Not many actresses are as beloved today as Marisa Tomei. Since the 1990’s, Tomei has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s dedicated lawyers, hard-working strippers or frustrated mothers, Tomei has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of great movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films produced by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. My Cousin Vinny
Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that always earned my cousin’s appreciation. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin acknowledging the courtroom genre. I remember my cousin had ambitions of becoming a famous lawyer. Drawn towards courtroom settings, he would speak fondly about lawyers he found inspiring. He would embrace lawyers that would face obstacles seeking winning a competitive courtroom case. Few films I’ve seen have captured lawyers fighting courtroom cases as powerfully as “My Cousin Vinny”. Released in 1992, Marisa Tomei’s best movie captured lawyers fighting courtroom cases with authority. In the greatest role of her career, Tomei portrayed a woman seeking to care for her lawyer husband fighting courtroom cases causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and funny in her most memorable role. Tomei has spent most of her career playing serious women in intense dramas. With “My Cousin Vinny”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by showcasing rare aptitude for comedy. Working alongside Joe Pesci who is also amazing, Tomei created a captivating courtroom comedy. For instance, the scene in which Mona Lisa seeks to care for Vinny when he expresses frustration with his nerve-wracking life causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “My Cousin Vinny” a commemorated classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the courtroom genre, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about commemorated conviction which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking courtroom drama about hard-working lawyers that experience obstacles determined to resolve a case, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences embrace.
2. The Wrestler
Wrestling is a profession that my brother always found fascinating. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a brother that admired wrestlers with courage. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that admired wrestlers putting lives in danger, I adored “The Wrestler”. Released in 2008, Marisa Tomei’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the life of an aging wrestler. In the most provocative role of her career, Tomei portrayed a stripper that engages in a romantic affair with an elderly wrestler causing despair. Tomei has always had an aptitude for playing emotional woman under stress, and “The Wrestler” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Mickey Rourke who is also outstanding, Tomei created a compelling portrait of wrestling. For instance, the scene in which Cassidy first meets Randy Robinson forming friendships with a wrestler facing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Wrestler” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about wrestling, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Randy Robinson’s desire to become a wrestler, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made great movies which audiences treasure.
3. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that always impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher adored the web-swinging superhero. He would always praise a hero whose great powers came with great responsibility. My teacher adored a hero with the ability to weave webs inspired him to believe there was nothing he couldn’t achieve. In 2021, Marisa Tomei honoured the hero with no way home in her movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. In the most compassionate role of her career, Tomei portrayed a concerned mother seeking to take care of a superhero son facing despair. Tomei has always excelled at playing Aunt May throughout the MCU’s movies. With “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, however, the actress brought emotional vulnerability to the character audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Tom Holland who is also outstanding, Tomei honoured a web-swinging superhero. For instance, the scene in which Aunt May dies causing Spider-Man to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man: No Way Home” a comic-book classic is its appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A spectacular tribute towards a superhero, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has produced unforgettable movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
4. Crazy Stupid Love
Divorce is a devastating process that causes stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriage. I recall the night when she had a tense fight with her husband which was a shocking sight. Following the separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. As someone that witnessed my aunt fall out of love, I adored “Crazy Stupid Love”. Released in 2011, Marisa Tomei’s movie captured impact of divorce on broken families. In the most romantic role of her career, Tomei portrayed a high school teacher that has an affair with her student’s father causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase a romantic side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Steve Carell who is also outstanding, Tomei created a portrait of marriages that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Kate becomes aware that she has been having an affair with her student’s father causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Crazy Stupid Love” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about marriage that would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of the divorce process causing families to experience stress, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has produced commemorated movies achieving success.
5. Captain America: Civil War
Captain America is a captivating superhero that shaped my friend’s persona. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a friend that adored Captain America. I remember a friend that would treasure a hero with shields carrying immense power. In 2016, Tomei honoured the iconic hero facing a civil war in her movie “Captain America: Civil War”. In the most scene-stealing role of her career, Tomei portrayed the seductive aunt of a superhero facing despair. Tomei has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles with success, and “Captain America: Civil War” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. who is also amazing, Tomei honoured a superhero that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Aunt May is first introduced seeking to take care of Peter’s clothes is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain America: Civil War” a great comic-book movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about friendships which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards Captain America, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma making memorable movies that always attract audiences to the Cinema.
6. The Big Short
It’s not easy to make an entertaining movie about the financial crisis. A complicated subject matter, movies about the financial crisis rarely ever attract audiences to the theatre. Finance often involves tricky concepts that don’t make for entertaining movies. However, in 2015 Marisa Tomei pulled it off with big success in her movie “The Big Short”. In the most technical role of her career, Tomei portrayed a concerned wife of a financial investor that faces despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a financial character. Working alongside Steve Carell who is also outstanding, Tomei created a portrait of the crisis that’s compelling. A fantastic portrait of factors that led to the economy’s downfall, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to enthral.
7. Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin is an iconic actor in cinematic history that built a lasting legacy. An icon of the silent film era, Chaplin was a legendary performer with charisma. With his larger-than-life presence, sharp sense of humour and powerful presence, Chaplin gained a huge fan following. In 1992, Marisa Tomei honoured the legacy of Charlie Chaplin in her movie “Chaplin”. In the most theatrical role of her career, Tomei portrayed a female director that made movies starring Charlie Chaplin with care. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a icon that’s well-known. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. who is also amazing, Tomei honoured an icon that’s compelling. A captivating tribute towards a genius, it’s a fantastic reminder of a famous actress that has made movies which audiences consider precious.
8. In the Bedroom
Marisa Tomei has always excelled at playing emotional women facing trauma. Tomei has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women facing damage. Tomei’s strength for playing conflicted women facing situations of gloom is clearly evident in her movie “In the Bedroom”. Released in 2001, Todd Field’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most tragic role of her career, Tomei portrayed a conflicted woman facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing conflicted women facing a toll. Working alongside Tom Wilkinson who is also amazing, Tomei created a portrait of family trauma that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of tragedy causing families to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making timeless movies which audiences appreciate.
9. The Ides of March
Stories about political scandals often make for engaging movies. Audiences have always loved watching movies about characters facing scandals that are painful. In 2011, Marisa Tomei captured the enduring appeal of scandals causing people to march in her movie “The Ides of March”. In the most political role of his career, Tomei portrayed an idealistic strategist that witnesses a political scandal involving a mayor causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a politically opinionated character. Working alongside George Clooney who is also amazing, Tomei created a portrait of a scandal that’s compelling. A powerful portrayal of scandals causing the lives of politicians to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies audiences consider special.
10. The Watcher
Marisa Tomei hasn’t always made great movies that are beloved today. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Watcher” falls into the latter category. Released in 2000, Joe Charbanic’s crime thriller was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Tomei portrayed a woman that becomes victim of serial killers causing despair. Tomei brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Watcher” is a bad movie, it honoured Tomei’s legacy. As strong as David Allen Griffin’s desire to become a serial killer, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress with a charismatic nature that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to become a writer.
The Film Buff 