W Magazine: Best Performances

Posted on Jan 18, 2012 in Fashion

We love this editorial. W did the same thing last year; took all of the most-talked about performances of the year, dressed the actors up in new and sometimes unexpected ways, and shot some gorgeous pictures. The men are all a little standard and disappointing, but the actresses managed some real transformations. Viola and Octavia look amazing and we wouldn’t have recognized Michelle Willams. We think Melissa McCarthy should sue. Not surprisingly, Swinton blows them all right out of the water.

Viola Davis in “The Help”
Dolce & Gabbana dress. Camilla Dietz Bergeron Ltd. necklace; Kwiat ring (on right hand); Davis’s own ring (on left hand).

George Clooney in “The Descendants” and “The Ides of March”
Giorgio Armani tuxedo, shirt, bow tie, and cuff links.

Michelle Williams in “My Week With Marilyn Monroe”Moschino jacket; Eres bra; Moschino shorts. Ippolita bracelet; Falke hosiery; Manolo Blahnik shoes.

Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
Boss Black shirt and tie. Rolex watch.

Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
Elie Tahari sweater.

Elizabeth Olsen in “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Calvin Klein Collection dress. Verdura earrings.

Will Ferrell in “Everything Must Go”
Derek Rose pajamas. Ferrell’s own ring.

Leonardo DiCaprio in “J. Edgar”
DiCaprio’s own suit and shirt.

Kirsten Dunst in “Melancholia”
Olatz slip. Dunst’s own earrings.

Rooney Mara in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
Nina Ricci top.

Gary Oldman in “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”
Tom Ford shirt and bow tie. Brooks Brothers suspenders.

Brad Pitt in “The Tree of Life” and “Moneyball”
Tom Ford vest and shirt. Pitt’s own watch and ring.

Christopher Plummer in “Beginners” and “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
Plummer’s own suit, shirt, and bow tie.

Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”
Helen Yarmak coat; Va Bien bustier. Cartier earrings and necklace.

Tilda Swinton in “We Need To Talk About Kevin”
Swinton’s own blouse; Dolce & Gabbana bra and briefs. Falke hosiery; Christian Louboutin shoes.

Albert Brooks in “Drive”
Giorgio Armani tuxedo jacket, shirt, and bow tie. Brooks’s own glasses.

Antonio Banderas in “The Skin I Live In”
Emporio Armani tank top. Banderas’s own necklace and ring.

Shailene Woodley in “The Descendants”
Eres bra and briefs.

“Best Performances” for the February Issue of W Magazine photographed by Mario Sorrenti.

[Photo Credit: Mario Sorrenti for wmagazine.com]

Tags:

Follow us:

Anonymous

And that answers the question who should play Liz Taylor in the upcoming biopic. Incredible! Who would have thought an Olson could look like that.
- P M
  
  I don’t know…. she would need to grow boobs, balls and brio. Just sayin’.
  - Rand Ortega
    
    Implants or a good push up bra are an actresses best friend.
    Talent wise, after seeing this photo, she has my vote.
    (the rumors about Lindsay Lohan playing La Liz for Lifetime makes me nauseous!)
    Still rooting for Gerard Butler as Burton.
    - Anonymous
      
      A friend mentioned Lohan as a likely contender at lunch. Pretty much killed everyone’s appetite.
      - http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz
        
        I heard she’s up against Megan Fox. *eyeroll*
        
        But it is a LIFETIME movie, not much to get worked up over.
    - P M
      
      (huk) Oh. oh. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
    - Anonymous
      
      Maybe Lindsay could play Taylor in her ‘White Diamond’ years but certainly not her fresh-faced young actress or Hollywood starlet years.
      - Rand Ortega
        
        HA! Exactly.
  - Anonymous
    
    I’m going to assume you’ve never seen Erin Brockovitch?
- Anonymous
  
  I thought exactly the same thing! The resemblance in that photo is truly uncanny.
- allisankelly
  
  I had that exact same thought.
- Anonymous
  
  I had the same thought!
- http://twitter.com/OracleKath Kathrine Marlow
  
  Couldn’t agree more, I thought the SAME thing when I saw the picture!
- Anonymous
  
  I was JUST thinking that!
- Anonymous
  
  this may sound strange, but she has the skin to do it. that porcelain is hard to duplicate.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Deborah-Jozayt/100002949685297 Deborah Jozayt
  
  I don’t know. That photo seems too innocent and sweet to me. Even with her holding a vodka gimlet, she comes off as a kid, and certainly not someone who could pull off the roles Liz has played. However, it’s just one photo, so it’s not entirely fair to make a judgment based on that one picture.
  - Anonymous
    
    I agree, though she could pull off a young Liz. Clearly multiple Lizzes will be needed, given the many decades in film we’re talking about. This pic looks kind of like some time traveling stylist took the Liz of “National Velvet” and made her up like the Liz of “Butterfield 8.”
    
