comment #1

cinefan says ...

I'm glad that you mentioned Daniel Day Lewis and Philip Seymour Hoffman because Morton too is one of a handful of actors and actresses that I go out of my way to see if they have a new film coming out (Laura Linney is another one in that category as well). I can say in all honesty that I don't care how Morton looks in a film because I know that she'll give a truthful performance and that she'll be one of the best things about the film. She is the anti-Kate Hudson both in terms of her talent and the projects she picks.

comment #2

Kristopher Tapley says ...

I did not go "uh-oh."

comment #3

Gordon27 says ...

"Is there any way to mention this issue without sounding like a weight Nazi? "

There would be a way to mention this issue without sounding like a weight Nazi, but it would involve mentioning it about a person who actually is fat. You're comparing http://www.zimbio.com/Samantha+Morton to http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/pS_YNeu8vcI/2009+Film+Independent+Spirit+Awards+Show/4MgfSq6EBbi/Cameron+Diaz ... so, yeah, that's pretty dumb. [Odd that Morton isn't in that latter picture, actually.]

comment #4

BurmaShave says ...

I mean I've been reading you in some form for 11 years and what's amazing is you have not aged at all.

comment #5

TM says ...

Morton is also pursuing a career behind the camera as a writer and director with an acclaimed short film drawn from her own life. Plus she's one of the least vain actresses I've ever met. She's guarded but there's no personal vanity there.

comment #6

erniesouchak says ...

I read she'd just had a baby when she did "The Messenger," so cut her a little slack!

comment #7

Travis Crabtree says ...

"without sounding like a weight Nazi"

That bridge has long since been crossed. In fact, as weight Nazis go, I'd place you somewhere between Otto Dietrich and Martin Bormann.

You won't be hanged, but you will spend the rest of your days at Spandau Prison, which, ironically has been turned into Lap-Band clinic.

comment #8

Pynchon8 says ...

Wells censors others at will, but he can't do the same for himself.

comment #9

Luke Y. Thompson says ...

I don't know why that'd be an "uh-oh" in this particular role.

I mean, if she were playing a fashion model or something, sure. But she's playing a grieving, widowed mom with a young child. Few people in that position worry about hair and makeup.

comment #10

QualityGibberish says ...

Wells needs a damn editor with the authority to trashcan posts.

comment #11

BurmaShave says ...

Agreed. He should have the wherewithal to do it himself. I'd love to see what happens the next time he sees "Philly" or ask Morton for an interview during her inevitable next Oscar nomination dance.

comment #12

PegEntwistleDOA says ...

Too bad you can't just appreciate the woman's work--instead of focusing on her measurements.
Perhaps you aren't aware that in early 2006 Morton suffered a stroke--and subsequently spent the following year relearning how to walk, talk, feed herself, etc. The good news: she's made a full recovery. The bad news, apparently, is that she didn't go to Pilates, starve herself, undergo nips & tucks and all the other silliness that makes so many other leading ladies...silly. Forgive her for being (a lucky) human...and enjoy the depth of her performances .

comment #13

COCO says ...

I have enjoyed her in everything I have seen her in.....chunk or no chunk.

comment #14

Ryansi51 says ...

Peg- that's a crazy story, but then again some people are saying it's just that:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-534213/The-curious-case-Samantha-Mortons-stroke.html

comment #15

Matthew Starr says ...

I love Sam Morton but I do agree I have noticed her weight gain. I actually did research to see if she was pregnant. She looked fine in Synecdoche New York. So whatever happened it happened in the last year.

comment #16

matt cousens says ...

Jeff, my only problem here (the same goes for your "Mel / The Beaver" comments) is that you judge the appearance of the actor rather than the character. Do you realize how ridiculous that is? The Eloi are the soiled, attractive group. The group you crave.

comment #17

matt cousens says ...

*spoiled.

comment #18

Gabe@ThePlaylist says ...

