Okay Hollywood, it seems like some of you are starting to get it when it comes to seeing sisters in roles beyond caretaker (i.e, maid), prostitute or cop or lately, coroner. The Hollywood Reporter says that the producers/director associated with the adaption of Elizabeth Gilbert’s widely popular memoir “Eat, Pray, Love” want Viola Davis as part of the cast. Now, don’t get it twisted they haven’t revamped Gilbert’s memoir to tell it from a black woman’s point of view—Julia Roberts is the star. But they do want Viola to play opposite Julia as her best friend.
Now the best friend is not a role that Viola is unfamiliar with—she was Diane Lane’s BFF is the five-hanky special “Nights in Rodanthe.” But for much of the story she was off on a tropical island (albeit with a young, hot chocolate hunk). Hopefully, she’ll have more to do in this flick and won’t be fulfilling her role through meaningful telephone conversations. I’ve got to admit that although I am an avid reader ,I don’t feel compelled to read the book. However, if Viola is involved I will sit through the movie.
The other reason I am happy about this role is that it will introduce Viola to a wider audience. The heavy subject matter of “Doubt” kept many of us away. So although we may have been happy she was nominated a lot of us don’t know how powerful her performance was. But a chick flick? Even one that has some deeper, spiritual meaning is probably much more up most of our alleys. (Okay, I am not trying to make a sweeping statement about the collective likes and dislikes of sisters here but “Doubt’s” numbers reveal that it was an acquired taste across the board.) So basically, I am hoping that we get to see this talented actress as part of a runaway success. That would be kind of great.
While we’re waiting we can watch Viola during her stint on “The United States of Tara” later this year.
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