    And I may be pelted with virtual tomatoes, but I think that IF she managed to keep it together (big if, I know), Lindsay Lohan might be able to pull it off….
  - Anonymous
    
    Taylor bankrolled that doe eyed innocent with a sexy streak – it was until a a certain age we all found out what a tiger she was.
- Anonymous
  
  I thought the same thing, until I scrolled down and saw Rooney Mara. I feel like int that shot she’s channeling that kind of otherworldly strength and vulnerability that Taylor had.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GFMOZFM3WT3T56EZHVZFK7UXSI Ramon

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer are channeling two faces of Diana Ross. Fabulous!
- P M
  
  Octavia looks bloody fabulous. Nothing else to say.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523566011 Dawn Grimes Stough
    
    absolutely beautiful! and i’m proud of my fellow alabamian, giving awesome FACE!!
  - http://www.GiftedCollector.com Nancy Abrams
    
    She looks like a ’60s Margaret Keane painting. There is even a teardrop on her right cheek.
- http://profiles.google.com/denise.alden Denise Alden
  
  Both of them look so so beautiful, but Octavia! Holy crap! She is so freakin’ gorgeous.
- Anonymous
  
  Those are easily my two favorite pics. Viola Davis is transformed, while Octavia Spencer seems revealed somehow. If that makes sense.
  - P M
    
    Exactly. This *one* picture exudes more depth than any of Octavia’s stock roles. Or, as I fear, many of the bigger roles she could potentially recieve as a result of the Golden Globe.
  - Anonymous
    
    Couldnt have said it better. They both- especially Octavia- look stunning…
  - Anonymous
    
    Octavia’s eyes are Amazing! Face!
    
    Oh, Swinton. Don’t ever change, you alabaster goddess!
Sarah T.

I think Melissa McCarthy’s photo is hilarious. I’d buy this magazine if every photo was just Melissa McCarthy posing as that person (except perhaps for Ms. Swinton).
- P M
  
  You know, that’s actually a pretty original idea. The actual pic isn’t *that* bad, is it?
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GFMOZFM3WT3T56EZHVZFK7UXSI Ramon
  
  Melissa McCarthy takes great pictures. That spread of hers for Entertainment Weekly was amazing. Her Queen of Hearts was out of this world.
  - http://profiles.google.com/denise.alden Denise Alden
    
    Yeah, I loved her pictures in EW. I think this photo would be great if there was a glimmer of a sense of humor about it, you know?
    - Anonymous
      
      Agree . . . unless they intended a Divine reference here – (please god no, for both their sakes).
    - Sarah T.
      
      I dunno – scroll quickly from Viola Davis’ photo to McCarthy’s. I can’t believe that McCarthy is playing that straight.
      - Anonymous
        
        I really don’t think she IS playing it straight.
      - Sarah T.
        
        Yeah, I agree. That’s why I think the photo is funny and not-at-all-lawsuit-worthy.
  - Terence Ng
    
    Her Divine was incredible.
  - Anonymous
    
    totally agree with the EW photos. this one resembles her photo as “Divine” a bit too much for me, i think it’s just the eyebrows.
    
    but goodness, she should always wear that lingerie- her boobs look amazing!!!
P M

Why is Antonio Banderas posing with scissors next to his eye??
- Clifford Chiu
  
  the skin i live in is about a plastic surgeon
  - Anonymous
    
    Ohhhh. Ok. I was worried for his eye.
- Anonymous
  
  He played a plastic surgeon… with issues… in that movie.
- Rand Ortega
  
  In his latest movie, Almodovar’s “Skin I Live In”, he plays a plastic surgeon turned mad scientist. Creepy/Sexy/Icky. Highly recommend it!
- Anonymous
  
  I think he plays a plastic surgeon in that movie.
  
