I personally don't like Penelope Cruz very much. She isn't that well liked here actually, not as much as it seems. Most people consider her a total bitch. But a bitch or not, I have to admit that she is improving a lot as an actress. I think she did a great job in Volver (I haven´t seen that one she made in Italy), but she's not exactly my favorite actress. Sorry. There are other actresses here in Spain that are way more talented than she is and pull out impressive performances like Leonor Watling, Pilar Bardem or Marisa Paredes. It's just that Penelope made it in Hollywood and because of that she's more on the spotlight but she's not the best thing from Spain. Neither is Banderas. Javier Bardem and Luis Tosar are way better than Banderas. But that's just my opinion.
Hmm. I only know her from the films I have seen her in back to Bigas Luna's Jamon, Jamon, which I think was my first experience with her. But I think she's pretty terrific in Spanish-speaking roles and truly exceptional in All About My Mother and especially, as I noted above, Don't Move. She was also very good in a TNT movie named Noel, directed by Chazz Palmenteri last year, where she played opposite Paul Walker (terrific performance) who was her abusive boyfriend. Marisa Parades is hands down, my very, very favorite Spanish actress. Ever see her in "Savages" some time back? WHOAH. Never released here in the states but I saw it on a film festival a few years ago and she was unbelievable.
I love Bardem too much to describe and for all the obvious reasons. However, Banderas is a major, major talent. I saw him on Broadway in Nine a few seasons ago, and he was truly spectacular--charisma, very good singer and even better dancer, and that is a tough show to pull off if you've ever heard the music and lyrics. He is a great example of a talented guy pigeonholed, again, by the American studio system.
rt
