Not many actresses have made movies audiences treasure like Catharine Keener. Since the 1990’s, Keener has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s racist mothers, theatre managers or women in danger, Keener has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies 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. Get Out
Racism is a devastating problem that shaped my friend’s identity. In high school, I formed strong bonds with an African-American classmate enduring racism that was cruel. He would commonly complain about being treated poorly by racist bullies in school causing pain. No matter how hard he tried, my friend could never overcome barriers of racism that left him terrified. Few films I’ve ever seen have demonstrated hardships black men experience facing racism causing doubt as powerfully as “Get Out”. Released in 2017, Catharine Keener’s best movie offered a powerful portrait of racism causing tragedy. In the greatest role of her career. Keener portrayed the racist mother of a white family that mistreats black guests causing despair. Keener has spent most of her career playing likeable heroines with sympathetic personalities. With “Get Out”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a villainous mother. Working alongside Daniel Kaluuya who is also amazing, Keener created a portrait of racism that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Miss Armitrage gives Chris a psychosis session causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Get Out” Catharine Keener’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Despite focusing on an African-American man facing racism, its themes resonate with everyone. It delivers a bold message about the dangers of racism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking horror film about African-American men seeking to get out of their white girlfriend’s racist households causing doubt, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a fantastic actress that has manufactured commemorated movies which definitely deserve to be talked about.
2. Adaptation
Writer’s block is a frustrating process that causes authors to face stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the world than when bright ideas don’t immediately spring to a writer’s mind. There have been several times when I have drawn a blank struggling to come up with compelling ideas for my writing. As someone impacted by the dark frustration of writer’s block, I identified deeply with “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Catherine Keener’s movie captured the lives of frustrated screenwriters. In the most brief role of her career, Keener portrayed an actress filming a movie on a set where screenwriters appear. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside John Cusack who is also amazing, Keener created a portrait of writer’s block that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Maxine seeks to prepare for a shoot of his movie is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about screenwriters, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about social anxiety which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic depiction of authors experiencing frustration, it’s a fabulous reminder of a commemorated actress that deserves celebration.
3. Being John Malkovich
The minds of actors in Hollywood facing danger always fascinated my father. I recall memories of a father appreciating actors in Hollywood under pressure. Fond of L.A., he would marvel at the way in which actors would behave with a price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that adored ideas actors would pitch, I appreciated “Being John Malkovich”. Released in 1999, Catharine Keener’s movie offered an insightful glimpse inside the mind of a famous actor. In the most thought-provoking role of her career, Keener portrayed a woman that investigates the mind of a famous actor causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside John Cusack who is also amazing, Keener created a portrait of an actor that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Maxine first enters the mind of John Malkovich becoming aware of his intelligence is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Being John Malkovich” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about iconic actors, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. An insightful glimpse inside a famous actor’s mind, it’s a riveting reminder of a one-of-a-kind actress that has manufactured unforgettable movies leaving a legacy behind.
4. Captain Phillips
Hijackings causing danger are terrifying events that always fascinated my teacher. I remember my high school teacher was fascinated with hijackings that put the lives of innocent civilians in danger. He would often strive to educate students about dangers of hijackings causing lives to deteriorate. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher enamoured by hijacked ships, I appreciated “Captain Phillips”. Released in 2013, Catherine Keener’s movie honoured a real-life captain whose ship was hijacked by Somali pirates. In the most supportive role of her career, Keener portrayed the wife of a renowned captain that faces hijackings causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Keener created a compelling portrait of a hijacking. For instance, the scene in which Andrea becomes aware that her husband’s ship has been hijacked causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Captain Phillips” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Richard Phillip’s desire to defend the Maersk Alabama, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
5. Synecdoche, New York
Theatre performers are figures that always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a mother that adored actors which performed on stage. She would often marvel at the way theatre performers would stage an unforgettable play. As someone treasuring a mother that adored Broadway performers in New York, I appreciated “Synecdoche, New York”. Released in 2008, Catherine Keener’s movie captured theatre performers in New York City. In the most tragic role of her career, Keener portrayed a mentally disturbed theatre actress facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Keener created a portrait of theatre performers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Adele becomes aware that her stage play is destined to fail is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Synecdoche, New York” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Broadway to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of Broadway performers staging an unforgettable play, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured memorable movies throughout her career which deserve to be celebrated today.
6. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Losing virginity is a sensitive subject rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has often shied away from a touchy topic that is misunderstood. In an industry avoiding discussing the struggles of being a virgin, it’s worth praising “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”. Released in 2005, Catherine Keener’s comedy tackled the sensitive subject of virginity. In the most comical role of her career, Keener portrayed a store owner that has a romantic affair with a virgin causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase aptitude for comedy she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Steve Carell who is also amazing, Keener created a comedy that’s engaging. As strong as Andy’s desire to lose his virginity, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress making memorable movies audiences love dearly.
7. Capote
When it comes to the greatest novelists in American history, it’s worth discussing Truman Capote. An awe-inspiring author, Capote published timeless literature throughout his career. In 2005, Catherine Keener honoured the iconic American author with a lasting legacy in her movie “Capote”. In the most intellectual role of her career, Keener portrayed the childhood friend of a legendary author facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a renowned journalist that’s well-known. Working alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Keener honoured an author that’s inspiring. As precious as books that Capote seeks to publish, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured great movies in her career which audiences cherish.
8. Into the Wild
Few books ever written about survival in the wild are as celebrated as Into the Wild. Since its publication in 1996, Jon Krakauer’s book has become a literary classic. In 2007, Catherine Keener honoured the book about survival in the wild in her movie “Into the Wild”. In the most unusual role of her career, Keener portrayed an eccentric hillbilly woman seeking to survive in the wilderness causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a wilderness woman that feels alone. Working alongside Emile Hirsch who is also amazing, Keener honoured a commemorated book about hitchhiking. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about survival in the wild, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actress that has always made memorable movies leaving audiences beguiled.
9. Incredibles 2
Pixar is a legendary studio that has raised the bar for animation. Since its formation during the 1990’s, Pixar has created unforgettable animated movies. In 2018, Catherine Keener honoured the iconic studio producing movies children value in her movie “Incredibles 2”. In the most colourful role of her career, Keener portrayed an evil scientist plotting warfare causing the Incredibles to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for creating compelling animated characters through her powerful voice. Working alongside Holly Hunter who is also amazing, Keener created an animated movie that’s compelling. As powerful as bonds between a family that’s incredible, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured great movies in her career which audiences consider special.
10. Joker: Folie a Deux
Catharine Keener hasn’t always made great movies that audiences treasure. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Joker: Folie a Deux” falls into the latter category. Released in 2024, Todd Phillips’ blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a psychiatrist facing despair. Keener brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a bad movie, it honoured Keener’s legacy. As strong as the Joker’s desire to change Gotham, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has achieved stardom playing characters with wisdom in unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of film criticism.
The Film Buff 