Roberts’ Star Power

Roberts applies black mousse to her hair to land the role of a Portuguese waitress in “Mystic Pizza.” What perception. The Smyrna, Ga., native wins a Golden Globe for her convincing role--as a Southern girl--in “Steel Magnolias.” What a stretch, what focus, what a crock.

Is this what Hollywood is falling over itself for, or is it that burning ambition that drives her to beat a 7-year-old at Nintendo?

I don’t know what is more disgusting: the studio execs who perpetuate these ridiculous illusions or the self-deluded nouveaux stars who actually believe them. The “pretty woman” personifies the problem with the current star system: a $7-million fee for someone who once played a $3,000 hooker.

TERRY HALLORAN

Los Angeles