Not many actresses in Hollywood have achieved appreciation of Carey Mulligan. Since the 2000’s, Mulligan has become an icon. Whether it’s promising young women, literary characters or singers, Mulligan 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 made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Promising Young Woman
Feminist women with strong personalities have always inspired me. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a girl in school that sought to become a feminist hero. At an early age, I met a girl that expressed strong feminist views with courage. A promising young woman, she was dedicated towards overcoming oppression. She always held strong views against sexual assault which she considered a form of abuse. I grew up to value a girl with a strong feminist view that inspired me to make my dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a girl that sought to become a promising young woman, I adored “Promising Young Woman”. Released in 2020, Carey Mulligan’s movie offered a provocative glimpse at strong women taking a stand against sexual assault. In the greatest role of her career, Carey Mulligan embodies a fierce feminist woman that seeks vengeance against men for causing her to face despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. Mulligan has spent most of her career playing likeable women that have nice personalities. With “Promising Young Woman”, however, she took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a complex character with evil motives. It isn’t easy to portray a victim of sexual assault, but Mulligan succeeded immensely. For instance, the scene in which Cassie vents out her frustrations against men by smashing a truck in a fit of anger is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Promising Young Woman” Carey Mulligan’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about dangers of sexual assault which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a promising young woman seeking vengeance for sexual assault causing her to experience painful emotion, it’s a profound reminder about a celebrated actress whose timeless movies are worthy of celebration.
2. Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that adored the legendary author. She was often drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone that grew up to value a mother that took pride in Jane Austen’s literature, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Carey Mulligan’s movie honored Jane Austen’s book. In the most joyous role of her career, Mulligan embodies a strong woman facing poverty that’s dangerous. Mulligan has always excelled at conveying emotions through expressions without speaking a single word, and “Pride and Prejudice” showcased her strengths. For instance, the scene in which Kitty discovers that her sister is getting married showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following publication of literature about women with pride facing barriers in a prejudiced society posing danger, it’s a strong reminder about an actress whose movies audiences treasure.
3. Maestro
Singing is a passion that my father has always enjoyed pursuing. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a father had dreams to become a musical maestro. Drawn to the sound of music, he found enjoyment in composing melodies that were profound. I would always marvel at an inspirational father that had the beautiful voice of an angel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my father’s passion for being a musical maestro as powerfully as “Maestro”. Released in 2023, Carey Mulligan’s movie celebrated the divine legacy of the legendary classical composer Leonard Bernstein. In the most compassionate role of her career, Mulligan embodies the supportive wife of a musician. Mulligan has always excelled at communicating emotions through her body language, and “Maestro” showcased her strengths as an actress. For instance, the scene in which Felicia is shocked to discover that her husband is having affairs behind her back is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Maestro” one of Mulligan’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the value of music which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as melodies composed by Leonard Bernstein, it’s a magnificent reminder about an actress that has made unforgettable movies which have never lost their abilities to shine.
4. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher has always found easy to appreciate. Ever since it was published, The Great Gatsby is a book that my teacher has cherished. I remember forming a bond with a school teacher that adored a book he considered timeless literature. As precious as the green light, he loved discussing a book that gave him greater insight. In 2013, Carey Mulligan did an exceptional job of adapting the book about millionaires seeking prosperity in her film “The Great Gatsby”. In the most romantic role of her career, Mulligan embodies a woman that engages in a doomed love affair with a millionaire. Mulligan is one of those actresses that has always excelled at playing romantic characters, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased talents. For instance, the scene in which Daisy reunites with Gatsby at a tea party years after separation showcased the actress at her best. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class resonating with everyone. A century following the publication of a book about great millionaires whose dreams deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress whose timeless movies audiences appreciate.
