list-o-mania
from the cluttered wishing to be categorized brain of Nathaniel R
Compiled in September 2005 using a complex mathematical formula [snort] involving number of films, clarity of obsession, quality of work, and other *undefinables* (such as previous films, awards show appearances, publicity, tv, & stagework) that influence me even though the list is meant to be about 2000 through summer 2005 only for more on the workings of this list -check out the introduction
Actresses of the "Aughts" 20-11 |
20 Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton is proof positive that certain actors make films better merely by showing up. Tilda's initial claim to fame was as a muse to the avant-garde film and fashion set. She was closely associated with Derek Jarman in mighty 80s and 90s arthouse fare like The Last of England (1988) and Edward II (1992). Her breakthrough role came in Sally Potter's Orlando (1992). Though her filmography is far less challenging these days (with exceptions like the oddity Teknolust, 2002), she still manages to rise above mainstream mediocrity or indie cliches. Whether she's an imperious ruler in The Beach (2000), a panicked housewife in The Deep End (2001), an intimidating industry-type in Adaptation (2002) an unfaithful wife in Young Adam (2003) or a concerned psychiatric nurse in Thumbsucker (2005) the movies are always better for her presence...
19 Angelina Jolie
...and then we come to another actress about whom you could say the same. Although the utterance won't take you as far. So maybe it's better left unsaid. Without question, Ms. Jolie is the highest ranking actress on this list whose presence both insures that the movie will be better for her involvement AND invariably pre-signals the suckage of the film entire. So horrendous are Angelina Jolie's choices that the mind boggles. So potent is her screen charisma that we, the audience, will continue to let her get away with murder. And murder it is: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow, Shark Tale, and Alexander (2004), Mr & Mrs. Smith (2005). And that's just the movies I sat through. Yikes. From there it gets even scarier. More than any actress working she is utterly wasting her mega-stardom. But she still absolutely rocks, don'cha think?18 Laura Linney
The word for Laura Linney? Impeccable. What this actress sometimes lacks in surprise and explosive charisma (see #19 above) she more than makes up for in consistency and good taste: House of Mirth (2000), Mystic River (2003), Kinsey (2004), P.S. (2004) --not a less than fine performance in the bunch. She even emerged from The Life of David Gale (2003) with good reviews. And with the character of Sammy Prescott in You Can Count on Me (2000) Laura hit what I suspect will always be regarded as her peak. She was pure magic giving a sweet, nuanced and unimproveable star turn.
17 Holly Hunter
Since her breakthrough nearly 20 years ago in Raising Arizona & Broadcast News, Holly Hunter has consistently proved to be one of the silver screen's MVPs. I'm frustrated that we haven't seen any leading roles in the Aughts but even from the sidelines she provides indelible delights. She was moving in Jesus's Son and Things You Can Tell Just By Looking at Her and vividly funny/memorable in both Time Code and O Brother Where Art Thou? (all in 2000). Then after being sucked into television she reemerged for a brief bit in Moonlight Mile (2002) and absolutely top-notch voice work in The Incredibles (2004).
All of those memorable bits remain small pleasures, though, in light of her toweringly great work in the teen-rebellion indie hit thirteen (2003). Her generous work in that film, as a hip, loving but undisciplined mother, will come to be regarded as one of the great performances of this decade. Watching it one can feel the film rising up around her and the best actress of the new generation (Evan Rachel Wood #28) doing the same. Holly Hunter is a gift to the cinema. Fortunately for the audience and her co-stars, she's a gift that keeps on giving.16 Maggie Cheung
I have become so enamored of this Hong Kong actress's face that waiting for her split-second cameo in 2046 (2005) was like an endurance test for me --the movie equivalent of the search for the Holy Grail. I'll have to get the DVD just for the fleeting freeze frame-able moment. Her mystique is so overpowering that I was able to continue thinking about her presence (or rather, lack thereof...) all throughout a film populated by stars as commanding as Gong Li, Tony Leung, and Ziyi Zhang (#21) all shot by Christopher Doyle and directed by Wong Kar-Wai. Thats no small accomplishment. 2046 is arguably most effective as a haunted tribute to the very-absent Maggie Cheung.
How long have I been this much of a slave to her screen mastery? Probably since her time in the catsuit in Irma Vep (1996). In that behind-the-screen wonderment from director Olivier Assayas (her former husband) she plays herself superbly. By the time she repeatedly strolled across the screen with noodles in hand in Wong Kar-Wai's masterpiece In the Mood for Love (2001) her spell on me was complete. Unbreakable it seems to be. The ravishment continued while watching her spin, love, fight, and weep as "Flying Snow" in Hero (2004), a movie with surfaces nearly as beautiful as Maggie herself. And in Clean (2005) she is film-saving. Though gorgeously shot, the film would have been a slog to get through story-wise, if not for her cosmopolitan beauty and actorly precision as a recovering drug addict and rock star.Trivia Alert: Maggie, ever sophisticated and savvy, turned down roles in both Memoirs of a Geisha (due to 'cultural sensitivity' to Chinese / Japanese relations according to the IMDB) and X2: X-Men United (not her sort of film).
