The Evolution Of Jennifer Connelly
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
The Film: If you're lucky enough to have viewed OUATIA in its entire, original, uncut state, you will be all-too aware of its humongous running time - just short of four hours.
Boy, do you get your money's worth.
The Role: Connelly was only thirteen when she appeared in this, her debut film, as the young Deborah, Noodles' love interest.
The Baps*: They don't exist yet. She is a child.
*Trust us. They're worth waiting for.
Phenomena (1985)
The Film: Phenomena was Dario Argento's first English-speaking feature.
Set in a creepy Swiss boarding school, the horror featured a creative serial killer, who finds lots of interesting different ways to stab his victims.
The Role: After her tinsy little part in OUATIA , Connelly bagged herself a starring role in this corker.
She played Jennifer, a girl who can communicate with insects. She also possesses psychic abilities.
So, she's a freak, then.
The Baps: Still nothing. Give them time!
Labyrinth (1986)
The Film: One of the most iconic films of the '80s, Labyrinth was a sort of fantasy-adventure, starring Connelly, David Bowie, and a load of Jim Henson puppets.
How's that for a premise?
The Role: Connelly's Sarah is a troubled young girl who wills the Goblin King to take away her baby brother, because he's really getting on her wick.
However, when Toby is taken away, Sarah regrets her rashness.
She sets off on a quest to reclaim him. To a wicked soundtrack.
The Baps: We're getting there!
Career Opportunities (1991)
The Film: An average rom-com, Career Opportunities was all about two youngsters, who, when locked in a department store together, fall in love.
They do naughty things like rollerskating through the aisles. It's all fun and games until they get held hostage by thieves. Drama!
The Role: Connelly's Josie is rich and spoiled, though in a cute way, of course.
The Baps: Baaaaps! (She's 21 now, so we got the green light!)
They're finally here, and they're massive . How are they so massive? We're sure they're not as massive nowadays.
Mulholland Falls (1996)
The Film: A neo-noir detective drama, Mulholland Falls follows the investigation of the mysterious death of Allison Pond, who is found dead, face-down in the ground, having broken every bone in her body. It's not awfully cheery.
What is awfully cheery is the fact that they found a sex tape of her. Which we get to see. Back of the net.
The Role: Allison is the enigmatic, lusty femme fatale. It's a role which suits Connelly remarkably well.
The Baps: Holy mackeral. This one's worth watching for the baps alone. Seriously.
Dark City (1998)
The Film: It was never a huge hit in cinemas, but this one was a grower, gaining a massive cult fanbase way after its release.
It's set in a city which never experiences daylight - a surprisingly simple principle which the film a real uneasy atmosphere.
Not only that, but it's got Richard O'Brian as the ghostly, black-suited 'Stranger', Mr Hand. He's quite terrifying.
The Role: Connelly plays Emma Murdoch, protagonist John's wife.
The Baps: They're not much on show in this one, though we're sure they're still there.
Requiem For A Dream (2000)
The Film: A tale of addiction and the struggle between fantasy and reality, RFAD is a moving, though slightly depressing, drama.
The Role: Connelly's Marion is a right old mess. She's an aspiring fashion designer, though she never quite makes it to owning her own store because of all the drugs she does.
She sinks into a well of delusion and despair as she begins prostituting herself for drugs.
The Baps: She's got the heroin-chic thing going on - all panda eyes and ribs - and there's no room for baps here. So long, baps.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The Film: Another serious drama, based on a true story A Beautiful Mind featured Russell Crowe as John Forbes Nash, a gifted mathematician who suffers from a viscious mental disorder.
The Role: Alicia Nash is John's loyal wife, utterly devoted to caring for her husband. Connelly won a 'Best Supporting Actress' Oscar for her role in the film.
She also met her current husband, Paul Bettany, whilst filming. So all in all, a good hoard from this venture!
The Baps: Connelly's gone all serious, which means the baps have gone into hiding.
Hulk (2003)
The Film: Ang Lee's adaptation of the Marvel superhero paved the way for a whole new world of merchandise (we've all tried on a pair of Hulk Smash Hands at Toys R Us).
It stars Eric Bana as Dr. Bruce Banner, the guy with the unfortunate anger management issues.
The Role: For Connelly, it's another role as a devoted, supporting, female counterpart to an uncontrollable man. Connelly plays Betty Ross, the woman who hopes to tame the big green beast.
The Baps: What's with all the baggy shirts and turtleneck jumpers, Jennifer? Come on!
House Of Sand And Fog (2003)
The Film: Starring Ben Kingsley, House Of Sand And Fog is the story of a woman who is evicted from her home when she can't keep up with her taxes. The house is auctioned and sold to Iranian Massoud Behrani (Ben Kingsley) and his family.
The Role: Kathy is another druggy mess. Depressed and abandoned by her husband, she is content to live in her little house and recover from her addiction. Suffice to say, she's not best pleased when she's ousted from her property.
The Baps: Depressed + reclusive = unsexy clothes. We're beginning to think it might be curtains for the baps.
Dark Water (2005)
The Film: 2005's Dark Water is a remake of the 2002 Japanese horror of the same name.
It tells the creepy story of an apartment building haunted by mainly by leaky pipes, but also by the memory of a young girl who used to live there.
The Role: Dahlia (Connelly) moves into the building with her daughter, Ceci. It's not a very jolly place to live.
The Baps: At one point in the movie, dark water goes crazy, and it turns into a veritable wet-Tshirt competition (with Connelly as the only competitor). Baps are back!
Blood Diamond (2006)
The Film: In war-torn Sierra Leone, the blood diamond trade is in full swing. It's a brutal, desperate place. Corruption reigns.
The Role: An American Journalist driven by social conscience and moral justice, Maddy Bowen wants the inside scoop on the diamonds trade.
She hopes to expose the market and prevent it from further funding the Civil War. She's dead brave.
The Baps: They're demurely hidden under practical Africa-clothes. She is forgiven this one.
Reservation Road (2007)
The Film: Featuring Joaquin Phoenix in a rather fetching beard, Reservation Road is a drama about the hit-and-run killing of a little boy (Phoenix & Connelly's son).
The killer happens to be the very lawyer who's helping the couple fight for justice.
It's pretty bleak.
The Role: Grace is eager to move on, but her husband (Phoenix's Ethan) is out for justice. Poor Grace.
The Baps: She's the grieving mother to a dead son. It's not baps central.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)
The Film: Another remake, TDTESS is a fireworks display of a film. It's all mouth and trousers, though it is entertaining enough.
It's all about the arrival of an alien visitor (Keanu Reeves) sent to warn humans about the damage they're doing to the planet. It's a "shape up or ship out" deal. Chill out.
The Role: Dr. Helen Benson is a scientist who's spends a lot of time running around trying to make sense of everything.
The Baps: We have a feeling Connelly might not actually like showing off her baps. Perhaps she only did it initially so that she could get better parts in bigger films. Well, it worked!
Creation (2009)
The Film: Creation is a film about Charles Darwin, focusing mainly on Darwin's relationship with his wife, and the conflict between science and religion.
It stars real-life husband and wife Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as Mr. and Mrs. Darwin. Aww.
The Role: Unfortunately for Charles (who has suffered a loss of faith after the death of his daughter), Emma Darwin is deeply religious and is uncomfortable with his research, as it undermines her beliefs.
The Baps: Never before have a pair of lovely baps been so horrifically stifled. We give up. We're going to watch Mulholland Falls again.
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