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" 40-31 |
40 Ludivine Sagnier
Every decade you can trust in France to deliver new exciting actrices to cinema's international movie-star pool. In the 60s, the legendary Deneuve arrived. In the 70s the Isabelles, Adjani & Huppert, bloomed. The 80s and 90s saw Béart (#60), Binoche, and Bonnaire rise to international prominence. Who do we have exploding these days? There are several new names but the one making the biggest splash for me currently is Ludivine Sagnier. She was memorably exubarant and playful in two Ozon pictures: Water Drops on Burning Rocks (2000) and 8 Women (2002). For the final trick in her pretty young thing playbook she essayed a particularly vulgar and spiteful Tinkerbell in Peter Pan (2003). Yes, it was an accurate take on the character --don't believe me? Read the book. Her last major work to hit prominent US theaters was in Swimming Pool (2003) where her lusty turn and very nude eroticism undoubtedly won her many new fans.
39 Susan Sarandon
For those keeping track, Susan Sarandon was my #6 star of the 80s (after Streep, Hurt, Turner, Pfeiffer, and Ford) and my #2 star of the 90s (after Pfeiffer). I love me some Sarandon. Unfortunately, ever since her Oscar-winning career capper in Dead Man Walking (1995) she doesn't seem to be trying as hard. Or maybe Hollywood felt she had peaked and it was time to move on? Nevertheless my heart still swells a bit when I see her. She has not, as of yet, added any new essential characters to her hall of fame this decade but (cross your fingers) she still could! I don't have much affection for her forgettable work in Joe Gould's Secret (2000) or The Banger Sisters (2002) wherein she let Goldie Hawn (unranked) steal the whole show. But the Aughts haven't been entirely without Sarandon highlights. She was very well cast in Alfie (2004) and still hits those cold (Igby Goes Down, 2002) and warm (Moonlight Mile, 2002) notes with uncanny if not awe-inspiring precision.38 Marcia Gay Harden
Whenever I think of Marcia these days, my thoughts invariable go to her seated in the Kodak Theater, all pleasantly, pregnantly plump @ the February 2004 Oscar ceremony. There she sat all beaming, radiant, and... purple! That was a very purple dress. Her performances occassionally go that color too. But even in her misguided go-for-broke moments in 2004's P.S. or her arguably pitched-to-the-rafters work in Mystic River (for which she was Oscar nominated in 2003) I find her endearing. And even when my faith is shaken, as it was in response to her depressingly one-note work in Casa De Los Babys or Mona Lisa Smile (2003), there's always her intense film-elevating work in Pollock (2000) to remind us of how good she can be when the stars are all aligned.
37 Chlöe Sevigny
I can't say that I am a Sevigny devotee as many cineastes seem to be. But I do very much admire her determinedly 'fringe' career path. From American Psycho (2000) to demonlover, Shattered Glass, and Party Monster (2003) through Dogville (2004) until Melinda and Melinda (2005) is there any other actress working who so consistently chooses interesting or off-the-beaten-path projects? The films have been hit and miss but one has to admire her forging of her own path, onscreen blowjobs (Brown Bunny, 2004) and all...36 Drew Barrymore
I don't wish to compare Drew's 23-year-long career to that of upstart Brittany Murphys (#47) but I kind of feel the same way about them. I don't always feel the urge to see Drew's movies. And I outright avoid some of them but I find myself rooting for her as a celebrity and actress anyway. She is warm and loveable in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) and Riding in Cars With Boys (2001) even when the films are messy or unwatchable. She sometimes surprises us like in her underplayed real adult role in Donnie Darko, 2001. She nearly always delights --see: Charlies Angels (2000 & 2003). I hope that one day she makes films that are worthy of her.35 Daryl Hannah
True Life-Affirming Story: As a teen-ager in the 80s I thought Daryl Hannah to be a terrific actress. I knew it was a minority opinion to feel that way but I kept telling myself 'one day she'll prove it to everyone.' Instead, much to my dismay, her career simply dwindled away in the 90s. While watching the documentary Searching for Debra Winger (2002) and seeing Daryl Hannah interviewed with lots of other actresses about their career troubles I thought to myself. 'There is my Daryl! God, I hope she gets a revival!' Suddenly, the very next year in fact, my prayers were answered. This doesn't happen every day [God? Are you listening? What about the brilliant Juliette Lewis (#99)? She should be next on your list!] I couldn't have been more thrilled when the former mermaid began to do rev up onscreen again. She was moving and charismatic in Casa De Los Babys (2003) and Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2001) and then there was..."Elle Driver". In 2003 and 2004 in the two part Kill Bill saga Daryl Hannah realized all that potential I saw back in the days of Splash. She kicked into truly inspired territory, fully serving Tarantino's vision with ferocity, humor, and spite. Brava.
34 Celia Weston
Where would the cinema be without those absolutely dependable non-famous character actors? I shudder to think. Though I'm sure many actors who occupy this niche in Hollywood would welcome larger roles, I imagine they're happy with the industry's obvious faith in them. It also has to be something of a plus to work in high profile movies while enjoying relative anonymity in which to live your personal life. Celia is the cream of the no-name crop these days. Her two best performances this decade? I'd go with her vividly quick impression as the fear-inspiring "Mona Lauder" in Far From Heaven (2002) and her wary favorite-playing mother in Junebug (2005). You can also enjoy Celia's acting without even realizing who she is in Joe Gould's Secret (2000), In the Bedroom (2001) Igby Goes Down (2002), Hulk (2003) and The Village (2004)33 Reese Witherspoon
I have wanted to wholeheartedly love Reese Witherspoon's career ever since her debut in The Man in the Moon (1991) but the movies keep getting in the way. Reese has come close to her 90s best (Moon and Election) just once this decade with her super-fun Elle Woods characterization in the Legally Blonde films. But even in small roles like the one she had in American Psycho (2000) she's a welcome firecracker presence. But why does Reese keeps wasting her time on junkfood like Just Like Heaven (2005)? "I object!"32 Catherine Zeta-Jones
I think I'll let Joe Reid take this one. In his 9/24 column he says:
"It's not that I don't kind of love CZJ, but I'm really hating her role choices [edited] She's not America's Sweetheart, is the thing, and she really needs to give up the ghost on that. At her best, she's an incredibly interesting screen persona who can convey above anything else a steely-yet-seductive drive to succeed. It's on display in Chicago, Intolerable Cruelty, and Traffic. She's not a world-beating actress, but she does some things quite well. Playing "the raven-haired Julia Roberts [#44] " aint one of them."
I seldom let others speak for me when it comes to actress-love... but Joe must have been reading my mind when he typed that one up.31 Parker Posey
In the 90s Parker proved a bracingly fresh movie presence in the indie sector. In the past five years her career has expanded to include mainstream supporting work (Scream 3, Josie and the PussyCats, Laws of Attraction) but she remains a singularly valuable player in the more off-the-beaten paths of indie and specialized cinema. In the past five years of work there's two performances that belong with her 90s highlights Party Girl and Waiting for Guffman as prime cuts of Parker. She pushed her dramatic range impressively while still utilizing her razor sharp wit in Personal Velocity (2002) playing an ambitious talented editor. And her rageaholic Starbucks-drinking dog owner in Best in Show (2000) was the best in that particular show. Given the excellence of the comic company she keeps [#43 -#41], that's a compliment of the highest order.
next page (30-21)
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
