Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Jennifer Connelly. Since the 1990’s, Connelly has become an icon. Whether it’s news reporters, school teachers or disastrous drug users, Connelly has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. A Beautiful Mind
Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder that always fascinated my teacher. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor interested in a mental disorder that was cruel. He always sought to educate students about grim illness causing lives of people to deteriorate. Fascinated with a disorder that affected the mind, my teacher was always determined to leave a lasting legacy behind. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how the mental disorder can impact the mind as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Jennifer Connelly’s best movie captured the life of famous mathematician John Nash that suffered from severe Schizophrenia. In the greatest role of her career, Connelly portrays a housewife seeking to care for a mentally disturbed mathematician facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Connelly has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines in romantic movies. With “A Beautiful Mind”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing the wife of a mathematician that’s well-known. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also amazing, Connelly honoured a mathematician that suffered from Schizophrenia several years ago. For instance, the scene in which Alicia becomes aware that her husband suffers from mental disorders leaving her baby in despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” Jennifer Connelly’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about mathematicians targeted to a small audience, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A soul-stirring tribute towards a mathematician with a beautiful mind whose mental health declined, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has made great movies which have left a legacy behind.
2. Requiem for a Dream
Drug addiction is a painful process that often causes people to face stress. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. I remember that he would often show up late to class in a dazed and confused drug-induced state. His painful addiction to weed put him on a doomed path to fail rather than succeed. As someone treasuring fond memories of a friend whose dream was to become a drug user, I adored “Requiem for a Dream”. Released in 2000, Jennifer Connelly’s movie offered a powerful portrait of drug addiction causing lives to deteriorate. In the most emotional role of her career, Connelly portrayed a destructive drug user that suffers from severe addiction causing despair. With “Requiem for a Dream”, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a destructive drug addict. Working alongside Jared Leto who is also amazing, Connelly created a portrait of drug addiction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Marion returns home in a drug-induced state lying on her sofa with heroin causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Requiem for a Dream” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about drug addiction which would resonate with everyone. A dark portrait of drug addiction causing lovers to deteriorate, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated actress that has produced unforgettable movies which audiences appreciate.
3. Blood Diamond
Diamonds are dazzling artifacts that always fascinated my mother. I remember my mother was always fascinated with diamonds that glimmer. Drawn to diamond jewelry, she often spoke fondly about artifacts she regarded highly. As someone treasuring a mother that loved diamonds, I adored “Blood Diamond”. Released in 2006, Jennifer Connelly’s movie captured diamond smugglers in Sierra Leone. In the most nerve-wracking role of her career Connelly portrays a humanitarian activist facing despair. Connelly has always had an aptitude for playing strong women driven to achieve a mission, and “Blood Diamond” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also outstanding, Connelly honoured conflict in Sierra Leone years ago. For instance, the scene in which Maddy bids farewell to Archer who is dying in a phone call causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Blood Diamond” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies set in South Africa, it tackles themes that would resonate with everyone. As precious as blood diamonds in Sierra Leone, it’s a riveting reminder of a well-known actress whose movies have stood in a league of their own.
4. Noah
Noah is a legendary religious figure that always inspired my grandma. I remember my grandmother was fascinated with the religious figure. Shining a bright light in dark, she loved to tell the tale of a hero that built an ark. In 2014, Jennifer Connelly honoured the religious figure facing a dilemma in her movie “Noah”. In the most religious role of her career, Connelly portrayed the wife of a messianic figure that builds an ark causing despair. Connelly has spent most of her career playing talkative characters with larger-than-life personalities. With “Noah”, however, the actress showcased subtlety she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also outstanding, Connelly created a portrait of a religion that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Naameh begs Noah to spare her child causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Noah” a masterpiece is its universal message. The film delivers a meaningful message about religion which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the story of Noah’s Ark to appreciate it. As precious as Noah’s Ark, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with a bright spark whose timeless films leave a lasting mark.
5. Top Gun: Maverick
“Top Gun” is an awe-inspiring aviation movie that earned my grandfather’s appreciation. I remember my grandfather adored a film about aviators in danger. Drawn to the need for speed, he adored a classic film giving him desire to succeed. In 2022, Jennifer Connelly honoured the classic in her movie “Top Gun: Maverick”. In the most supportive role of her career, Connelly portrayed the girlfriend of an aviator facing despair. With “Top Gun Maverick”, the actress avoided sexist treatment of women that affected the original “Top Gun”. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong women. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also fantastic, Connelly honoured an aviation classic. For instance, the scene in which Penny reunites with Maverick rekindling their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Top Gun: Maverick” a classic is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Maverick’s love for flying, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made movies which are worth celebrating.
6. Labyrinth
Few musicians in American history are as beloved as David Bowie. Since the 1980’s, Bowie has become a legendary musician with a lasting legacy. In 1986, Jennifer Connelly collaborates with the world-famous singer in her movie “Labyrinth”. In the most fantastical role of her career, Connelly portrays a woman that becomes involved in a fantastical labyrinth world causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase flair for singing she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside David Bowie who is also amazing, Connelly showcased her phenomenal talent for singing. As strong as Sarah’s desire to explored a world that’s fantastical, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences consider to be special.
7. Little Children
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about families facing tension, it’s worth discussing Little Children. Since its publication in 2004, Tom Perotta’s book has become literature readers adore. In 2006, Jennifer Connelly honoured the book about children in her movie “Little Children”. In the most conflicted role of her career, Connelly portrays a woman that’s stuck in a doomed marriage beyond repair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing conflicted women with strong emotion. Working alongside Kate Winslet who is also amazing, Connelly honoured beloved literature. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about women struggling to raise little children, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress with strong dedication whose movies are worthy of celebration.
8. House of Sand and Fog
Jennifer Connelly has always excelled at playing emotional women that face tragedy. Connelly has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Connelly’s strength for playing women facing a smog is evident in her movie “House of Sand and Fog”. Released in 2003, Vadim Perelman’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most vulnerable role of her career, Connelly portrays a woman facing disputes causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing emotional women in danger. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also amazing, Connelly created a character that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of real estate disputes in California, it’s a strong reminder of an actress with charisma whose movies are worth seeing in the Cinema.
9. Hulk
The Hulk is a legendary hero that’s built a lasting legacy. Since his creation in the 1960’s, the green monster has been depicted several times on the big-screen. In 2003, Jennifer Connelly honoured the hero with tendencies to sulk in her movie “Hulk”. In the most heroic role of her career, Connelly portrayed a woman that falls in love with a hulking hero causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by starring in her first comic-book movie. Connelly showcased her aptitude for playing strong women in supporting roles. Working alongside Eric Bana who is also fantastic, Connelly honoured a superhero that’s iconic. A heartfelt tribute towards a hulking hero with rage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to engage making movies with a meaningful message.
10. The Day the Earth Stood Still
Jennifer Connelly hasn’t always made great movies audiences love dearly. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Day the Earth Stood Still” falls into the latter category. Released in 2008, Scott Derrickson’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Connelly portrays an astronomer facing an alien invasion causing despair. Connelly brought charisma, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a bad movie, it honoured Connelly’s legacy. As powerful as aliens causing the Earth to stand still, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to thrill whose movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to fulfill dreams of film criticism giving me a greater will.
The Film Buff 