Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Helen Mirren. Since the 1960’s, Mirren has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s bold leaders, wives of directors or army commanders, Mirren has played several 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 picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Queen
Queen Elizabeth is a legendary figure of the royal family that my father has always loved dearly. I remember an inspiring father that often spoke fondly about a queen that he came to treasure. Fascinated with the royal family, he sought to become educated about a queen he deeply appreciated. He would often tell larger-than-life stories about a queen which shaped his identity. Through his love for Queen Elizabeth, my father gave me a lifelong appreciation for the royal family I have grown to value. In 2006, Helen Mirren did a great job of playing the legendary queen in her movie “The Queen”. In the greatest role of her career, Mirren embodied a majestic queen struggling to cope with the death of a family member causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Mirren has always been one of those actresses with an aptitude for playing strong women in positions of power, and “The Queen” showcased her strengths as an actress. Not only did Mirren embody the physical appearance of the Queen, but she embodied her larger-than-life personality. Working alongside Michael Sheen who is also amazing, Mirren honoured the legacy of a legendary British queen. For instance, the scene in which Queen Elizabeth delivers an emotional speech on television news to the media expressing her grief over Princess Diana’s death causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Queen” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the royal family to appreciate the movie. A bold tribute towards a beloved British queen, it’s a brilliant reminder of a great actress that has made timeless movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
2. Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock is a legendary filmmaker that always inspired my teacher. I remember a school teacher that was a huge fan of the world-famous filmmaker. He would love discussing an inspirational director that gave him a lifelong love of filmmaking. Through his lifelong love of Alfred Hitchcock, my teacher inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. In 2012, Helen Mirren did a fantastic job of honouring the iconic filmmaker in her biopic “Hitchcock”. In the most artistic role of her career, Mirren embodied the wife of a legendary filmmaker producing movies about which people care. Mirren has always been one of those actresses with a strong presence, and “Hitchcock” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Alma Reville assists Alfred Hitchcock with putting together a cut of their film “Psycho” showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Hitchcock” a great biopic is its universal appeal. It delivers a strong message about the value of pursuing one’s dreams that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after Alfred Hitchcock first made “Psycho” becoming an iconic director, it’s a bold reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable films which audiences treasure.
3. The Hundred-Foot Journey
Baking is a passion that my mother has always loved pursuing. I remember a mother that sought to become a famous baker. Nobody could bake a cake like my mother did without making a single mistake. A captivating cook, she always treasured her precious recipes in a book. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that sought to open a bakery, I adored “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. Released in 2014, Helen Mirren’s movie captured an Indian family with a love for cooking. In the most delicious role of her career, Mirren embodies a competitive chef engaging in a competition with an Indian family causing despair. With “The Hundred-Foot Journey”, Mirren showcased an aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Mallory witnesses Hassan cooking an omelette showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Hundred-Foot Journey” one of Helen Mirren’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a powerful message about the value of cooking which would resonate with everyone. As delicious as an Indian dish, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated actress that has managed to accomplish great feats producing memorable movies which audiences cherish.
4. Gosford Park
Housekeepers are helpful figures that have impacted my family. At an early age, I developed strong bonds with a housekeeper delivering an inspiring message. Dedicated to performing every chore, she was an inspiring person that my family came to adore. A devoted housemaid, she was dedicated herself to doing her job regardless of how much money she was paid. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a housekeeper with a bright spark, I adored “Gosford Park”. Released in 2002, Helen Mirren’s movie depicted hardships that housekeepers go through. In the most courteous role of her career, Mirren embodied a well-mannered housekeeper facing despair. Mirren has always had a powerful voice projecting authority, and “Gosford Park” showcased her talents clearly. For instance, the scene in which Mrs. Wilson issues orders to servants by assigning them rooms is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Gosford Park” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the estate of Gosford Park, it’s a powerful reminder of an actress with a bright spark whose movies have left a lasting mark.
