Michelle Pfeiffer: Sexiest Catwoman Ever?

Michelle Pfeiffer is one of the most beautiful women who ever lived, hands down. The soulful eyes, luscious downturn lips and megawatt smile are enough to make this weaponized beauty a worthy adversary against every other knockout who’s ever graced the silver screen. Michelle’s held her own against some pretty hard-hitters, too. From Scarface (1983) with Al “say hello to my little friend” Pacino, to The Witches of Eastwick (1987) with Jack Nicholson playing, ahem, a horny devil – Michelle has survived some pretty scary characters. That is, until it came time for her to cross over to the dark side and play the dangerously seductive Catwoman to Michael Keaton’s Batman in Batman Returns (1992).

Michelle is my favorite Catwoman because she is easily the sexiest, slinkiest A-List actress to don the feline form-fitting suit and not look slightly ridiculous. As a matter of fact, she actually looks sexy and dangerous at the same time – two of my favorite qualities in a girlfriend. Miss Pfeiffer has the purrrfect figure (sorry, groan) for the portrayal and comes off as a cross between a dominatrix with a leather fetish and a sympathetic victim of circumstance. Plus, the heat she managed to generate on-screen with Keaton was the major highpoint in the legendary first-Batman franchise. I mean, look at the photo (above) and tell me that she’s not exuding a “come hither, go wither” glare.

Of course, Michelle is an amazing actress whether in or out of the catsuit. One of my very favorite movies is What Lies Beneath (2000) where Michelle is haunted by ghosts and ultimately stalked by her husband, a menacing Harrison Ford. This movie scared the bejeezus out of me while also reminding me of why I’ve had a crush on Michelle my entire adult life. She is really a wonderfully-talented thespian who just happens to be an absolute, drop-dead gorgeous blonde. But it would have to be Dangerous Liaisons (1987) that sealed my affections for Ms. Pfeiffer. Her deeply affecting portrayal of a woman in love who is mortally-wounded by the object of her desire, embodied by John Malkovich, is one of her greatest achievements. Even in her death scene, Michelle is so, so beautiful. Those lips, those eyes once again classify her as a goddess of the silver screen.

So, is Michelle the best and sexiest Catwoman ever? In a little less than a couple weeks we’ll find out what Ms. Anne Hathaway has to say about it. But I have a sneaking feeling that Michelle will always hold a special place in the pantheon of feline femme fatales. And she will always be Hollywood royalty for daring to be so beautiful, vulnerable and formidable all at the same time – whether she’s in spandex, leather, gossamer or nothing at all.

Nastassja Kinski: The Greatest Film Feline Ever!

I’ve loved Nastassja Kinski since the early 80’s. She had the beauty of Ingrid Bergman mixed with an animal sexuality that gets a teenager boy’s attention. And though I’d seen her in Tess, I didn’t know how deep my love for Nastassja was until I saw Paul Shrader’s underrated and underappreciated Cat People.

I don’t classify Cat People as a guilty pleasure because it is, in fact, a compelling story of a young woman wrestling with her own sexuality and needs. The fact that she turns into a black panther after making love doesn’t detract from Kinski’s ability to infuse her portrayal of character Irene’s pathos with genuine confusion and fear. Then, to evolve into a confident and empowered woman in the end is truly an acting tour de force.

I fear that Nastassja has gotten a bad rap for all the nudity in Cat People and many other roles she portrayed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Of course, I’m not going to complain that this lovely woman has the courage and conviction of her roles to show us her beautiful body. Both my teenage-self back in the 80s and today would like to publicly thank Nastassja for sharing her beautiful curves in addition to her acting chops. I just wish she’d gotten better roles along the way.

Like many actresses, Nastassja was confined to doing a lot of crap, and is primarily remembered today for being in that “CAT” movie. But to take her whole acting career into account, is to see a very talented actress who didn’t mind showing everything. And for that, I’ll always love her.