Here are some photos of Helena Bonham Carter at last night’s Cinderella premiere in London. I just wanted to do a post for HBC solo, without poor Lily James (who seems incapable of answering simple questions without saying stupid crap). This is HBC’s first big premiere/red carpet event since splitting with Tim Burton in December of last year (or at least that’s when their split was announced). Helena looked amazing, right? This gown is Vivienne Westwood Couture. Such a fantastic, rich color and design. I will forever love HBC in Westwood.
Here’s how stupid I am: it wasn’t until TODAY, just now, that I put it together that Kenneth Branagh directed Cindrella and he hired his ex-lover Helena to play the fairy godmother. Kenneth Branagh famously left his then-wife, Emma Thompson, for Helena back in the 1990s. Branagh and HBC were together for several years, then it seems like she left him for Tim Burton. Something like that. I wonder if it was awkward when Branagh made that call? Maybe they buried the hatchet long ago.
When HBC was promoting the film yesterday in London (this has been her sole promotional work for the film, she didn’t attend any of the media events in the US), she was asked if she realized this redo would be a big hit. She said:
“I was really scared that it was going to be such a cliché and really boring . I said, ‘What there’s no take on it? No twist?’ Because Cinderella is a story that’s been told a hundred times and everyone knows what’s going to happen. But having seen it I’m amazed and it does work, which is testament to, one – the story is such a classic and was meant to be retold. And also he’s very clever Ken. It could have failed on so many levels and been really naff. But I think all the characters work because they’re not stereotypes.”
Yes, I could see that. So many of the “classic” fairy tale stories are being retold with a “twist” (Maleficent, Snow White and the Huntsman, etc), but from what I’ve read, this version of Cinderella is pretty much a by-the-books live-action version of the cartoon. And I could see how HBC would be like “Really, you want me for THIS?” But the pedigree is great – I think most people were probably relieved once Cate Blanchett and HBC signed on.
PS… I’m pretty sure HBC is wearing boots with her gown, right?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I’d be surprised if she WASN’T wearing boots with her gown. That’s her signature.
Me, too. Flawless.
So stunning. She looks strained and pained to me, but it creates an elegant, real expression. She’s been through a lot lately.
This sounds crazy, but I picture her meeting Russell Brand and him falling madly for her.
But I’m charmed by him, so to me it’s an image of two eccentrics having great chemistry.
Wearing boots under such a gown would be my thing, too. She and I are so simpatico – I detest high heels. Helena looks just….stunning. That colour is perfect for her. I’d consider mortgaging my house to buy that gown – it’s that gorgeous. Has she plumped up her top lip? I don’t remember it being so full. I do remember the “scandal” when she and Sir Kenny got together, though. They were so passionate for years, but it would have been horrendous for poor Emma.
As long as a dress is long enough to cover the shoes for the most part, I would rather wear boots than heels. I detest heels as well. I never understood anyone who can manage to wear high heels for more than an hour. I’d rather keep my feet healthy and happy than make a statement in stilettos.
Three.
She looks gorgeous and the dress is beautiful, but I agree, and I certainly don’t mind, she has her black boots on that she wears everywhere ….
Love her. That is all.
Yo tambíen. Not a fan of the gown but she looks stunning here.
She’s either phoning in the ‘action pose’, here, or completely uncomfortable http://www.celebitchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/wenn22321462.jpg ,
I can’t tell. Maybe she curtsied in the following frame.
Excellent CSI, total deer in the head lights.
I think she is stunning.
Love her.
Kiddo she said naff!
We must alert Sixer, AT ONCE!
I think she’s not talking to me. Something about being pure and incorruptible….
LMAO. You are pure and incorruptible? Hahaha. That’s ALMOST as good as a denim suit with brown shoes.
http://a.disquscdn.com/get?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2F4wycNsucv3ofC%2Fgiphy.gif&key=02la7uyaCLJBSZwqHgzUuw&w=480&h=224.19
Lolz nooo *she* is pure and incorruptible, hence her not talking to me. I’m too danjerouss!
She was just being NAFF!
HBC is all about the naff!
Want earrings must have… cannot construct sentences too dazzled by earrings
I want to be her.
Pretty darn good. Wish I hadn’t seen the boots peeking out, tho.
She better be wearing boots! I love her style.
I read that she and Emma buried the hatchet ages ago; apparently she and Ken have too?
It’s a small acting community and they would all be constantly be bumping into one another. They’ve all moved on so might as well be professional and civil to one another. All three worked on the Harry Potter films.
HBC and Ken seem to share custody of Tom Hiddleston.
love the lady and the dress and how lucky Tom is to have two great friends/mentors and creative soul mates especially one who can roar. with laughter as he hangs gutted upside down
KB was one of my first crushes. Much Ado About Nothing 1993? Frankenstein? But when the HBC affair happened, I was torn between my allegiance to Emma and to Ken. Sigh.
Very few can rock quirky like HBC
wow! has she ever looked this good? Two thumbs up!
Bellatrix playing good fairy godmother? community service in the wizarding world
is really something.
Lol!
Of course she’s stunning, she’s HBC!
HBC and Branaugh were long done by the time she and Burton hooked up. Granted, Burton and Lisa Marie definitely weren’t long done at that time.
She hasn’t looked this good & put together in quite a while. She looks great! She’s always been a stunning woman. Gorgeous.
Agree. Just gorgeous. Her face is exquisite.
Always beautiful. That dress is amazing. “WESTWOOD”!!!! (hissed by Andrew Scott).
Helena didn’t leave Branagh for Tim Burton because they first met in 2001 and she and Branagh split 2 years before that. I’m not sure if that’s true but I read that Kenneth’s wife, who is an art director, was introduced to him by Helena (they worked together or were friends) but they got together some time after the split as well. When they were a couple, there were rumors that Branagh cheated on Helena with many women and one of his co-stars quite publicly threatened to sue him if he wouldn’t stop harassing her and proposing sex. But considering how they first got together, I’m not sorry for HBC or surprised that she forgave him even though I really love her.
She looked stunning, boots or not.
I want that gown!!!!!
I’m loving it all, the gown, jewelry, hair and make up. She’s rocking it.
That is a fantastic look for her.
This movie is doing so well at the box office and has great reviews. Definitely a big success for Disney.
I thought she and Sophie Mc Shera were the best dressed women at that premiere. The movie is a success for Disney and definitely not a paint by numbers of the animated version.
Is there a bustle in the back???
Love her, always have, always will.
Yes!
Gorgeous even though it looks like a heavy curtain. I like the style and fabric of it. Great earrings. Matches well. Same with the hair.
Like! She looks good.
Omg, she looks amazing! Take that Burton!!