15 Uma Thurman
Back when I did this round up for the Nineties Uma Thurman landed in 5th place for the decade due to two unforgettable creations: Mia Wallace and June Miller. After raving about Pulp Fiction and Henry & June, I had to admit an otherwise unspectacular character gallery. I said: "So, she phones it in regularly...Forgive her. She has tremendous (if haphazardly applied) talent."
Uma hasn't exactly changed her MO. She was perfectly fine in Tape (2001) very good in the TV film Hysterical Blindness (2002), passable in Be Cool (2005). But she's here because she had the good sense to reteam with Quentin Tarantino. If this were the "Top 100 Movie Characters of the Decade" her rendition of "The Bride" from Kill Bill (2003 & 2004) would be fighting it out for the #1 position. Add "The Bride" to those aforementioned 90s creations and you have a trinity of iconic characters that would be the envy of virtually any leading lady.
14 Frances McDormand
I still sometimes randomly thank the cinema gods that an actress as offkilter as Frances McDormand managed to 1) get one of the best lead roles ever and 2) deservedly win the Best Actress Oscar for it too, despite it being anything but Oscar-baity. I'm speaking of course of McDormand's moment in the sun with Fargo (1996). Now, the Nineties are not the topic of discussion here but Fargo is a perfect example of the continuing and surprising miracle that is Frances McDormand. She's a wonderful life force in everything from Almost Famous and Wonder Boys (2000) to The Man Who Wasn't There (2001). And whether she's front and center like in Laurel Canyon (2003) or barely in the film as was the case with Something's Gotta Give (2003), she always paints the character with vibrant colors and leaves you wanting more.13 & 12
"Queens of France"
Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Deneuve
It's no secret that I am very fond of French actresses (see also #60 & #40). There's no film industry that rivals France's in terms of enduring careers for female stars. Isabelle is arguably at the peak of her career at 52 years of age, Catherine is an exquisite 62. Both of them still enjoy regular employment and juicy roles in major motion pictures from their home country. Can one say the same for any of their American counterparts?
Isabelle Huppert's film career began in 1972 and has been a model of sturdy excellence and bravery. Thirty years after her debut she gave one of the most mesmerizing and shocking performances in recent history in Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher (2002). Following that aesthetic peak, Ma Mére (2005) seemed like a pale sexual-perversity retread but both 8 Women (2002) and I Heart Huckabees (2004) reveal an actress fully in command of her craft and fully aware of how to comically spin her own frigid/nympho persona in endlessly entertaining ways.
The wonder of Catherine Déneuve began even longer ago in 1957. Only a decade later she was an international superstar with legendary roles in Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), Repulsion (1965), and Belle Du Jour (1967) under her belt. Her filmography is an embarassment of riches. And five decades later she is still a world great actress and regularly stretching her gift. 2000 saw several Déneuve releases hit US screens including Lars Von Trier's masterpiece Dancer in the Dark (which should have netted her an Oscar), Place Vendome, Time Regained, and the Oscar foreign film nominee Est-Ouest. She was also memorable that year in a supporting role in the polarizing Pola X. When she first appeared my boyfriend turned to me and whispered "How many stars could make that grand an entrance with the camera looking at the back of their head?" The answer? Not too damn many. 2000 was her recent peak but she also blesses 8 Women (2002) and Kings and Queen (2005) with her majestic presence.11 Joan Allen
Joan Allen needs about two seconds of screen time before inspiring hosannas, Oscar talk, and complete faith in the audience. She can do this in virtually any role from a presidential candidate (The Contender, 2000) to government agent (The Bourne Supremacy, 2004) to iambic pentameter speaking adulteress (Yes, 2005). She has a way of zeroing in instantly, the character seemingly fully formed from the first scene. But I must be honest. I almost made this list in January 2005 and she would have barely placed. Until this revelatory triple in 2005 (in addition to Yes there's Off the Map and The Upside of Anger), she just hasn't been working much. Ah well, I suppose in this case absence does make the heart grow fonder. When she finally did reappear earlier this year in The Upside of Anger delivering another Oscar caliber turn that was forcefully funny, sexy, and intelligent I was a goner. Within record time.
next page (THE TOP TEN!)
Top 100 Actresses of the Aughts So Far
(Compiled in Sept & October 2005)
100 -91 / 90-81 / 80-71/ 70-61 / 60-51 / 50-41 /
40-31 / 30-21 / 20-11 / 10-6 / 5-1
In Anticipation of Best of the Decade Lists in 2010
