The case for “Dame Judi Dench and a Semester Abroad.”
This week on the show, we tackle Brand New’s “Your Favorite Weapon,” an album we had on repeat throughout our respective high school careers.
Upon reviewing the tracklist for the first time in a little while (read: maybe a few weeks, tops), I couldn’t help but hone in on the title “Jude Law and a Semester Abroad.”
“Man, how far has the world come just through the lense of Jude Law’s career?” I thought to myself. “Pre-Young Pope was just a simpler time.” My next thought went like this: Was Jude Law the right choice? Was he the appropriate British heartthrob to use in the title of a pop-punk song released in 2001? (Coming off of "The Talented Mr. Ripley.”)
Let’s go through some names that come up when we Google the phrase “famous British people.”
IDRIS ELBA: Probably should have been, though “The Wire” didn’t premiere until 2002.
HUGH GRANT: Coming off of “Notting Hill” in 1999 and “Bridget Jones’s Diary” in 2001, he’s certainly a strong contender.
ORLANDO BLOOM: “Fellowship” had just dropped. I have to assume this one was at least considered.
KATE BECKINSALE: Sounds right in your head, doesn’t it? But this is pre-”Underworld,” so maybe not.
GORDON RAMSAY: I’m listening.
CHRISTIAN BALE: “American Psycho” dropped in 1999. Sure.
DAME JUDI DENCH: OK hear me out — Dame Judi Dench and a semester aboard has a great ring to it. Also, resume-wise, she played M in a couple of Pierce Brosnan “Bond” movies heading into the turn of the millennium (Pierce Brosnan and a semester aboard?), as well as landing roles in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love” and 2000’s “Chocolat.” I’d like to rest my case.
Of the British actors with momentum in the year 2001, I think Brand New had some options here. I’d like to believe Dame Judi Dench would have been a fine choice, but to each their own.
Thanks for listening, everybody.
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