Is something it has in common with British movies and television shows.
Not everyone in it has to look like a model or a movie star, to not only find love… but to be an object of desire.
In the US, every lead actor, male or female, is attractive.
Every office crush, every chance romantic encounter in the park, will have to be staged between coincidentally beautiful people.
Even when the guys are allowed a bit of leeway(and only a bit), the “homely” girls, from "Marty"’s shy girlfriend, to “fat” Rhoda Morgenstern, to “Ugly Betty”… must be played by far from homely actresses.
But in Britain… not so much.
Even Hyacinth Bucket is relentlessly chased by a besotted retired colonel.
“Last of the Summer Wine” is full of unphotogenic romance…
Tattered, grizzled little Compo is fixated on the large, scowling, middle aged Norah Batty… there’s another comic romance involving an aging, bleached blonde femme fatale, etc.
And the guys of “The Full Monty” look like those in any neighborhood bar.
Saying all this because, impossible as it may be for some to believe, after watching generations of Hollywood “pretty people” …
in real life, less-than-average-looking souls do find and love and desire each other… sometimes up into their 90’s…
And Ballard Street reflects that.
I love that to Gordon, Betty is obviously an object of his lust.
One thing I’ve always liked about Ballard Street…
Is something it has in common with British movies and television shows.
Not everyone in it has to look like a model or a movie star, to not only find love… but to be an object of desire.
In the US, every lead actor, male or female, is attractive.
Every office crush, every chance romantic encounter in the park, will have to be staged between coincidentally beautiful people.
Even when the guys are allowed a bit of leeway(and only a bit), the “homely” girls, from "Marty"’s shy girlfriend, to “fat” Rhoda Morgenstern, to “Ugly Betty”… must be played by far from homely actresses.
But in Britain… not so much.
Even Hyacinth Bucket is relentlessly chased by a besotted retired colonel.
“Last of the Summer Wine” is full of unphotogenic romance…
Tattered, grizzled little Compo is fixated on the large, scowling, middle aged Norah Batty… there’s another comic romance involving an aging, bleached blonde femme fatale, etc.
And the guys of “The Full Monty” look like those in any neighborhood bar.
Saying all this because, impossible as it may be for some to believe, after watching generations of Hollywood “pretty people” …
in real life, less-than-average-looking souls do find and love and desire each other… sometimes up into their 90’s…
And Ballard Street reflects that.
I love that to Gordon, Betty is obviously an object of his lust.