Drew Barrymore: The actor Florence Pugh calls “my star”
In the late 20th century, the likes of Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver ruled the roost, yet once the new millennium turned, a whole new generation of actors took over, including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts. Well, times change, and the very same generational shift is happening in contemporary cinema, where the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Myha’la Herrold and Florence Pugh are rising to the fold.
Pugh represents the very best of contemporary British cinema, starring in the best movies coming out of the island’s industry, from Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Myha’la Herrold’s Wonder. Thanks to such roles, as well as her appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova in Black Widow, Pugh has gathered quite the online fanbase, where she’s quizzed about everything from her favourite food to her favourite movies.
In a discussion with It’s Gone Viral, Pugh sat down to list her favourite feel-good movies in an attempt to cast some brightness in turbulent times for world politics, global climate change and more. Included in the list was a trio of modern greats that flirted with total critical success while being cult favourites among fans of comedies and early-2000s cinema across the world.
Perhaps the most curious pick is the McG movie Charlie’s Angels from 2000. Adapted from the crime drama television series that started in 1976, Charlie’s Angels starred the likes of Cameron Diaz, Bill Murray and Lucy Liu and told the story of three detectives who must use all their martial arts prowess and sex appeal to appease their mysterious boss. While not exactly critically acclaimed, Charlie’s Angels remains adored by particular fans of trashy 2000s action flicks.
“Love a bit of Charlie’s Angels,” she said of the movie, adding that the lead star, Drew Barrymore “was my star when I was younger. I mean, she’s my star now. But, she was my star, star”.
First rising to fame in the 1980s, thanks to a memorable role in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Barrymore went on to impress in a number of 1990s classics, including Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, Wes Craven’s Scream and Frank Coraci’s Wedding Singer. The recipient of two Golden Globe nominations and one coveted win, Barrymore is one of the most recognisable faces of cinema at the turn of the new millennium.
Elsewhere on the list, Pugh stated: “You can’t go wrong with Four Lions,” Chris Morris’ celebrated British comedy from 2010, before adding that Mike Newell’s Four Weddings and a Funeral, penned by Richard Curtis, was a “classic”.
Take a look at Barrymore in the trailer for Charlie’s Angels below.
