My Favourite Allison Janney Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses have built a legacy as strong as Allison Janney. Since the 1990’s, Janney has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s concerned mothers, political figures or school teachers, Janney has portrayed several compelling 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. I, Tonya

Ice skating is an activity that my friend always enjoyed doing. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a great girl that had once sought to become a famous ice-skater in America. I remember that she was raised by a strict mother that would often treat her in a cruel manner by saying she would never become a great ice-skater. Despite her mother’s grim bullying, nothing in the world could ever stop her from achieving her dreams of ice skating. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the grim dilemma faced by ice-skaters as powerfully as “I, Tonya”. Released in 2017, Allison Janney’s best movie depicted the life of legendary ice-skater Tonya Harding. In the greatest role of her career, Janney portrayed an abusive mother that treats her ice-skater daughter in a cruel manner causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Janney has spent most of her career by playing likeable women with sympathetic personalities. With “I. Tonya”, however, the actress took a big step out of her comfort zone by playing the unlikeable mother of an ice-skater that’s well-known. Working alongside Margot Robbie who is also outstanding, Janney honoured a bold ice-skating champion in American history. For instance, the scene in which LaVona and Tonya engage in a tense argument over her future leading to a knife injury causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “I, Tonya” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about ice skating, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about hope which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after Tonya Harding become an ice-skating champion that’s inspiring, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has made great movies which are worth celebrating.

2. American Beauty

Depression is a powerful emotion that shaped my personality. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I struggled to find a stable job causing sorrow. My inability to find stable employment affected by happiness. As someone that has often struggled to find beauty in life, I loved “American Beauty”. Released in 1999, Allison Janney’s movie captured a suburban father with depression struggling to find beauty. In the most tragic role of her career, Janney portrayed a depressed mother facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is also amazing, Janney created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Barbara seeks to console her son Ricky after he has a tense argument with his father causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “American Beauty” an American classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about depression which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of depression causing American families seeking beauty to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has manufactured commemorated movies which audiences appreciate.

3. The Hours

Writing is an activity that I’ve always enjoyed doing. As far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a famous writer. During my childhood, I developed lifelong passion for writing about the art of filmmaking. As someone that has always enjoyed writing for several hours, I adored “The Hours”. Released in 2002, Allison Janney’s movie honoured a beloved book about feminist writers. In the most subtle role of her career, Janney portrayed a lesbian woman that has an affair with a famous writer causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase subtlety she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Janney honoured a beautiful book about writing. For instance, the scene in which Sally attempts to console Clarissa by kissing her at a time of despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hours” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of mental health which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular adaptation of a book about suicide, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to make commemorated movies leaving audiences satisfied.

4. The Help

Housekeepers have always helped my family. At an early age, I bonded with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Devoted to performing every chore, she was a person my family came to adore. A dedicated housemaid, she devoted herself to her job regardless of how much she was paid. As someone treasuring fond memories of a housemaid that gave my family valuable help, I adored “The Help”. Released in 2012, Allison Janney’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about helpful housekeepers. In the most comical role of her career, Janney portrayed a wealthy woman that hires housekeepers to care for her household causing despair. Janney has always had a sharp sense of humour, and “The Help” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Emma Stone who is also amazing, Janney honoured an iconic book about housekeepers. For instance, the scene in which Charlotte orders Hilly to get out of her house causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Help” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about housekeepers which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a book about housemaids that are helpful, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress manufacturing movies audiences consider special.

5. The Way Way Back

Stepfathers that mistreat children have shaped my identity. I remember a stepfather that often treated my friend in a disrespectful manner. When his parents had a divorce, my friend was given a stepfather that treated him in a cruel manner causing remorse. As someone treasuring fond memories of a friend that hated his stepfather way back in childhood, I adored “The Way Way Back”. Released in 2013, Allison Janney’s movie depicted captured the impact of stepfathers on dysfunctional families. In the most exuberant role of her career, Janney portrayed a mother forming friendships with a family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing strong women with larger-than-life personalities. For instance, the scene in which Betty is first introduced welcoming Duncan into her neighbourhood in a generous manner is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Way Way Back” a coming-of-age classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of adolescence, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with strong presence whose movies attract a huge audience.

6. 10 Things I Hate About You

Teachers are inspiring figures that shaped my identity. I remember an English teacher that inspired me to become a writer. His words of wisdom inspired me to pursue film criticism. As someone treasuring fond memories of teachers I value, I adored “10 Things I Hate About You”. Released in 1999, Allison Janney’s movie captured impact of teachers on a high school. In the most quirky role of her career, Janney portrayed a high school teacher that has a romantic affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Heath Ledger who is also amazing, Janney created a high school comedy that’s compelling. An engaging portrait of teens in high school, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress whose timeless movies audiences always consider to be cool.

7. Bad Education

Few educators in American history that committed crimes are as well-known as Frank Tassone. During the early 2000’s, Tassone was a principle that stole millions of dollars from the Rosalyn school system. A clever con-artist, Tassone built a lasting legacy. In 2019, Allison Janney honoured the bad educator with recognition in her movie “Bad Education”. In the most satirical role of her career, Janney portrayed a school teacher that witnessed a money scandal causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for satire. Working alongside Hugh Jackman who is also amazing, Janney created a satire about education that’s compelling. 20 years after Frank Tassone committed crimes deceiving the education system, it’s a riveting reminder of a studio that has achieved stardom making movies offering wisdom.

8. Juno

Teen pregnancy is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has often avoided telling stories of teen girls that become pregnant. In an industry that has often an issue causing teen girls to face sorrow, it’s worth praising “Juno”. Released in 2007, Allison Janney’s Oscar-winning movie offered a realistic portrait of teen pregnancy. In the most likeable role of her career, Simmons portrayed a caring mother assisting her teen daughter with pregnancy causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase a sensitive side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside J.K. Simmons who is also amazing, Janney created a portrait of teen pregnancy. A powerful portrait of teenage girls that are pregnant, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable entertainment.

9. Spy

Allison Janney is one of those actresses that has always had an aptitude for comedy. Janney has built an image of being an actress that thrives at making comedies with a strong message. Janney’s strength for making comedies that satisfy is clearly evident in her movie “Spy”. Released in 2015, Paul Feig’s comedy showcased the actress at her best. In the most comical role of her career, Janney played a manager seeking to care for an espionage organization facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her comedic talents for playing characters with a sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Melissa McCarthy who is also amazing, Janney created a spy comedy that’s captivating. A spectacular portrait of a comical spy, it’s a sensational reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies which always satisfy.

10. The Girl on the Train

Allison Janney 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, “The Girl on the Train” falls into the latter category. Released in 2016, Tate Taylor’s literature adaptation was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Janney portrayed an author involved in a mystery causing despair. Janney brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Girl on the Train” is a bad movie, it honoured Janney’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Rachel’s obsession, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with strong dedication towards her craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.