When it comes to ideal mates, it’s easy to get caught up in the pretty people on screen. After all, who can be satisfied with Mr. Darcy on the page when you can watch him right in front of you, swelling violins and all? For me, my ideal fictional mate was always a cross between Han Solo (the cocky bantering) and Mr. Knightley (played by Jeremy Northam) from Emma (I literally wanted to transcribe his proposal and hand it to my husband-to-be, saying “Read this. Don’t even come up with your own.”). Now, if I just wanted to pick a fictional date (not a mate), one of those flings you know won’t last, I would easily pick Jack Foley from Out of Sight. Or Doug Ross from ER. (Or maybe just anybody played by George Clooney).
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I buy the Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue every year; I own every single one. I was a little sad that this year’s would forego the usual mishmash of actors or actresses (the latter sometimes in lingerie, sometimes in evening gowns) for an inauguration cover (I get that Obama is our most Hollywood president yet, but won’t he be on the cover about 50 more times? I want my beauty shots of everyone named Kate/Cate or Jennifer, and an Outsiders reunion shot, including C. Thomas Howell!)

But I’ll still be buying this month’s issue, because I’m a sucker for tradition, and also because Annie Liebowitz has photographed some stunning actor/director collaborative photos. Here’s a look:

Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet

Darren Aronofsky and Mickey Rourke

Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn

Danny Boyle and Dev Patel

Penelope Cruz and Woody Allen

Nicole Kidman and Baz Luhrmann

Meryl Streep and Doubt director John Patrick Shanley

Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan (this photo is a composite; the Ledger photo is from 2005 and the Nolan is from 2008. Still, very haunting.)

The portfolio closes with a shot of Clint Eastwood solo. You know, ’cause the man doesn’t need a muse or a leading man–he has himself.

What it is: The stage to film adaptation of the hugely successful
musical based on the songs of the widely popular pop group, ABBA; Mamma Mia
opens with Sophie (Amanda Seyfriend), a 20 year old bride-to-be desperately
seeking the identity of her father. After discovering her mother, Donna’s
(Meryl Streep) diary and the names of three potential fathers; she decides to
invite all three men without her mother’s knowledge and without informing the
men of her true intentions. Set on the enchanting Greek isle, Kalokairi, the
story unfolds as the three men; American businessman Sam Carmichael (Pierce
Brosnan), Swedish adventurer Bill Andersson (Stellan Skarsgard), and British
banker Harry Bright (Colin Firth) arrive for the wedding much to the surprise
and horror of Donna. As Sophie gets to know each man, hoping to discover her
father’s identity; Donna is forced to face her past and open her heart with the
help of her two best friends; fun-loving writer Rosie (Julie Walters) and rich
three-time divorcée Tanya (Christine Baranski). Meanwhile, each of the three
men discovers that Sophie could be their own flesh and blood and promise to
walk her down the aisle unbeknownst to the other! The romance and comedy
continue as one contagious song and dance number breaks out after another until
you’ll find yourself off the couch and singing along.

Why it is significant: Grossing over $569M in the box office worldwide,
Mamma Mia is the most successful Hollywood film musical of all time and
the only film of its size to release a separate sing a long version in
theaters. With musical numbers starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan (who
knew!), Mamma Mia’s breathtaking scenery, attractive male leads, and nonstop
fun make it a must have DVD for mothers, daughters, lovers, ABBA groupies, and
musical fans alike. As the plot thickens, passion grows, and hilarity continues
you won’t be able to contain a smile or the urge to sing along. And you won’t
want to wait to watch it again.