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" 70-61 |
70 Julie Delpy
I have to confess that I don't remember Julie Delpy even being in But I'm a Cheerleader (2000) but she apparently was. In truth I never thought much of her until the past couple of years. The most vivid previous cinematic memory I had of Julie Delpy was for White (1994) which I felt was the weak link in Krzysztof Kieslowski's great Trois Coleurs trilogy. So it took me until I finally caught up with Before Sunrise (on account of the 2004 release of Before Sunset) to appreciate her gifts. And considerable they appear to be. Now I'm eager to see Waking Life again to soak up her spot therein with Ethan Hawke: An interlude embrace for Celine (Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) between their romantic duets in Richard Linklater's Before films.
69 Charlize Theron
Confession time: Though Theron's performance in Monster seemed to take everyone by surprise (and surprises often cause Oscar momentum) I wasn't that shocked. I always thought she was an underrated actress. I'm not as much of a fan of her work in Monster, which justmissed by Best Actress list in 2003, as the rest of the world but I do find it to be quite a good performance. But, again, Theron was also better than she gets credit for in several other films including one this very decade. She has the dubious distinction of being the lone bright spot in the absolute nadir of Woody Allen's recent nosediving filmography, Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001).68 Diane Lane
Sometimes you can coast for a reallllllly long time on the goodwill that follows a performance as grand as the one she gave in Unfaithful (2002) but why would you want to? Strike while the iron is still h--um, warm. I think it's time for her to find a worthy follow up, don't you?67 Claire Danes
Angela Chase (from TV's shortlived but wonderful My So Called Life) is fading from view. I pray religiously that Danes will recapture that magic again. It hasn't quite happened at the movies. But her work in Igby Goes Down (2002), The Hours (2002), and to a lesser degree in Terminator 3 (2003), and Stage Beauty (2004) gives me hope that it eventually will. Next up: Shopgirl!Trivia Alert: Did you know that Claire Danes is also a dancer? She's performing in New York in October 2005 in a piece created just for her.
66 Diane Keaton
A friend and I were just remarking the other day about how weirdly catching PR memes are when they surface in the fury of Oscar season. These buzz notions sometimes snowball into universal fact that no one questions. That's what happened in 2003 right before the premiere of Something's Gotta Give. Suddenly the return of Diane Keaton was a cause for rejoicing --she was a National Treasure! Whatever one may think of Diane Keaton (a treasure she is, i agree) it was somewhat odd to see the buzz accepted so immediately and with such enthusiasm. Heartening to be sure ...because, well she IS a national treasure, but weird nonetheless given years of silence regarding her comic gifts. I only hope she doesn't disappear again soon.
65 Jodie Foster
Another movie-star frequently in absentia these days is Jodie Foster. I have to state right off the bat that I've never been a Foster devotee. Sometimes I love her work (Silence, Contact). Sometimes it leaves me cold (The Accused, Flightplan). She's about 50/50 for me. But, whether the film is exceptional, like Panic Room (2002) or less so, like say The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boyz (2002) or the just-opened Flightplan (2005) it's still easy to understand the hoopla surrounding her every cinematic move. Just not to revel in it. You see...I am willing to love her more. I really am. But I require quantity as well as quality to fuel the flames of fan love.64 Gwyneth Paltrow
Despite the recent hiatus for the delivery of Apple, Gwyneth has been one of the hardest working women in showbiz for this new millenium. She has yet to re-achieve her early 90s potency (in movies like Flesh and Bone) or her late 90s glory (in the lauded Shakespeare in Love), but even within the context of a career adrit, her talent is, if overcelebrated, still plainly obvious. Whether she's light-touch charming in comedic ensemble work like Anniversary Party or her cameo in Goldmember or disturbed but definitely connected to the material in heavier roles in Royal Tenenbaums (2001) or Sylvia (2003), she's nearly always watchable. That is if you ignore the less inspired or downright annoying stuff like Possession (2002), View From the Top (2003), and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) or her penchant for repeating herself (time to move away from the depressed prodigies, Gwynnie). Her talent clearly does not rely in the selection of material.
63 Angelica Huston
God bless Wes Anderson. Without his clear fondness for this once all-the-rage dramatic actress (remember that run from Prizzi's Honor to The Grifters? Wowza) the cinema might have lost her to TV completely. She shines with all kinds of nontraditional matriarchal warmth as Ethel Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and is an underplayed hoot as the aloof heiress in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). So distinct is her screen persona that it's nearly impossible to imagine anyone else playing any role that she has once inhabited.62 Kerry Washington
If Kerry Washington does not emerge from the Aughts as a big star I will lose what tiny shards of faith remain in Hollywood's ability to deal with any actress who isn't blond and pale. I can't handle another wasted career course like what happened to the awesomely great Angela Bassett (#97). Kerry first won me over in the touching indie Our Song (2000) with complete unactressy pathos. After another indie lead in Lift (2000) and a well played supporting role in Save the Last Dance (2001) she seemed prime to take off. Big talent + big beauty + showcase indie success usually gives you a big springboard from which to launch. Despite all that and the hit Oscar'ed status of Ray, wherein she co-stars, there is still a noticable lack of Big.Things.Happening. What is she doing in throwaway cameos in Mr & Mrs Smith & Fantastic Four (2005)? Argh.
61 Annette Bening
This is the highest placement of any actress who appears entirely based on one film. Oh sure, if you saw Open Range (2003) you may have warmly remembered that in the 90s Bening was a big commodity. You probably weren't thinking that about her during the flopping of What Planet Are You From? (2000) --that is if you were thinking of it at all. But now Bening is back. Big time. Bening is this high on the list due entirely to her triumphant spotlight hogging in Being Julia which should have netted her the Oscar earlier this year. It probably would have if Hollywood were a kinder or more artistically discerning place.
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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
