As a great admirer of Laura Dern‘s extraordinary talent and unparalleled versatility, I find myself utterly captivated by her illustrious career spanning over four decades. From her enchanting debut as a naive teenager in “Smooth Talk” to her electrifying performances in David Lynch’s masterpieces, Laura Dern has consistently demonstrated her ability to embody characters that are complex, captivating, and often, a study in incongruity.
Originally released on June 3, 2022, this list has been revised and expanded to incorporate Laura Dern’s more recent roles, such as her latest project, “Lonely Planet,” available on Netflix.
Even before the world recognized her as Laura Dern, a 7-year-old girl was munching on ice cream cones between takes in Martin Scorsese’s movie “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” – precisely 19 of them, one for each take. So impressed by her endurance, Scorsese reportedly said, “This girl will become an actress.” True to his words, just six years later, she proved him right.
Over the past four decades, Dern has built a highly respected career in Hollywood, undoubtedly boosted by the influence and advice from her parents, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, who encouraged her to push boundaries and take risks. It’s not just that she is fulfilling their advice; it’s more accurate to say she’s thriving under it.
To acknowledge the remarkable span of her career, Vulture is listing Dern’s outstanding live-action performances, taking into account some specific exceptions due to her extensive body of work. Television films like “Recount” (a popular HBO production that earned her an Emmy nomination) are included, but only if roles in series are recurring (excluding shows such as “Fallen Angels”, “Ellen”, or “The West Wing”, all of which are excellent). Movies not easily accessible via video on demand (VOD) or streaming services (like “Haunted Summer”, “Focus”, and “Lonely Hearts”) were disregarded, along with one-scene appearances (in “Foxes” and “Downsizing”). This leaves a rich collection of powerful Dern performances that frequently delve into the complexities of human nature.
46. Tenderness (2009)
It might be appropriate for Dern’s legal representative to file a lawsuit alleging negligence in a severe manner. The movie featuring Russell Crowe, often described as a crime drama, seems to lack engaging content for the character portrayed by Dern. Her role is minimal and unremarkable, appearing sporadically in scenes that appear poorly developed. She plays the seemingly enigmatic aunt of an 18-year-old (Jon Foster) who has recently been paroled for killing his parents, and that essentially sums up her involvement in the story.
45. Cold Pursuit (2019)
In a typical Hollywood narrative, it’s often depicted that the wife remains at home while the man embarks on a challenging journey, which occasionally leads to emotionally resonant storylines. However, the film “Cold Pursuit” diverges from this pattern, as after brief initial scenes with Laura Dern as Neeson’s spouse, her character is largely sidelined. The focus shifts to Neeson’s snowplow driver character, who leaves in pursuit of their son’s mysterious demise, while his wife’s whereabouts are not mentioned.
44. When the Game Stands Tall (2014)
In this nearly motivational sports film, Dern’s character was faced with a single task, yet it created an issue. Her character primarily existed to support her overworked football-coach husband (played by Jim Caviezel in a drowsy manner). She consoled him, attended to his health concerns, scolded him for his frequent absences from home, and ultimately cheered on his team from the stands. This role was essentially thankless, and even an engaging actress like Dern had limited ability to breathe life into such flat material.
43. Bravetown (2015)
Get that lawyer back on the phone. Dern somehow landed in this cringey military-town drama about a troubled teen DJ (Lucas Till) — have you heard enough yet? — whose girlfriend (Kherington Payne) lost her brother to the Iraq War — how about now? Dern is said girlfriend’s despondent mother, who pastes on a foggy smile if she manages to pry herself out of bed. Bravetown wants to respect its characters’ reality, but the maudlin script breeds an inauthenticity that is far beneath Dern’s talents.
42. The Founder (2016)
In the film, The Founder presents Dern as a voice over the phone, which symbolizes the shallow portrayal of her character within the biopic. Dern plays the first wife of Keaton’s character, Ray Kroc, who bought McDonald’s in 1954 and expanded it significantly. The script by Robert Siegel fails to provide depth for Dern’s character, instead making her seem like a constant nuisance who struggles to support her husband’s ambitions. It seems as though Dern could have convincingly played this role even if she were in a coma.
41. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982)
This well-liked movie centered around three teenage girls starting an ’80s punk band, which has been a source of inspiration for Alex Ross Perry on multiple occasions, is worth watching. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fully showcase the talents of Laura Dern, who portrays the band’s bassist and fits the role perfectly. However, her character becomes so underdeveloped that she barely exhibits any personality, which is disappointing given the intriguing concept of “young Laura Dern in a punk band.” Instead, the film primarily revolves around Diane Lane’s character, the sarcastic lead singer of the Stains. Why should only lead singers enjoy the spotlight?
40. October Sky (1999)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=udHB3tftPz4
In the late ’90s, Dern experienced a quiet phase in her career. After taking a three-year break following “Citizen Ruth,” she reappeared with a thick southern accent in this heartwarming true story. The tale revolves around Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, a determined rocket enthusiast, who challenges his strict coal miner father (Chris Cooper). Dern portrays the supportive teacher in the film, although her role did not fully utilize her unique talents and skills.
39. The Son (2022)
In essence, “The Son” is a lengthy, damp disappointment. Despite Florian Zeller’s film attempting to explore profound aspects of depression within a New York family, it immerses itself in their emotional turmoil without ever gaining credibility or momentum. In this production, Laura Dern, portraying the mother of a troubled teenager (Zen McGrath), takes a supporting role behind Hugh Jackman. This limited screen time doesn’t allow for much character development, yet Dern effectively communicates a deep sense of desperation and vulnerability, particularly in a scene where her character admits her fear of having failed as a parent. This melodrama has since become an insignificant entry on Dern’s acting resume, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
38. I Am Sam (2001)
In the film “I Am Sam,” Laura Dern’s performance was praised by critics, but that doesn’t mean much when compared to Sean Penn’s portrayal of a mentally challenged father. His performance as a single father battling for custody of his daughter (Dakota Fanning) is so powerful that it overshadows the movie itself. To put it politely, this film perhaps shouldn’t have been made. The complexities in the story are reduced to overly dramatic plot devices, which unfortunately highlight how unsuitable Penn was for the role.
37. Fat Man and Little Boy (1989)
Showcasing one of Dern’s most heartfelt performances, Fat Man and Little Boy is a dormant World War II debate centered around the clandestine Manhattan Project. The story follows a nurse who develops bitterness towards the United States-led initiative to create nuclear weapons as she witnesses the physicist she adores (a strong John Cusack) succumbing to radiation sickness. In her interactions, Dern exudes a quiet composure that transcends her usual tone. Despite the film fading into obscurity, Dern and Cusack share a sweet chemistry that deserves a more compelling narrative.
36. Everything Must Go (2010)
In this dramedy where Will Ferrell showcases his softer side, Dern was given the notable recognition for her supporting role that appears after approximately 54 minutes. She portrays a former classmate of Ferrell’s who challenges the perception of his life being dominated by depression. Although the part is not deeply significant, it underscores Dern’s ability to persuade an audience to empathize with her character’s viewpoint.
35. Little Fockers (2010)
Dern manages to enjoy herself enough to maintain her dignity throughout the seemingly excessive movie titled “Little Fockers“. As a prudent headmistress of a private school, she opts for subtle humor while those around her, including Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, lean towards slapstick. Interestingly, these two actors are said to have earned approximately $20 million each for their roles in the third and last movie of the series.
34. Happy Endings (2005)
A movie from the mid-2000s, titled “Happy Endings “, is a Sundance production that intertwines several narratives set in upper-middle-class Los Angeles, aiming for a balance between melancholic and peculiar. However, many of these stories fall short, even though Dern portrays a lesbian character involved in subtly intriguing drama surrounding her child’s paternity. Despite this, Dern seems to be overshadowed by more captivating roles taken by Lisa Kudrow and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
33. Lonely Planet (2024)
A divorced author embarks on a trip to Morocco and finds herself attracted to a charming, young man with striking blue eyes. However, this man is in a relationship with someone difficult, which creates complications. Instead of a sudsy erotic thriller or an Under the Tuscan Sun-esque charmer, Lonely Planet is a bland drama that manages to be engaging only because Laura Dern delivers such a heartfelt performance. The movie seems to want to explore self-discovery, but it ultimately becomes a story about one person’s struggle against temptation, represented by Liam Hemsworth. Although the audience can understand the attraction, it’s disappointing that Dern’s first leading role in six years is such a watered-down character. Despite her character lacking many defining qualities, Dern manages to make her feel real and relatable.
32. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=s2hM1tyEL0U
The three most exciting things about Laura Dern appearing in Star Wars were her purple hair, her soft delivery of the line “godspeed, rebels,” and the fact that she apparently kept saying “pew, pew” while firing her blaster on the set. In practice, Vice-Admiral Amilyn Holdo is a conduit on hand to route The Last Jedi’s plot from one beat to the next, hardly a fleshed-out linchpin destined for earthly eminence. But there was a novelty to seeing Dern, who needn’t kowtow to Hollywood’s franchise addiction, pop up in one of the decade’s most hotly anticipated — and best; sorry, haters — blockbusters.
31. Daddy and Them (2001)
Following his work on “Sling Blade” and “All the Pretty Horses”, Billy Bob Thornton enlisted Dern for a shift in his somewhat unusual directorial journey. The lesser-known film, “Daddy and Them“, is a fast-paced comedy that portrays a troubled Arkansas family, with Thornton and Dern playing a tumultuous couple entangled in passionate affairs and minor jealousies. Overall, the movie seems contrived; its humor doesn’t resonate entirely. However, Dern delivers some powerful yells, and she is exceptionally good at it.
30. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that this heartwrenching teen drama left little room for complexity in its adult characters, with Dern’s portrayal of a movie mom being no exception – always there to offer love, encouragement, and tears for her ailing daughter (Shailene Woodley). The most intriguing element of “The Fault in Our Stars” from Dern’s perspective is that it marked a significant resurgence in her career post-“Enlightenment“. She truly shines in the role, yet I fervently hope she never finds herself reprising such an emotionally taxing part throughout her remaining years.
29. Trial by Fire (2018)
A film titled Trial by Fire portrays the real-life case of Cameron Todd Willingham (Jack O’Connell), a man from Texas who was wrongly sentenced to death for arson, based on evidence that has since been questioned and discredited. In this movie, Laura Dern plays a compassionate advocate who supports Willingham while he’s in prison. Initially, her character appears detached, but as the case gains momentum, so does her passionate portrayal. Throughout the film, Dern’s unwavering optimism serves as an effective symbol of the underlying anger, although Edward Zwick’s stiff direction fails to fully capitalize on its potential.
28. Palm Royale (2024)
In a bold move, Dern created and starred in the Apple TV+ series “Palm Royale,” which was adapted from Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel “Mr. & Mrs. American Pie.” Interestingly, she chose to embody one of the less-developed characters within the series. Known for her activism and being the proprietor of a bookstore called “Our Bodies, Our Shelves,” Dern’s character represents a lifestyle that contrasts with Palm Beach’s elite socialites. She exudes a philosophical demeanor and adorns loose-fitting bohemian dresses.
27. Dr. T & the Women (2000)
The movie Dr. T & the Women, despite receiving an F rating from CinemaScore, appears to be somewhat overdramatically rated. However, it’s undeniable that this film is one of Robert Altman’s more puzzling works in his distinguished career: a peculiar blend of romantic comedy elements about a gynecologist (Richard Gere) whose wife (Farrah Fawcett) regresses to a childlike state following the development of a condition unique to happy, affluent women. Dern’s character, on the other hand, remains untouched by criticism. Her portrayal of a tipsy Dallas divorcee – exuding vampish charm in that oblivious nouveau-riche fashion – leaves one yearning for a movie as captivating as her character.
26. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
In a fact-based dramedy set in the 1950s, featuring Julianne Moore as a beleaguered housewife caring for an alcoholic husband and their large family, Laura Dern steps into a typical supportive friend role. However, this is no ordinary performance by Laura Dern; she elevates even the most common roles to Shakespearean levels. In this film, she portrays Dern’s character as an overly optimistic pen pal turned jingle-writing partner for Moore with infectious enthusiasm that borders on obsession.