  EPCOT
  - http://onebluetree.blogspot.com/ Sara L.
    
    Exactly! CW for the win.
- http://profiles.google.com/misslauraschultz Laura Schultz
  
  he played a pl – never mind
  - Anonymous
    
    HAHAHA!
  - http://twitter.com/HeckYeahHeckNo K
    
    LOL that made me laugh so loud I think my neighbors probably think I’m a loon.
Anonymous

awesome, awesome pictures
but Melissa McCarthy looks like a drag queen
- Anonymous
  
  I thought the same thing, it looks like they taped her skin up and everything.
- Jill Roberts
  
  “But”? Why is that even remotely a bad thing? She’s camping it up – particularly the hand on her boob – because she is awesome and hilarious.
  - Anonymous
    
    I guess, because the other women look like women and she looks like a man trying to pass as a woman
Anonymous

that was fun!
Sara__B

Unexpected and fabulous. Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous

I’m sorry, I couldn’t notice anyone other than Christopher Plummer. Oh how that man makes me swoon — and has done so since I was eight years old!
- Rand Ortega
  
  Captain Von Trapp still makes my giblets quiver, too!
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Karen-Stephens-Bassett/1503492602 Karen Stephens Bassett
  
  He is impeccable, as always.
- Anonymous
  
  and of all of them, he’s posing in his own clothes! A few others wore a blouse here, a watch or ring there.
http://onebluetree.blogspot.com/ Sara L.

Why no, Brad, I would not throw you out of bed for eating crackers, now that you ask.

Love me some Gary Oldman!
allisankelly

As per usual, Swinton is the one to rule them all….
- Anonymous
  
  Work that sexy alien vibe!
Anonymous

Gorgeous work by Mario Sorrenti!

–GothamTomato
Judy_J

Jean Dujardin…that photo left me breathless! Fetch me my smelling salts!

Seriously, this is a beautiful editorial. I’ve had a secret crush on Christopher Plummer since I first saw him as Capt. Von Trapp in the Sound of Music. I love that he wore his own clothes for the shoot!
- Anonymous
  
  Jean Dujardin is seriously sexy.
Anonymous

Loved all of them but Tilda truly is amazing closely followed by Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Olsen.
Anonymous

I still don’t get the Tilda love.

Viola is downright stunning. The photo made me suck my breath in.

Octavia dear, find the person who did your makeup for this shoot and pay them whatever you have to in order to steal them from W Magazine.
- Anonymous
  
  To be fair, Octavia’s makeup is fabulous but I think it’s the lighting that makes the photo.
Anonymous

I’m not sure what message I’m supposed to decode from the Brad Pitt photo (time-traveling to a 19th century southern bordello has left him feeling slightly nauseous?) but it’s hilarious.
- http://profiles.google.com/misslauraschultz Laura Schultz
  
  ….would you throw him out of bed for eating crackers?….
  - Anonymous
    
    Heh, fair enough. I guess Saltines just seemed so inappropriate to the rest of the setting that my mind just didn’t go there…
  - Anonymous
    
    THIS. Reading through the comments I was starting to wonder I was the only one who laughed at the obvious reference. That one might be my favorite.
  - Anonymous
    
    I was reading through here wondering if that was not a saying in the USA. Glad it is, because that’s right where I went with it.
Anonymous

Brad Pitt is hilarious.

Octavia Spenser is GORGEOUS.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OSYAJATXUH3QX7ZDDF52GXG4PU Janie R

There’s something about the Swinton pic that’s icky to me. I don’t know…
Anonymous

Greatly appreciatie your editorial posts, as always. But I do have a question for you: out of curiosity, do the publications from which you take these editorials ever bother you for copyright infringements for using their images? Editorials such as these are a big part of the reasons why people choose to buy these publications, and I am wondering if they ever claim that you are impeding their sales by providing access to these images for free.
- http://www.tomandorenzo.com Tom and Lorenzo
  
  Many publications actually supply the images through their PR departments. Not all of them; but generally speaking, most publications are fine with posts like this because it keeps the brand name out there and gets people talking about the issue – all without spending a dime on advertising or PR.
  - Anonymous
    
    Interesting. Thanks!
  - Anonymous
    
    I normally don’t thumb through fashion mags at the rack, so TLo’s posts are why I buy a hard copy at all! Thanks, guys!
Anonymous

Men in suits, women in lingerie. How original.
- http://twitter.com/anthonyjallison Anthony Allison
  
  My exact thought. Semi-nude women and men in layers of clothing. Oh wait, if the the woman isn’t a size 0 we’ll bundle her up or crop the photo down to the head.
  
