The TV Addict 

The gorgeous Kate Mara first came to my attention when she illuminated the screen when she appeared at the end of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, playing Ennis’ (Heath Ledger) daughter. It was one of those quintessential moments that movie fans (or at least this one) love experiencing. That moment where you immediately perk up and think “Who is that?” and somewhat instinctively sense that a) they’re going to be the next big thing, or b) they’re going to be your next big thing.

In the case of Kate Mara in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, I couldn’t help but instantly be overwhelmed by how undeniably gorgeous she was (helped by a soft spot I have for redheads), and how sweet but somehow sultry her Julia Roberts like voice was. Of course it wasn’t just the superficial that impressed me about her, but also the energy she seems to give off. I’m not usually into the whole aura/energy thing, but this girl was the exception to the rule. In the film I was struck by how quiet and calm, but also assured and effective her acting approach was, and how it seemed to be as much a part of her actual self, as it was her performance in that film. All that contributed to me knowing this was an actress who a) I now had a massive crush on, and b) who I was going to keep an eye out from now on.

She didn’t disappoint. She graced us with a five episode stint on the best season of 24 to date, even if her role was kind of annoying. She put in a lovely and quietly devastating performance of a small-town student who lost the love of her life in WE ARE MARSHALL, and brought a earthy, human foundation to the Mark Wahlberg action flick, SHOOTER. The bra scene didn’t hurt either. As for what’s coming up, she’s endeared herself even more to me by working with one of my favorite directors, Brad Anderson, in TRANSSIBERIAN. The girl’s got taste.

She even apparently loves my favorite Broadway musical, Les Miserables, and went to the Tisch School of Arts at NYU. The latter is good, because I have this weird thing where I think that any woman who goes to NYU for fine arts is immediately something like 25% hotter. The only heartbreaking news is that Wikipedia in all its communal cruelness has revealed to me that she is apparently currently dating director/producer McG. But that’s okay. I’ll win her over with a role in a screenplay I’m writing that’s perfect for her. Right?