MovieChat Forums > Sarah Jessica Parker Discussion > Is she the sum of the parts she plays?

Is she the sum of the parts she plays?

posted 10 years ago by davemerino
1 reply | jump to latest

Why is it that some actors will forever be tied to a specific part they play, such as Phillip Seymour Hoffmann as the 'did he or didnt he' priest OR Sarah J. Parker in the part of Shelley the husband stealing beracuda in First Wives Club.

I have never been able to shake the fact that she played that part so perfectly so much so that I feel it comes naturally. She played a selfish, self centered character in Sex and the City. Almost every part she plays tends to be a ball busting, my way or the highway biatch (except in Hocus Pocos - she just played a Dumb airhead).

[–] thecherrypop 10 years ago

I don't think it's a case of "coming naturally" cause in many ways it's hard to act as someone similar to yourself, we all like to think of ourselves a lot different to how other people think of us.

I think as an actress she knows what her strengths are. She often plays these very sexy roles that are either the confident, outspoken, sometimes self centered sexy women: First Wives Club, Sex and the City, even Hocus Pocus to some extent.

But if you watch her in interviews, she's the opposite, she's very reserved, very family focuses, she comes off as someone who yes is confident but who doesn't crave the spotlight.

So I'm not sure it comes naturally, she's just aware of her range. Also when you're typecast in these roles it's hard to get out of them.