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Is Alicia Keys Ready for Her Close-Up?

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Times Staff Writer

Looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow musicians-turned-actors Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston and Dwight Yoakam, Alicia Keys will soon be transitioning from the small screen of music videos to big screen movie houses.

In addition to appearances in “Smoking Aces” and “The Nanny Diaries,” due next year, her production company recently signed a deal with Disney that will have her starring in a remake of 1958’s “Bell, Book & Candle.”

To celebrate, we’ve put together a collection of her past work in music videos to get an idea of her acting chops. Will she find cinematic gold like Barbra and Bette? Or will her non-musical efforts be just lusterless “Glitter” onscreen?

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Fallen (2001) From ‘Songs in A Minor’

Plot: Up-and-coming pop star sings at her piano as camera cuts to shots of her traveling by bus to visit her imprisoned boyfriendEmotions Expressed: A rueful mix of toughness and regret soaks every frame of Keys’ breakthrough. A brief smile out a bus window highlights fond memories of her locked-up lover, while a prolonged stare at a chorus of orange jumpsuited convicts expresses her uncertainty. In between, she thumbs through pictures of her and her boyfriend during happier, pre-incarcerated times.Verdict: Pretty solid. Not many actresses can hold up under a prolonged extreme close-up, but Alicia’s disarming glare seemingly dares the camera to turn away. The prison visit story line is delivered convincingly, especially once the always-effective flat-palms-against-the-glass farewell brings things to a close.

Girlfriend (2001) From ‘Songs in A Minor’

Plot: Alicia has doubts about her boyfriend’s allegedly platonic relationship with another woman. These suspicions result in her singing on the street and going shopping.Emotions Expressed: Irritation with her man, mostly expressed through a somewhat lazy “whatever”-like wave before she storms out of the house in a kicky hat. Also looks suitably annoyed when woman in question reaches for the same pair of pants Alicia was eyeing in a shop. When all the sneaking around results in a surprise party thrown for Alicia, however, she looks appropriately thrilled — especially while dancing.Verdict: Mixed. Her expression of surprise was pretty convincing, but anyone who’s accidentally found out about their party has flexed those chops. Her best performance comes during the even more surprising piano interlude midway through the video.

Karma (2004) From ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’

Plot: None apparent, unless you count the location scout’s struggle for exotic and engaging places for Alicia to wear impressive outfits.Emotions Expressed: Streetwise toughness as her and her crew of dancers and musicians perform in an oddly deserted subway station. Helplessness while performing against the concrete wall of what may be a dungeon. Quiet elegance while driving a vintage convertible. Triumph while inexplicably playing a sherbet-colored grand piano in an empty ancient coliseum. Verdict: Difficult to judge given the performance-heavy nature of the video. Alicia raises her arms, points at the camera and briefly clutches her head when really serious about singing. Extra points earned for again playing the piano, especially given the apparent absence of piano music anywhere in the song.

If I Ain’t Got You (2004) From ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’

Plot: Though it’s winter, everything’s rosy for Alicia Keys and boyfriend Method Man as they move into their own apartment. Until, of course, it all ends in tears.Emotions Expressed: The full gamut. She’s happy and in love as they move in together, gradually more frustrated as he doesn’t wake up during her singing at an upright piano in the bedroom, and eventually out and out angry over something concerning a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles. However, once Method is arrested for drug dealing Alicia really gets to turn on the water works.Verdict: Keys nails the trifecta of music video emoting. Optimistic joy, wall-slapping anger and heartbroken crying into her sleeve while backed against a wall. What more do you need? Plus she looks great playing a crisp white piano on a snow-covered Harlem rooftop. Any chance that can be worked into her movies?

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