Sanity break - I hope I can age as gracefully and stay as youthful as Helen Mirren

[Siwsan]

This woman never fails to amaze and impress. Proof you don't have to join the cult of Botox to stay beautiful.

[boguspotus]

1. She looks great!

[CurtEastPoint]

2. I am watching her now on Graham Norton (on last night)

She was great in Hitchcock recently.

[Siwsan]

4. I read it was another guest on the Graham Norton show that inspired the pink hair

I'll have to see if it's running on BBC America On Demand.

[Warpy]

3. Actresses in the UK get roles well past middle age

while they're generally over the hill by 35 in the US. They're allowed to age gracefully in the UK. Here, they go under the knife and end up looking grotesque.

US movies focus on the ingenue if women are in them, at all. Other countries have better stories and feature people of all ages.

[Siwsan]

6. 100% Agree

I think there's much more respect for actual talent than mere photogenic qualities.

[malaise]

16. Katharine Hepburn found good roles until the end

and Meryl Streep would disagree.

Still I agree that in America people are at war with aging gracefully.
I see it in my own family.

[David__77]

5. I like Botox.

It works great to relieve tension headaches.

I like Helen Mirren.

I object to the whole concept "graceful aging." To me, staying healthy and engaged with the world is the key thing, regardless of one's appearance.

[Siwsan]

7. Absolutely there is a valid medical use for Botox

Freezing one's facial muscles just doesn't seem to be a valid medical use. And you see younger and younger people using it - one can only guess the long term consequences.

[Cleita]

9. You are mistaken. They don't do doses like that anymore.

I have gotten botox on occasion and nothing gets frozen. It just plumps your wrinkles up a bit. There is also hyaluronic acid that is used under make-up that also has a plumping effect and is used topically. Trust me all those celebrities use everything at their disposal. It's their living.

[Siwsan]

11. I can only go by what I see. If it isn't botox some are using, I dread to think what it is

I've read statements from several who have sworn off of it, because of how it was making them look.

[David__77]

12. You don't notice most people who use Botox.

You only notice those that had a lot. The muscles don't "freeze." For instance, a few units of Botox lateral to the outside of the eyes will not prevent movement of the deeper muscles.

[Siwsan]

13. In my own clumsy way, I think that's what I'm trying to say

But, not matter what, Helen Mirren looks FANTASTIC. That's my real point.

[Cleita]

8. Beg to differ. She has joined it but I see nothing wrong with it when

you want to look your best. I wish I could afford to do some injectables for special occasions. Most celebrities do some including the men when they are going to be in the spotlight.

[Siwsan]

10. There's use and there's over use

If someone has to state they've used botox, they sure haven't used much. And, I have nothing against someone looking their best. It's the overuse and abuse. Helen looks like a very attractive woman in her early 60's. She's not trying to look like a 30 year old.

[Cleita]

15. There are people practicing it that shouldn't be. No reputable aesthetician will overuse it.

I find this is a new women bashing thing going on. I get grief about it at the gym. Older women who use cosmetic means at their disposal are not trying to look younger but better. For some reason or the other people don't seem to think anyone of a certain age should try to color their hair, minimize wrinkles, tighten sagging skin and work out to get a better body. I can't afford to do as much as I'd like but I certainly don't criticize those who do. The majority of older women don't overdo it. They try to look natural but keep their features.

When you get old, you get turkey neck, marionette lines around your mouth, gray teeth and you lose your eye brows and eyelashes, not to mention thinning and graying hair. I have had veneers put on my teeth, sagging eyelids trimmed back. I have my eyebrows tattoed on and they look very natural. I color my hair and do more planks, push ups and sit ups than I care to do. But it has paid off in better health.

I still find I have to work at the age of 73 and since my type of work involves meeting the public, an attractive appearance is necessary or no one would give me a job. In the case of actresses that is doubly true, so cut us old broads some slack for doing all we can do to look better. If it's a little botox then so be it.

[longship]

14. "Excalibur"

I remember how good she was in John Boorman's Excalibur in 1981. What a great flick that was! She plays Morgana Le Fay, King Arthur's evil half-sister.

Here's a snippet:

Highly recommended flick. The visuals and musical score are stunning. Nicol Williamson unforgettably chews the scenery as Merlin.

[Siwsan]

17. Excaiibur is one of my all time favorite movies

I'm a fan of Boorman's films.

Also in the cast was Clive Swift (Sir Hector), who later went on to play Hyacinth Bucket's husband in the TV series Keeping up Appearances. I suspect that more people probably know him from that, than from his movie career.

I love actor spotting.

[longship]

20. And Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson

Both who have prominent parts.

And, Hope and Glory also from Boorman. Who can forget Deliverance?

[Siwsan]

21. Excalibur had a phenominal cast, that's for sure

The Emerald Forest - one of the most visually beautiful films, ever.

It's fun to find the Boorman family members in his films. It seems there are usually at least one.

[narnian60]

18. Love her personality and she's impeccably dressed always, too.

[KittyWampus]

19. Tom & Lorenzo's blog always manage to find current pix of her. She is truly worthy

of adulation. She was just on Channel 13's Shakespeare about The Tempest. She played a female version of Prospero- Prospera.

Fascinating.