The Best Actress Winners of the 21st Century, Ranked from Worst to Best
With the Oscars coming up in early March I thought I'd dedicate a few articles taking a look back at the Oscars this century. Today I'll be examining the Best Actress winners from this century and ranking them from worst to best. Should be a fun exercise.
17. Sandra Bullock in 'The Blind Side'
Sandra Bullock should have never won the Oscar for this role. 2010 Oscar season was particularly fond of Bullock's comeback with 'The Proposal' and 'The Blindside'. But, there is one major problem. 'The Blindside' is not a good movie. Sure, it's a great true story with depth. The film on the other hand has very little depth and the same can be said about Bullock's performance. When playing the rich southern woman with a whole lot of sass, Bullock succeeds. When the movie tries to take it anywhere deeper is when we see it fail. Unfortunately, 'The Blind Side' takes a great story that could've explored deep issues and made it another rich white person saves the life of poor black kid. Michael Oher himself has gone on to say how he dislikes the movie and how it has affected him since. I wonder why?
16. Meryl Streep in 'The Iron Lady'
Before anyone panics about this ranking, know that I too love Meryl Streep. She will likely go down as the greatest actress of all-time. As Margaret Thatcher, Streep unfortunately just appears to be creating a caricature. Chances are this is simply due to bad writing for a lackluster biopic. The truth is I'd rather watch a full season of Fuller House than 'The Iron Lady'. Why the Academy decided to give Streep an Oscar here, despite giving themselves seventeen(!) other chances to do so will never make sense to me.
15. Jennifer Lawrence in 'Silver Linings Playbook'
Okay, so I'm a bit biased. If you've spoken with me before you'll know that I'm not the world's biggest J-Law fan. I think she's a talented, but overhyped actress who plays the same role over and over. 'Silver Linings Playbook' is fine, it's a quirky little rom-com that falls into the same conventional trap that most do by the end. It's cool though because dancing and falling in love apparently is the cure to Bipolar disorder. 'Silver Linings Playbook' for me is an annoying movie and I get terribly upset every time I think of J-Law parading up those steps instead of Jessica Chastain. Zero Dark Thirty forever.
14. Halle Berry in 'Monster's Ball'
Rewatching 'Monster's Ball' rather recently was a poor experience for me. The film is overdramatic, offensive and just horribly sad. None of this being Berry's fault of course. She does everything she can to elevate the material around her. But, the idea that a man's racism can be cured by having sex with a black woman is problematic to say the least. Also, there is repeated imagery used of Billy Bob Thornton's white spoon dipping into a cup of chocolate ice cream, yikes. I suggest not watching this movie unless you want to get mad, then definitely watch it.
13. Kate Winslet in 'The Reader'
'The Reader' is an odd film. Is it a Holocaust film? Is it a creepy love story? Courtroom drama? Can it be all three? I don't have the answers to these questions. What I do know is that this isn't a lead performance, Winslet had already won Best Supporting Actress at the SAG awards and Golden Globes. Somehow, Harvey Weinstein pulled a classic Weinstein move and got her the best actress statue. Winslet is predictably touching in the film, but is also forgettable once you've seen it. She has done and will continue to do better work in the future. In that case, we're lucky to have such a talented actress. I just wish 'The Reader' was a better film to showcase her talents.
12. Reese Witherspoon in 'Walk The Line'
June Carter, who loved Johnny Cash despite his drinking and drug use. The problem was the threat Johnny became to her life in the process. Witherspoon, carries a certain emotional intensity with her throughout the film keeping Phoenix guessing as to what she may do next. This is the staple of a great actress or actor, the unpredictability factor. Not that you're veering off script or making it difficult for the other person. But, that anything could happen as you do a scene 5, 10 or 30 times.
Reese Witherspoon has become underrated over the years, until Big Little Lies thrust her into the spotlight yet again. She's an actress who comes across as very naturally cast in most her roles, and this may be the best of the bunch.
