Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Olivia Colman. Since the 1990’s, Colman has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s political leaders, concerned daughters or chocolate inventors, Colman has portrayed many strong characters. Given the number of movies 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. The Favourite
Competitions cause friendships to deteriorate. Many years ago, my competition with a friend caused sorrow. I remember my friendship with a companion faced disaster when we competed to be the favourite student of a teacher. His jealousy whenever I achieved higher grades caused strong bonds to fade. Our competitive desires being the favourite student of a teacher caused friendships to face an ending that was destructive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured negative consequences of competitions as powerfully as “The Favourite”. Released in 2018, Olivia Colman’s best movie captured competitions between women vying for affections of the queen in the 18th Century. In the greatest role of her career, Colman portrayed a majestic queen carrying a heavy burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: charming, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Colman has spent most of her career playing serious heroines in intense dramas. With “The Favourite”, however, the actress took steps out of her comfort zone by playing a legendary queen that’s well-known. Working alongside Rachel Weisz who is also amazing, Colman created a commemorated queen that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which the Queen is caught having an extramarital affair with her servant Lady Sarah by Abigail causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Favourite” Olivia Colman’s best movie is its universal appeal. The film delivers a universal message about the dangers of competition which would resonate with everyone. Despite its focus on royal women during the 18th Century, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Centuries after women engaged in threatening competitions to become the favourite mistresses of the Queen, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies which definitely deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
2. The Father
Dementia is a devastating disease that impacted my family. I recall with nostalgia a grandma that suffered from Dementia. She often had the bad habit to forget about things in her life which were important. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved dearly losing her memory. As someone that witnessed my grandmother suffer from memory loss, I adored “The Father”. Released in 2020, Olivia Colman’s movie painted a powerful portrait of Dementia. In the most compassionate role of her career, Colman portrayed a concerned daughter seeking to take care of a father with severe memory loss causing despair. With “The Father”, the actress showcased strong emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Anthony Hopkins who is also amazing, Colman created a portrait of Dementia that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Anne becomes aware that her father suffers from severe memory loss causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Father” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about memory loss which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of Dementia causing fathers to face trauma, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actress with charisma whose unforgettable movies are worth watching in the Cinema.
3. The Lost Daughter
Mothers are powerful figures that can affect children’s futures. As far as I can remember, I have shared complicated bonds with my mother. An authoritative parent, her strict nature nagging me to do things has often been irritating. Despite her strict parenting style, I admire a mother I find inspiring. As someone treasuring fond memories of my mother, I adored “The Lost Daughter”. Released in 2021, Olivia Colman’s movie captured grim hardships faced by aging mothers. In the most emotional role of her career, Colman portrays a traumatized mother haunted by a tragic past causing despair. Colman has spent most of her career playing likeable women. With “The Lost Daughter”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing an emotionally disturbed mother. Working alongside Dakota Johnson who is also amazing, Colman created a portrait of motherhood that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Leda reveals her past of abusing children to Nina causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lost Daughter” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of mothers whose bonds with lost daughters deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose movies audiences appreciate.
4. Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie is a legendary author whose literature my father always loved dearly. Several years ago, my father once adored Hercule Poirot. I remember my father was once a huge fan of the legendary author. He would always praise the unique writing style of an author writing stories about deaths on the Nile. In 2017, Olivia Colman honoured the author with success in her movie “Murder on the Orient Express”. In the most suspicious role of her career, Colman portrays a suspect of murder facing despair. Colman has always had an aptitude for playing women under intense stress, and “Murder on the Orient Express” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Kenneth Branagh who is also amazing, Colman honoured legendary literature about murder. For instance, the scene in which Hildegarde is interrogated after the discovery of murder on the train causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Murder on the Orient Express” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Agatha Christie movies, it tackles themes that everyone easily relate to. 90 years after the creation of great stories about murders occurring on trains experiencing disaster, it’s a marvellous reminder of a commemoration actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
5. Wonka
Baking is an activity that my mother has always loved doing. I remember a mother that sought to become a famous baker. Nobody could bake a cake like my mother did without making a mistake. A captivating cook, she would treasure her recipes for cakes in a precious book. As someone treasuring mother that loved baking with nostalgia, I adored “Wonka”. Released in 2023, Olivia Colman’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about chocolate inventors. In the most theatrical role of her career, Colman portrays a hotel owner facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also amazing, Colman honoured a legendary book. For instance, the scene in which Mrs. Scrubbit first meets Wonka causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Wonka” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about importance of achieving one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Willy Wonka’s chocolate store, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies which audiences adore.
6. Tyrannosaur
Olivia Colman has always excelled at playing emotionally disturbed women. Colman has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing heroines facing damage. Colman’s strength for playing conflicted women that are bizarre is evident in her film “Tyrannosaur”. Released in 2011, Paddy Constantine’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most disturbed role of her career, Colman portrayed a devout Christian woman haunted by abuse causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing emotional women. Working alongside Peter Mullan who is also amazing, Colman created a portrait of trauma which is compelling. A powerful portrait of hardships Christian women face, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured movies which audiences embrace.
7. The Lobster
Few filmmakers have made movies as precious as Yorgos Lanthimos. With their eccentric characters, sharp sense of humour and meaningful themes, Lanthimos’ movies have earned a huge following. In 2015, Lanthimos showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Olivia Colman in his movie “The Lobster”. In the most eccentric role of her career, Colman portrays the manager of an absurd hotel facing a heavy burden to bear. It’s an unusual role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing an absurdist character. Working alongside Rachel Weisz who is also amazing, Colman created a character that’s compelling. As precious as the lobster hotel, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured memorable movies with abilities to tell compelling stories casting a spell.
8. The Iron Lady
When it comes to the most inspiring figures in British history, it’s worth discussing Margaret Thatcher. During the 1970’s, Thatcher was a leader that guided her country. Known as the Iron Lady, Thatcher left behind a lasting legacy. In 2012, Olivia Colman honoured the legendary politician in her movie “The Iron Lady”. In the most political role of her career, Colman portrayed the daughter of the legendary British prime minister facing a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing renowned historical figures. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Colman honoured a legendary politician. 30 years after Margaret Thatcher became a powerful figure in Britain, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies which deserve celebration.
9. Hot Fuzz
A common criticism often levelled against Olivia Colman is that she doesn’t take risks as an actress. Colman has established an image for playing royal figures with courage. This has often left little room for surprises in her career. However, in 2007 the actress took audiences by surprise when she made her action comedy “Hot Fuzz”. In the most comical role of her career, Colman portrays a police-officer struggling to care for a neighbourhood facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone playing a comedic police-officer. Working alongside Simon Pegg who is also amazing, Colman created a comedy that’s compelling. A hilarious portrait of British police seeking to catch criminals that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made great movies which audiences consider precious.
10. Confetti
Olivia Colman hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Confetti” falls into the latter category. Released in 2006, Debbie Isitt’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Colman portrayed a woman seeking to prepare a wedding causing despair. Colman brought a sharp sense of humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Confetti” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Colman’s commemorated legacy. As precious as a wedding ceremony, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her ability to captivate audiences in memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 
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