We all know the first thing on our minds…..it’s FRIDAY!!! And with that said, it is time for this week’s Friday Spotlight. As mentioned in last weeks’ debut post, I am initially focusing on some of the younger, rising stars that are making a serious mark on the new generation of actors and actresses in Hollywood and turning in performances at ages that I personally continue to be amazed by. So this week, a snapshot look at Hailee Steinfeld.
The first time I saw Hailee Steinfeld was in the magnificent 2010 remake of the classic John Wayne-led Western, “True Grit“, starring Jeff Bridges as Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn and Steinfeld as Mattie Ross, the young woman who’s more than a little determined to track down and see justice done to the man who killed her father, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Round out the cast of this film with Matt Damon and character actor Barry Pepper among others, and you’ve got a pretty intimidating job to match up to and keep up with the talent represented, especially as the “new kid” on the acting block. And Steinfeld pulls it off with FLYING COLORS. In fact, I ultimately felt she stole the show from Bridges and crew, just dominating the screen with Mattie’s character with a passion, fire, and innocence that made her so relatable and real, you would think Steinfeld had been acting for just as long and successfully as the veteran group she was among…..at 14!! Again, for someone so young to play someone with such conviction truly impressed me.
After doing several Shorts over the next few years, 2013 became an even bigger launching point for Hailee, with the release of two major pictures, “Romeo & Juliet” and the sci-fi adventure “Ender’s Game“. I will say I have not seen the newest incarnation of the Romeo and Juliet tale, but I can already guess that if Steinfeld brings the same level of commitment to that role that was demonstrated in “True Grit”, it would be a real viewing experience to see her bring that character to life as well. I did make it a point to see “Ender’s Game”, and again, here is a cast that includes names like Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, and Abigail Breslin….anyone other than me feeling that level of intimidation again? No, not Steinfeld. As Petra Arkanian, one of the child soldiers trained by the International Military and it’s primary commander Colonel Graff (Ford) to battle a hostile alien force who almost destroyed Earth, Steinfeld again brings that sense of “I could believe this person could really exist” vibe to the role. You view a character, as she befriends and becomes involved with the story’s lead, Ender Wiggin (VERY well played by newcomer Asa Butterfield), that can at one time show absolute, ice-cold resolve to be the soldier she is trained to be, and yet turn about and show you the compassionate and loyal person she is in her ultimately unwavering support and friendship with Ender. And I guess for me, to be able to emote those two distinct sides of Petra’s character, and do it BELIEVABLY, is testament to Steinfeld’s very real approach to the part.
And Hailee isn’t slowing down. 2014 will see her in at least two major releases and one independent feature. This includes “Barely Lethal“, in which she plays Megan Walsh, a 16-year old assassin who is finally trying to find some sense of “normalcy” in her life by faking her own death and enrolling in a regular suburban high school. Can anyone see the action/comedy potential here? Especially with Steinfeld taking this character on that kind of crazy adventure! And a cast that includes Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jaime King to boot. Also on the plate is the Kevin Costner-led thriller “3 Days To Kill“, directed by McG, where she will play the estranged daughter of Costner’s government agent, who is dying, but is offered a new drug that could keep him alive for one last job and a chance to reconnect. This cast is rounded out by Amber Heard and Connie Nielsen. On to “Can A Song Save Your Life?“, in which Hailee plays a character named Violet, involving a story of a down-and-out music producer (Mark Ruffalo) who stumbles upon a young singer-songwriter (Keira Knightley) and the relationship they develop, also starring Catherine Keener and Adam Levine.
Future releases include “The Homesman“, directed by veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones, about a claim jumper and a pioneer woman who band together to escort three insane women from Nebraska to Iowa, and also starring Jones, Hilary Swank, Miranda Otto, John Lithgow, Tim Blake Nelson, James Spader, William Fichtner, and Meryl Streep!! There’s also “The Keeping Room“, a Civil-War era film about three Southern women forced to defend their home from a group of Union soldiers who have broken off from the main army as it invades the South, also starring Sam Worthington and Brit Marling.
So…Hailee is kind of a big deal! And the actors that she is having the opportunity to play opposite of is alone going to help Steinfeld develop even more. But right NOW, I already stand so amazed that the depth of acting I have seen from her in just TWO films only foreshadows what we have yet to see from this incredible young talent. So please keep an eye out for Hailee Steinfeld, folks, as she makes her mark on Hollywood. As always, this is all for YOUR consideration and comment. Thanks for reading!
