The Case FOR Angelina Jolie
16 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
Go ahead roll your eyes, then read on. I’m a getting a little bored with all the Angelina Jolie hate. A decade ago I wasn’t quite sure how to take her either with the antics and blood vial wearing, but then she grew up, and I saw her on the National Press Club and then read her book that was compiled from journals she wrote while traveling the world for the UN (which she’s been doing for a decade). It’s human, and humble, intelligent, and a unique coming of age story. I recommend it – it changed my whole perspective on her. The link is below.
Has she made some stupid decisions – hell yes. So have I. More than I care to count. I bet everyone reading this has too. Have I been in a love triangle – yes. It’s painful. But why she continues to be crucified for it and those like Antonio Banderas (married when he hooked up with Melanie Griffith) and Julia Roberts (paid off her current husband’s then wife for the divorce) can be forgiven all, and not Ms. Jolie, is confusing to me. For those Jennifer Aniston fans – I think Jennifer would REALLY like to move on too, and no longer be defined by this. It’s apparent to me that the Jolie-Pitts love each other very much.
And their children. To say she is “collecting” children is disgusting. This is a woman who travels the world for her work and has witnessed first hand what deplorable conditions they are having to suffer at ages you and I couldn’t handle as adults. She has the money and resources to give them a better life and I say good for her. There are SO many children in this world that want nothing more than a home of their own. And judging from the photos I see, she spends a lot time with them, and gives them attention and love. I have a friend who has adopted more than once from the Ukraine, and has a biological child. She loves them all equally and would never be considered as someone who is “collecting” children. My mom is one of 15 children, yes you read that right, 15. They’re an amazing family, and my grandparents were never chastised for having so many children. 6 Jolie-Pitts is really nothing.
I love that her work and what she’s learned about the world is filtering into her films. This is an actress who can do Tomb-Raider and The Changeling, both convincingly and I’d love to write something for her. So she isn’t the thousand-watt smile, bubbles and farts the Hollywood “flavors of the month” are, she’s always gracious. And apparently very professional on set or she wouldn’t continue to work with the top directors. If I were hounded, ridiculed, misconstrued and constantly judged in every interview – I might put a wall up too. Do you REALLY believe everything you hear and read? Wait until someone writes an article about you or gossips about you behind your back. The truth is she could talk you under the table about making movies and world politics. Whether or not I like her current film, she always makes me think about the world at large, and not just the front yard of celebrity.
She does bring press and attention to the charitable organizations she supports – good. Then I know who they are and what they do. She is certainly someone who puts her money where her mouth is and walks the walk. How many others have donned flack jackets while they were pregnant to go visit our troops in Iraq? Or helped to rebuild entire neighborhoods in New Orleans after the hurricane that most just want to blast FEMA about from their couches or computers.
And as for her “looking hungry”. Read my post from a few weeks ago about that. Audrey Hepburn? Calista Flockhart? Me? I thought all the women looked gorgeous last night in their own way. Some channeled David Bowie, some looked like cakes I decorate – I enjoyed them all. (And most especially all the gorgeous men, who always get forgotten, but Wow – Robert Downey Jr in white tie and tails – swoon…)
Most important – look at what those women accomplished this year. I hope, I wish, I dream that one day I will be there at that ceremony too. 
And I really hope that someone watching me walk down the red carpet will say “Oh good for her, I loved her film” and not reduce me to “being so thin it makes you sick.”
No I don’t know her personally, I’m quite sure she’s not perfect, but this is my view of her and I wanted to share SOMETHING positive.
Again – please do start with reading her journals. It’s a wonderful education about the world we live in.
