No. 2: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Name: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Date of Birth: 16 November, 1977

Hometown: Lower East Side, New York City, New York

Selected Career Credits:

• Away We Go (2009)... LN
• The Dark Knight (2008)... Rachel Dawes
• Stranger Than Fiction (2006)... Ana Pascal
• Paris, je t'aime (2006)... Liz ("Quartier des Enfants Rouge")
• SherryBaby (2006)... Sherry Swanson
• Mona Lisa Smile (2003)... Giselle Levy
• Secretary (2002)... Lee Holloway
• Donnie Darko (2001)... Elizabeth Darko

Harem Role: Second-in-Command; Qualification Camp and Re-Qualification Camp Trainer

***

How intense -- I've left you all waiting with bated breath for an ENTIRE WEEK before revealing the absolute top of the Harem Proper. I've been such a neglectful blogette, especially considering PRIDE WEEK HAS ALREADY STARTED IN TORONTO. *Confetti* Much to discuss, indeed. 

And what a place to start.

Maggie Gyllenhaal -- she's quite possibly one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood at the moment and yet she is utterly stunning in every role she takes on. She's got this quiet spark to her, a compelling little something extra that can't be explained and is absolutely gorgeous to see.

I first came across Ms. Gyllenhaal through her role as Giselle Levy in Mona Lisa Smile. I know, I know -- if you've seen and loved Dead Poets' Society (and yes, I fall into this category), then you probably viewed this film as the "less remarkable, clunky, all-girl version" of the original film. I admit, I was harsh on this film before I saw it. It was released during a period of time where uplifting, unconventional teacher archetypes seemed to be EVERYWHERE. My family put this movie on one day and I grudgingly watched it -- yet, I didn't expect to find one of the future elite members of the Harem Proper there.

From that moment, I understood the lure of the woman known as Maggles. Despite being trapped in a film with... *Shudder, shudder*... Kirsten Dunst.... Maggie Gyllenhaal was able to shine and rise above the ranks of her co-stars (and the lead stars themselves). All she had to do was give a quick line and an impish smile or two and I was pulled in.

For the rest of the world, I can count on Secretary being Ms. Gyllenhaal's breakthrough role. How could it not be? I mean, hey -- a film that portrays a healthy, mutually-fulfilling BDSM relationship is bound to turn a few heads, I would presume.

Hrrm, for some odd reason, I can't embed a clip from Secretary on this blog. In any case, here's a link to her character's 'awakening' of sorts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16ISnq5GfPA

Oh, to be James Spader. *Envious girl* And if that weren't enough to secure her place in the nighttime thoughts of queer girls everywhere, perhaps her classic, pin-up style photo shoot for Agent Provocateur will convince you.

How? How did one woman manage to condense all the world's allotted hotness into one series of photographs? I don't know that the question can ever be answered, really. Heck, I'm surprised I can still form grammatically correct sentences at this point in my post. I broke out the big guns for this one, can you tell? It's Pride week, we all deserve an extra bit of queer, I would argue.

I think the one part that amazes me the most about Maggie Gyllenhaal is her ability to inhabit a wide range of roles with complete ease. She can balance sweetness and masochism without batting a lash (well, that is, unless she's told to bat a lash). 

In 2006 alone, she starred in an indie film where she portrayed a drug-addict thief struggling to pull her life together in order to reconnect with her daughter; she played the self-assured, comedic love interest to Will Ferrell's Harold Crick in Stranger Than Fiction; and she added her name and talent to a collection of short, quirky films dedicated to the wonder that is Paris. 

And, I'm sure you noticed her in that small film released in 2008. What was it called again?..... OH! Oh, that's right, it was The Dark Knight. That's right, kids -- not only did she turn down Bruce Wayne/Batman on screen, she was the one character to make a stand against The Joker himself. Come on now, I know you remember that defiant pose she mustered up after The Joker crashed Bruce Wayne's shindig. Mmm hmm. And she even had the gumption to make a quick one-liner after plummeting from a penthouse suite and landing on a car. Too. Awesome.

Again, if these weren't compelling reasons to fall madly in love with Maggles, perhaps her impressive involvement with various social causes will win you over. I mean, check it:

• She's a supporter of Witness, a non-profit organization that uses video and online technologies to expose human rights violations
• She's helped raise funds for TrickleUp.org, a non-profit organization that helps impoverished people start up a micro-enterprise
• In October 2008, she hosted "Fashionably Natural," a fashion show presented by Gen Art and SoyJoy in Los Angeles (where four designers worked with all-natural, eco-friendly fabrics and materials).

I could literally go on for hours with how magnificent I find all aspects of Ms. Gyllenhaal to be. But, I know I ought to leave you some space to discover her on your own, too.

Maggles, you make the Harem Proper a shinier, more beautiful place. I only hope you can teach the neophytes to be just as overwhelmingly charming as you.

And because I love her SO, so much, here is a lovely clip from Stranger Than Fiction for your to enjoy.