Not many actresses have achieved appreciation of Tilda Swinton. Since the 1990’s, Swinton has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s majestic political leaders, wicked witches or strange sorcerers, Swinton has portrayed 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 favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy fantasy series that shaped my friend’s persona. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a girl that adored a series about lions with courage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a girl that loved the fantastical world of Narnia. She grew up to treasure a classic fantasy book that she considered a precious piece of literature. She often believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a book holding a special place in his heart. In 2005, Tilda Swinton did an extraordinary job of adapting the beloved book in her movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion: the Witch and the Wardrobe”. In the greatest role of her career, Swinton portrays a wicked witch seeking to control a kingdom facing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and menacing in her most memorable role. Swinton has spent most of her career playing heroic women with sympathetic personalities. With “The Chronicles of Narnia”, however, the actress showcased a villainous side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. As the White Witch, Swinton did an exceptional job of portraying the most villainous character in the book series. For instance, the scene in which the White Witch first meets Edmund becoming aware that humans have entered her land is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Chronicles of Narnia” Tilda Swinton’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most fantasy adaptations, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years following the publication of a classic fantasy book about children facing a dilemma entering a wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actress with charisma that has made memorable movies which deserve to be seen in the Cinema.
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Aging is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. I’ve always shared bonds with my grandfather. We would enjoy spending time together watching movies at the theatre. However, aging ended our relationship forever. Adopting a negative attitude, he lost interest in activities he valued. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured aging causing destruction as powerfully as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Released in 2008, Tilda Swinton’s movie depicted the life of a man born with rare abilities to age backwards. In the most unusual role of her career, Swinton embodies a woman that has an affair with an aging man causing despair. Swinton has spent most of her career playing strong women with talkative personalities. With “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, however, the actress showcased subtlety audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Swinton created a portrait of aging. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth ends her romantic affair with Benjamin causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about aging which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of aging causing consequences individuals face, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured movies which audiences embrace.
3. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is an iconic comic-book character that always fascinated my teacher. I remember forming long-lasting bonds with a school teacher that was a fan of the magical sorcerer. He would always love to tell class stories about a strange sorcerer that cast a magical spell. In 2016, Tilda Swinton honoured the strange sorcerer in her movie “Doctor Strange”. In the most magical role of her career, Swinton embodies an ancient mentor that guides a young sorcerer on how to use magic causing despair. It isn’t easy for white actresses to play roles of Asian women in movies. However, Swinton succeeded deftly. Working alongside Benedict Cumberbatch who is also amazing, Swinton honoured a legendary sorcerer. For instance, the scene in which the Ancient One trains Stephen Strange seeking to prepare him to become a sorcerer is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Doctor Strange” a comic-book classic is its broad appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted to comic-book fans, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Stephen Strange’s desire to become a supreme sorcerer, it’s a spectacular reminder about a fantastic actress that has made movies which audiences treasure.
4. Orlando
Transgenderism has impacted my cousin’s identity. I remember a cousin that was secretly a transgender. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person my entire family would admire. The shocking discovery of his sexual identity caused him to drift apart from my family. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that changed his gender many years ago, I adored “Orlando”. Released in 1992, Tilda Swinton’s movie captured hardships that transgender people in the 20th Century went through. in the most androgynous role of her career, Swinton embodies a nobleman that changes his genre to a woman causing despair. It’s a tricky role that required the actress to step out of her comfort zone by playing a queer character. However, Swinton pulled it off tremendously. For instance, the scene in which Orlando becomes aware he has become a woman causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Orlando” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Orlando’s desire to find his sexual identity, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has produced unforgettable movies audiences love dearly.
5. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my mother. I remember a mother that adored the author’s literature. She had great expectations from an author she grew up to appreciate. In 2019, Tilda Swinton honoured the author whose stories have appealed in her movie “The Persona History of David Copperfield”. In the most comical role of her career, Swinton portrays a wealthy aunt taking care for an orphan facing despair. With “The Personal History of David Copperfield”, the actress showcased a comedic timing audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Dev Patel who is also amazing, Swinton honoured literature. For instance, the scene in which Betsey fights Uriah whom she slaps across the face causing despair is one of the funniest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Charles Dickens adaptations, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about an orphan, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with dedication whose timeless movies are worthy of celebration.
6. Adaptation
Writer’s block is a painful process that causes stress. I remember facing frustration of writer’s block. A source of stress, writer’s block has affected my abilities to achieve success. Few movies I’ve seen have captured frustration of writer’s block as powerfully as “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Tilda Swinton’s movie captured screenwriters affected by writer’s block. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Swinton portrays a publisher seeking to publish stories that cause despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to take a step out of her comfort zone playing a publisher. Working alongside Nicolas Cage who is also amazing, Swinton created a portrait of writer’s block that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of writer’s block causing screenwriters to face stress, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has achieved success.
7. We Need to Talk About Kevin
When it comes to the most beloved books ever written about teenagers, it’s worth discussing We Need to Talk About Kevin. Since its publication in 2003, Lionel Shriver’s book has become a literary classic. In 2011, Tilda Swinton beautifully adapted the book in her film “We Need to Talk About Kevin”. In the most emotional role of her career, Swinton embodies the concerned mother of a troubled teenage son committing crimes causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown in her career before. Working alongside Ezra Miller who is also amazing, Swinton honoured legendary literature. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about teenagers facing trouble, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress that has made timeless movies audiences consider special.
8. Snowpiercer
Trains are compelling settings that often make for engaging movies. Ever since detectives solved murders on the orient express, trains are larger-than-life setting which have often been used in movies with success. In 2013, Tilda Swinton captured the enduring appeal of trains facing disaster in her movie “Snowpiercer”. In the most authoritative role of her career, Swinton portrayed a powerful political leader seeking control on a train facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing eccentric women in positions of power. Working alongside Chris Evans who is also amazing, Swinton created a portrait of trains that’s compelling. As precious as the Snowpiercer train, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has managed to gain a huge following by making movies which entertain.
9. Michael Clayton
Tilda Swinton has always excelled at playing powerful women with strong conviction. Swinton has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing strong heroines with courage. Swinton’s strength for playing strong women that are driven to achieve a mission is clearly evident in her movie “Michael Clayton”. In the most calculated role of her career, Swinton portrays a powerful lawyer that engages in criminal activities causing despair. It gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her aptitude for playing strong women in positions of authority. Working alongside George Clooney who is also amazing, Swinton created a female lawyer that’s compelling. As strong as Michael Clayton’s desire to achieve battle corporations that are dire, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made movies which audiences admire.
10. The Killer
Tilda Swinton hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Killer” falls into the latter category. Released in 2023, David Fincher’s crime thriller was a flawed blockbuster. In the most shallow role of her career, Swinton portrays a corporate woman facing despair. Swinton brought an air of menace to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a mediocre movie. Although “The Killer” is a flawed crime movie, it honoured Swinton’s enduring legacy. As memorable as murders that killer has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to leave audiences captivated making memorable movies which have motivated me to achieve dreams of film criticism I have always appreciated.
The Film Buff 