Perhaps more than any other actor of recent times, Anne Hathaway has been the subject of countless articles outlining her as totally and utterly "polarising." Because there is no middle-ground when it comes to the star of The Princess Diaries, Les Miserables and The Dark Knight Rises - you either love her or you hate her, and it feels like there are about as many people in each of those camps as the other. Because talented as she clearly is, there's something inherently annoying and irksome about Anne Hathaway. Perhaps it stems from the way she seems so eager to "please," like the most insufferable teacher's pet; it's easy to cringe at somebody who embodies this persona with such a sense of gusto. Then again, she has arguably put in some of the best and most memorable performances of recent years, and was certainly the best thing about Les Miserables. It's not really a case of whether she can "act," then, but whether or not her personality gets in the way of you enjoying her performances. And - all considered - it can be difficult.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
