Amy Adams: An Object of Beauty, An Object of Brains

WordandFilm.com ^ | 02/08/2012 | Kristin Fritz

[iowamark]

Remember Shopgirl, that lovely, slim work of art taking the form of a novella by the comedian, writer, actor, and all-around-genius Steve Martin? Published more than ten years ago, it tells the story of Mirabelle, a young woman who works the glove counter at a Beverly Hills department store. In between her humdrum afternoons outfitting the digits of Los Angeles’s well-helled, she finds herself caught in a love triangle between the quite wealthy, quite divorced, quite older Ray Porter and the more-appropriate-in-age Jeremy. In 2005, fledgling director Anand Tucker took the story to film and turned out a product deemed “elegantly and exquisitely tailored” by The New York Times. The film opened quietly, and though showcasing the massive talents of Steve Martin and Claire Danes, softly worked its way through theaters with little fanfare.

In 2010 Martin the writer brought us another novel, An Object of Beauty. Much to our delight, it was recently announced that Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams will produce and star in the film adaptation of Martin’s best-seller. This book follows another young woman, one Lacey Yeager, gallerista. She’s charming, she’s educated, she’s ambitious and savvy — and she’s climbing her way with grace and with wit through the New York art world. Adams has showed us her goofy side (“Julie & Julia”), her tough-as-leather side (“The Fighter”), her darkly comedic side (“Sunshine Cleaning”), and even her churchy side (“Doubt”) over the last few years and she’s brilliantly executed all of these roles. It will be refreshing, now, to see Adams take on a part that’s a little higher heeled than usual for her, showcasing what we have full faith will be yet another character conquered by the star. The other role into which we’re excited to see Adams step is producer. She’ll be working aside co-producers Trudie Styler (wife of Sting and no stranger to producing) and Oscar-nominated Celine Rattray (“The Kids Are All Right”).

Our outlook? This movie has serious potential. Steve Martin’s writing coupled with Amy Adams’ acting, set in the New York City art scene has all of the makings of one big celebration of style and substance. It’s been decades since Martin last brought home one of the Big Three awards, with 1969′s Emmy for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” Though there’s no word yet on who will be writing the screenplay, we’ve got our fingers crossed for the author and can’t help but daydream about the possibility of his potential entry — finally — into the Golden Globe or Oscar-winning realm. In the meantime, we’ll rest easy knowing that, in spite of who does the dirty work, we have “An Object of Beauty” on the silver screen to look forward to.

[iowamark]

Amy Adams Is 'An Object Of Beauty' In Adaptation Of Steve Martin's Novel
""Steve Martin: comedy legend, art collector, bluegrass musician, and yes, novelist. While his attempts at conquering the literary world likely aren't going to be the first thing people talk about in regards to his legacy, it's no surprise Hollywood has been paying attention. Martin's novella "Shopgirl" was turned into the intermittently entertaining and should've-been-better movie starring Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, and now, his latest effort to hit bookshelves is headed to the big screen.

None other than Amy Adams will take the lead in "An Object Of Beauty," a title firmly worthy of the actress. Adams will also produce the effort, which is very early stages and doesn't yet seem to have a screenwriter on aboard, but the material has promise. Described as a "sardonic morality tale" (is there any other kind?), the story follows Lacey Yeager, a Sotheby's trained art entrepreneur, who sleeps and schemes her way to the top of the New York art world, opening her own gallery along the way. For Martin, who was famously the victim of a much publicized forgery, it's a world he knows well, and really, it's not one we see too often in the movies.

No word on when this will possibly go, but it's a way off yet. Until then, Adams is busy, having recently wrapped work on Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master," Walter Salles' "On The Road" and "Man Of Steel." She'll spend 2012 working with Clint Eastwood in "Trouble With The Curve" and the upcoming Spike Jonze love story.""

[Hegewisch Dupa]

She certainly made for the most adorable Amelia Earhart ever

[wintertime]

Steve Martin wrote a very interesting autobiography. My husband and I listened to it on audiobook while traveling.

I am not surprised that he is now a novelist. In his early 20s he was a very successful writer for TV programing, specifically comedy.

By the way....One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to watch the movie, “Mixed Nuts”. I laugh every time. Even after seeing it so many times, I never fail to find something new in the movie. There are many details that are very funny. For example even things that were used to “dress” the scene such as pictures hanging on the wall.

[Rinnwald]

She certainly made for the most adorable Amelia Earhart ever

She's the only thing that made that movie watchable.

Of course, an attractive Amelia Earhart and a cowardly George Custer are historically inaccurate.

Plus, Hollywood doesn't know what to do with their uber-venerated figures. The Tuskegee Airmen were portrayed as chanting morons, and Pocagawea was a stiff, boring scold (I can't remember if the female native american character was Pocahontas or Sacagawea).

[xsmommy]

she is really pretty, i like her a lot.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

the rare Woman We Agree On!

[laweeks]

She is a stunning beauty . . . and the closer the camera gets to her, the more beautiful she gets. Rare in Hollyweird. Can’t imagine a bad photo where she looks anything less than beautiful.

[xsmommy]

cuz some of your others tend to be hideous... ; )

[xsmommy]

She went from Enchanted, where she was a fairy princess, to The Fighter, where she was a barmaid. i loved her in the Fighter, her interaction with his sisters was hilarious. i loved how ballsy she was!

[Mozilla]

He plays the banjo as well. He won a grammy for it:

http://video.pbs.org/video/1633720535/

[martin_fierro]

Daddy got hit in the crotch! HAW! HAW!

[Mr.Unique]

This pic is labeled as Amy...I'm not sure,but worth posting. ;)

[moehoward]

It’s close enough. Yummy!

[max americana]

“She’ll be working aside co-producers Trudie Styler (wife of Sting and no stranger to producing) and Oscar-nominated Celine Rattray (“The Kids Are All Right”). “

*****

Sting’s wife is a well-known Republican hater and “The Kids are All Right” is a child-molestation movie.

I’ll pass..

[iowamark]

Not Amy Adams, I think it’s Isla Fisher.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Of course, an attractive Amelia Earhart and a cowardly George Custer are historically inaccurate.

George Custer was not a coward. Shortsighted and vainglorious, yes, a coward no.

Amelia Earhart? I've never seen a picture of her cleaned up, so I'll reserve judgement.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Amy Adams and Ilsa Fisher could play sisters and make it believable.

[Rinnwald]

I've never seen a picture of her cleaned up

There are glamor shots of her in makeup. I'm sure someone liked her.

She directed a lot of her own publicity.

[TankerKC]

I think you are right.

[cherry]

Amy Adams was delightful in “Julie/Julia”....Meryl Streep was great but I think Amy stole that show....one of those chick flicks I suppose but my husband laughs all thru it with me.....