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.

More Faye

Dunaway, that is. Here's a trailer from Bonnie And Clyde. This is a film I've not seen in may years, and will have to rewatch. It's more influential than good, but it is good.

Mommie Dearest

Just rewatched this much maligned film. Yes, there are campy moments, but Joan Crawford WAS camp; as was Bette Davis.

Faye Dunaway is great in the best scenery chewing role likely ever written.

Here is the trailer:


The classic wire hanger scene:


Could not find the ax scene, but here's a mashup that depicts Christina Crawford as almost a Village Of The Damned child: