My Favourite Michelle Williams Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Michelle Williams. Since the 1990’s, Williams has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s concerned mothers, famous singers or renowned figures, Williams has portrayed several strong characters. Given the 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. Blue Valentine

Divorce is a devastating process that causes couples to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a deteriorating marriage that caused damage. I recall the heartbreaking night when she had a heated argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. In a sad incident, my aunt had tense arguments with husbands causing resentment. Following the heartbreaking separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. Few films that I’ve ever seen have captured marriages that decline as powerfully as “Blue Valentine”. Released in 2010, Michelle Williams’ movie did an extraordinary job of depicting a marriage ending in catastrophe. In the greatest role of her career, Williams embodies a helpless woman facing a broken marriage beyond repair that causes despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Williams has always excelled communicating emotions through strong expressions, and “Blue Valentine” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also excellent, Williams creates a powerful portrait of a broken marriage with commitment. For instance, the scene in which Cindy engages in an excruciating argument with Dean after he shows up unannounced at her workplace is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Blue Valentine” Michelle Williams’ best movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriages which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of marriage experiencing a decline, it’s a dazzling reminder about an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to shine playing complex characters whose relationships are on the line.

2. Brokeback Mountain

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Several years ago, I witnessed hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person my entire family would admire. Unaware he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to care. As someone treasuring fond memories of a gay cousin climbing a mountain, I adored “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Michelle Williams’ movie captured hardships faced by queer people. In the most sensitive role of her career, Williams embodies a woman facing despair when she finds her queer husband is engaging in a romantic affair. Williams has had the ability to convey strong emotions through her expressions without speaking, and her strengths are evident in “Brokeback Mountain”. For instance, the scene in which Alma finds her husband having an affair by a window is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about love which would resonate with everyone. 20 years after the release of a commemorated film about cowboys that are queer engaging in a doomed affair, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has built a great career making movies about which viewers care.

3. The Fabelmans

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. From an early age, I’ve been drawn towards the magic of the moving image as an art-form with power to deliver a meaningful message. During my childhood, I developed a passion for writing about movies that I found engaging. As someone who lives and breathes movies, “The Fabelmans” seems like the kind of movie that was made specifically for me. Released in 2022, Michelle Williams’ movie celebrated the legacy of the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In the most compassionate role of her career, Williams embodies a caring mother that supports her son’s dreams of becoming a filmmaker about whom she grows to care. Williams has always had an aptitude for conveying meaningful emotions through her body language, and “The Fablemans” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Mitzi experiences a nervous breakdown after her son discovers her secretive extramarital affair on camera footage is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fabemans” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sacrifices involved in pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic tribute towards the art of filmmaking, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a great actress whose commemorated movies are definitely worth celebrating.

4. Manchester by the Sea

It’s challenging to cope with loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became victim of a gruesome murder. Following her death, my family was left emotionally affected. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move on from the loss of a housekeeper that tragically died. Few movies I’ve ever seen have captured grief as powerfully as “Manchester by the Sea”. Released in 2016, Michelle Williams’ movie depicted the life of a grieving janitor affected by a family tragedy. In the most emotionally draining role of her career, Williams embodies a grief-stricken woman that loses her family causing despair. Williams excels at playing grief-stricken characters, and “Manchester by the Sea” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Randi breaks down in tears after reuniting with Lee years after separation is one of greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Manchester by the Sea” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about grief which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of grief causing lives of janitors in Manchester to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder about an actress whose movies which audiences appreciate.

5. Shutter Island

Anxiety has shaped my personality. I vividly remember facing intense pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced intense pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with the pressure posed by studies, I faced a nervous breakdown that impacted my mental health adversely. I felt humiliated experiencing a panic attack in front of teachers which I respected. As someone impacted by mental illness causing disaster, I adored “Shutter Island”. Released in 2010, Michelle Williams’ movie did an extraordinary job of adapting a beloved book about mental illness. In the most psychotic role of her career, Williams embodies a woman facing mental illness that’s a burden to bear. With “Shutter Island”, Williams took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a psychotic woman. For instance, the flashback scene in which Dolores informs Teddy she has drowned children in the sea showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Shutter Island” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about mental illness that would impact everyone. A magnificent portrait of mental illness, it’s a riveting reminder about an commemorated actress raising awareness about issues that has become an icon in the entertainment business.

6. My Week With Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe is a great movie-star that achieved fame years ago. With her attractive looks, charming personality and strong demeanour, Monroe gained a huge following in the 1950’s, In 2011, Michelle Williams did a magnificent job of portraying the legendary actress in her film “My Week With Marilyn”. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary actress in history, but Williams succeeded immensely. In the most glamorous role of her career, Williams embodies a world-famous actress that created a long-lasting legacy that’s precious. Not only did Williams demonstrate Monroe’s attractive physical beauty, but she embodied her larger-than-life personality. A magnificent tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a marvellous reminder about a commemorated actress whose timeless movies have always given audiences dreams to follow.

7. Oz: The Great and the Powerful

When it comes to the greatest musicals ever made earning a round of applause, it’s worth discussing “The Wizard of Oz”. Since its release in 1939, Viktor Fleming’s movie has earned a huge following. With its memorable music, phenomenal acting and strong storytelling, the musical has stood the test of time as a classic. In 2013, Michelle Williams did a great job of celebrating the powerful musical in her film “Oz: The Great and the Powerful”. In the most fantastical role of her career, Williams embodies a witch seeking to govern a land facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strengths for playing great women with powerful personalities. A marvellous tribute towards a musical about wizards that are great and powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actress whose movies audiences consider special.

8. The Station Agent

Dwarfism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to tell realistic stories about dwarfs that are misunderstood. A sensitive subject, movies about dwarves rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has avoided depicting dwarfism in entertainment, it’s worth praising “The Station Agent”. Released in 2003, Michelle Williams’ movie did an exceptional job of depicting hardships faced by dwarf communities. In the most sensitive role of her career, Williams embodies a woman that engages in a affair with a dwarf causing despair. It’s the breakthrough role that established Williams as a talented actress in Hollywood with a bright future. As powerful portrait of hardships that dwarves face, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress whose memorable movies audiences embrace.

9. Wendy and Lucy

Homelessness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell realistic stories about homeless communities. In an industry that has often avoided discussing hardships faced by the homeless community, it’s worth recognizing “Wendy and Lucy”. Released in 2008, Michelle Williams’ movie did an extraordinary job depicting the homeless community. In the most tragic role of her career, Williams embodies a homeless women facing despair searching for a lost dog that has disappeared out of thin air. It’s a role that gave the actress the chances to showcase an emotional side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. A heartfelt portrait of the homeless community, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actress that has created a strong legacy in the industry.

10. Venom

Few villains have achieved the stardom of Venom. Following the 1980’s, Venom has become an iconic comic-book villain in history. With his maniacal personality, devilish intentions and menacing appearance, Venom has gained a following. In 2018, Michelle Williams did a great job of bringing the venomous supervillain to the big-screen in her film “Venom”. In the most romantic role of her career, Williams embodies a woman that falls in love with a man with venomous powers that are tragic. Williams turned what could have been a stereotypical love interest into a strong character audiences can identify with. As strong as powers of Venom, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress that has gained great stardom whose memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue my dreams of film criticism.