Not many actresses in Britain have made movies that inspire awe like Fiona Shaw. Since the 1990’s, Shaw has become a British icon. Whether it’s aunts of magical wizards, therapists or political leaders, Shaw has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made in her career, 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. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter is a magical book series impacting my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has always been a big part of my childhood. I remember memories of reading J.K. Rowling’s great series during my childhood that shaped my identity. I instantly fell in love with a great book that demonstrated wizards casting a powerful spell with timeless stories to tell. In 2001, Fiona Shaw honoured the well-known fantasy series about lives of strong wizards in her movie “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. In the greatest role of her career, Shaw portrayed a bold aunt seeking to care for a magical wizard boy causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Shaw has spent most of her career by playing likeable heroines in classic British period dramas. With “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, however, she took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a literary character that’s well-known. Working alongside Richard Griffiths who is also amazing, Shaw honoured an iconic series about wizards that’s bold. For instance, the scene in which Aunt Petunia becomes aware that Harry has magical powers in the zoo causing despair is one of the best moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” Fiona Shaw’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies in the Harry Potter series, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the fantasy book series to appreciate it. A bold start of a franchise about wizards that are magical, it’s a bold reminder about a great actress that made movies in her career audiences consider special.
2. Persuasion
Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a massive fan of the legendary author in English literature. She took pride rather than prejudice reading books written by an author that left her satisfied. In 1995, Fiona Shaw honoured the iconic author deserving recognition in her movie “Persuasion”. In the most romantic role of her career, Shaw portrayed an aristocratic woman engaging in a doomed love affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Amanda Root who is also outstanding, Shaw honoured an author whose stories are inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Mrs. Croft becomes aware that Anne is in love is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Persuasion” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Jane Austen movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Centuries following groundbreaking literature written by an author about women with sense and sensibility in danger, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actress whose memorable movies audiences commonly treasure.
3. My Left Foot
Cerebral Palsy is a devastating disease that my teacher often spoke about fondly. I remember a psychology professor that was fascinated with a disease putting lives in grave danger. He would often strive to educate students about a disease causing lives to deteriorate. In 1989, Fiona Shaw honoured the heartbreaking disease affecting the foot in her movie “My Left Foot”. In the most compassionate role of her career, Shaw portrayed a medical doctor seeking to care for men with Cerebral Palsy facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to showcase strong emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also amazing, Shaw created a portrait of a disability that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which doctor Cole first meets Christy becoming aware of his heartbreaking disability causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “My Left Foot” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most disability movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about determination which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of Cerebral Palsy causing lives of artists to deteriorate, it’s a captivating reminder of an actress manufacturing commemorated movies audiences appreciate.
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Bullying has a negative impact on people’s well-being. At an early age, I endured bullying causing damage. I’ll never forget the first time I was picked on by peers leaving me upset. Mean girls became a part of my routine at age thirteen. As someone that has faced bullying causing a fix, I adored “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. Released in 2007, Fiona Shaw’s movie honoured the fifth book in the beloved Harry Potter series. In the most anxious role of her career, Shaw portrayed the mother of a cruel teenager that bullies his peers causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to steal the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Daniel Radcliffe who is also amazing, Shaw honoured a book about wizards that’s spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Aunt Petunia becomes aware that Harry used a spell on Dudley causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” a fantasy classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about bullying which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Harry’s desire to become a wizard, it’s a spellbinding reminder of an actress making movies audiences treasured.
5. Enola Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a legendary detective that my father always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father that loved the detective with courage. He would appreciate seeing the crimes that the world-famous detective sought to investigate. Fond of a literary character, he always spoke fondly about a detective he came to treasure. In 2020, Fiona Shaw honoured the legacy of Sherlock Holmes in her movie “Enola Holmes”. In the most authoritative role of her career, Shaw portrayed the headmistress of a strict boarding school mistreating students facing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power seeking success. Working alongside Henry Cavill who is also amazing, Shaw honoured a detective that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Miss Harrison becomes aware that Enola has been misbehaving causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Enola Holmes” a timeless classic is appeal. Unlike most Sherlock Holmes movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As memorable as murders Enola has investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has manufactured movies that deserve to be absolutely appreciated.
6. The Tree of Life
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have built a legacy as iconic as Terrence Malick. With their thought-provoking themes, strong storytelling and strong acting, Malick’s movies have earned a huge following. Malick has often had an eye for casting great actors in his commemorated movies. In 2011, Malick showcased his strength as a filmmaker when he cast Fiona Shaw in his movie “The Tree of Life”. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Shaw portrayed a grief-stricken grandmother facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also outstanding, Shaw created a drama that’s engaging. A magnificent portrait of motherhood, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress that has stood the test of time as an icon in modern Hollywood.
7. Fracture
Fiona Shaw has often excelled at playing emotional women that face trauma. Shaw has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Shaw’s strength for playing women under pressure is clearly evident in her movie “Fracture”. Released in 2007, Gregory Hoblit’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most conflicted role of her career, Shaw portrayed a female judge seeking to resolve a course case causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Shaw created a courtroom drama that’s engaging. As strong as Willy’s desire to resolve his case, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made unforgettable movies audiences commonly embrace.
8. Colette
When it comes to the most celebrated authors in French history that are hard to forget, it’s worth discussing Colette. During the 1900’s, Colette published timeless books that earned a huge following. In 2018, Fiona Shaw honoured the iconic author whose stories are hard to forget in her movie “Colette”. In the most feminist role of her career, Shaw embodied a legendary writer that faces a painful burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her aptitude for playing strong feminist characters. Working alongside Keira Knightley who is also amazing, Shaw honoured an author that’s inspiring. As precious as books written by Colette, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has commonly managed to get audiences excited by making movies throughout her career that are hard to forget.
9. The Butcher’s Boy
The Butcher’s Boy is a legendary book that has built a lasting legacy. Since its publication in 1992, Patrick McCabe’s book has earned immense recognition for its portrayal of Britain. In 1997, Fiona Shaw honoured the legendary book about a troubled boy in her movie “The Butcher’s Boy”. In the most anxious role of her career, Shaw portrayed a concerned mother struggling to care for a rebellious boy causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power. Working alongside Stephen Rea who is also amazing, Shaw honoured a commemorated book about boys that’s captivating. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a conflicted British boy, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made unforgettable movies throughout her career which audiences enjoy.
10. The Avengers
Fiona Shaw hasn’t always made great movies without a flaw. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Avengers” falls into the latter category. Released in 1998, Jeremiah S. Chechik’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, the actress portrayed a villainous terrorist engaging in warfare. Shaw brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Avengers” is a bad movie, it honoured Shaw’s commemorated legacy. As strong as bonds between the Avengers team, it’s a it’s a commemorated reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences awed whose unforgettable movies that are rarely flawed I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema I applaud.
The Film Buff 