Everyone remembers Cameron Diaz (San Diego, 1972) as they wish, but hers, even if just for laughs, is to do it when one day she fixed her bangs with the help of a little bit of semen. Yes, it was semen. And it was a bit gross. But it worked. Boy, did it work. These things happen. At least, in There's Something About Mary, the hilarious comedy by the Farrelly brothers that elevated hair gel to myth status. In total, we have spent 10 years, each in our own way, remembering Diaz. In 2014, she filmed three comedies. They weren't bad, nor good. And she left. And so it went until Netflix brought her back to us just as we remembered her. Without the hair gel, but the same. Or almost.
Back to Action, directed by Seth Gordon, is exactly what the title says. "I made the decision to dedicate 10 years of my life to building my family. I knew that during that time I would live in a completely different way than I had until then, but that was my commitment to my loved ones. Have I missed the cinema? Well, I have always been very aware that making movies is a privilege and yes, I am also aware that I was giving up that privilege. But...," and in the ellipsis, the actress leaves a doubt, a sigh, and the promise that the pauses are over. She is back. And she is back like Demi Moore, who has made a triumphant return with her near-Oscar performance in The Substance and, pushing it, like Nicole Kidman herself, who, although she never left, her role in Babygirl has brought her back to the ways of her hottest youth.
"The truth," says Cameron, "is that things have changed. Both in the industry and in society itself. The definitive thing is that women no longer allow anyone, especially a man, to tell us who we have to be. I see Demi Moore in that fantastic horror movie and you realize that the taboo of aging on screen, or simply aging, no longer exists. Society's control over our bodies has changed." As she speaks, Jamie Foxx, by her side, nods. It seems with pride. And the scene shown on Zoom could very well pass as one more from the movie starring the two of them, side by side. After all, Back to Action tells the story of two spies who are forced to return to work after many years; two spies who have matured, grown as individuals and even as spies, and yes, have become somewhat older, perhaps even old.
"Youth is wonderful. It gives you a very powerful energy that can overcome everything, but so is being a mature woman who has lived life to the fullest. Having an experience to offer others is a very powerful tool," insists Cameron with a conviction that leaves little room for doubt. And she continues: "And this is especially valuable in our case. For women, it is liberating to be able to say no and make it clear that our worth does not depend on what anyone expects from us." And Jamie Foxx, once again, nods.
Cameron says she feels devastated by the fires in Los Angeles, that fortunately her family is safe, that she thought about canceling the movie promotion, but out of respect for the film itself, she did not... And as she speaks, she is convinced that this is just the beginning, a new start. There are still many ways to remember Cameron Diaz.