Angelina Jolie: Assassin VS Humanitarian
June 30, 2008 by Sherry
I’ve been eagerly reading everyone’s reviews of Wanted and I’m glad so many of you enjoyed it. Some of you mentioned that you had trouble enjoying it due to the violence. I understand, and it’s a personal matter. I actually really enjoy violent action movies (and scary horror movies), not constantly, but I do like them very much. I also always loved playing the more violent video games. But I appreciate that some people prefer to just have the movie imply violence rather than showing it, and I’m sorry you weren’t able to enjoy Wanted because of that.
(And as an aside, as a mother myself, I am always appalled to hear about young children being brought into theaters to see violent movies. My husband and I watch a lot of high-impact action films and a lot of scary movies, but never ever when the kids are up. What is wrong with people?!)
As for whether it’s hard to reconcile Angelina Jolie’s humanitarian side with her gun-slinging action character side, we have to try to remember that it’s only a role. Don’t forget all the other roles she’s played. Yes, she’s shot up countless people as Fox in Wanted, as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider films, and of course she tried to kill her own husband as Jane in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. On the other hand, she’s also played a woman fighting for human rights in Beyond Borders (a role that strikes close to home), Mariane Pearl who refused to be terrorized in A Mighty Heart, and a mother desperately seeking her real son in Changeling. She’s an actress, and just because she plays an assassin once in awhile, it doesn’t discount all the good she does in her humanitarian efforts.
Image details: Angelina Jolie Participates in UN World Refugee Day served by picapp.com
So, just for those of you who are a little frazzled after Wanted, I’d like to direct you to a video feature from some of Angelina Jolie’s travels with the UNHCR when she went to the Congo. Watch it right here.
Image details: Angelina Jolie Participates in UN World Refugee Day served by picapp.com
Enjoy Angelina Jolie the actress, and avoid her R-rated movies if they’re not your cup of tea, but always remember the Angelina Jolie who is fighting for refugee rights, not just the bad guys on the big screen.
Image details: 24th Arab Children Congress served by picapp.com
(Thanks to Gena for the link.)
BRAVO, Sherry. You put it so well, so clearly & succinctly in a way that respects people’s different tastes. Angelina Jolie is one of a select few whom I’d watch in any movie good or bad (Meryl Streep is another one - although I can’t think of a single bad movie). I’d watch Angie anyway even if she wasn’t a humanitarian/philanthropist, but the fact that she donates 1/3 of her earnings is very sweet.
Angelina does Real good with Her charity work.
I wouldn’t be surprised if any of her kids would want to do the same.She a great Influence on everyone.Even if they don’t realize it.
Great Job Ange!
I think these action roles where her characters’ moral flexibility shows greatly that she is an amazing actress.
Obviously Angelina isn’t a hard nosed assassin, but she DOES play one very convincingly. I think the true measure of a great actor is one that takes control of the character and doesn’t let the character take control of them.
Cheers All!
Deana
Well Put Sherry.
And even if she does play an assassin she doesn’t randomly kill people like everyone assumes. There’s always a reason. Like in Wanted “Kill one save a thousand” and her little background story was awww.
i admire angelina the actress but i admire more angelina the humanitarian. she makes me a very proud supporter.
i guess she’s already grooming the kids to be humanitarian people.
i agree with everybody here. sherry, you’ve explained things really well.
What a touching video, thanks for sharing it with us!
Very, very well said, Sherry. Clear, sharp and to the point. Nothing else to say. Bravo!
Well put, Sherry. The whole point of being an actress is to ACT. It’s a little wrong to say she would be promoting violence doing this film. Anyway, i’ve read really good reviews of the film so it’s cool! She’s always so kind and generous and sweet and it’s certainly good to see her in one of these feirce, badass roles again! Go Ange!
http://images.google.ro/imgres?imgurl=http://angiesrainbow.com/site/images/unhcr/citizen_world_2003.jpg&imgrefurl=http://angiesrainbow.com/site/unhcr_ang.php&h=1791&w=2000&sz=450&hl=ro&start=23&um=1&tbnid=ozgvPLUCPoYGgM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcitizen%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bworld%2Baward%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dro%26sa%3DN
enjoy
Well done Sherry. I was crying as I watched it. I feel the viewing public has a problem of discerning movie reality from real reality. Shame.
i have seen a video on u-tube where she was on GMA and talked about the kid in Africa. she talked about a little boy who has been shot and started crying. she war so true and so honest and i was really touched. THAT was real life - the movie is not.
New interview with her in Parade:
http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/archive/pc_0183.html
Sherry, please let me know why I am ALWAYS and without fail under moderation??????!
SHERRY ,I LOVE U. I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU PUT THIS THREAd together.I CANNOT STOP CRYING. I LOVE HER AS AN ACTRESS AND MORE AS A HUMANITARIAN. I BEEN SUPPORTING ALL HER CAUSES. FIFTY DOLLAR HERE AND THERE. GOD BLESS YOU ANGELINA.
I think it’s sad that some people don’t realize that movies are movies. It’s just a part she played. And while Angelina wouldn’t assinate anyone, I admire the fact that she would protect her family if it became necessary. And, I admire the fact that she believes in accountability when someone commits an horrendous act against others.
Sherry….. u may want to read this
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/01/people.jolie.ap/index.html
Angelina has been admitted in the hospital in France. I do not think she has the twin yet,but she is under observation
HELLO GOOD PEOPLE. I JUST READ IN MY YAHOO MAIL THAT ANGELINA IS IN THE HOSPITAL NOW. I MIGHT BE RIGHT WHEN I SAID THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT IN NOV.IF SHE GIVE BIRTH SOMETIME THIS MONTH.AND IM HOPING THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE ONE OF EACH,A BOY AND A GIRL. SO JUST CROSS OUR FINGERS AND PLEASE PRAY FOR HER SAFE DELIVERY. WE ALL LOVE HER VERY VERY MUCH.
Sherry, a report on CNN that Angie has been admited to the hospital to wait for the birth of the babies. It kind of says that she is not ready to give birth yet. Many times when there are twins the mother has to be on bedrest and be watched. Wonder if we will see both their families heading for France. I pray that all will be well for the Jolie-Pitt babies and that Angie will stay safe. Prayers for all of the children at this exciting time in their lives.
Well said Sherry.
People have to learn to distingiush between the “Actor” and the person.
Best wishes and safe delivery for Angie. Twins are almost always early. Angie is probably just past 8months now. Considering she said in May 14th, she had a couple more months to go!!!!!!!!!!
Oscar Wilde said something along the lines of …”it is immoral to use private property to ease the evils which are a result of private property.”
There are many people in this world who do everything that they can with the resources that they have. These people are true humanitarians. Angelina Jolie is not one of them.