Not many actresses attract audiences to the theatre like Helena Bonham Carter. Since the 1990’s, Carter has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s royal figures, evil witches or star-crossed lovers, Carter has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Fight Club
Anxiety has shaped my personality. I remember facing intense pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced painful pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with pressure posed by studies, I faced nervous breakdowns impacting my mental health adversely. I felt humiliated experiencing a panic attack in front of teachers which I respected. Few films I’ve ever seen have depicted mental illness that causes people to form a club as powerfully as “Fight Club”. The first rule of fight club is you do not talk about fight club. However, it’s impossible for me not to discuss a movie that has affected me deeply. Ever since its release in 1999, Helena Bonham Carter’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. In the greatest role of her career, Carter embodies a mentally ill woman that falls in love with a disturbed man facing a burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Carter has had an aptitude for conveying emotions through body language, and “Fight Club” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Edward Norton who is also excellent, Carter creates a compelling woman facing mental health impairment. For instance, the scene in which Marla Singer is first introduced smoking a cigarette is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about men forming secretive fight clubs to battle mental illnesses that are frightening, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress whose memorable movies are definitely worth celebrating.
2. The King’s Speech
Queen Elizabeth is a majestic member of the royal family my grandmother loved dearly. I remember my grandmother often spoke fondly about a queen he came to treasure. Through her love for Queen Elizabeth, my grandma gave me an appreciation for the royal family I have grown to value. As someone treasuring a father that loved to teach me about the royal family, I adored “The King’s Speech”. Released in 2010, Helena Bonham Carter’s Oscar-winning movie offered an engaging depiction of King George VI’s rise in the royal family. In the most majestic role of her career, Carter embodies a woman taking care of a king facing disability causing despair. Carter has always excelled conveying emotions through her voice, and “The King’s Speech” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Queen Elizabeth consoles the king after he breaks down crying is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The King’s Speech” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about disabilities which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of impediments leading a king to deteriorate, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress whose movies audiences appreciate.
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter is a magical series that shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve grown to treasure J.R. Rowling’s literature. The story of the misunderstood boy who lived has been part of my childhood. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting spells with stories to tell. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and adore the film adaptations. However, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” definitely stands out the most. Released in 2007, Helena Bonham Carter’s movie did an exceptional job of adapting the fifth Harry Potter book. In the most villainous role of her career, Carter embodies an evil witch causing wizards to face fear. Carter has always excelled at playing unhinged characters, and “The Order of the Phoenix” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Bellatrix Lestrange teases Harry after killing Sirius Black in the Ministry of Magic showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Order of the Phoenix” a great Harry Potter movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about wizards casting a magical spell, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a great actress with strong stories to tell.
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4. Enola Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a legendary literary character that my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that loved the detective with courage. He would always appreciate seeing crimes that the detective sought to investigate. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that loved Sherlock Holmes, I adored “Enola Holmes”. Released in 2020, Helena Bonham Carter’s movie offered a fresh feminist adaptation of the world-famous detective. In the most feminist role of her career, Carter embodies a fierce woman raising a daughter that loves solving crimes that are a burden to bear. With “Enola Holmes”, Carter took a step out of her comfort zone by playing an ordinary woman. For instance, the scene in which Enola Holmes finally finds her missing mother demonstrated the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Enola Holmes” a great Sherlock Holmes adaptation is its message. The film delivers a profound message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic feminist adaptation of a detective, it’s a commemorated reminder about an actress whose movies are always effective.
5. A Room With a View
Parental pressure can often causes romance to face disaster. Recently, my brother’s romantic relationship with a girl ended because of parent adversity. My parents didn’t get along well with the parents of the girl he loved dearly. Parental expectations caused my brother’s romantic relationship to deteriorate. As someone that has witnessed hardships lovers with opposing parents go through, I adored “A Room With a View”. Released in 1985, Helena Bonham Carter’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book In the most romantic role of her career, Carter embodies a free-spirited woman whose affair is threatened by her mother’s disapproval. It’s the role that established Carter as an actress with a bright future. Carter excels at playing characters in love, and her strengths are evident in “A Room With a View”. For instance, the scene in which Lucy and George kiss in the poppy field is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “A Room With a View” a great adaptation is its universal appeal. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about rooms with a view, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress whose movies audiences value.
6. The Wings of Dove
When it comes to the greatest books ever written that readers love, it’s worth discussing “The Wings of Dove”. Since its publication in 1902, Henry James’ book has become a classic readers value. With its compelling characters, engaging storytelling and timely themes, the book earned a huge following. In 1997, Helena Bonham Carter did an exceptional job adapting the beloved book readers love in her film “The Wings of Dove”. In the most glamorous role of her career, Carter embodies a woman raised in a wealthy household by an aunt that evokes fear. It’s a role that gave Carter the chance to showcase her strength as an actress playing romantic characters. A wonderful adaptation of a world-famous book about wings of dove, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actress whose memorable movies audiences always love.
7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Tim Burton. Throughout his illustrious career, Burton has collaborated several times with Helena Bonham Carter on movies. Each film has proven memorable, but their best collaboration is “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”. Released in 2007, Tim Burton’s Oscar-winning movie found the actress playing the wife of a demonic barber with a maniacal personality. In the most theatrical role of her career, Carter portrays a woman pursuing an affair with a barber that evokes fear. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for singing, dancing and performing melodies. As strong as Sweeney Todd’s desire to become a barber that’s demonic, it’s a fantastic reminder about a commemorated actress building a legacy which is iconic.
8. Les Miserables
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2012 Helena Bonham Carter pulled it off successfully when she made her film “Les Miserables”. In the most musical role of her career, Carter embodies a mistress seeking to perform memorable melodies that people love to hear. It’s a challenging role that required the actress to perform live singing but she succeeded immensely. It’s a role that gave Carter a chance to showcase her musical talents. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder about a commemorated actress whose memorable movies are worth celebrating today.
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
It’s challenging to bring a beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start on a high note but end with a whimper. However, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” is a magical exception. Released in 2011, Helena Bonham Carter’s final Harry Potter film did a fantastic job of bringing the famous fantasy franchise to a satisfying conclusion. In her final role as Bellatrix Lestrange, Carter embodies a witch that’s driven to accomplish her goal of destroying Hogwarts without a soul. Despite limited screen-time, Carter did an amazing job of bidding farewell towards the evil witch Bellatrix. An emotional farewell towards a spellbinding franchise about wizards that are magical, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress whose timeless movies audiences have always considered to be special.
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Baking is an activity that my mother has always enjoyed doing. I remember a mother that had dreams to become a baker. Nobody in the whole world could bake a cake like my mother did without making a single mistake. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that sought to open a bakery, I loved “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Released in 2005, Helena Bonham Carter’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book. In the most caring role of her career, Carter embodies a mother raising a family in poverty causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress known for her showy roles a rare chance to showcase subtlety. As precious as chocolate created by Willy Wonka, it’s a captivating reminder about an actress with charisma whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of Cinema.
The Film Buff 