Ben Kingsley is a Badass

July 17, 2008 on 11:53 am | In Film, - Jauretsi |

(Ben. The alpha-male this season)

Sir Ben Kingsley has been playing quite the lady-killer in his recent films. I must say I saw both The Wackness (released early July so watch out for Netflix now) and the upcoming Elegy this August. He manages to bond with young hot ladies in both. In The Wackness, Kingsley’s character is a “Dead-head” acid-dropping therapist that makes a cosmic connection with Mary Kate Olsen’s Phish loving hippie.. and yes, they end up dry humping in a phone booth. Quite the funny scene. Perhaps he’s got his mojo on from the fact he just wed a Brazilian woman 30 years his junior. Go Ben!

(The Wackness Cast. Hanging with his crew: Method Man, Olsen, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby)

His upcoming film, Elegy, is based on a much much more cerebral story between college professor and curious student. I know, I know, it sounds cliche. But the script is smart. Based off a Philip Roth Novel. And what you think is the beginning of a shallow fling evolves into something that transforms both people emotionally. Life’s little curveballs!

(Elegy. Kingsley & Penelope Cruz)

Anyway, I enjoyed seeing Ben play this role very much. He expressed layers of vulnerability, joy, depth, and even panic while addressing his mortality issues. Penelope did a great job at “bringing it”. Keep an eye open for Elegy in theaters August 8th.