Tag: ed Harris

Categories
Uncategorised

Top 5 Jennifer Lawrence Performances

Jennifer Lawrence is an actress whose star has risen exponentially since her breakthrough performance in Winter’s Bone in 2010. What has made Lawrence such a success both commercially and critically is her versatility and willingness to push herself by exploring different genres and refusing to be typecast. Her incredibly successful career has seen her nominated for 4 Oscars, winning one for Silver Linings Playbook in 2013, making her the second-youngest recipient of the Best Leading Actress award in Oscar history. After taking a short break between 2018 and 2021, she returned in one of the leading roles in Adam McKay’s star-studded black comedy, Don’t Look Up, starring alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill to name a few.

As with any top 5 list, it’s always incredibly difficult to narrow it down, especially when discussing someone as diverse and charismatic as Lawrence because there are so many performances to consider. However, this list demonstrates her range and her ability to bring out the strengths and flaws of her character. From leading action franchises to complex dramatic character studies and everything in between, Lawrence has shown so much in her 15-year career and it’s exciting to see where her career will take her in the future now that she has returned from taking a well-deserved short break.

Here are my top 5 performances by Jennifer Lawrence in chronological order:

Winter’s Bone (2010)

Lawrence’s breakthrough came in 2010 when she starred in the independent film, Winter’s Bone. The film follows 17-year-old Ree (Lawrence) who is the main caregiver for her mentally ill mother (Valerie Richards) and also looks after her younger siblings by teaching them how to fend for themselves in the Ozark Mountain wilderness. Winter’s Bone is magical to watch because Lawrence is so magnetic and charismatic that her impending rise to stardom was inevitable. The film is regarded as one of the biggest indie successes as it was made on a $2 million budget and made over $16 million in the box office, resulting in a slew of Oscar nominations, including Lawrence’s first nomination for Best Leading Actor. Even though she didn’t win, she was constantly viewed as one to watch, and with the upcoming Hunger Games due to be released, Winter’s Bone is an excellent beginning for what can only be described as an incredible career.

Silver Linings Playbook (2013)

The film that won Lawrence her Oscar and cemented her place as a Hollywood staple was Silver Linings Playbook. Marking the first of three collaborations with David O’Russell as well as the first of six collaborations with co-star Bradley Cooper, Lawrence plays Tiffany, a widow who struggles with her mental health following the death of her husband and finds herself unemployed after sleeping with everyone in her office. Silver Linings Playbook is one of the best films when it comes to discussing mental health and this is thanks to the nuanced performances by Lawrence and Cooper, whose character Pat has been diagnosed with bipolar. What makes this performance special and incredible is considering how young Lawrence was when the film was made and released as the character of Tiffany was 40 in the book but was re-written to be younger to suit Lawrence’s age. Despite this age difference, Lawrence still provides the depth to the character and while the specific nature of Tiffany’s diagnosis is not discussed in the film, Lawrence’s nuanced performance shines through and we still emote and feel Tiffany’s struggles.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

One of the roles that helped Lawrence make her mark in Hollywood was her turn as protagonist Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games franchise. The series follows Katniss, a young woman who finds herself in the deadly titular games in which competitors have to fight to the death in a bid to be the last one standing. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is one of those rare occurrences where the sequel is better than the original and this is partially thanks to Lawrence’s impeccable performance. This isn’t to say that Lawrence’s performance is anything less than brilliant in The Hunger Games, but there is a maturity and nuance that she provides in Catching Fire that could arguably be thanks to the vast experience that she gained between the films. Catching Fire is the strongest book in the series and the film is no exception as we see Katniss conflicted between her role as provider for her family and helping lift her family from the poverty line and her position as the face of the rebellion against the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland). The opening scene in which she encounters President Snow in District 12 and is threatened is one of the most intense scenes in any young adult adaptation. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire isn’t afraid of exploring more complicated themes such as loss, grief, and internal conflict and Lawrence truly becomes Katniss in this instalment.

mother! (2017)

Lawrence’s most controversial performance is arguably her best. Playing the titular character, Lawrence’s performance delves deep into the psychological trauma presented in the film as her character’s life begins to fall apart. The film was directed and written by Darren Aronofsky who is known for pushing boundaries and while his previous horror, Black Swan was more vast in its locations and scope, mother! is more contained and is set within the one house, adding to the claustrophobia and entrapment that the character feels. Mother lives with Him (Javier Bardem) in a tale that serves as an allegory for the Bible and as Him gains more followers beginning with man (Ed Harris) and woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), life spirals out of control to the point of tragedy and destruction. mother! received a polarised reception on release and is still discussed to this day thanks to its topical discussions and the extreme violence and chaos that ensues. However, Lawrence’s affecting and provoking performance cannot be denied and will go down as a career best. You can read my full review for mother! here.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

One of the most talked about films of 2021 was Adam McKay’s black comedy Don’t Look Up, which boasted one of the starriest casts in recent years. Led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up split opinion with audiences responding more positively than critics. While Don’t Look Up has its flaws, one of its strengths lies in Lawrence’s hilarious performance as she appears to have the best lines and even outperforms DiCaprio (which is never an easy feat). Lawrence plays scientist Kate Dibiasky who discovers the comet that threatens to destroy the Earth within months and provides her signature deadpan humour throughout with the best joke in the film being her confusion over a staff member at the White House charging her for food that is actually free. You can read my full review for Don’t Look Up here.

