Some more thoughts on HdL in response to other beanies’ comments

About IU looking too fragile and immature for a highway bandit: to me that is part of the point, and part of the tragedy; she was just a young girl who had to do things to survive, but that life is not something she chose. Given how tiny she is — MW does a pretty decent job of it. I think she is beyond everything a survivor. The kind of person that goes on no matter what, making do with whatever cards she has been dealt. Even when it means drinking champagne instead of properly atoning for her sins. It’s this combination of girly, somewhat amoral, and core of steel that makes the character interesting in the first place. And IU’s portrayal of that is pretty amazing imo: like in the old time line when she is wounded and a perceived enemy attacks — she has this feral cornered-animal look, paired with the determination of making it out alive no matter what; or when CS tells her that he prefers her not liking him as long as she feels stuff (‘is bothered’)… she looks shaken and plain scared at the possibility of feeling again; that layer of softness and vulnerability is all more impressive when contrasted to her usual cynical detached no-nonsense self. The only thing I find hard to believe is her being a foodie… the way she eats has me thinking that IU has never not been on a diet her entire life. But that’s a pretty minor quibble …