9.20.2007

Man-candy Thursday

Sorry you had to wait so long for this post. And sorry that most of the male readership won't consider the wait worth it. But oh well. I have estrogen. Deal with it.

For those of my friends who have not discovered James McAvoy (pronounced MAC-uh-voy), it's time you get on that.

I first noticed him in Chronicles of Narnia, wherein I couldn't help taking more than a passing notice of Mr. Tumnus. Which worried me a little bit, and made me wonder if it's right to be attracted to a goat. Only come on! He was sweet and brave and cute and he believes in a Free Narnia, people!

And then he started cropping up in all kinds of places, it seemed. He played Paul Bettany's skeezy younger brother in Wimbledon, and was, for me, the hilarious bright spot in an otherwise forgettable movie. So yay, he's funny too! Then I saw him as Joe Macbeth in the BBC's Shakespeare Retold series. (Which, seriously? If you haven't tracked these down then you are no kind of Pretentious English Lit person, and frankly I'm disappointed in you. There's still time, though.) Anyway. Turns out he can do the drama and the tragedy, and that his natural Scottish accent is quite easy on the ears.


I went to see Becoming Jane with some girlfriends over the weekend. McAvoy plays Tom LeFroy, who was (according to this movie, anyway) the love of Jane Austen's life. And seriously? Even though I don't believe hardly anything the movie script says, and even though I didn't think Anne Hathaway was great as Jane, I was still totally crying at the end. I would cry for anyone who doesn't get to marry this guy.

Also? If I ever do watch Becoming Jane again, it will only be for him--specifically for the Ballroom Scene. Some of you ladies know what I'm talking about. It was the part where he suddenly appears and all the women on my row Gasped At the Hotness. You had to be there.

And now he's in the new adaptation of Ian McEwan's Atonement, which looks so good that I can't even stand it. Only I just know it's going to be tragic and everyone is probably going to die or be miserable. Haven't read the book yet, so don't spoil it for me! (I picked it up last year and started it, but I was unemployed and stuff and just really was not in the right frame of mind for tragedy. And I still might not be, considering that something as fluffy as Becoming Jane put me into a hormonal tailspin. The moment will come, though.)

Anyway. James McAvoy. Am adding him to my list of UK boyfriends. Life would be simpler for me, surely, if I could only fancy more American and Canadian actors. Because we probably would have more of a future together.

20 comments:

Mrs. Hass-Bark said... [reply]

He is very handsome. Did you feel like that movie sort of disintegrated toward the end? Thankfully there was something dreamy to look at.

Sean said... [reply]

Oh, my goodness. How thoroughly delectable. And a Scottish accent? I am utterly undone.

Jenny said... [reply]

Loved the link. I saw a Becoming Jane clips 1-15 on the sidebar though. What's that about? I thought youtube was being all hardnosed about not letting people put movies up anymore.

Carina said... [reply]

Last King of Scotland is so on my list. Naturally, it's on the list because of the fine Oscar performance of Forest Whitaker. Um-hmm.

I first spotted Jamie (we're on intimate terms) in Lorna Doone. Next it was in an Inspector Lynley mystery (MMMMMister Parker.) I love that Jamie is getting some recognition.

Carly said... [reply]

I 100% agree. With all of the above.

Oh, and I also started crying (sobbing really) at the end of Becoming Jane. Kind of embarrassing.

Nemesis said... [reply]

Azucar, you always notice my boyfriends before I do! I bow to your superior skills.

Carina said... [reply]

I watch way, way, way too much media.

And I never forget a pretty face.

chosha said... [reply]

He's adorable, 'tis true, but you better hope Ioan doesn't see this or you'll be so busted! ^_~

Nemesis said... [reply]

Chuh. Ioan's off on his honeymoon at the moment. Maybe next time he'll think it through a bit better before getting married . . .

Rynell said... [reply]

He was the only redeeming quality of Becoming Jane. I've so enjoyed him in many of these other titles as well. Accent + wow handsome= so very worthy of your across-the-pond boyfriendness...

Science Teacher Mommy said... [reply]

When I saw the preview for Becoming Jane in front of the The Queen, I kept thinking, "That adorable guy reminds me of someone." I watched the preview twice to figure it out. And then I said, "Oh . . .my . . .word. Could that be Mr. Tumnus?" Because I hadn't found the goat all that attractive. It was the hairy back that threw me off. I am anxiously awaiting for Peter to grow up . . .

AmandaStretch said... [reply]

Sadly, Mr. McAvoy has been married almost a year now, but that won't stop me from looking at/drooling over him.

But on a happier note, Kiera Knightley did say that he was the best kissers of all her co-stars to date, and she's kissed a lot of men.

Maybe one day, he can corner one of us in our stacks like that . . .

Suzie1 said... [reply]

I share your sentiments EXACTLY! Right down to wondering if lusting after a faun was normal...

Let's go kidnap him!

TheMoncurs said... [reply]

That is so funny you're posting about him because I JUST had a dream about him and I'm pretty sure we were in Becoming Jane and I was DISTRAUGHT the whole dream because I knew we didn't end up together (also, hi, runonsentence). And the ballroom scene was definitely in there. Oh how I loved him and how sad I was to wake up.

goddessdivine said... [reply]

Totally didn't make the connection between Mr Tumnus and Tom; now I see it.

That movie was so-so, but I was almost crying at the end too. The poor girl I dragged barely knew of Jane Austen so I think she was slightly bored.

Anonymous said... [reply]

Nem, this is a little random, but I am so glad that you have a new BF. After looking at those weddins pics, my mouth is still hanging open. For a cute, rich guy who obviously had lots of choices before him, he made some bad ones. I'll give it a year.

daltongirl said... [reply]

I thought I recognized that guy. Mr. Tumnus. Yes. It's all coming together now.

Had some Feelings about Becoming Jane. Will be pleased to discuss them with you over dinner on Sunday.

word verification: ahhtqt

daltongirl said... [reply]

Ioan is dead to me. I retract the dinner invitation I sent him.

Anonymous said... [reply]

Also cute-looking new movie called Penelope with James in it. He has an American accent unfortunately :(, but the cuteness of looks and manner are still in evidence (greatly!). Look up the trailer. Sorta odd and fantastical, but funny I hope. Its release has been delayed though (or something).

I'm going to see BJ when it comes out on DVD on this side of the pond. Totally a Janeite, so I'm expecting to despise it immensely for the reason that it is a MADE UP STORY!! (to quote Mags from Austenblog) But it still has to do with Jane--and I can't dis it with a clear conscience until I've seen the movie for myself. And I really want to see James McAvoy. Although the whole "I'm a man of experience" thing turns me off, plus Anne Hathaway as Jane=nope, and I've heard the script totally steals from her books. And seriously, we're into the age of feminism (and Jane is one of those women who're always called "ahead of their time"--I mean, look at her play cricket!! she can whack that ball as hard as any man!), so she doesn't need a man to inspire her! Ugh!
Hopefully I can view it as a sometimes inaccurate Regency romance.
Chantel

Nells-Bells said... [reply]

Love this. Christian Bale is numero uno for me but James McAvoy is definitely in a very close second. The Welch and the Scottish are always a good pick, if you ask me. No competition there.

Janelle :p

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