  Frankly, it makes me angry.
- Alisa Rivera
  
  THANK YOU. I can’t believe TLo didn’t comment on that. The message sent is that a woman’s worth depends on her ability to be an object of desire and apparently no one wants to see Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas or George Clooney in their skivvies.
- Yaara
  
  Yep, after scrolling all the way down, than up again, my only thought was “Why the hell are all the women in their underwear?”
  Really annoying. Didn’t they just win an award for acting? Don’t they deserve a better concept for a picture than “Sprawl here in lingerie and look pretty?”
http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

All these shots are fabulous, but the OTT winners fro me are: Viola, Octavia, Elisabeth, Leonardo, Kirsten, Brad, Mellisa, TILDA, and Antonio.
http://pleasewelcomeyourjudges.com/ Brian @ PWYJudges

Octavia Spencer looks fabulous, and I am totally swooning over Jean Dujardin!
Tracy Edmunds

Are these all referential? Obviously Olsen is Elizabeth Taylor. Will Ferrell seems to be doing Joel Grey and Pitt is possibly Howard Hughes? I get the feeling these are all homages to famous photographs, but I can’t place them all. Am I imagining it?
- Anonymous
  
  I kind of got that feeling too but I don’t know who everyone is supposed to be. Especially with Elizabeth Olsen and Michelle Williams in wigs that are so drastically different from their usual hair colors/styles, it feels like they’re supposed to be playing characters?
- Anonymous
  
  Viola Davis looks like classic Diana Ross.
Pennymac

Simply fantastic editorial, Swinton reigns supreme. That is all…
Anonymous

I’ve never been a great fan of Will Farrell’s choices in roles, but I do admire the fact that he is not afraid to look like an utter fool for the roles he chooses.
- Anonymous
  
  Same here and I don’t normally watch his movies since they’re just not my taste. Looking like an utter fool seems to mostly be his schtick, though. I did really like his performance in “Stranger Than Fiction”, though.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1567631327 Midge Andrews

Why are all the men in tuxedos and all the women in their underwear? Doesn’t anyone else have daughters?
- Anonymous
  
  My thoughts exactly. Honestly, it is so jarring. Maybe I’m just cranky but I’d like to think that these women could emote..while…y’know…CLOTHED.
Anonymous

Viola, now THAT’S how the girls are supposed to be supported. Remember that!
Love the Blahniks that Michelle is wearing.
Octavia looks amazing, and about 10 years younger than usual. Wouldn’t have recognized Elizabeth Olsen.
Tilda looks like the love child of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, circa 1984. Or, a department store mannequin.
Anonymous

So all the men are in tuxedos/pajamas and all the women are in lingerie/heavy make up.

Wow. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we.
Mariah J

Gorgeous. The ladies should take some makeup notes.
Anonymous

TLo was right – Octavia Spencer really needs a new makeup artist. Absolutely stunning.

Love how Rooney Mara doesn’t look like Audrey Hepburn for once.
- Anonymous
  
  I got an immediate Streisand vibe from Rooney Mara’s pic.
http://twitter.com/connectinglines Me Again

I know every editorial is airbrushed, but MY GOD! That is some RIDICULOUS airbrushing!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1253053236 Belle Burnett

Will Ferrell’s photo is AWESOME!!! I love the look on his face, and the shade of lipstick is to die for!
Octavia’s giving serious EYE!
Jessica O’Connell

Is it just me, or does Rooney Mara somehow look like Emily Blunt here at first glance. This is pretty spectacular. I definitely wouldn’t have recognized Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Olsen took me a minute too.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5UQHEKG5EDX4T6NMARUC565TPQ Amy

*raising hand* Where is Mr. Fassbender?
Anonymous

That photo of Jean Dujardin is so noir that my desk lamp just turned on all by itself. LOVE that picture!

Octavia Spencer and, of course, Tilda–amazing. Also like the diCaprio shot. It’s just a really good editorial overall.

