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Had "Temple Grandin" been a more typical film about one person's perseverance in the face of difficulty, it still would have been inspiring and emotionally impactful. After all, this is, at its heart, an uplifting story about an autistic young woman who, with help and guidance, comes out of her shell to become a widely respected author, animal scientist and autism advocate.

This HBO Film, however, has two special ingredients that elevate it well beyond the ordinary: Claire Danes' performance in the title role and Mick Jackson's insistence as a director that viewers get a real sense of the way Temple Grandin's mind works. The film premieres at 8 p.m. EST/PST on Saturday.

Danes gives an Emmy-worthy portrayal, at once credible and incredible. Credible in the sense that she captures the essence of this complicated, awkward, emotionally stunted but brilliant person. Incredible in that, because of Danes' attention to small details, she finds the overarching humanity and passion in Grandin. In so doing, she makes Grandin a full-blooded character and not merely someone struggling with a difficult condition.

Grandin recoils from the touch of others. Based on her observation of cattle, she built a squeezing contraption that, when inside, calms her anxiety. But the film has wonderful moments, performed beautifully by Danes, when Grandin transcends these emotional barriers, like when she sings "When You Walk Through a Storm" at her graduation.

Jackson's genius is his decision to give viewers a second perspective on Grandin's life. He shows us how the world sees Grandin but also shows how Grandin sees the world. With black-and-white images, line drawings superimposed on video and sequences of pictures triggered by words and phrases, Jackson provides crucial insight into the character and, just as importantly, removes the shroud of mystery that surrounds autism.

Grandin, 62, is a full professor at Colorado State University. The film, based on actual events, focuses particularly on her life as a student at Hampshire Country School, a private boarding school where she was turned on to science, and Franklin Pierce College, also in New Hampshire, where she further developed her intellectual powers.

The film highlights the crucial support she got from her mother, Eustacia (Julia Ormond), who refused to consign her to an institution, from her Aunt Ann (Catherine O'Hara), who introduced her to the livestock industry, and from her science teacher, Dr. Carlock (David Strathairn), who recognized her great potential. The fine supporting cast further enhances the impact of this remarkable movie.

Claire Danes thinks she's lucky to have an actor husband.

The American actress - who met British spouse Hugh Dancy, 34, when filming the 2007 drama 'Evening' - said being in the same profession means the couple can pass on tips, especially when one of them is due to start work on a particularly challenging role.

She said: "He did play an autistic person six months prior to my doing 'Temple Grandin', which was a really odd coincidence.

"And it was very convenient for me, because our bookshelves were already stacked with all of the required reading. It was a great gift to have him understand what I was doing in such an intimate way."

The 30-year-old star - who plays the title role of autistic author and animal behaviour expert Temple Grandin in her new film - said she was so desperate to get the part just right because the writer is still alive and she didn't want to "disappoint" her.

She explained to the USA Today newspaper: "I read some of her books and started exploring who she was and became enraptured.

"It was totally daunting, because she's wired and organized in such a fundamentally different way from myself. She's alive and would ultimately see it, and I didn't want to disappoint her."

Claire spent an afternoon with the author as part of her research and was delighted to gain her approval.

Claire Danes thinks everyone should get married.

The actress - who wed her 'Evening' co-star Hugh Dancy at a secret ceremony in France in September - is content with her relationship and believes other people should tie the knot in order to be as happy as she is.

She said: "It feels wonderful. I'm recommending marriage. It's still very new but there's a kind of deep security that I'm really enjoying. My parents have been happily married since they were 21, so I have been lucky to have them as a model."

The 30-year-old actress is currently starring in 'Me and Orson Welles' alongside Zac Efron, where she plays career-hungry production assistant Sonja Jones, and admits she was in awe of the opinionated character.

She said: "I admire her focus and her determination to succeed. I think it's very brave for a woman to be so honest about wanting to do well and being hungry for success in any era, but especially then when women have few choices."

While being in awe of her on-stage persona's drive, Claire has started enjoying life more as she's got older.

She explained: "I'm happier than ever. I have a deeper understanding of who I am and I'm more comfortable in myself. I know my needs and I know how they can be met. I hope that trend continues.

Alexandra Forbes Kerry made news this week with a DUI arrest in Los Angeles. The daughter of John Kerry was pulled over by LAPD and booked. Mostly, that reminded web surfers of her see tough dress that she wore in Cannes several years ago.  Alexandra wore no bra, and when the bright white flash bulbs hit the sheer black fabric it was just like X-Ray vision as her breasts were exposed and the search for the pictures burned up a ton of bandwidth back in 2004.