5. Drive
Driving is an activity that I’ve never found appealing. As far back as I can remember, I have never understood the appeal of race car driving. At an early age, I became afraid of go karting that caused emotional damage. I would feel terror whenever I had to get behind the wheel. As someone that has never enjoyed to drive, I was surprised by how much I loved “Drive”. Released in 2011, Carey Mulligan’s movie depicted the dangerous lives of stunt drivers. In the most subtle role of her career, Mulligan embodies a quiet woman that falls in love with a stunt driver facing despair. Mulligan is known for playing larger-than-life characters with talkative personalities. With “Drive”, however, the actress took a step out of her comfort zone by playing a quiet woman through subtlety. For instance, the breathtaking scene in which Irene is kissed by the Driver in an elevator is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Drive” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a cautionary message about crime that would resonate with everyone. As precious as cars the Driver seeks to drive, it’s a dazzling reminder about a great actress with abilities to thrive in unforgettable movies that make audiences feel alive.
6. Shame
Sex addiction is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has held tradition of ignoring stories about men with sex addiction. An uncomfortable subject matter, stories about sex addicts rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has avoided discussing sex addiction out of shame, it’s worth praising “Shame”. Released in 2011, Carey Mulligan’s movie captured the hardships endured by sex addicts facing shame. In the most provocative role of her career, Mulligan embodies a woman that discovers her brother is a sex addict causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress chances to showcase vulnerability that she hadn’t shown in her career before. A spectacular portrait of sex addiction, it’s a stirring reminder about a strong actress whose timeless movies deserve celebration.
7. Saltburn
Carey Mulligan has always been one of those actresses with a sharp sense of humour. Since her career launched several years ago, Mulligan has always excelled at playing comical characters. Mulligan’s strengths for playing funny characters that earn laughs is clearly evident in her film “Saltburn”. Released in 2023, Mulligan’s movie offered a satirical glimpse at social disparities in British society. In the most comical role of her career, Mulligan embodies a downtrodden women in a wealthy family that faces despair. It’s a provocative role that gave the actress opportunities to demonstrate her comedic timing audiences hadn’t seen before. As precious as the wealth of Saltburn, it’s a spectacular reminder about a commemorated actress whose movies always earn attention for capturing controversial topics that are stern.
8. Inside Llewyn Davis
Few filmmakers in Hollywood are as beloved as the Coen Brothers. Since the 1990’s, the Coen Brothers have made unforgettable movies. With their timeless themes, strong acting and meaningful messages, the Coen Brothers’ movies have earned a huge following. The Coen Brothers have always had an eye for casting great actors in their movies. In 2013, the Coen Brothers showcased their strengths when they cast Carey Mulligan in their film “Inside Llewyn Davis”. In the most musical role of her career, Mulligan portrays a female singer facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress chances to showcase her aptitude for singing she hadn’t shown in her career before. As melodious as the songs composed by Llewyn Davis, it’s a riveting reminder of a courageous actress whose movies audiences consider to be precious.
9. An Education
Teenage years are a time in life when everyone faces fears. I remember the time when I was a teenager. Looking back in reflection, it wasn’t a time of happiness. I was anxious about failing classes, being bullied and finding social acceptance from my peers in school. As someone with joyous recollection of my adolescence, I loved “An Education”. Released in 2009, Carey Mulligan’s movie depicted lives of teenage girls pursuing an education. In the most innocent role of her career, Mulligan embodies a teenage girl that engages in a romantic affair with an older man. It’s a youthful role that gave Mulligan a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing teenage characters. A powerful portrait of hardships adolescent girls pursuing an education face, it’s a profound reminder about an actress whose timeless movies audiences embrace.
10. The Dig
When it comes to archaeological artifacts that people value, it’s worth discussing the Sutton Hoo. Unearthed in 1939 England, the Sutton Hoo has become one of the world’s greatest treasures. An artifact in British history, it created a lasting legacy. In 2021, Carey Mulligan did an excellent job depicting the true story of the archaeological dig in her film “The Dig”. In the most focused role of her career, Mulligan embodies an archaeologist with love for digging up artifacts that are rare. It’s a role that gave the actress chances to demonstrate aptitude for conveying strong emotions through expressions. As precious as the Sutton Hoo treasure archaeologists found, it’s a riveting reminder about a renowned actress whose unforgettable movies that astound I will forever admire for inspiring my love for filmmaking that’s profound.
The Film Buff 