25. Certain Women (2016)
In simpler terms, Kristen Stewart and Lily Gladstone shine in Kelly Reichardt’s trilogy set in a small Montana town. While Michelle Dern’s segment (she plays a lawyer dealing with an unstable client, Jared Harris) is the least substantial part of the film, Reichardt allows her actors to bring depth and nuance to their roles through their performances. Dern portrays a weary character whose demeanor hints at a rich history that isn’t explicitly shown in the script.
24. Year of the Dog (2007)
Prior to collaborating on “Enlightened,” Mike White first directed Dern in his debut film about a solitary administrative assistant (Molly Shannon), whose life is drastically altered following the death of her beloved pet dog. In this production, Dern portrays Shannon’s self-centered, anxious sister-in-law, who launches a lengthy tirade about an alleged babysitter drugging her infant with Benadryl. Essentially, Dern delivers a performance characteristic of her style: the quick-to-be-offended, high-and-mighty mother figure who can’t seem to stop talking. It’s as if you’re longing for White to offer her more substantial material to work with, but that opportunity would arrive later on.
23. 99 Homes (2014)
Ramin Bahrani’s housing-crisis drama is tense and underrated. The film could be seen as a starring vehicle for Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield, but it’s Dern who truly embodies the narrative’s essence. She portrays a lower-middle-class mother in Orlando whose construction worker son (Garfield) enters into a Faustian scheme to quickly amass wealth after they lose their shared home. Each disastrous choice – made by her son, as well as America’s financial institutions – ultimately falls on Dern’s shoulders. Throughout the story, she transitions from a protective mother figure to a powerless woman and finally to an utterly frustrated individual.
22. Mask (1985)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=4snGt8OzUV0
You don’t watch the movie “Mask” primarily for Laura Dern; instead, you watch it because of Cher, who portrays a tough biker mom named Rocky’s mother, who fiercely protects her son from bullying due to his cranial dysplasia. However, Dern delivers an impactful supporting role as Rocky’s blind love interest, a character who is drawn to his intelligence and kindness rather than his appearance. The authentic performance by Dern, along with Peter Bogdanovich’s solid direction, helps create a more nuanced portrayal of the character, moving beyond typical young adult stereotypes.
21. A Perfect World (1993)
In the less recognized directorial work by Clint Eastwood, the film “A Perfect World” showcases Dern as a sharp-witted Texas criminologist, contributing significantly to the manhunt for an escaped convict, played exceptionally well by Kevin Costner who also kidnapped a child (T.J. Lowther). This isn’t your typical crime movie; rather, Eastwood crafts a subtle tale exploring American masculinity. Initially doubted by her tough-guy peers, Dern’s character Sally Gerber silences their skepticism with shrewd observations and insightful comments about their masculine insecurities.
20. We Don’t Live Here Anymore (2004)
In a more subdued manner similar to the film “Closer”, the drama “We Don’t Live Here Anymore” directed by John Curran, falls short of fully capturing its intended emotional depth. The story revolves around two repressed couples in New England, who are friends and eventually engage in infidelity behind their spouses’ backs. However, the film belongs to Dern, who delivers a powerful performance that resonates deeply with the audience. Her character, marked by her bitterness, is revealed as profoundly anguished through three poignant monologues that pierce through her sorrow.
19. Little Women (2019)
Marmee, portrayed by Dern in the film, exhibits a more tender and compassionate demeanor compared to Susan Sarandon’s version. This portrayal underscores Louisa May Alcott’s matriarch’s sacrificial spirit. In a poignant scene with Saoirse Ronan’s Jo, Marmee skillfully weaves poetry from the eloquent dialogue Greta Gerwig adapted. During their conversation about Jo’s volatile nature, Marmee softly guides her inexperienced daughter, reminding her that suppressing anger doesn’t mean it isn’t present. Dern delivers the line “I’m angry nearly every day of my life” with a heartfelt straightforwardness that startles Jo. This moment transforms their dialogue into a comfort, as Marmee imparts wisdom to someone in need, exposing a vulnerable aspect of herself that she has kept hidden for her daughters’ sake.
