WHAT WAS HE THINKING?
Cigarette obsessed Brian De Palma managed to give Oscar winner Hilary Swank a massive career setback when he directed her in The Black Dahlia. Poor Hilary was oddly cast as a 1940’s VAMP and De Palma dolled the boyish actress up in a tawdry black wig and illchosen cocktail dresses that emphasized her athletic – not voluptuous- frame. The embarrassing effect is almost drag-queenish. Luscious Scarlett Johansson fared better – at least she filled out those cashmere sweaters and her hair worked in the 40’s updos. We still love Hilary and hope she got paid a lot for this debacle.