Question for people who know more than I do: Is there some legal necessity (NDC–are you out there?) for making statements like “Pitt’s own ring and watch” and the even sillier (on the surface, anyway) “Brooks’s own glasses?” If there’s no legal reason for it, why do they do it?
- Anonymous
  
  Just a guess, but the maker of the ring, watch and glasses might claim that the magazine had to pay a licensing fee to feature said ring, watch and glasses. But when Brad or Brook own the items, then the magazine can argue that the rights belong to Brad or Brook and the magazine can make its own arrangment with Brad or Brook.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B53PQYXSJR4YJBV3J6BWYSICRQ Jamie
    
    that makes sense. I wondered that too. Thanks for asking Inforapenny.
- http://profiles.google.com/jenlindsey Jen L.
  
  I assumed it was a credits issue – they have to give credit to the designers who loaned garments to the shoot. Even if the glasses were designer, since they weren’t provided for the shoot they don’t have to be credited.
Anonymous

Viola, Octavia and the Swinton FTW. THAT”S how to do Octavia makeup. Lovely. Viola, drop dead gorgeousness. What a striking shot of Swinton. Love the lighting.
Anonymous

Kirsten looks great but also like she could be masturbating.

Brad Pitt made me LOL. Although throw in a block of cheddar and that’s what I look like when watching Revenge.

And I don’t think the stylist should’ve gotten any credit for Tilda’s shot when she’s wearing her own blouse.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AFZBPD2YF7RBIABKYSTL62XM6Y Susan

Swooned at Gary Oldman. Barfed a little in my mouth at Brad. Swooned once again at Christopher Plummer. Seriously, Brad, you’re ruining my swooning mode.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BARN2K234KUKPF5RACXYEFZ4HI Maggie

Shailene Woodley is 20 but she looks like a forever child and I find putting her in lingerie to be very disturbing.
- Anonymous
  
  She was my (now ex) boyfriend’s high school girlfriend for a bit and when I saw their prom photo, I asked why he went with a child in a slutty dress. I’m a bitch.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HREPOWNBVUBRIVPQCF3ST2IKDM Euphory

Do not get the Swinton love. She looks vacant and the pose is still and cliched. She looks like a wax figure (and always looks like one on red carpet).

Elizabeth Olsen looks way better with the dark hair and brows.
MilaXX

These are gorgeous. As mentioned none of the men really stand out, but O.M.G! Octavia needs to hire the person who did her makeup and hair. She looks stunning. Elizabeth Olsen’s Elizabeth Taylor look should make any sane person go, “Lilo who?” And then we have Melissa McCarthy. I actually like the bustier on her, but that makeup belongs on Drag Race, not W magazine.
Eclectic Mayhem

I wonder if Gorgeous George is channeling Cary Grant in Charade? Works for me!
- http://twitter.com/BessieToLA Grundoon
  
  never read the comments but did this time just because I was curious if anyone else had caught that.
  - Eclectic Mayhem
    
    Happy to oblige Grundoon. The Bitter Kittens who comment on TLo’s posts are a great bunch of people – come on in, the water’s lovely!
- Anonymous
  
  I wondered the same exact thing! One of my favorite all-time scenes.
  - Eclectic Mayhem
    
    Reggie Lampert: Do you know what’s wrong with you?
    Peter Joshua: No, what?
    Reggie Lampert: Nothing!
- Anonymous
  
  Probably… he’s spent a career channeling Cary Grant But yes, works for me too.
  - Eclectic Mayhem
    
    I remember a Vanity Fair shoot from a few years back where he’s dolled up as Clark Gable…
    
    Oh – here it is: Clooney/Gable
    
    But, yes, other than that image I definitely get more Cary Grant from Clooney. It’s the dry, self-depricating wit and the fact that he makes it all look so effortless. My only criticism? Clooney needs more somersaults!
mrspeel2

Wow, if Elizabeth Olsen was older I’d tell them to forget about Lilo portraying Elizabeth Taylor. EO is the spitting image of her!