Now Claire Danes gets attention for her exposure. Entertainment Wise of the UK has the photo (It's NSFW) and adds, "For an indication of just how nippy it is in London right now, just check out Claire Danes at this week's UK premiere of Me and Orson Welles."

The actress was clearly feeling the cold as she posed for the cameras in a black chiffon gown with no bra underneath. See the Claire snap here.
For Alexandra, law enforcement sources that say she was arrested in Hollywood around 12:40 a.m. The 36-year-old film producer/director was pulled over for a traffic stop. See her famous see through dress slip at the UK Sun News.

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have married.

The couple, who met while shooting 2006 movie 'Evening', tied the knot in a low-key ceremony in France earlier this month.

Further details of the nuptials have not yet been revealed, although it is understood a select group of the pair's family and friends were present.

Neither Claire, 30, nor 34-year-old Hugh's representatives have confirmed the wedding.

The couple announced they were engaged earlier with year, with Claire later admitting their relationship was unlike anything she had experienced before.

She said: "He's such a cutie patootie. While relationships are work, this just didn't feel like it. It's the kind of work that feels energising rather than enervating.

"I find it very freeing to know that, OK, it takes constant nurturing and attention, but I can also stop looking for the one."

Hugh has been less keen to spill the secrets of the romance.

Further adding to the number of celebrity weddings as of late, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy have officially tied the knot.

The “My So-Called Life” actress and her hunky beau became husband and wife in a low-key wedding attended by family and close friends.

Ms. Danes, who has been dating Dancy for a little over two years, told press that she’s head-over-heels in love, and looks forward to growing old with Hugh.

"He's such a cutie patootie. While relationships are work, this just didn't feel like it. It's the kind of work that feels energizing rather than enervating. I find it very freeing to know that, okay, it takes constant nurturing and attention, but I can also stop looking for the one."

She has always been a supporter of the arts, and last night (May 27) Claire Danes was spotted at Performance Space’s 122 Spring Benefit.

The “My So-Called Life” hottie looked amazing as she arrived at The Playhouse at Abrons Arts Center in New York City, sporting a simple sexy red dress with black strappy heels.

The theme of the evening was “Real Dancing with the Real Stars,” and was hosted by Isaac Mizrahi and Richard Move.

Choreographer Ishmael Houston-Jones and performance critic C. Carr were the night’s guests of honor, with performances by Philippe Petit, Bill T. Jones’ Fela!, Liam Mower, Elizabeth Streb, and Yvonne Meier.

She’s always been pretty private when it comes to her personal life, but yesterday (March 4) Claire Danes showed off her new engagement ring for the world to see.

The “Igby Goes Down” hottie looked chic as she made her way to lunch with a friend in Beverly Hills, sporting a beige sweater with a colorful scarf teamed with a pair of jeans and black heels.

An enthusiastic fan of theater, Miss Danes is scheduled to appear at the 2009-2010 “Focus on Russia” series at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Showcasing various artists with disabilities, the upcoming season will feature everyone from the Mariinsky Balley and Opera performing “War and Peace” to a new play called “Golden Age.”

It all wraps on Monday night for True Beauty and they announce a winner for season one.  ABC has The Bachelor running as a lead in to their new reality TV show, True Beauty, and there will be a winner tapped on Monday night.  Show creator, supermodel Tyra Banks, is excited  and has shared a message with fans of the show.

True Beauty, Tyra’s latest reality series that she executive produced alongside Ashton Kutcher, is down to the final 3 beauties – Billy, Julia, and Joel and one of those will grab the first title of True Beauty (meaning inner and outer beauty).  The show airs tonight on the ABC network at 10 p.m. EST right after the bachelor.

The winner gets a spot on the Top 100 of the Most Beautiful People issue of People Magazine, reports Cinema Blend.  They have video here and add, "a couple of clips and an episode description to share with you to get you prepped for Monday night’s finale episode."
Tyra has this message, "I am so excited that one of our Top 3 has proven, without a doubt, that he or she (I'll never tell!) is the perfect mix of inner & outer beauty."  Who are you pulling for?

Still glowing from her recent engagement, Claire Danes was all smiles at the 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday (February 21).

The "Stardust" starlet was accompanied to the annual ceremony by fiance Hugh Dancy, with the two posing side-by-side after Claire finished making her rounds to the VIP gift lounges.

The cute couple, who have been together for a little over a year, announced their engagement news just two weeks ago - shortly ahead of the release of Hugh's new movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic".

Meanwhile, Claire's also looking forward to the release of ehr upcoming movie "Me and Orson Welles", in which she stars alongside "High School Musical" heartthrob Zac Efron.