Why Cate Blanchett rules even though she’s too pretty to be true and I’m jealous

From IMDB:

Blanchett Appeals For Calm in Sydney

Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett returned to her native Australia on Sunday to appeal for calm following the recent race riots in Sydney. Lebanese-Australians have been clashing with white-Australians on the beaches of the New South Wales city, leading to a heavy police presence in the suburbs over the past two weeks. Speaking at Sydney’s Coogee Beach on Sunday, The Aviator beauty spoke out against the riots and urged unity amongst the divided communities. Blanchett said, "It’s actually very clear and simple. Violence and racism are bad. Whenever they occur they are to be condemned (and) we should not turn a blind eye to them. It’s about respect. Respect for others, respect for the rights of others and respect of the rights of everyone to go about their lives in a peaceful way."

I was trying to explain to my mother who Cate Blanchett was the other day.  I found this funny because I know that my mother knows who Blanchett is, she just can’t place a name to the face. And even if I pointed Cate Blanchett out to her, say during Lord of the Rings, or Pushing Tin or even Elizabeth, five minutes later, she would ask me, "Who is that woman?" 

There are not many tall, gorgeous, blondes that can parade around in successful anonimity (as opposed to trashy questionably-rooted Hollywood blondes that are a dime a dozen and sadly interchangable.) Blanchett sparkles.  She’s known as a beauty and still maintains her acting credibility.  Unlike a Cameron Diaz, who almost begrudingly has Hollywood’s respect because of her bubbliness that borders on bimbo-esque (her taste in men probably doesn’t help), you get the feeling that high-powered female execs would stil offer Blanchett aj ob on a Merchant Ivory-style intellectual film , where the intellectual elite might balk at offering Diaz another Being John Malkovich (where she shines) or especially a Gangs of New York (where she blew).

I enjoy comparing New Stars to Classic Hollywood Stars and for me, Blanchett is our Dietrich. Hopefully without the eating disorder (According to Elizabeth Taylor) but with the absolute ownership of the screen.  She is effortlessly otherwordly, but can portray the mundane equally well. 

And from the few press moments of hers I’ve read, she’s not a total moron and is in fact, an actress with whom I believe I’d enjoy having a conversation.  And so, her addition to Women I Love.