P.S. Ooops, sorry I didn’t see you all had already stated the obvious about Ms Olsen. My apologies.
http://www.facebook.com/djkomisar DeDe Jacobs Komisar

What’s up with the “in my underwear looking vacantly to the side” pose that they have Shailene Woodley doing here? Just looks bizarre.
http://twitter.com/TheRedZavodnik Ginger

That photo of Elizabeth Olsen convinces me that she’s equipped to play Elizabeth Taylor.
Anonymous

stunning use of Shailene’s gorgeous hair!
octavia…dayum, girl…

All Hail SWINTON! She has some of the most beautiful ankles I’ve ever seen. The rest of her is nice too Girl Crush!
Toto Maya

I like how Christopher Plummer just stands there, because he’s Christopher Plummer and he doesn’t have time for this gimmicky shit.
- http://twitter.com/katesti Kate
  
  Just stands there, wearing his own clothes. Talk about a BAMF.
Anonymous

Why is Antonio Banderas trimming his toupee?
http://cheekypinky.wordpress.com/ Rebecca

That is a drop-dead gorgeous photo of Octavia. Absolutely breath-taking.
http://twitter.com/al_ber_to Alberto Muñoz E.

Oh my God, I actually thought the redhead was Lauren Ambrose.
Anonymous

and i would do dirty, dirty things with DiCaprio…HotLeo is back in full force in that pic.

Gary Oldman will always be on my freebies list.
- Anonymous
  
  Re: DiCaprio: AGREED. I normally don’t respond to him at all in that department, but here…yes.
http://phantomminuet.blogspot.com/ MinAgain

I find Brad’s pretty amusing.

Also, why do most of the white women look so airbrushed?
http://twitter.com/DonnaThePirana Donna

Oh dear, poor Shailene’s head fell off.
Rebecca Johnson

Plop some advertising copy over him and Jean Dujardin could be in one of a dozen different cologne ads. That’s the best they could do with this delightful Frenchman?
Anonymous

For the most part they look beautiful. But the men look like People. The women look like Sex Kittens.
- Anonymous
  
  Or, sadly, wannabe Sex Kittens
Anonymous

OMG Elizabeth Olson!

Michelle Williams looks like Hilary Duff. Surely that was a mistake..no?
Kathleen Mikulis

I can’t help but look at Melissa McCarthy and think Scooby Doo Ghost Clown:
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=CTK&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1600&bih=962&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=oe9wXkJH1uZEEM:&imgrefurl=http://www.rankopedia.com/Favorite-%27Scooby-Doo,-Where-Are-You!%27-Villain/Step1/7626/.htm&docid=BPyVF3ag0nc0PM&imgurl=http://www.rankopedia.com/CandidatePix/52163.gif&w=637&h=475&ei=c0gXT7y4AcmyiQK6tJ2wDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=880&vpy=187&dur=729&hovh=194&hovw=260&tx=169&ty=112&sig=100239792047280539094&page=1&tbnh=137&tbnw=181&start=0&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0
http://twitter.com/catherineeileen Catherine Hann

This is the best editorial I’ve seen in a very long time!
Anonymous

Great editorial. Viola, I bow down. Stunning.
Anonymous

I liked last year’s collection much better. Mark Ruffalo in his technicolor dreamcoat still makes parts of me tingle.
Anonymous

The lines on the faces of the men really draw attention to the artificial smoothness of the photoshopped women.
Anonymous

i have loved leo since seeing him in r&j on the big screen when i was 12. i think he must have been my first love. therefore, whenever i see even a photo of him, i get heart palpitations. whenever i see a picture of him with a woman, my heart breaks a tiny bit. but THIS picture? omg. i die. i probably stared at that for a full two minutes. jesus. when “the great gatsby” comes out, i might just pass out in the theatre…
Anonymous

I’m annoyed that they ‘shopped Octavia Spencer to look more conventionally pretty. Also, is that Melissa McCarthy as Divine? Horrible lighting, horrible makeup, horrible hair. And once again, the guys in suits and the women in underwear. Fuck you, W.

Pitt eating crackers in bed is rather witty, though.
Anonymous

Oh Tilda, my Tilda.

Generally, I think the women are almost uniformly fantastic. So many of them look so different from their usual–facially as well as stylistically–but in a really good way, not in that “I wouldn’t recognize her” magazine cover way. I’m particularly pleased with Shailene Woodley, who I think has been selling her beauty short on the red carpet. She was amazing in The Descendants, the best thing about the movie, and so I’m rooting for her.

