Vanity Fair November 2016 : Benedict Cumberbatch by Jason Bell

[Melancholybaby]

*vanityfair.com

 

[dodencebt]

It looks like he's wearing his gym t-shirt from fifth grade. So unflattering and awkward.

 

[honeycombchild]

I actually don't mind it personally, it's better than his British GQ. I could have done with a bit less all out blue, but I do like it. The slice of skin showing is a little odd, although I'm sure it'll set some Sherlock fan's pulses racing.

 

[MyNameIs]

I see they've photoshopped his face so it doesn't even look like him, but it's still a big no. I'm just not here for anyone trying to pass him as a "sex symbol".

 

[Benn98]

Looks interesting, but this sex symbol look doesn't really suit him. He truly deserve this cover though.

At least there won't be any more complaints about scantily clad women this month!

 

[ThatGuyPaul]

Odd ballerina pose

 

[MON]

An handsome and talented actor worthy of such cover ruined by a god-awful concept. What were they thinking? A suit wasn't available?

If you're having him look like a sex symbol, go all the way! take that top off and pose. This just looks like a test shot before the actually shoot.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

Why does everyone try to make him a bigger deal than he actually is?!

 

[liberty33r1b]

"Englands accidental sex symbol"

 

[narcyza]

Awful pose. What a waste of him.

 

[Nepenthes]

Love the cover shot. The blue tones are really beautiful!

 

[KoV]

Seeing a 40-year-old actor known for serious prestige projects, who always looks classic and classy on the red carpet, styled this way in a too-small t-shirt and a hella awkward come-hither pose just makes me uncomfortable. If this cover is trying to sell him as a sex symbol, they've done the exact opposite.

 

[HeatherAnne]

...Him over Tom Hiddleston any day.

 

[Melancholybaby]

If you're having him look like a sex symbol, go all the way! take that top off and pose.

Thankfully, they spared our eyes of such an eyesore. The pose they chose is sufficiently cringeworthy anyway.

 

[kokobombon]

Poor guy... they tried but I think that he´s that kind of sexy that in a pose like this one, ends up looking too ridiculous

 

[CommanderTMugler]

...Him over Tom Hiddleston any day.

They need to stop both of them, they're in the same boat... too much effort into making them "sex symbols" it's just not happening. He does look decent as Dr. Strange (due to the facial hair) but still... no, just no.

 

[tigerrouge]

This is probably out on the newsstands by now, but I've got my subscription copy before me (UK version).

This issue comes with an Art supplement, as sponsored by Christies, which seems very interesting, it has articles about Kate Moss being used as a subject in modern art, the history of The Three Graces sculpture, the idea of the nine muses of Greek art, the women who inspired the Pre-Raphaelites and who they were in their own right, and Lucien Freud's tempestuous relationships, plus a mini-focus on various artists.

None of the articles are hugely in-depth, but that doesn't stop this from being one of the most interesting supplements I've received with a magazine recently. I almost wish this was a magazine in its own right that could mildly inform you about art on a regular basis without being overly pretentious or deliberately obscure about things.

Anyhow, onto the main issue, which has just fallen open at an article about the young Warren Beatty, which only serves to highlight how much the cover doesn't really work to anyone's advantage. Benedict may be many things, and have a physical presence of his own, but he ain't beautiful in that old-style movie-star way.

Makenzie Leigh is the Vanities girl, there's a big advertorial section about travel, more about Trump, Robert Ailes being dumped at Fox News, The New Establishment, which is just a brief Top 100 list over a few pages, then Benedict's interview, which has better/somehow more suitable shots than what's on the cover, Barack Obama looks back, the personal failures of sports star Johnny Manziel, a dispute about Harlem restaurant, Rao's, Robbie Robertson talking about The Band, and an interview with Warren Beatty, plus a few shots with Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich, who co-star in his newest film.

Lots of varied content to get into in this issue, although there's next-to-nothing for the more fashion-minded reader, and perhaps little to catch the attention of those seeking visual content.

 

[Benn98]

I almost wish this was a magazine in its own right that could mildly inform you about art on a regular basis without being overly pretentious or deliberately obscure about things.

This is really one of their strengths, to treat art, fashion, and very often photography with such a logical unfussed approach.

Thanks a lot for the review, haven't had time to flip through my issue.

 

[Luxx]

Thankfully, they spared our eyes of such an eyesore. The pose they chose is sufficiently cringeworthy anyway.

AMEN. HALLALUJAH. PREACH.

I never want to see him without a shirt, I don't even want the implication of shirtlessness.