The 2010 Hollywood Portfolio. Frame, Set, and Match
Whether it was the epic romance of Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz, the continuing saga of Nora Ephron and Meryl Streep, the otherworldly connection between James Cameron and his Pandoran creations, or the debut threesome of Lee Daniels, Gabourey Sidibe, and Mo’Nique, many of the year’s most intriguing Hollywood liaisons have been artistic. Annie Leibovitz focuses on the bond between actor and director (or director and machine), which sparked 11 compelling movies last year. Plus: Behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive video of Leibovitz’s shoot.

The Romantics: Pedro Almodóvar with Penélope Cruz, by Annie Leibovitz

The Hellions Quentin Tarantino with Christoph Waltz, by Annie Leibovitz

The Juke-Jointers Scott Cooper with Jeff Bridges, by Annie Leibovitz

The Best Buds Todd Phillips (second from right) with Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, and Bradley Cooper, by Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz/The 2009 Hollywood Portfolio. Some of these actor-director teams have a history together—remember Ron Howard and Tom Hanks’s breakthrough, Splash, a quarter-century ago?—while others produced their first mind-melds in 2008. Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet even brought marriage and kids to the Revolutionary Road set. But in each case the chemistry was profound, the effect exponential. From Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn to John Patrick Shanley and Meryl Streep, Annie Leibovitz photographs 10 partnerships that helped generate more than four dozen Oscar nominations this season.