After taking a break for a few years, it seems as though Lawrence is back and better than ever as she has a slew of projects lined up for the future including Adam McKay’s biopic, Bad Blood, in which she plays the fraudulent businesswoman, Elizabeth Holmes and Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the novel, Burial Rites, which explores the last woman executed for murder in Iceland to name just a few. Lawrence remains one of the most successful and popular actors in Hollywood regardless of her break, proving just how talented and charismatic she is.

What are your favourite Jennifer Lawrence performances? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

Top 5 Jim Carrey Performances

Jim Carrey is an actor who time and time again demonstrates the range that he has, despite his solidified reputation as a brilliant comedian. He has been playing leading roles since his meteoric rise to fame in the 90s that have become classics such as Ace Ventura and The Mask. There is a reason why he was Hollywood’s highest paid actor at one point, he has such charisma that his films are incredibly fun to watch. It is unbelievable to think that he has never been nominated for an Academy Award despite winning two Golden Globes and showing that he is capable of pulling off performances that are memorable and impactful.

Carrey was one of my favourite actors growing up. I loved watching his films thanks to his larger than life characters and his hilarious physical comedy, particularly his dramatic expressions. What has been wonderful about Carrey’s career is seeing him evolve and taking part in a variety of differing roles from his mid-90s expressive comedy to his more serious roles in the late 90s and early 2000s. Like marmite, people tend to either love or hate Carrey’s work and I am definitely in the former.

Here are my top 5 Jim Carrey performances in chronological order:

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

One of those rare instances where I enjoy the sequel much more than the original, Carrey reprises his role as the titular pet detective which sees Ventura recruited for a mission to retrieve a rare white bat that belongs to the native Wachati tribe. The film is an explosion of signature Carrey jokes and the film is my personal highlight of the mid-90s period where Carrey was all the rage. His unpredictability still remains the main point of attention for audiences as we watch him knock out a man and wear him on his shoulders to make a point on the fur trade as well as numerous musical moments including a hilarious rendition of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. My personal highlight, however, is the seen in which he encounters the bats for the first time bringing us great lines such as “take that, you winged spawn of Satan” and “die, devil bird”. His filmography at thie point in his career wasn’t for everyone as it is so over the top but personally, I love it and it’s interesting watching this film back and watching it from an animal rights point of view.

The Truman Show (1998)

The film that showed an entirely different side to Carrey’s range, The Truman Show sees Carrey play Truman, a man who believes he is living a regular suburban life when in fact it is a reality show filled with actors that is broadcast to the world. Truman begins to suspect that something isn’t quite right and tries to escape the edge of his town where he hasn’t been before. It’s a poignant film about identity and finding that sense of belonging. Truman’s life has always unknowingly been synonomous with a global audience who share his journey. Truman has always been controlled by the show’s creator, Christoph (Ed Harris) who acts like the puppet master. He adds in drama and conflict if Truman’s life is going swimmingly. Carrey’s performance is a true tour de force thanks to his naive and subtle approach to the role. He is able to detract from the typecast view that he has created in his filmography thus far. It is because of his ability to switch between ranges so well that won him a Golden Globe for his troubles.

Man on the Moon (1999)

Following on from his critical and commercial success as Truman in The Truman Show, Carrey knocks it out of the park again in this biopic that seems him play Andy Kaufman, a man who redefined comedy in the 1970s. This film sees Carrey join forces with the brillint director Milos Forman and gives him the chance to show that The Truman Show performance wasn’t a stroke of luck. His portrayal of Kaufman is fantastic as we follow his rise in comedy and his stints on Saturday Night Live as well as the TV show Taxi which he starred in. The film overall isn’t the best but usually biopics allow for the actor portraying the subject to really standout as Carrey does here. He is the major draw and highlight but this isn’t a bad thing because he has such command on the role. Also hearing how he stayed in character offset shows his commitment and dedication to getting his performance right shows that he does take his roles seriously. His impersonation strikes the right tone, it is never over the top in classic Jim Carrey style and eventually the audience forgets that we are watching an actor rather than Kaufman himself.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

My favourite Jim Carrey performance comes in the form of this career-defining film following Joel (Carrey), a man unhappy with his life who finds out that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memory wiped off him by the mysterious Lacuna Incorporated and shows him undergoing the same treatment to get rid of his memories of Clementine. Charlie Kaufman’s script is fantastic and won him a well-deserved Oscar that has redefined original screenplay writing in the 21st century. The concept is so bizarre and yet the humour is subdued within a darker context making way for the film to focus on the drama within Joel and Clementine’s relationship. Carrey’s performance should have garnered him an Academy Award nomination but sadly it wasn’t to be. His portrayal of Joel is tinged with sadness throughout. The idea of not being with Clementine initially to the realisation that he will lose all memories of her while he is being forced to relive the memories during his procedure. It’s a heartbreaking film about the breakdown of a relationship and is made real by the strength of Carrey and WInslet’s performance.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

