Regarded as one of the most successful actresses of all times, Emma Thompson’s talents spans a wide range of genres fans can’t get enough of. Weirdly enough (for someone known for starring in high-class literary adaptations), Thompson was and remains a stand-up comic alongside acting.
With every movie comes further recognition, and Thompson has received various awards including two Oscars, two British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globes, a British Academy Television Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award over her career over four decades. It’s the wide range of projects and diversity that has made her so popular with her audience over time, since there is a movie for everyone to enjoy in her catalogue of impressive work. Let’s take a look at the actress’ best movies from over the years.
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8 In the Name of the Father
Universal Pictures
In the Name of the Father is a crime thriller starring Danial Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon, who sees himself being sentenced to 15 years in jail for a crime he did not commit. Thought to be a member of the I.R.A. and responsible for the bombing of the Guildford Pub in London in 1974, Conlon works on a campaign for prove his innocence. Assisted by his compassionate lawyer Gareth Peirce (Thompson), she is faced with multiple obstacles, predominantly by those who led the initial investigation, in her quest to free Conlon.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 The Harry Potter Movies
Warner Bros. Pictures
We first saw Thompson appear in the 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prison of Azkaban as the adorable but aloof Professor of Divination, Sybill Trelawney. She returned three years later in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and then reprised her role for the third time during the climactic Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Thompson’s role as Trelawney in the Harry Potter franchise was not only essential to Harry’s journey with Voldemort, but she brought a lovable and unique character to life, and we can’t imagine Hogwarts without her.
6 Wit
HBO Films
Wit is a 2001 film based on a one-act play of the same name by Margaret Edsons. We see Thompson play Vivian Bearing, a hard-nosed English professor who is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. The audience is drawn into the painful but relatable story as we observe the relationship between Vivian and the people who watch over and support her and how Vivian reflects on the cancer, the treatments and the significant events in her life. This film truly explores and shows the audience the true meanings of being, suffering, and loss.
5 Nanny McPhee
Starring as Nanny McPhee, this great children’s adventure is considered to be one of Thompson’s most entertaining and well-known performances. Set in 1860s Victorian England, the Brown household is being overrun by its seven unruly children. Managing to scare off 17 nannies with their elaborate jokes and bad behavior, their father Cedric (played by Colin Firth) is at his wits end.
However, one stormy night the government nanny magically appears. She is hell-bent on transforming the children’s manners and house and has lots of magic tucked up her sleeve which should do the trick.
4 Love Actually
Love Actually could arguably be described as one of the best British Christmas movies ever made; it is definitely one of the most well-known. Promoting a story of love and friendship, the film follows the intricate and complex lives of several individuals around the Christmas holidays.
Despite the huge ensemble cast, Thompson still stands out in her role as Karen whose long-term marriage to Harry (Alan Rickman) is threatened when Harry becomes captivated with his new assistant Mia (Keike Makatsch), leaving him with the decision of whether to fall to temptation or be loyal to his very perceptive wife. However, the ultimate message stands with us all — love really is all around.
3 Howard’s End
Sony Pictures Classics
Starring alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Anthony Hopkins, Thompson is amazing in Howard’s End, which is based on E.M. Forster’s novel of the same name. Regarded as one of the best and most iconic romance novels of all time, the film chronicles the intricate love triangle of two very different class of families that could potentially complicate one family’s inheritance, which includes the large family house called Howard’s End.
2 The Remains of the Day
Columbia Pictures
The Remains of the Day is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s original novel. Thompson stars alongside Anthony Hopkins again in this romantic drama full of rich historical background. Hopkins plays a head butler who sacrifices his life and soul to his employer, even forgoing visiting his father on his deathbed in order to serve.
Overlooking his master’s Nazi sympathies during World War II, he foregoes this love with the head housekeeper (Thompson) until 20 years after the death of his master, when he makes an attempt to reconnect with her to rekindle their love.
1 Sense and Sensibility
Sony Pictures Releasing
In Sense and Sensibility, Thompson plays the role of Elinor, one of three daughters whose marriageability is left questionable after the death of her father when he leaves the family estate to the son by his first marriage. The family are taken in by a kindly cousin whilst the family struggle with their lack of fortune. We follow the story of Elinor and Marianne as they experience the wonders of love, romance, and heartbreak in this most acclaimed and beloved historical romance by fantastic author Jane Austen.
