Like millions of others, I saw "Inception" over the weekend and, yes, it was good and mind-blowing and all that. Not what I want to talk about {right now}. After the movie, I was talking with some friends about how good the acting in the movie was, especially Leonardo DiCaprio. One of my friends said that she considers Mr. DiCaprio to be one of the best actors working today. I haven't seen all of his most recent work, but of what I have seen, I reluctantly agreed. Because, I added, I don't want to like him.
My friend laughed at me and then asked why. I don't know that I have ever explored my feelings about Mr. DiCaprio, so I wasn't sure at first. Then, the more I thought about it, I realized that I was fighting against my teenage self. The younger version of myself who adored him in "Romeo + Juliet" and "Titanic" and plastered her freshman year dormroom with pictures like this:
I like to believe that I have matured in many ways, including my tastes. I think I like better foods now, better art, better books and, of course, better actors. I like to view myself as more cultured, more experienced and more refined. To admit that I could still have an interest in something I liked 15 years ago feels like I'm slipping in my personality progession.
So, is it bad to still like Leo? My answer is no. Because as I thought about it further, I realized that I don't like him because of his awesome hair or stunning blue eyes or his recitation of Shakespeare's lines to Claire Danes {another one of my favorites}. Now I can say I like him because he offers amazing, Oscar-nominated performances; he doesn't clamor for the limelight; and he's trying to do some good in the world. I guess it also doesn't hurt that he looks like this now either:
And I know that there are many of you who will disagree with my assessment of Mr. DiCaprio. That's fine. It's just how I feel. And I needed to admit it publicly.
So, now it's your turn. Admit it. Who do you still enjoy that your teenage self would approve of? Because I can also admit that I still like Keanu Reeves,
remember?
P.S. Doing a Google search for these photos revealed that Leonardo DiCaprio is more popular than Leonardo Da Vinci, and that made me a little sad.
5 comments:
I seriously had that same poster on my wall. Next to NSync and BSB...and Joey McIntire (wish I wouldn't have admitted that one.)
He is a babe now. More babelicious than he was in Growing Pains. Titanic though....whew...I still have a very soft spot for him there.
I still think Joey from Blossom is hot, even though he's bald now...hey! He's normal. And I still think the Timberlake is still a babe. He's someone who got better with age, in my opinion. And freak! I just saw a picture of Zack from Saved by the Bell! He's still a babe! And doesn't have peroxide blond hair any more!
Still love Leo, and holy smokes - has he aged well or what?! ME-OW!
Aren't you still in love with Kevin Bacon also?
Good question, Jonna. My affection for Mr. Bacon is not because I think he's hot, nor have I really ever thought he was good-looking. He's just cool. So I don't think I would say I'm in love with him. I just adore him and his work.
Agreed. And he looks way hotter now than 15 years ago. There's something about havin' some meat and age on a man. Yowza!
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