When we first sawCameron Diazsfilm debut inThe Mask, audiences had a response not unlike that ofJim Carreysgreen-skinned protagonist.
Okay, maybe we werent quite so aroused, but our eyes did practically pop out of our sockets.
And with good reason.
Given her high profile beginning, it might sound weird to describe any Cameron Diaz performance as overlooked.
Surely, Diazs character will be evaporated in the light of Roberts smile and the audience would hate her.
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Yet writer Ronald Bass and director P.J.
The inversion only works because of the complexity that Diaz brings to her nice-girl character.
She shrinks even more after reaction shots of Jules.
Diaz, like us, spots the slight grin on Roberts face that her plan is working.
She also sees Michael slightly disgusted that his bride-to-be cannot share in an activity he loves.
And yet, Kimmy soldiers on, singing over shouts of you suck through fumbled lines and flat notes.
The commitment eventually wins over the crowd, and they begin cheering for each other even her off-key moments.
It works because Diaz doesnt overplay Kimmys hand.
And of course Malkovich gets praise for playing himself as an air-headed, arrogant actor.
None of those accolades make their way to Diaz.
Diaz plays Craigs wife Lotte, a pet-lover disdained by her husband.
But Lotte is much more than the frumpy woman at home.
When Lotte enters the portal into Malkovich, its not the allure of power or fame that impresses her.
Its the feeling of being in the right body, its the feeling of being identified as a man.
Lotte has finally found her place.
The flatness and falseness in her behaviors were not mistakes but correct choices for the character.
They relayed the truth of Lotte as a person who could not be who she actually was.
Charlies Angels
UnlikeBeing John Malkovich, 2000sCharlies Angelsseems like the ideal Diaz vehicle.
To be sure, thats exactly what Diaz delivers as team leader Natalie Cook.
Even among the leads,Drew Barrymoreand Liu get singled out while Diaz gets taken for granted.
But of the three Angels, Diaz best embodies the movies aesthetic.
WatchingCharlies Angelsfeels like a watching a car accident waiting to happen.
The thing holding it all together is Diaz, who understands the movies tone and commits to it.