5. Eye in the Sky
Drone warfare is a subject about which my uncle has grown to care. At an early age, I bonded with an uncle having knowledge about drone warfare causing damage. A passionate uncle, he would always love to debate drone warfare causing soldiers to deteriorate. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle that loved drone warfare in the sky, I adored “Eye in the Sky”. Released in 2015, Helen Mirren’s movie did an excellent job of depicting drone warfare. In the most anxiety-ridden role of her career, Mirren embodied an authoritative army commander issuing drone warfare. Mirren has an aptitude for conveying emotions through expressions, and “Eye in the Sky” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Colonel Powell issues Watts to start an attack causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Eye in the Sky” a great war movie is its message. Unlike most war movies, it tackles universal themes which would resonate with everyone. The film delivers a bold message about war which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of drone warfare, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress that built a career making films about which audiences care.
6. Barbie
Barbie is a legendary doll that has built a lasting legacy. Since her creation in the 1960’s, Barbie has shaped women’s identities. In 2023, Helen Mirren did an extraordinary job of celebrating the feminist toy in her movie “Barbie”. In the most colourful role of her career, Mirren narrated the story of a feminist doll facing despair. Mirren is one of those actresses that has always had a distinct voice with abilities to command audiences’ attention, and “Barbie” showcased her vocal talents. Mirren used her commanding voice to narrate the tale of a doll that’s celebrated. Although she doesn’t appear in the movie, Mirren left a strong impression by voice-over narration. A terrific tribute towards a doll whose life in plastic is fantastic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies captivating the public.
7. The Cook, the Thief, his Wife & her Lover
Helen Mirren is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing strong characters in positions of power. Mirren has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing women with courage. Mirren’s strength for playing feminist characters in positions of power is clearly evident in her film “The Cook, the Thief, his Wife & her Lover”. Released in 1989, Helen Mirren’s movie depicted a woman facing a crisis. In the most romantic role of her career, Mirren embodies a woman that discovers her husband is having an extramarital affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing strong feminist characters. A powerful portrait of an extramarital affair causing lives of lovers to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made memorable movies which audiences appreciate.
8. The Last Station
When it comes to the world’s greatest writers whose stories readers enjoy, it’s worth discussing Leo Tolstoy. A Russian writer, Tolstoy penned timeless stories that changed literature. A writer with a lasting legacy, Tolstoy became a renowned writer in history. In 2009, Helen Mirren honoured the iconic author deserving recognition in her movie “The Last Station”. In the most poetic role of her career, Mirren embodies the wife of a writer facing despair. It’s a mature role that gave the actress a chance to showcase wisdom she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Christopher Plummer who is also amazing, Mirren honoured a legendary English author. A terrific tribute towards Leo Tolstoy, it’s a tremendous reminder of an actress which has been able to employ charisma to create movies audiences enjoy.
9. The Madness of King George
Few figures in the royal family are as beloved as King George III. During the 18th Century, King George suffered from mental disability affecting his abilities to function effectively. King George’s madness became a defining part of his personality. In 1994, Helen Mirren honoured the king that suffered from madness in her movie “The Madness of King George”. In the most majestic role of her career, Mirren embodied a queen struggling to cope with madness of a king causing despair. It’s a role that gave Mirren a chance to showcase aptitude for playing figures of the royal family. As Queen Charlotte, Mirren did a remarkable job of portraying a figure in royal history. As strong as King George’s desire to overcome his madness, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has become a timeless icon in the entertainment business.
10. Red 2
Helen Mirren hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Red 2” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2013, Helen Mirren’s spy sequel was a disaster. In the most wooden role of her career, Mirren portrayed a retired spy facing a burden to bear. Mirren brought her usual charisma to the role standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “Red 2” is far from a perfect movie, it remains a strong reminder of Helen Mirren’s enduring legacy. As strong as spies’ desire for retirement, it’s a spectacular reminder of a great actress with strong commitment towards her craft whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for entertainment.
The Film Buff 