Cate Blanchett is f*cking fantastic. Can we all agree on that? She hails from Australia, is a graduate from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, and a master of stage, blockbuster, and independent film acting. She has won two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, and earned a Tony Award nomination for her 2017 Broadway debut with The Present. She has been appointed as the Companion of the Order of Australia, the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letter by the French government, and the list goes on and on. She’s a living legend!
Now, I don’t think Blanchett has ever given a bad performance. No matter how bad or good the script was, the moment she entered the frame, everything just became better. But if we talk about every single performance of hers, we’ll be here for ages. So, instead of doing that, please allow me to begin the super tough task of narrowing it down to ten of the best roles that Cate has delivered till now.
1. Ocean's Eight - Lou
Many consider this to be the weakest of the Ocean’s franchise. But that might be the case because of the script or the direction. The actresses in it were on their A-game. And everyone’s on their A-game, you can trust Cate to be acing it. She brings all the swagger in the world and looks oh-so-stylish no matter what’s happening on screen. I honestly think she should’ve gotten her own movie.
2. Thor: Ragnarok - Hela
There’s something so weird yet poetic about Academy Award-winning actors playing these outlandish roles and making it their own. Because, believe me, or not, Hela could’ve gone wrong in so many ways. It could’ve become hammy and jarring. But in the hands of the one and only, Cate Blanchett, she became iconic and had fans begging for her to return in a sequel. She’s just hypnotic and funny and powerful and I stand alongside my fellow MCU fans demanding for her to reprise this role.
3. Carol - Carol Aird
Time and again I have mentioned that I hate love stories. Either they’re too formulaic or too over-the-top. But there are rare ones that hit me hard and Carol is one such rare movie. There’s no doubt that it is an exceptionally well-made movie by Todd Haynes and features a brilliant supporting act by Rooney Mara. However, as the titular character, Blanchett simply overshadows it all. Her role isn’t very dialogue-heavy. That’s why she lets her eyes do the talking and my-oh-my is it effective.
4. All of her Lord of the Rings Galadriel appearances
I am sorry that I am cheating here and taking all her Galadriel performances into consideration because I think that all of them are equally good. Also, am I the only one who thinks that instead of making a Hobbit trilogy, we should’ve gotten a Galadriel trilogy? Or just one standalone Galadriel movie? I mean, I think it can still be done if the studios and Blanchett are game. In fact, I think that it will be a huge hit if a story is told from Galadriel’s perspective.
5. Blue Jasmine - Jeanette ‘Jasmine’ Francis
There are a lot of problematic elements in this movie. But one thing that nobody can deny the fact that Blanchett gave a blistering performance as a formerly rich Manhattan socialite who is going through a mental breakdown. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe Award, the SAG Award, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Pete’s sake!
6. Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Irina Spalko
Alright, calm down! I know y’all hate this movie. I don’t. I think Temple of Doom is the worst because of its idiotic portrayal of Indians. There, I said it. Also, how can Crystal Skull be the worst when it has Cate Blanchett having the time of her life playing a Nazi?! It can’t. Also, tell me if there’s anyone in the world, other than Edna Mode probably, who could’ve pulled off that hairstyle? I’m waiting.
7. The Curious of Benjamin Button - Daisy Fuller
Cate Blanchett as Daisy is grace incarnate in this David Fincher film. Yes, Brad Pitt is the center of attention in it. But, just like every other movie that she stars in, the moment she enters the story, I bet you won’t be able to take your eyes off her. In fact, I think she supplements Pitt’s performance because she knows that while her character is important, it is ultimately the story of Benjamin Button.
8. I'm Not There - Jude Quinn
In order to portray the life of Bob Dylan, Todd Haynes brought a star-studded cast that consisted of names like Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, David Cross, Julianne Moore, and Michelle Williams. However, again, it was Blanchett who killed it with her performance. She has a Volpi Cup for Best Actress, Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination to prove that she was a cut above the rest.
9. The Aviator - Katharine Hepburn
Hepburn was a larger-than-life person. It was difficult to contain her beauty, her acting prowess, her aura in a frame. So, you can only imagine how intimidating it might’ve been for Blanchett to portray a tiny part of her life for Martin Scorsese. But since Blanchett is, well, Blanchett, she managed to not only capture the essence of who Hepburn was but also win a couple of awards in the process.
10. Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth I
This is the movie that garnered Blanchett’s international recognition and what a meaty role to get international recognition for. She has such a commanding physical presence throughout the film and her dialogue delivery is flawless. I think this is the movie that had me convinced for the longest time that she is British and not Australian.
In addition to all this, I think one of my all-time favorite performances by Blanchett is going to be her cameo appearance as Janine in Hot Fuzz. Yes, she doesn’t even show her face and takes up a mere two to three minutes of screen-time. But every time I watch that Edgar Wright movie (which BTW is a lot), I always get excited about her conversation with Nicholas Angel and the way she takes off her glasses after saying “You just can’t switch off, Nicholas” just cracks me up.
Here’s to many more diverse roles and cameos, Cate Blanchett! Happy Birthday.
SEE ALSO: Cate Blanchett To Play Lilith In Borderlands Live-Action? Sounds Hela Amazing!
Cover artwork by Bhavya Poonia/Mashable India