18. Novocaine (2001)
In my opinion, if the talented actress Natasha Lyonne had skillfully emphasized her character in “Novocaine,” it could have been her breakout role, reminiscent of her unforgettable portrayal in “To Die For.” As a cunning and charismatic dental hygienist, she adds a delightful whimsy to the role that intensifies the intriguing plot twists, making the movie’s tantalizing suspense even more disappointing. This is due to the fact that the story primarily revolves around her boyfriend, a dentist played by Steve Martin who seems ill-suited for the role, embroiled in a prescription-drug scandal involving the captivating Helena Bonham Carter. Despite Lyonne’s impressive performance, “Novocaine” fails to harmonize its disjointed elements, resulting in a film that promises both comedy and thrills but delivers little of either.
17. Wilson (2017)
Wilson delivers one of those delightfully unhinged performances that Dern brings out every now and then. She portrays an awkward, unpredictable waitress who is unwillingly involved in her ex-husband’s (Woody Harrelson) journey of self-discovery. If you look at it from a certain angle, the movie resembles a sequel to “Citizen Ruth”: Dern exhibits wild, childlike outbursts reminiscent of Ruth Stoops’ behavior.
16. Marriage Story (2019)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Zpwbyrpzi4Y
At the premiere of Marriage Story at the Toronto International Film Festival, when the audience witnessed Dern’s impassioned speech about sexism and the Virgin Mary, they erupted in applause. Although her portrayal as the “courtroom seductress” divorce attorney Nora Fanshaw didn’t reveal any unexpected facets of Dern’s acting ability, she masterfully commanded those aspects with such intensity that it leaves no doubt about her exceptional talent for the role. It is possible that she could have won her first Oscar with a more multidimensional character, but there is no denying that she excels at her job. In fact, Dern skillfully brings out the satirical undertones that other actors might have overlooked, choosing to highlight Nora’s charm as the key factor in winning over any crowd she encounters.
15. Recount (2008)
In a striking blend of husky-brown hair and copious amounts of bronzer that would make a M.A.C showroom envious, Dern powerfully strides through “Recount”. She portrays Katherine Harris, the ex-Florida secretary of state who declared the 2000 presidential election in George W. Bush’s favor and morphed into an arrogant media figure over time. This exuberantly exaggerated roast surpasses all other elements in Jay Roach’s acclaimed HBO docudrama, earning Dern an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win. Her Harris is a masterful stage actress, oblivious to her predicament but determined to hold onto her newfound fame. From her theatrically tearing open a sugar packet to her self-centered association with the biblical queen Esther, Dern’s portrayal of Harris showcases an unmatched flair for the dramatic.
14. The Master (2012)
Julia Dern’s character in Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie doesn’t have a large part, but she delivers one of the standout scenes – a tense exchange with a leader resembling L. Ron Hubbard (Philip Seymour Hoffman), head of a group called The Cause. The dialogue begins cordially as she inquires about an inconsistency in her mentor’s latest writing, but things quickly take a startling turn when he lets out an unexpected howl. In just 90 seconds, Dern conveys a full range of emotions – the shock of discovering that the ideology she has embraced may not be as she believed.
13. Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
Until she popped up in the sixth episode of Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival, Dern’s role remained a mystery. Then came that platinum-blonde bob and cat-eye makeup. David Lynch had pulled off one of his finest hat tricks: casting Dern as Diane Evans, the heretofore-never-seen secretary to Kyle MacLachlan’s quirky FBI agent. Twenty-six years after the beloved show’s cancellation, Diane is a skeptical, profane chain-smoker with a multicolored manicure — an exciting development for someone previously represented only by the tape recorder MacLachlan spoke into. Dern gets her biggest moment toward the season’s end, unleashing a monologue about a bygone trauma with the same crinkled cry she served up in Blue Velvet.
12. JT LeRoy (2019)
I found myself deeply engrossed in the intriguing tale of JT LeRoy, as portrayed in the compelling 2016 documentary titled “Author: The JT LeRoy Story“. This film delved into the enigmatic life of the pseudonymous author whose powerful literature catapulted her to late-’90s literary stardom. In a biopic format, the complex sociological aspects of LeRoy’s fame seem to have been somewhat overshadowed, perhaps explaining why this film didn’t generate as much buzz as expected. However, it’s unfortunate because Laura Dern delivers an outstanding performance, bringing LeRoy (whose real name is Laura Albert) to life as a grandiose and self-centered character who can evoke sympathy in one moment and chilling indifference in the next. Dern truly excels at portraying this fluctuating nature; there’s no straightforward interpretation of LeRoy’s deception, and Dern ensures that we’re left questioning and unable to easily analyze her character from a comfortable armchair perspective.