11. Nicole Kidman in 'The Hours'
Nicole Kidman has remained as one of the greatest working actresses for well over two decades now. She has the unique ability to be in bad for films for three-five years in a row and then turn right around and drop an acting bomb on us. Why anyone is shocked by a good Kidman performance is beyond me. 'The Hours' is a tricky movie not due to it not necessarily have a lead, but rather Kidman is sharing screen time with Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. To stick out in that group of actresses is quite the task, good thing Kidman was more than ready for it.
Playing Virginia Woolf was a challenge in itself and Kidman's low placement on this list isn't due to her performance. Most actresses could put this at the top of their personal acting performances. But, with Kidman we have 'Dogville', 'Rabbit Hole', 'Big Little Lies', 'Eyes Wide Shut' and 'Birth' to account for. This was with me eliminating another three or four performances that I could've listed. Kidman was predictably great in 'The Hours' this is just another case of me wishing the Oscar came from another film.
10. Emma Stone in 'La La Land'
I'm just going to be honest and start this by saying that I cried in the theater as I watched Emma Stone sing "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)". I'm not sure what it is about her facial expressions in that scene that broke me. But, broken I found myself. This scene is the reason Emma Stone won the Oscar in my opinion. I'm not saying this in a critical way, the same thing happened with Anne Hathaway in 'Les Miserables'. Emma Stone is a fine actress that I've had my issues with in the past. 'La La Land' just happened to be the perfect film to showcase her talents and charisma. It's a lovely movie that feels modern while also being a great homage to another era. Though I may not have voted for Stone if given the opportunity, I'm not upset about her winning.
9. Marion Cotillard in 'La Vie en Rose'
'La Vie en Rose' is the type musical biopic that you actually want to watch. It breaks the formula up a bit and is all the better for it. Many Americans now will recognize Cotillard from her work in 'Inception', 'Contagion' or 'Allied'. But, this is the role she will be remembered for. Playing Edith Piaf, the legendary French singer or "The Little Sparrow" as she was later known. Piaf lived a difficult life; struggling with a morphine addiction, losing her lover in a plane crash and dealing with a drinking problem.
Oh, but what a singer Piaf was, starting on the streets and later starring on some of France's biggest stages. She lived a fascinating life. Cotillard was the perfect choice to bring her back to life on the big screen. Cotillard not only resembles Piaf throughout the movie showing moments of pain in contrast with moments of triumph.
One of Piaf's famous songs "Non je ne regrette rien" or "No, I regret nothing" is the perfect way to describe Piaf's life and Cotillard's performance. Both gave it their all and though Piaf has passed on, her life will be fondly remembered with this film.
8. Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich
Finally, we've arrived at a performance that is legitimately fun to watch. Julia Roberts dominates every scene she is in as Erin Brockovich. The true story based on a single mother of three who becomes a law firm aid is way more entertaining than it should be. Watching Roberts fighting the men in power in her push-up bras and no bullshit attitude is electric. 'Erin Brockovich' is a Steven Soderbergh movie, but it's one of the few where Soderbergh takes a step back and just lets the star take over. Julia Roberts was the correct choice to give the Oscar to in 2000. She's an actress that has all the ability in the world and I hope to see more performances like Erin Brockovich in the near future.
7. Cate Blanchett in 'Blue Jasmine'
So, this is what a full blown mental breakdown of a New York socialite looks like. Cate Blanchett is terrific in 'Blue Jasmine' hitting notes of dark humor and personal terror within the same scene. She's a woman who is so out of touch and place that it'd be hard to find someone further out of their comfort zone. That alone is what makes Cate Blanchett's performance here such a pleasure to watch. She seems to be going every direction possible at all times (this is when it's humorous). In one moment she's describing how horrible it is to be broke and in the next explaining why she flew first class. Blanchett's frantic Jasmine is a joy to watch, not because we enjoy seeing her life fall apart due to her husbands actions (reminiscent of Ruth Madoff). Rather we enjoy Jasmine due to Blanchett's pure talent and commitment to the role. She's a world class talent and here she proves it.
