Remembering that Walk...

Recently, and don't laugh, I ended up watching the movie A Walk To Remember starring some random dude Shane West and the surprising Mandy Moore. Having co-existed in the era of Britney, Christina, and to a lesser extent Jessica Simpson, I'm not sure I ever really noticed Mandy during her early years. I vaguely remember the lyrics to some of her songs ("I'll always remember...it was late afternoon, in places no one will fiiiind!") and that she was a precocious talent, but that was the extent of my knowledge. After watching this movie though, I came to appreciate several other aspects about her.

1) She's very attractive, in a vulnerable, intelligent sort of way. She knows when to make eye contact, and when to unleash her warm, generous smile. She has mastered the look away to build dramatic tension, and the return to the audience, seemingly giving each member a private moment of intimacy. She uses her hands beautifully during performances, framing her notes, and lending an ethereal quality to the moment. She just looks stunning on multiple occasions

2) She's a very talented vocalist. (Link) Note the range, and the voice control. The sense of the musical moment, and the rise to the challenge. Superb.

3) She was born the same year I was born. I can therefore use her as a yardstick for my youth. I consider her to be in her prime; so I'm still in mine. Incidentally, she was only 18 (!) when she filmed A Walk to Remember. I'm pretty sure my crowning achievement at 18 was becoming somewhat competent at Golden Tee Golf.

4) She's modest and self-confident. On the subject of film nudity, "It would be completely uncomfortable to walk down the street and know that the person passing by had seen me without my clothes on. I've turned down several roles where the producers or writers wouldn't budge on that point. I'm not saying that it's wrong for someone else to do them, but I think there's a way to be feminine and sexy without posing half-naked."


5) She has a terrible filmography. Much like my <3, Jessica Alba, Mandy has not been very judicious in movie role selection. Sadly, A Walk to Remember may have been the pinnacle of her acting career. In distant second, is the Disney movie Tangled, which features a surprisingly good duet. (Link). That's kind of it. She's a much better actress than her roles have portrayed. Trust me, that kind of onscreen charisma is difficult to find.

6) Despite her formidable talent, her musical career has been somewhat underwhelming, at least commercially. I'll have to do some research on the actual songs, but the AWTR is fast becoming a must have.

So, in conclusion, let's all do our part to raise Mandy awareness. She's a starlet who took the road less traveled and will be Remembered all the more fondly because of it. Especially when she Walks (and sings).