11. Wild (2014)
In a more casual and straightforward manner, we could say: Bobbi Grey gives a subtle, yet powerful performance in ‘Wild’. At first, some of Dern’s lines might seem overly sentimental. For instance, when her troubled daughter (Reese Witherspoon) questions how she can stay so cheerful amidst their struggles, Dern says, “If there’s one thing I can teach you, it’s how to find your best self.” However, this dialogue becomes the film’s most impactful moment as Dern delivers it with a conviction that makes it seem like she’s saying these words for the first time. Her soft-spoken intensity and “life is tough, move on” spirit perfectly encapsulate the essence of ‘Wild’. Her understated performance in this film earned her a well-deserved second Oscar nomination, suggesting great things to come for her career.
10. Big Little Lies (2017–2019)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ud7151QhfnE
Dern’s standout moment in HBO’s Big Little Lies comes from a brief but powerful scene in season two where Renata Klein passionately tells her incarcerated husband, Jeffrey Nordling, that she “won’t be poor,” her finger thrusting through the partition with each word. However, this moment is just one of many outstanding performances by Dern in the series. Given that her character takes a supporting role compared to Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, Dern skillfully added a witty touch to the series’ humor. Renata’s character is complex because she struggles to reconcile her fear of being disliked with her abrasive personality. The adult characters’ conflicts often seem more trivial than their children’s, and Dern’s portrayal of Renata, with her stiff, well-manicured demeanor, makes her outbursts of anger all the more satisfying.
9. Blue Velvet (1986)
In her initial project with David Lynch, Dern established a lasting impact on cinema. If it weren’t for the symbolic robins from Sandy Williams’ dream in the movie ‘Blue Velvet’, where would she, or we, be? Sandy initiates the plot of the film by informing the amateur detective (Kyle MacLachlan) that the ear he found belongs to a local lounge singer (Isabella Rossellini), whose dark personal life disrupts the idyllic image of suburban life. Confused, she tells him, “I can’t tell if you’re a detective or a pervert.” The enchantment in Dern’s delivery suggests that Sandy, who appears almost dreamlike, is content with not knowing whether her mysterious new love interest fits the detective or lecherous label.
8. The Tale (2018)
In simpler terms, the film titled “The Tale” is deeply tied to its various components, offering a complex and somewhat Impressionistic portrayal of childhood sexual abuse, which is both unsettling and comforting. The main character, played by Laura Dern, is similar to the director, Jennifer Fox, and she’s a documentarian who travels around the world. She unearths old memories from a problematic relationship she had when she was 13 with her horseback-riding instructors (Elizabeth Debicki and Jason Ritter). Dern skillfully portrays a character going through emotional turmoil as she digs up these past memories. At the start of the movie, her character has a tough exterior that serves as both a career drive and a psychological shield. However, as her defenses weaken, Dern transitions from confusion to sorrow to explosive anger, all while maintaining a subtle and convincing performance.
7. The Jurassic Park franchise (1993–2022)
It’s easy to take Dern’s Jurassic Park performance for granted. Dr. Ellie Sattler has been memed, quoted, and Halloween-costumed to death, transforming into one of those blockbuster mainstays no longer associated with Great Acting. But it is great acting, and not just because Dern convincingly thrusts her hand into a massive pile of triceratops poop. She blends Ellie’s intelligence with a wide-eyed awe that makes her an audience surrogate, reminding us there’s no reason we shouldn’t still be wowed by the dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg’s immortal hit. Dern reprised the role in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion, but there’s nothing like the first time.
