National Post (National Edition)
Double trouble: The top ten best female duos in film
Move over guys, it’s time to give the ladies their due. From strong and sexy to conniving and comedic, female partnerships have been burning up the big screen for decades.
This week a new duo appears on movie screens: Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara co-star in Hot Pursuit, an action-packed comedy romp opening May 8. The film follows a by-the-book cop (Witherspoon) and the flamboyant widow (Vergara) of a drug boss as they race across Texas, pursued by dirty cops and villainous gunmen.
To salute the timeless appeal of such pairings, here’s a nod to ten of the most memorable female duos in film history. 1953: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell positively sizzle in this musical farce about a gold- digging ‘dumb blond’ and her best friend. Monroe solidifies her place as an American sex symbol in her portrayal of showgirl Lorelei Lee – she of the mantra ‘ Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’. 1954: White Christmas As singing sisters, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen steal the show in this perennial holiday favourite. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye may have taken top billing but it was the ladies who shone the brightest. If George Clooney has his aunt’s pipes, could a musical be in his future? 1961: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? She’s got Bette Davis eyes – literally. Ghoulish makeup and snarling visages are aplenty in this creepy melodrama starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis as decaying actors. Sisters they may be; devoted they are not. Dead rats for breakfast anyone? 1991: Thelma & Louise Road trip! Talk about a girl’s getaway
Sofía Vergara and Reese Witherspoon co-star in Hot Pursuit. getting out of hand. A few drinks, a deadly encounter and an unforgettable ending give this comedy a dark side. Costars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon most often top the list of best female duos for this voyage of discovery. And guys, don’t even think about what happened to that ’66 T-bird convertible. 1997: Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion If you’ ve ever dreaded a high school reunion, you’ll associate with this cringe-worthy classic. Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino are serious underachievers. The fantasy world they create to impress former classmates unravels in short and hilarious order. They invented yellow Postit notes, don’t you know? 2001: Ghost World This comedydrama didn’t get the success it deserved for the performances by Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson. The strange yet compelling coming-of-age movie is about two friends who are social outcasts. The creepy guys the girls hang out with will forever change their relationship. 2008: Baby Mama Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play polar opposites as a wannabe mom and expectant surrogate. It’s heavy on humour, with laugh-out-loud moments, and testament to the fact you can’t choose your family. Let the battles begin! 2011: Bridesmaids True, it’s about six friends, but Maya Rudolph and Kirsten Wiig are the key players as a bride and her maid of honour. If you’ve ever planned a wedding, you know how easily it and the players can get out of hand. A hilarious, touching, and at times pretty raunchy movie about the power of friendship. 2013: The Heat Sandra Bullock’s uptight FBI agent counters Melissa McCarthy’s pottymouthed street cop perfectly – but don’t tell them that. When they team up to take down a drug lord, the feathers fly. The movie ends predictably, but not without some good belly laughs. 2013: Frozen Do you want to build a snowman? Animated sister princesses Anna and Elsa are a tough act to follow. While kids sing the songs ad nauseam and store shelves carry a plethora of paraphernalia, parents cry out for mercy. This pair have firmly infiltrated our lives.