Ruminating On The Name Jane Winslett-Richardson
Today is the birthday of Kate Winslet, Oscar Winner, Greatest Actress In The World (non-negotiable), and this makes my mind wander, as it so often does, to the name Jane Winslett-Richardson (Cate Blanchett) in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic.
I wonder, is Jane related to Kate Winslet, Oscar winner, Greatest Actress In The World (non-negotiable)? Except I am inevitably forced to consider the names are, in fact, spelled differently. Jane is Winslett, with two T’s.
But I wonder, perhaps they are related and Jane Winslett merely added the last T to stop people from asking her if she was related to Kate Winslet. Which is probably why Kate didn’t thank her in the Oscar speech, because Jane specifically asked to go unmentioned.
Of course then it stands to reason she would have just changed her last name to something completely different than Winslett. Or gone with the Richardson.
Is it possible Jane Winslett-Richardson isn’t related to Kate Winslet at all but related instead to Joely Richardson? I mean, she kinda looks like Joely Richardson.
Hmmmmmmm…maybe I should check IMDB.
Well, it says here that according to Wes Anderson the name was inspired by Kate Winslet. And that the role was originally set to be played by Gwyneth Paltrow but she had scheduling conflicts. And that then Nicole Kidman was hired but she had to bow out because of other commitments. And that Julianne Moore indicated she was interested in the part but that, ultimately, it went to Blanchett.
Hmmmmm…it’s as if only a Cate could live up to Kate.
And yet, at the same time, as if Cate couldn’t live up to Kate at all.
Because, in the end, that might be why it’s Winslett with two T’s.
She’s a Winslett, yes. But she’s no Winslet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!
9 Comments
So why didn’t he ever propose the role to Winslet?
An excellent question for which I have no answer. IMDB doesn’t address that one. Perhaps she’s Wes Anderson’s favorite actress too and he’s much too intimidated to work with her? She also had 2 movies come out the same year “Life Aquatic” was released so maybe she was already spoken for.
Just when I thought I had it figured out…
I’m more fascinated by the Richardson part of the name. There’s Joely who was a capable Marie Antoinette, Miranda (no relation) had better work but Natasha’s the prettiest. Seriously, the latter was the leads in A Streetcar Named Desire and Sweet Charity on Broadway and all she got on screen was the remake for The Parent Trap.
Anyway, Happy Birthday, Clementine Kruczynski/Sarah Pierce!
There seems to be no information as to where the Richardson came from. But it only seems to make sense that if you follow a Winslett with a Richardson it must be referring to one of those actresses.
I LOVE Kate, she is perhaps the greatest actress in the world. But I think Cate is equally great. Man, will they cast these two in the same movie, please!
With the right director and a great script. There’s no way that the combo of those two actresses could fail. That’s guaranteed asses in the seat!
Well, once they finally bring Rizzoli & Isles to the big screen…..
I would love to say that Kate Winslet is the best actress in the world, but Meryl Streep has that crown.
Well, in the words of Ms. Streep herself: “There is no such thing as the greatest living actress.” But then, you know, I love a little hyperbole. And I love Meryl, too. But not as much as Kate.
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