I got a chuckle out of Brad Pitt looking unkempt, holed up in bed with crackers. Can I ever relate.
Anonymous

Agreed re Melissa. Shameful. Even worse when you see what they did with the other women.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3IC6DQJTCNEHKP3T73MGZNELRU Christine
  
  I don’t especially love the photo but also don’t get the hatred of it. Why is it shameful? Genuinely wondering what so many people hate about it?
  - Anonymous
    
    The lighting is harsh, the makeup is almost drag queen-ish, and the random boob grab is, well, random. It is extremy weak when compared to the other pictures. I could be more forgiving if the other pics were bad, but they aren’t. In fact, most are pretty great. I hate to say that this is because she is plus sized, but I can’t help but wonder.
Anonymous

I want to be in this editorial. Where can I sign up? They even made Leonardo DiCaprio look good. And when you have a minute, please send Jean Dujardin my phone number. I eagerly await his call.
- Mary McClelland
  
  When you’re done with him, pass him to me. Thanks in advance!
Anonymous

Wow. Michelle Williams unrecognizable, and I scrolled down to mention the Olsen sibling, who is getting some good press as an actor, would be an excellent Liz. terpsichory, great minds are thinking alike!
Anonymous

Brad Pitt at home. I find it utterly believable.

I like Viola Davis’ photo the best. It looks just like the images of Nightclub Glamor on which I was weaned.
Anonymous

My absolute unfavorite was Antonio Banderas.
http://twitter.com/andsheewas Renee H.

Holy carp! Melissa McCarthy and Christopher Plummer are to die for.
Anonymous

Octavia does look great but it looks like they shop’ed her head down a couple sizes.
- Anonymous
  
  i think it’s the lighting.
  it’s either the real lighting or someone re-lit it in photoshop, or someone added more shadows similarly. but whats really amazing about the photo isnt the size of her head but the emphasis the makeup artist gave her eyes & her mouth.
  
  then again & of course they photoshopped the everlovin hell out of all the womens ‘facial flaws’ [if you will, i generally will not]. it’s getting to the point–& i think this is good–where it’s going to be so very unusual to see womens faces the way they actually are that as is theyre gonna look more, rather than less, attractive. meaning: soon, i think, the overshopped look will go the way of the sabre toothed tiger. only this time less because of tar pits & more because of consumer complaints. something like that. [i've been really sick this last half a week so maybe off my game.]
http://tigergray.blogspot.com/ Tiger Gray

omg Tilda.
http://tigergray.blogspot.com/ Tiger Gray

Does anyone remember the cracker game? You know the one I mean. I hope that Brad Pitt photo is intentional. Well then again, maybe I hope the opposite…
Anonymous

I’ve got to give it to Viola Davis and Leonardo on this one.
Anonymous

I love most of these. The makeup and angle of the photo make Octavia’s already gorgeous eyes look amazing. Please oh please, let Viola Davis play an older Lieutenant Uhura someday. Melissa McCarthy’s shot is tacky but she looks awesomely vampy. Tilda is flawless. And I’m really digging Gary Oldman’s shot, though I can’t put my finger on the reason.
Anonymous

Love the picture of Octavia. Love it.
http://twitter.com/VicksieDo VicksieDo

Brad Pitt can still eat crackers in my bed any day…hehe
Presumptuous Insect

Niiiiice. Octavia is adorable here.
margaret meyers

Gary Oldman needs to take out a contract on his stylist, the photographer, the oaf who lit him and the makeup artist. They were in a conspiracy to make him look like an undistinguished, badly dressed,powdery old man with ugly features and Clairol brown hair.
Sarah Thomas

It’s not going to get much love because of the company it keeps, but I was pretty impressed with Will Farrell’s.
Anonymous

OMG Octavia Spencer.
http://twitter.com/wednesdaydreams Natalie

I have no idea why Shailene Woodley is included in this editorial. I saw The Descendants yesterday and it was one of the most mediocre films I have ever seen, in terms of every aspect of the film, from acting to the script.
- Anonymous
  
  I am biased because I have a somewhat unpleasant personal connection to her (nothing negative about her personally), so I was kind of taken out of the movie when I saw it. But even my date was questioning why the movie is getting so much acclaim. I didn’t believe any of their performances, not even George’s.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Elizabeth-Poytinger-Baumer/1516981341 Mary Elizabeth Poytinger Baume

swinton you are my idol and i worship you. bless.
Anonymous

Jean Dujardin makes me moist.
Anonymous

Octavia’ should hire whoever did her make up and use them all the time! She has never looked better!!
Mary McClelland

