(Photo: Gregg Deguire/Filmmagic)A lot of people are surprised that singer-actress Pink is actually, ahem, decent in "Thanks for Sharing," a film about sex addiction starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Ruffalo that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend.
While Paltrow's performance -- which includes a lap dance given to her "Avengers" co-star Ruffalo -- is not getting huge raves, industry insiders have noted Pink's acting talent. "[Pink] proves a capable actor and a relaxed, enormously likable screen presence," wrote THR's David Rooney, who criticized Paltrow's "preening performance."
The dramedy is about sex addicts who join a 12-step program -- and no, it shares nothing with last year's Michael Fassbender Oscar contender "Shame" beside its theme. Pink's character, Dede, seems enough in line with the singer's persona as she is tattooed and tough. As Dede turns 30 she realizes she can't relate to men outside of the bedroom, prompting her to join the support group.
[Full Coverage: Yahoo! Movies at the Toronto International Film Festival]
Indiewire wrote of the 33-year-old pop star, "But a special note must also be made about Pink who is a truly pleasant surprise in her first major screen outing (not counting animated gigs), with her first scene in the film among one of the best in 'Sharing' at large." "Josh Gad (The Book Of Mormon) plays a brand new group participant, a doctor who's there on the order of the court that busted him for rubbing up against women on the subway. (Ew.) He quickly befriends another new participant, who is delightfully played by Pink — yes, Pink, the singer," said NPR's Linda Holmes, who noted her mixed feelings about Paltrow.
(Photo: Olympus Pictures/Class 5 Films)
Pink, who has been credited in past film projects under her real name Alecia Moore, first eased into acting with a role as -- you guessed it -- a rock singer in a not-so-successful 2002 sci-fi-action film "Rollerball," starring Chris Klein and LL Cool J. Her next big-screen appearance -- albeit another bit part -- made more of a splash in 2003's "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." Pink played a black-leather-clad lady who set the terms of a dirt bike competition, saying, "Rules are: There are no rules." A few years later in '07 she tackled a leading role in horror film "Catacombs," co-starring with Shannyn Sossamon. But the job that set Pink alongside more A-list talent was last year's "Happy Feet Two" wherein she provided the voice for Gloria. With her name on the bill alongside Elijah Wood, Robin Williams and Sofía Vergara -- Pink surely earned more movies street cred.
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