2004 was a resounding success for Carrey who made an unforgettable appearance in this popular adaptation of the best-selling series of the same name. Playing the villainous Count Olaf, Carrey channels his signature overtly expressive humour as his figuratively and literally towers over the three bauldelaire orphans who are subject to his care after the tragic death of their parents. The film is littered with stars including Joan Cusack, Timothy Spall and Meryl Streep but it is Carrey who shines the most. His performance was exactly how I envisioned Count Olaf would be when reading the books. The film overall strikes a completely different tone but Carrey’s performance is overly dramatic, unapologetically obnoxious and loud but most importantly, he has charisma which is crucial for the role. The film does have its flaws but Carrey’s performance is definitely not one. He is clearly having fun being in such a menacing role and it makes the film enjoyable to watch.

There are so many performances that could have been included in this list such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and Bruce Almighty (2003) but I think that the films I have listed above really demonstrate Carrey at his best. Although he hasn’t done many major roles in recent years, i hope he does make a comeback because it’ll be interesting to see what kinds of roles he would take on.

Do you agree with the films I have picked? Which Jim Carrey performance and/or film is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Uncategorised

mother! (2017)

This is a film that you will either love or hate. There really isn’t an in between on this one. Darren Aronofsky’s mother! is a biblical retelling through the unconventional setting of a home as the sole location. Featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as mother and Him, a married couple who live in a huge house built by the former while the latter works on his writing. mother is decorating the home and longs for a family but this is refused by Him, who is consumed by his own work to care about what mother wants. Compared to previous offerings by Aronofsky such as Black Swan, mother! is a literally and figuratively contained film. At no point do we lose sight of mother as we follow her perspective as chaos ensues. At first, the house seems open and spacious but this quickly shifts to a claustrophobic palace of mayhem as mother’s space is literally invaded by outsiders. When mother falls pregnant, she is forced to endure the increasing attention for her husband and the exposure that leaves no stone unturned in the house.

Directed and written by Aronofsky, mother! is a film that plays out like a mystery. Because we don’t see the outside world, we don’t know what or who will come next. This makes it one of the most shocking films to watch, especially when the first casualty plays out. Definitely one of the best filmmakers today, Aronofsky leaves the meaning of the film and his own intention to the imagination of the author. One can watch it from religious, feminist and even mental health angles. It’s a film that is left wide open for interpretation. There is a clear argument for the conflict between mankind and nature. The brutality and expressionist approach to the film can make it uncomfortable for viewers which is probably why it split critics and audiences alike. However, I was one of the viewers who was left in awe from the brilliance in every aspect.

Jennifer Lawrence draws out a brilliantly and fully dramatic performance that we haven’t seen since Winter’s Bone. In between the aforementioned and mother! there was an increased focus on characters with a comedic side with Lawrence starring in dark comedy-dramas as well as protagonist Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games franchise. It’s a performance that demands a lot on expression and physicality as mother is a character of few words. We see her initial comfort turn into catastrophe and panic as more and more people invade the house and ruin what she has built. Javier Bardem is yet again fantastic as the villainous Him. He is perfect at playing such a manipulative character whose motivations are inspired only by himself for himself. Him is careless and seemingly the reasonable one but even as he loses control, he cannot let go of the admiration of the visitors. Their love for him is more important than the love given to him by mother.

The supporting cast is led by Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris as woman and man, respectively, who both pull off menacing performances as the initial outsiders who enter the house. Immediately, mother is discomforted and disturbed by their visit and Him’s insistence that they stay for as long as they like. Pfeiffer particularly is so magnetic and draws in a deeply sexual performance that equally disgusts and intrigues mother, who is puzzled by their lax attitude towards sex and openness in conversation. As mother observes, we see woman and man worship Him whilst simultaneously break house rules and venture where they shouldn’t.

There are so many scenes worth delving into but none left me speechless in the way that the shot following mother as the house descends into chaos did. Each room has a different form of punishment with herod (Kristen Wiig) shooting people in one and a SWAT team bursting through the windows and beating people up. Despite the increasing tension, the bloody violence still comes across as shocking and unexpected. Equally as heartbreaking is the scene that follows after mother gives birth. As we witness her descent into madness and the end product that the destruction has had on the house, the realisation that there is no way to repair what has happened is still heartbreaking. It’s a film that knows its pace and doesn’t desire to fit into the mainstream.

Overall, mother! is a film that allows Aronofsky to be experimental and reject the basic beginning, middle, end linear structure with a clear plot. I think it is a film that shows Aronofsky at his best. He has always been great at developing complex female characters with an expressionist approach to direction. He has a classical eye when it comes to inspiration and is inspired by music, art, ballet, film. He is brilliant at finding beauty in the ugly and drawing that out, contrasting what we are seeing with new ideas. This is evident in mother! as the mere inspiration and idea of seeing the Holy text contrast with the horrific events is something that hasn’t been done before.

What do you think of mother!? Let me know in the comments below!