11/15/09

Faye Dunaway is the Better Looking Monica Vitti.

We were watching some special features about Faye Dunaway in the film Bonnie and Clyde and I was struck by how much Faye looks like Monica Vitti, only better looking. It's not that Monica is bad looking, but she has the Italian schnoz working against her, thus making her features very sharp. Faye has softer features and is a much better actress overall.

Bergman thought that Vitti had no talent as an actress, but I think she just didn't have a lot of range. All her characters are these dull, unemotive, passionless women and that's what she seemed to do best. I have a hard time imagining Monica Vitti shouting, "NO WIRE HANGERS...EVER!!!"

But they do look incredibly similar. Faye's face was more versatile, however, for she was able to pull off Joan Crawford and appear identical.

Faye:





Monica:





I like Monica, but Faye wins.