Also… why Helen Mirren is made of wonderful
Originally published at Ms. Amused. You can comment here or there.
Helen Mirren has revealed that she researched her role in upcoming movie Love Ranch by spending time in a brothel.
The 62-year-old Oscar winner admitted that visiting Nevada’s Mustang Ranch was vital in helping her prepare for the film role, in which she portrays Grace Botempo, the madam of the state’s first legal brothel.
The Sunday Mail quotes her as saying: “I loved the girls and the madam was wonderful - she became our advisor. She was invaluable - a wonderful woman.”
Mirren added that she is in favour of legalised prostitution: “I am a complete believer in legal brothels. The girls are protected and free and it takes out that horrible situation of pimps and drugs.
“Also the men who go there know the girls are medically checked and it is very carefully controlled - everyone is in a safe environment.”
Mirren’s husband Taylor Hackford directed Love Ranch, which also stars Joe Pesci, Gina Gershon and Bai Ling.
-Source
If you are flummoxed at how Helen could support legalized prostitution, I highly recommend reading Whores & Other Feminists which is what settled it for me (YES).
My first introduction to Helen was Teaching Mrs Tingle and she stole the movie IMO. I was lost after Calendar Girls. And I LOVE that she signed on for National Treasure 2 because watching her character kick butt was one of the best things about that movie.
I still have yet to see The Queen but I’m sure I’m in for a treat. In the meantime, I will be sitting here enthralled at the thought of her playing a madam! Also, who else isn’t surprised to see Gina Gershon (Showgirls) & Bai Ling (Wild Wild West) rounding out the cast in this?