6. Inland Empire (2006)
In the film “Inland Empire,” Dern portrays a character who becomes increasingly confused and disoriented, mirroring the unpredictable nature of the production itself. David Lynch, the director, presented each scene to the actors on a daily basis, without a clear understanding of how the narrative would ultimately resolve. This method reflects the storyline about an actress getting embroiled in a cursed performance and losing grip on her own reality. It’s unclear whether it’s her reality slipping away or if the surrounding world is becoming indistinguishable from the fantastical. Fittingly, Dern delivers a bewildered performance throughout “Empire.” Her puzzled smiles and mounting suspicion hint at a mental breakdown, but she skillfully avoids reducing such a complex character to a single, frantic trait. Without her resilience, this surreal exploration – arguably Lynch’s most Lynchian work – might not have been as effective.
5. Rambling Rose (1991)
The movie that garnered Dern’s first Oscar nomination could never survive today’s exhausting internet discourse. The bellyachers who objected to the age difference between Licorice Pizza’s relatively tame protagonists would go mad dissecting Dern’s Rambling Rose character, a coquettish Depression-era housekeeper who falls hard for her older employer (Robert DuVall) and provides his 13-year-old son’s (Lukas Haas) first sexual experience. No matter. Dern is fantastic, taking the emotional nakedness she revealed in Blue Velvet to a southern-fried extreme. She manages to seem at once pure and precocious, virginal and perpetually aroused. The Martha Coolidge–directed movie came and went, but this barn burner of a performance deserves revisiting.
4. Smooth Talk (1985)
Despite not being a box office success, seasoned Dernhead fans recognize that the movie “Smooth Talk” marked Jodie Foster’s career breakthrough. The film’s pivotal scene, occurring near the end, is particularly memorable: 15-year-old Connie, who is too old to be a little girl but not yet ready for seduction, flirts hesitantly with an enigmatic character (played by Treat Williams) who arrives in her front yard driving a sleek convertible. Caught between the urge to expose herself or call the authorities, Connie moves uneasily, desperate to shed her shyness but unable to escape her innocence that still lingers. This portrayal of Dern as both imposing and childlike — a depiction of contradiction that would recur in many of her best performances. “Smooth Talk” is a masterful exploration of adolescence that defies the genre’s simplistic messaging, with Dern serving as its complex, compelling center.
3. Citizen Ruth (1996)
Regrettably, this movie features Meryl Streep’s iconic scene where she shouts a provocative phrase from a car window. This moment is just one of many memorable ones in “Citizen Ruth,” a thought-provoking comedy about abortion that doesn’t shy away from offending anyone. The character Ruth Stoops, known for her paint-huffing habits and frequent use of vulgar language towards those who cross her, is another unforgettable performance by Streep. Pregnant and potentially facing jail time, Ruth becomes the focus of a heated dispute between pro-choice activists and Evangelicals – a conflict she is ill-prepared to navigate. Streep delivers an explosive performance, her actions portraying a childlike wildness and raw abrasiveness. Each viewing of the film reveals new layers of depth to appreciate.
2. Wild at Heart (1990)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=aEfAFo99jEs&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqoMEXtBqZZhl260D2DSOhij&index=7
Regardless of bagging the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the film “Wild at Heart” stirred much controversy upon release: Audience protests erupted over its disturbing violence, while critics deemed it odd and inconsistent. However, they were mistaken. In reality, Dern’s second collaboration with David Lynch is a wild reinterpretation of “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring Dern as the free-spirited protagonist escaping her past (and the law) alongside her seductive, rough-edged lover (Nicolas Cage). She embodies the Lynchian madness with every fiber of her being, moving around like an ostrich, simultaneously unrefined and self-assured. Today, no major studio — even streaming platforms — would risk financing such a daring project, and only a few American actresses would be brave enough to star in such a morally complex film that serves as a modern Rorschach test. Too bad.
1. Enlightened (2011–2013)
It’s hard to imagine anything else but “Exceptional” being the fitting title for this list’s top spot. Laurie Metcalf, the pivotal character in Mike White’s outstanding HBO series, spanned two seasons of television – nine hours in total, yet deserved much more – masterfully portraying Amy Jellicoe. Amy’s journey, from a meltdown-stricken corporate executive to a spiritually rejuvenated enthusiast, is remarkable. The truth we acknowledge as self-evident is that the performance Laurie Metcalf delivers in this role – one of the finest performances given by few others – is unparalleled.
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2024-10-15 19:56