6. Julianne Moore in 'Still Alice'
This may be the most difficult role on this list to pull off. Moore plays a linguistics professor who has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. 'Still Alice' begins with an intelligent and stable woman who quickly realizes that her own brilliance can't save her mind. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease, one that you simply can't imagine what it's like to go through. Yet, I think Moore comes close with the films increased focus on the fear expressed in her eyes. Moore plays the role with respect showing an Alice who might be losing her memory, but she's still physically there. To pull this off without being over the top or offensive is a difficult task. Leave it to Moore to make it work.
5. Charlize Theron in 'Monster'
Yes, that is indeed the real Charlize Theron. I promise. I fact checked it and everything. Taking the phrase, "the actor disappears into the role" to a whole other level was Charlize Theron in 'Monster'. Let's be honest, that picture is terrifying, much like the real Aileen Wuornos was. Aileen Wuornos. That's very much a serial killer type name too. But, that's an unnecessary observation I had while typing this.
Charlize Theron deserved every bit of praise she got after 'Monster' came out. Rarely do we see an actress or actor go as far as Theron does here. Not only did we see the obvious physical changes that she went through, but the pure anger leading to the killings shown on screen. I have doubts that Theron can ever reach this level again, but that's okay. At least we have 'Monster' to timidly agree to watch every ten years or so.
4. Helen Mirren in 'The Queen'
Hear me out here, what if Helen Mirren was actually the queen? How incredible would that be? Well, I think it'd be pretty damn cool. Just look at the expression on the actual queen's face, it's like she's thinking, "Well, damn. Maybe she should be The Queen."
Unfortunately, Helen Mirren is not the Queen. But, 'The Queen' is a very good movie and Helen Mirren is incredible in it. She makes it look so easy to play the Queen that it makes me uncomfortable. It's like she was practicing for years before she was cast. It made giving out the Oscar really easy, that is for sure. I don't have much else to say here except that I was thrilled when I found out Helen Mirren was given the title of Dame in 2003. How lovely is that?
3. Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan'
I was introduced to Natalie Portman in 1999 with 'The Phantom Menace'. I fell in love with Natalie Portman in 2002 with 'Attack of the Clones'. And in 2010 I know longer knew how I felt about Natalie Portman due to 'Black Swan'. This was one of the more surprising performances of the last few years for me personally. Portman always had such an innocent demeanor and to see the personal madness ensue in 'Black Swan' was disorienting at the time. It's a Darren Aronofsky (Noah, Mother!) movie, so we know it's going to be weird. But, the critical response to the film was overwhelmingly positive with most pointing directly to Portman's performance. It's one that is hard to forget and exciting to watch.
2. Brie Larson in 'Room'
Back in 2013 when everybody had already loaded up on their J-Law stock, I was buying up all the Brie Larson stock. She was great in a small role in '21 Jump Street', showed all her potential in 'Short Term 12' and then exploded in 'Room'. Maybe one reason I connected to 'Room' so much is that I still have a lingering fear of being kidnapped. To be stuck in a room for years would be a harrowing experience and I can't begin to imagine what that's like.
The brilliant thing that 'Room' does is having the pair escape early in the film and focus on the emotional aftermath. And by emotional, I mean soul-shattering emotional. I weeped in the theater watching Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay adjust to life outside the room. It may not be the 2nd best overall performance on this list. But, it's stuck with me more than most. I get emotional just thinking about Brie Larson running to the cop car with Jacob Tremblay in it. What a bruiser.
1. Hilary Swank in 'Million Dollar Baby'
'Million Dollar Baby' is classical filmmaking at it's best. The focus of the film being on Maggie, a waitress from Missouri looking for a way out. There are two quotes from the movie that give an accurate picture of Maggie.
"I might as well go back home and buy a used trailer and get a deep fryer and some Oreos."
"She grew up knowing one thing. She was trash."
The truly heartbreaking thing about 'Million Dollar Baby' is how Swank portrays this version of Maggie. She reduces Maggie to a portrait of determination. When she meets her trainer (Eastwood) he's very reluctant to train a woman. By the end of the film, he'd do anything for Maggie and we see nothing but adoration between the two. It's an astonishing relationship that we see evolve over the course of two hours between Swank and Eastwood. 'Million Dollar Baby' is a terrific movie and one that I suggest you seek out if you've never seen it. My guess is Swank will have you overwhelmed with emotion as well.