(Clockwise from top left:) Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (screenshot), The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (screenshot), Tár (Courtesy of Focus Features), I’m Not There (screenshot)Graphic: The A.V. Club
As Tár arrives in theaters, with Cate Blanchett playing a hubristic genius conductor-composer in a role that seems all but certain to generate yet another Academy Award nomination for the two-time Oscar winner from Australia, it’s an ideal time to take stock of her many remarkable performances and to appreciate her virtually unparalleled body of work.
While Blanchett’s on-camera intuition has been on display since her breakouts in Oscar And Lucinda and Elizabeth, she appears to be getting even better as her career goes on. Blanchett has a particular affinity for women unraveling, à la Notes On A Scandal, Blue Jasmine, and even Galadriel’s briefly demonic moment in the fantastical The Fellowship Of The Ring. But she can also capably handle witty comedy or biographical re-creation (Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator combines both). And few can deliver meaning-laden gestures and understated desire better. (Exhibit A: “I like the hat!”). Here, then, is our countdown of her most essential film roles.
15. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (6/9) Movie CLIP - Sleep With Me (2008) HD
Sometimes, a great performance feels like a team effort: between script, staging, and sheer acting skill, that team creates something indelible. But in some cases—like Blanchett’s work in David Fincher’s 2008 drama —great acting happens in spite of a cumbersome, sometimes flat role. Tasked with playing Daisy, the lifelong love interest of the titular reverse-aging man played by Brad Pitt, Blanchett could’ve leaned into love-lorn obsession, and let Daisy simply exist on the whims of her passions for the strange man she met as a teenager. But Blanchett imbues the free-spirited dancer with a sense of self; even as she ages into oblivion in the opposite direction as Benjamin, Daisy still finds elegance and strength in the process. Although the film hones its focus on Benjamin’s otherworldly transition, it’s Blanchett’s own journey through time that makes this movie memorable. Even her most subtle moments—a beautifully subdued scene where Daisy watches another woman swim at their local pool comes to mind—demonstrate Blanchett’s ability to convey a character’s inner life (and turmoil) through just a glance. Everyone grapples with getting old. Blanchett unsparingly puts the struggle to record. [Hattie Lindert]
It’s always fun when a great actor gets to cut loose and feast on the scenery. See also: Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tilda Swinton in Snowpiercer, Jennifer Jason Leigh in Hateful Eight
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Cate Blanchett come across as having so much fun in every moment she’s on screen. It may not be high art, but she is clearly having the time of her life (and if she’s actually not, that makes it more impressive).
I largely agree with the list apart from the dreadful Notes on a Scandal. No one comes out of that silly film looking good. It’s melodrama with way too much ‘melo’
it is, and lots of it feels a little homophobic in modern viewing, but Blanchett still was great when she smears makeup all over her face for some reason and runs out to the press. Our OG Joker of the 2000s.
Cate Blanchett is the only performer who can pull off saying “GOLLY!” and make it sound genuine. (I’m referring, of course, to the scene in The Aviator when Hughes gives her control of the plane.)
Good call to put The Gift on here. As noted, it’s
not a great movie, but she is so good in it. (I think it was the first
time I ever saw her, actually; anyway I know for a fact I didn’t know
she wasn’t American for years afterward.)And.. she’s the only thing in The Aviator that makes it worth watching, in my opinion. I like lists that remind me of movies I haven’t seen – cases in point, I’m Not There and Oscar and Lucinda. That second one is odd for me because I really loved the book (and everything else I’ve read by Peter Carey). I’ll have to fix those oversights soon.
I believe 1 2 3 punch of A Simple Plan, Love of the Game, and The Gift is Raimi showing he can make more mainstream movies and conform to what the studio wants, rather than his generally unique style. Especially since he didn’t actually write any of them, which was unusual for him. It seems it’s pretty much what secured him the Spider-man gig, so I’m not gonna complain.
It’s a damn shame Jim Jarmusch never did a full movie with her. Hell, cast Cate, Tilda Swinton and Bill Murray together in a Jim Jarmusch movie. Let the sparks fly.
Still haven’t brought myself to properly watch Benjamin Button. I love Fincher movies but it was playing on the TV in my grandmother’s hospital room the night she died, so whenever I even think about it I go back to a dark place.
She is consistently great regardless of the material and she tends to elevate said material. She’s kinda underrated in the 2015 Cinderella remake, honoring the general character from the 1950 while adding details that don’t demand sympathy but at least some understand. Also she gets the best outfits. Cate never disappoints.
I’m glad The House With A Clock In Its Walls wasn’t on this list. She was great in spite of lackluster material meant for children that love farts, but Jack Black calling her an old prune kinda made me mad. I don’t care if she’s in her 50s, that’s miscasting, she’s hot.
