Big Fish," where she gave definition to a soft, sentimental supporting role. In the art-house circuit, she co-starred as a seductive femme fatale in "A Very Long Engagement." Her ability to hold her own beside Aussie-forty Russell Crowe now gives her enough recognition to dive herself into the deep waters of Hollywood. Her impressive resume, touching both art-house film and big productions will surely grant her Hollywood success,-that is if she accepts the offer. Her recent negotiations with the Weinstein Company with regards to participating in the ensemble flic "Nine" will allow her to strut herself as a sultry singer and actress boxed in the body of a overly concerned wife...Possibly another Oscar nomination, that is if the Academy does not overlook her this year for "La vie en rose."

2) Eva Green: Not to stay on the "vague francaise" of international talent, but these two women seem to know how to grace the film stock. Eva Green is still a very young actress, but it seems that she is keeping her portfolio strictly Anglophone these days. After having co-starred in the steamy romper, "The Dreamers," Green has built a solid resume and has garnered much needed attention for her stunningly dazzling great looks. Although excelling as the sexy companion of Daniel Craig in "Casino Royal" (probably 20x better than Tom Cruise's French beauty, Emmannuelle Beart in "Mission Impossible"), she has just completed productions "The Golden Compass" (w/ Nicole Kidman and yet again, Craig) and the futuristic romance-thriller Franklyn with Ryan Phillippe. Most international talents either make a start in their home country and then do a couple of stints from time to time on some Hollywood productions. It appears that Green has a steady hold on her English and is hoisting in the big roles on American productions. Don't expect her to disappear from the radar anytime soon.

3) Leonor Watling: Almodovar's "Volver" demonstrated Penelope Cruz's acting abilities in Spanish, but she has yet to convince American audiences that she can penetrate successfully into Hollywood without depending solely on her beauty...Gee, I wonder why. Maybe this is the reason: Despite the numerous English features she has done, she has yet to convince us that her accent nothing short of being grotesquely distracting. But Cruz has nothing to worry about. She has a contract with L'Oreal and earned herself a Oscar nomination. But what about the seemingly unknown Almodovar muse, Leonor Watling. Possessing an otherworldly talent which is overlooked in the States, Watling has made a nice staple in her native country, Spain. In her supporting roles, she brings together a subtlety that is always remembered by the spectator (take a look at Isabel Coixet's "My Life Without Me" and as the miracle comatose patient in Almodovar's "Talk to Her"). Watling seems to enjoy the leisures of residing in Spain (she is the singer of a jazz and blues influenced group Marlango); however, with a couple films completed across the way in England, she is not only extending her English speaking resume (her mother is British, so no resemblance in any form of diction and speech to Cruz) but developing the supportive roles which will grant her the necessary pathway to international recognition. Her talent is exquisite and maybe more refined and developed than many of the actresses currently working in Hollywood and global cinemas. It is very possible that she could be one of the best to grace the screens currently; but with her shy temperament and hesitance to be in the spotlight, it is difficult to say whether she will make the decision to come out into the Hollywood production circuit. Nonetheless, she certainly has the talent to get what she wants!

4)Paz Vega: A whole lot of nudity and an author's slips through reality and fiction proved a knockout success in "Sex and Lucia." Paz Vega gained notoriety as the next Spanish "It" girl and has lived up to it exceptionally. Although met with mixed reviews, critics seemed to remark finely on the performance of Vega in "Spanglish." It's hard finding work in Hollywood for most actresses (except for maybe Nicole Kidman) but this Spanish beauty is intensifying and withdrawing from the Hollywood radar in engaging herself in Spanish projects as well as dipping herself into the American film circuit. Not only will she garner critic's praise for her portrayal of the mythic feminist Saint Teresa in "Belle du seigneur," but she has been tapped to participate in the upcoming feature, "The Six Wives of Henry Lefay" where she will be acting alongside Tim Allen, Elisha Cuthbert, and Andie MacDowell. Expect Vega to do more features in Spain but make impressive turns on English productions from time to time.

Not to restrict the list to only French and Spanish imports, but these actresses proved not only demonstrate an abundance of talent but also are projected for the most success. Don't attack me with your combative requests, but it's obvious that these four are the cream of the crop.