Rinko Kikuchi

After brunch at Bubby's yesterday, a friend and I went to see 'The Brothers Bloom', which turned out to be a bit underwhelming, despite a great little cast (Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Mark Ruffalo, Robbie Coltrane, etc).

Not surprisingly, the actor who stood out the most from the ensemble was Rinko Kikuchi (who, ironically, speaks maybe 4 words in the entirety of the film and still manages to steal the show).

She was also phenomenal playing a deaf-mute teenager in 'Babel' (and was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress). So basically, I'm thinking - why am I seeing her in Chanel ads, and not seeing her in more films? Playing major roles? Being awesome?

And *BAM* *POW* *SHAZAM* whaddya know, apparently she's been cast as Naoko in an adaptation of Haruki Murakami's beautiful, beautiful novel, Norwegian Wood. So, double wow - since I had no idea an adaptation was even in the works, and Rinko Kikuchi finally gets a leading role! Win win.

[photo via designscene]