Top 10 (alphabetical order)Blue JasmineCarolThe Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonDocumentary Now!: Waiting for the ArtistElizabethI’m Not ThereManifestoMrs. AmericaNotes on a ScandalThe Talented Mr RipleyLooking forward to Tár (which could be the alphabetical 11th)!
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35 Comments
Very disappointed Hela wasn’t on this list. That was Cate Blanchett at her sexiest and most charismatic
It’s always fun when a great actor gets to cut loose and feast on the scenery. See also: Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tilda Swinton in Snowpiercer, Jennifer Jason Leigh in Hateful Eight
Always had a soft spot for Bandits too.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Cate Blanchett come across as having so much fun in every moment she’s on screen. It may not be high art, but she is clearly having the time of her life (and if she’s actually not, that makes it more impressive).
Possibly, but is a comic book role… and… well, “not Kate Blanchett-serious”…
She did so well in it but was sooooo wasted in the role. Hela should have been in as many scenes as possible!
I largely agree with the list apart from the dreadful Notes on a Scandal. No one comes out of that silly film looking good. It’s melodrama with way too much ‘melo’
it is, and lots of it feels a little homophobic in modern viewing, but Blanchett still was great when she smears makeup all over her face for some reason and runs out to the press. Our OG Joker of the 2000s.
Charlotte Gray should be in the top 3. So so WW2 movie but a showcase of her acting.
Nerd alert – Blanchett as Galadriel is convincing you she was born in Valinor, but currently slumming it in Middle-earth
No Irina Spalko from Crystal Skull?
Highest marks…
Cate Blanchett is the only performer who can pull off saying “GOLLY!” and make it sound genuine. (I’m referring, of course, to the scene in The Aviator when Hughes gives her control of the plane.)
Her and Daniel Day Lewis, he made whoopsie daisy work in Gangs of New York he can do golly. Nobody else can though.
I’m surprised Manifesto is at the bottom, given the stinkers directly above it.
16? I’ll give you Manifesto and three others.
Good call to put The Gift on here. As noted, it’s
not a great movie, but she is so good in it. (I think it was the first
time I ever saw her, actually; anyway I know for a fact I didn’t know
she wasn’t American for years afterward.)And.. she’s the only thing in The Aviator that makes it worth watching, in my opinion.
I like lists that remind me of movies I haven’t seen – cases in point, I’m Not There and Oscar and Lucinda. That second one is odd for me because I really loved the book (and everything else I’ve read by Peter Carey). I’ll have to fix those oversights soon.
I believe 1 2 3 punch of A Simple Plan, Love of the Game, and The Gift is Raimi showing he can make more mainstream movies and conform to what the studio wants, rather than his generally unique style. Especially since he didn’t actually write any of them, which was unusual for him. It seems it’s pretty much what secured him the Spider-man gig, so I’m not gonna complain.
Also the only time Keanu Reeves plays a psychotic abuser, what a film.
It’s only a short in a longer film, but her dual performance in Coffee and Cigarettes is one of my favourites.
Skwirl.
It’s a damn shame Jim Jarmusch never did a full movie with her. Hell, cast Cate, Tilda Swinton and Bill Murray together in a Jim Jarmusch movie. Let the sparks fly.
I have to see this TAR movie because I need to know how she becomes the robot that hangs out with Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar
Still haven’t brought myself to properly watch Benjamin Button. I love Fincher movies but it was playing on the TV in my grandmother’s hospital room the night she died, so whenever I even think about it I go back to a dark place.
You’re not missing much. Beneath the Fincher sheen, it’s just a crappy Forrest Gump knockoff.
She is consistently great regardless of the material and she tends to elevate said material. She’s kinda underrated in the 2015 Cinderella remake, honoring the general character from the 1950 while adding details that don’t demand sympathy but at least some understand. Also she gets the best outfits. Cate never disappoints.
Little Fish is incredible.
Is it normal to have a crush on someone for 25 years
It is when it’s Cate Blanchett.
I’m glad The House With A Clock In Its Walls wasn’t on this list. She was great in spite of lackluster material meant for children that love farts, but Jack Black calling her an old prune kinda made me mad. I don’t care if she’s in her 50s, that’s miscasting, she’s hot.
Uh, yeah, Jack Black was 49 when that film came out, so what TF is he talking about?
Top 10 (alphabetical order)Blue JasmineCarolThe Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonDocumentary Now!: Waiting for the ArtistElizabethI’m Not ThereManifestoMrs. AmericaNotes on a ScandalThe Talented Mr RipleyLooking forward to Tár (which could be the alphabetical 11th)!
One of the main characteristics of Windows is the option of connecting smartphones and computers with the application made specifically for this.https://payoffaddress.com/www-aka-ms-yourpc/
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