Yes, you said "Uh-oh." As in, uh-oh, she's going to act circles around everyone else onscreen. Everything else is irrelevant. Pretend to be classy all you want, Wells, but this is a monstrous and stupid reaction to one of this generation's great actresses. Onscreen, she always possesses a natural beauty (and those eyes!) that would remain were she 90 lbs or 300. You appear to have no respect for this woman's craft, otherwise your first words on this film would be about the quality of the work, or the quality of her acting, and considering her onscreen achievements, that's ignorant and reflects a disgusting character flaw in your behavior. I very much look forward to any Morton performance, and I do hope she's happy enough with her own body that she feels comfortable seeking consistent roles that keep her onscreen, and that should be all that fucking matters.

It's also pretty irrelevant what Philip Seymour Hoffman looks like as well, but I guess your personal biases about what people should look like are more important than your intimate reflections about the truth of a certain piece of art.

comment #19

M. Hulot says ...

Once again, Jeffrey Wells proves to everyone what everyone already knew...that he's a shallow, superficial, vain, and venal, a-hole.

comment #20

M. Hulot says ...

We get it, Wells. You're tall and thin, and you tan, and have a full head of hair (which supposedly isn't grey, thanks to Just For Men). What do all these things have in common? Oh, that's right you only criticize those with physical traits that are the complete opposite of your own.

You're like a case study in psych 101 class. Are you really that insecure?

And what of YOUR characteristics? Everything else is just your genetics. You don't work out, Wells. You don't go to the gym. Your weight is such because you are tall, for one. And that's got nothing to do with any sort of achievement or hard-fought weight loss effort. It's your genetics, idiot. As is your skin which isn't pale (god forbid), or your legs aren't shorter (you loathe short people, too) or the fact that you still have a full head of hair (we know how you feel about baldies, guess what?...genetics, too!). Why it that you have such disdain for people who simply have different physical characteristics that are different than you?

Are you really this shallow, or do you post this bullshit to drum up page views?

Why don't go a pick on some anonymous homeless dude? Oh wait, you've done that, too!

Who cares if Samantha Morton gained some weight? She had a baby and stroke, for crissakes. Give her, give your readers, give the world, a fucking break.

comment #21

berkguru says ...

Wells looks like an owl-faced old lesbian. Should be the last one commenting on anyone else's appearance, let alone someone who has 500x the talent and achievements.

comment #22

Mr. F. says ...

What a WEAK excuse... using a debilitating stroke as an excuse not to go to the gym. Totally Eloi.

comment #23

Travis Crabtree says ...

Peg Entwistle DOA!

I get the reference..... a wanna-be actress who killed herself by jumping off one of the letters in the HOLLYWOODLAND sign.

Nice.

comment #24

ZayTonday says ...

I thought you were exaggerating, but then I clicked that link.

WTF?

comment #25

Floyd Thursby says ...

One sunny day Wells will have a chance encounter with Kirstie Alley and fall deeply in love.

comment #26

alan says ...

Disgusting. Repulsive.

And I'm not talking about Samantha Morton.

comment #27

fitz-hume says ...

Oh dear...

comment #28

dd says ...

We get it, Wells. You're tall and thin, and you tan, and have a full head of hair (which supposedly isn't grey, thanks to Just For Men). What do all these things have in common? Oh, that's right you only criticize those with physical traits that are the complete opposite of your own.

Designer Handbags

comment #29

jack hole says ...

Oh for gods sake.

She's fat. Until very recently, she was not fat. It is unattractive.

She works in a business that is notorious for caring about such things, and people are surprised when weight gain is noticed?

The people of this country are ALL getting fat. Why? Because they are (apparently) lazy, and they eat too much. The results are not attractive - and not just on a physical level. It says something about you....Something significant.

Contrary to popular nonsense, you are NOT 'beautiful in a different way', for gods sake. I'm sorry - sincerely - but you are not. Fat is fat. There is a reason fatness has a less than positive reputation, y'know? For cryin out loud people....Everyone is insulting the OP for stating the freakin obvious.

Sorry ....I know weight gain/loss is awful....I know it's hard......I know it can be horrifically challenging/depressing....But ffs, don't expect us to redefine what we find attractive just so you don't have to deal with your demons and put down the freakin' mallowmars.

comment #30

Summer Jones says ...

Samantha Morton had a baby four months prior to shooting The Messenger. That explains her weight gain.