Sally Hawkinsis a huge name in Hollywood, and is a captivating watch no matter what role she is in. With a humble beginning in British dramas, she eventually caught the eye of huge Hollywood directors, which eventually led to her starring in some of the most successful pictures which have been released recently and leading to an Oscar nomination. For instance, Guillermo Del Toro’sThe Shape of Waterswept up 13 Oscar nominations in 2018, one of which was Best Actress for Hawkins.
Hawkins commands the screen no matter what role she stars in, and her beginnings as a stage actress has resulted in a constantly present stature, which translates impeccably on the big screen. No matter how big or small her role, she commits fully and remains one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. Here’s a look at Sally Hawkins’ best movies, ranked.
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2014’sGodzillawas directed by Gareth Edwards and serves as a reboot of the beloved franchise,which contains over 30 movies. The movie brings the monster into the modern world, and a team of scientists who have spent their life looking for the monster play a big part in the movie. Hawkins plays one of these scientists and adds life to her character through her expressive mannerisms which light up the screen even when the action is not centered around her.
7All or Nothing
Sally Hawkins and Mike Leigh have a strong professional chemistry which has resulted in several successful collaborations. The first of these collaborations was 2002’sAll or Nothing, which stars Timothy Spall and Lesley Manville and depicts the everyday lives of working-class people in London. Hawkins has a small role as Samantha, a neighbor who has limited dialogue. The film represents the beginning of Hawkins’ career, and it’s clear her skills were strong even at this early point.
Sally Hawkins gained a leading role in 2016’sMaudie, directed by Aisling Walsh. It’s a moving story of Maud (Hawkins), who falls in love with a fishmonger (Ethan Hawke) while she works for him at a live-in job at his house, based on the story of acclaimed Canadian artist, Maud Lewis. She brings a sensitivity and beauty to the role, and we see how easily she takes center stage with her natural abilities.
5Made in Dagenham
Made in Dagenhamis a 2010 British comedy-drama directed by Nigel Cole. The movie is a dramatization of the Ford sewing machinist strike of 1968. Hawkins stars as Rita O’Grady who is unexpectedly pushed into the role of leading the strike and campaigning for equal pay for women. Hawkins excels in bringing light to ordinary characters, and we find ourselves drawn into the lives of her characters due to her ability to make them so endearing.
4Blue Jasmine
Blue Jasminewas amassive successwhen it was released in 2013. It’s a black comedy which tells the story ofonce-wealthy socialite Jasmine(Cate Blanchett) after she has to move in with her sister (Sally Hawkins) in a humbler San Francisco apartment. Jasmine is in a very fragile emotional state and lacks the skills to adapt to her less privileged life. She eventually, and begrudingly, takes a job in a dentist’s office. Hawkins is excellent in the supporting role and brings a side of rationality and comedic sensibleness to a chaotic film. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her efforts, and it’s astandout performance in her career.
3Happy Go-Lucky
Happy-Go-Luckywas the second collaboration between Sally Hawkins and director Mike Leigh, released in 2008. This time, Hawkins takes the lead role of Poppy, who is a schoolteacher with a carefree attitude to life which often leads to her being misunderstood as she tries to help others. The film forces the viewer to go inwards and reflect on their own attitudes’ to life since her character is so magnetic you can’t help but ask yourself if you could be more like her. She plays the role with an ease that makes her character lovable rather than annoying, which can easily happen in such upbeat types of roles. It’s a perfect example of the chemistry that Hawkins and Leigh create when they work together.
One of the most talked about releases of last year was Pablo Larraín’sSpencer. The film details the events which led up to the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, focusing on Diana’s mental state and the restrictive conditions she was living in while at Buckingham Palace. The film was highly praised and receiveda lot of Oscar buzz. The film was praised for its unconventional take on the often-overdone Princess Diana movie, instead focuses on her mental state and a short time frame. Sally Hawkins was an excellent addition toSpencer, playing Maggie, Diana’s lady-in-waiting and personal dresser. She brings a humility to the rigid royal world and at one point confesses her love for Diana, providing an unexpected comical relief and tender moment that only Hawkins can deliver.
Related:Every Actress Who Has Played Princess Diana
1The Shape Of Water
Sally Hawkins found new levels of success when she starred in Guillermo del Toro’s 2017The Shape of Water. The concept ofThe Shape Of Waterat first seems bizarre, but under del Toro’s direction, it becomes a moving masterpiece. Hawkins plays a janitor at a government research facility who is mute and comes across a scaled marine creature being held at the facility for research purposes. They form an intimate bond, and it’s a beautiful story that could only be carried by an actress of Hawkins’ stature. She earned anAcademy Award nominationfor her efforts, and it’s easily the best performance of her career so far.