Viola is so captivating. And I live Elizabeth Olson as Liz Taylor! Also, Swinton… my heart burst with love. All the men’s photos are meh except Clooney and Banderas.
Anonymous

WHERE IS MERYL STREEP.
Anonymous

What if they had lit the women to emphasize the lines in their faces and photoshopped the men to have really narrow line free faces?
http://twitter.com/BeantownMrs Praggya R. Barretto

The Leo pic is bringing back some serious teenage crushing…
- Anonymous
  
  Exactly! His recent red carpet getups had caused me to forget that he is hot!
  - Anonymous
    
    His red carpet getups have caused me to forget that he’s under 60.
Anonymous

I’m loving Brad with the crackers. “…kick him out of bed for eating crackers.”
Anonymous

oh wow, amazing photographer!
Anonymous

the one who looks really gorgeous here is octavia spencer.
- Anonymous
  
  Except she looks like Sarah Hyland.
http://twitter.com/anacedillo Ana Cedillo

wow tilda looks amazing! Olson, actually looks like an Olson.
rooney mara looks like a model, i am sooo in love with her.
kirsten dunst should thank W
and leo baby..ugh <3 always
Anonymous

Great pics

Swinton looks like an alien Olympia!
http://twitter.com/cornekopia Shawn EH

So is the concept Hot Girls Who Date Nerdy Freaks?
Anonymous

As I scrolled down, I was impressed by Viola and Octavia, let down by Melissa, underwhelmed by others, and then I got to Tilda. Holy fuck, my Queen! Making even Octavia look quaint.
Anonymous

What? Why are the women all wearing lingerie?
http://thehappyheathen.com/ Evita Smith

I love me some Gary Oldman.
Anonymous

Brad Pitt eating saltines in bed! hahahaha!

Wow Octavia!Mmmm, Dujardin
Anonymous

Holy sexed up Tilda Swinton!
Anonymous

So they’re ALL doing Shades of Liz Taylor?
Anonymous

Yea, cool, lots of talented women posing in SLIPS. *eyeroll* Meanwhile, the men are all fully dressed. I do love the droll reference to the “I wouldn’t throw him out of bed for eating crackers” in the Brad Pitt photo. Octavia FTW.
Anonymous

via – hire that makeup artist girl O….M….G…that is a GREAT portrait and Viola is perfection (first time I really felt the buzz for her) Dunst is unrecognizable. The Pitt photo is hilarious! And yes indeed I would let him.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=739196218 Leah Burns

The Melissa McCarthy picture *is* awful in comparison, but I do appreciate the sentiment of giving her a ‘funny’ picture like Will Ferrell because of her comedic talents. It just sucked instead.
Meg Strader

Why are the women (mostly) wearing underwear, while the men are (mostly) dressed. Seems like it continues the theme that women’s value lies in their bodies. From W magazine, no less.
Katie Gorman

This is a lazy editorial. All the women are in lingerie and all the men are in suits.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=645442822 Sophia Vaccaro

Does anyone else notice that all the men in this shoot are wearing clothes, and all the women are in various states of undress? even those wearing some sort of real dress (Olsen) still have their boobs hanging out. The only photos not like that are Octavia Spencer’s and Rooney Mara’s.

And I just CAN’T be the only person who thinks it’s hugely creepy that Shailene Woodley is a few magazine pages away from the man who plays her father, who is in a suit, while she is writhing around half naked on a furred area rug.

I’m not saying the shots aren’t beautiful or that the women don’t have nice bodies, but i think there is a time and place for that and it is not in an editorial that is trying to showcase new talent while instead systematically upholding a double standard.

As a teenager, this makes me feel dubious about how i will be viewed in my own future line of work.
- Anonymous
  
  You are not the only one who noticed these things, not by a long shot. And if you keep thinking and speaking like this, I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about regarding how people view you in your future line of work.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=645442822 Sophia Vaccaro
    
    thanks!
Anonymous

I love that they went literal with the “I wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crackers” joke for Brad Pitt’s. Also, TILDA SWINTON IS GOD.

Share This

W Magazine: Best Performances

Archives

Follow us

Archives