Julianne Moore has established herself as one of the best and most successful actors in the world over the course of a film career spanning more than three decades. Moore has made a name for herself as one of the biggest stars of the silver screen, appearing in everything from blockbusters to indie hits and starring parts to supporting ones. She has also received countless accolades along the road, including five Oscar nominations.
Moore’s reputation is most known for her depictions of emotionally complex women, and it shows no signs of eroding. It seems like the perfect time to reflect on the performances that have characterized Moore’s brilliant career thus far as we approach the release of Moore’s next movie, Benjamin Caron’s psychological thriller Sharper.
‘An Ideal Husband’ (1999)
An Ideal Husband is one of Julianne Moore’s most underappreciated works and a perfect adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play. The movie, which stars Moore along with Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, and Minnie Driver, centers on a bureaucrat whose life becomes complex when an old friend shows up. It has a stellar ensemble that is either already famous or on the verge of becoming one.
The film’s Victorian adversary, played by Moore, is both radiant and chilly in her acting. Her cheery demeanor balances out her sharp fangs. In An Ideal Husband, Moore shows a part of himself that is rarely seen: his detached side. Moore was nominated for a Golden Satellite Award and a Golden Globe for her portrayal; perhaps she need to reprise similar parts more frequently.
‘Boogie Nights’ (1997)
Anyone who enjoyed movies in the late 1990s may almost surely recall their first theater experience with Boogie Nights. Boogie Nights is one of the most rewatchable movies of all time, thus the first viewing is never the last. The comedy-drama-tragedy, which was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, centers on the rise and fall of a would-be porn star throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Moore was already a well-known celebrity when he was chosen for Boogie Nights. Her star would rise even higher as a result of the movie, which also brought out her acting talent and emotional vulnerabilty. Boogie Nights would earn Moore her first Oscar nomination and praise from critic Janet Maslin of The New York Times, who called the film “amazing.”
‘Children of Men’ (2006)
Children of Men, another lauded film in Julianne Moore’s résumé, is a futuristic thriller with an unusually serious tone. Many critics named it as one of the finest movies of 2006, and some, like Peter Travers, have since dubbed it as one of the best movies of the 2000s. Alfonso Cuarón’s film revolves around a common man who has to defend the first pregnant woman in 18 years.
Moore plays a supporting role, yet his work is crucial to the story. Moore was mentioned by Cuarón as a pleasant coworker on the movie, saying that “she is simply so much fun to work with.” With Children of Men, Moore demonstrates that she has unmatched instincts for picking projects that will hold her interest.
‘Far from Heaven’ (2002)
However, Far From Heaven stands as the zenith of their partnership. Any of Julianne Moore’s collaborations with filmmaker Todd Haynes may easily count as some of her best work. Since its premiere, the movie, about a suburban 1950s housewife whose life starts to fall apart, has only gained more notoriety; The Guardian ranked it as the 13th best movie of the twenty-first century.
With The Hours, Moore received her second nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars, making history as the ninth performer to ever receive the honor. The Los Angeles Times’ Manohla Dargis went so far as to praise Moore’s performance, writing that “what Moore does with her role is so beyond the boundaries of what we term excellent acting that it practically defies description.”
‘Magnolia’ (1999)
Moore further demonstrated with Magnolia that she could stand out both amid an ensemble and as a lead performer. Moore plays a significant role in Anderson’s Magnolia, just as she did in Robert Altman’s mentor Paul Thomas Anderson’s Short Cuts. The movie is a heartbreaking mosaic of many personalities in the San Fernando Valley coping with loss and suffering.
Anderson specifically wrote the part of Linda Partridge for Moore after collaborating with her on Boogie Nights. Moore would win the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film, which gave her the freedom to be large and culminated in a frantic finale in a pharmacy. When Anderson said he wanted to “watch (Moore) erupt,” she more than accomplished that in Magnolia.
‘Maps to the Stars’ (2014)
Julianne Moore’s willingness to push her emotional boundaries for a role is demonstrated by Maps to the Stars. The movie is akin to other post-apocalyptic Hollywood productions like The Day of the Locust and was written by Bruce Wagner, who is well-known for his grim Hollywood projections. The David Cronenberg-directed movie follows a number of characters who work in the entertainment industry and provide observations about its decline.
Moore was only the second actress in history to win Best Actress at the “Big Three” film festivals, Berlin, Venice, and Cannes, and was dubbed “fearless” by Variety writer Peter DeBruge. Moore gives possibly her most vulnerable performance since Boogie Nights in the movie, which is as cruel and sadistic as satires go.
‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
The Big Lebowski has transcended the idea of being a cult classic and solidified its place as one of the films that defined the 1990s. The goofy mystery-comedy, which was poorly regarded when it was first released, was added to the National Film Registry in 2014. The storyline is largely centered on a slacker who, as a result of a case of mistaken identification, becomes engaged in a complex mystery.
Julianne Moore would have the opportunity to return to her character acting origins in the movie, playing the eccentric artist Maude Lebowski, who was modeled after Carolee Schneemann and Yoko Ono in real life. The Big Lebowski, which once appeared to be Moore’s amusing but unimportant pick, has since grown to be one of her most enduring movies.
‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’ (1992)
Julianne Moore initially garnered wide recognition with The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, which she had previously appeared in as part of the critically panned horror anthology Tales from the Darkside: The Movie. Despite only having a supporting role, the movie was a huge success, earning $140 million at the box office. The film, which stars Rebecca De Mornay and Annabella Sciorra, centers on a lady who hatches a scheme to assassinate the family she feels is to blame for her husband’s passing.
Critics appreciated Moore’s performance, with Gene Siskel stating that her character was “far more believable” than the others in the movie. Moore gives a dull character—a friend of the lead couple—a distinct personality. Moore immediately stood out on screen, whether it was due to her collected demeanor or even the way she smoked a cigarette.
‘The Kids Are All Right’ (2010)
Few movies released in 2010 received as much praise as The Kids Are All Right, an intelligent, compassionate comedy-drama with a little bit of biting. The movie, which had been under development since 2004, gained momentum when several well-known stars joined. The movie, which was competing for Best Picture at the Oscars, is about a lesbian couple whose teenage children find their sperm donor.
Julianne Moore excels in a character that was specifically designed for her, a pattern that has run throughout her career. Julianne Moore’s naturalist style and skill for both comedy and drama shine. Moore’s performance in the movie is just one example of the outstanding acting throughout the production. Moore, who is a BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee, “plays every note precisely” in this sharp and heartfelt movie, according to critic Betsy Sharkey.
‘Vanya on 42nd Street’ (1994)
Vanya on 42nd Street was a project that took a long time to develop, beginning with Andre Gregory. A group of actors initially got together willingly to better comprehend Chekhov’s work, but that finally evolved into one of the most lauded movies of 1994. David Mamet adapted Chekhov’s play for the screen, while Louis Malle served as the film’s final director.
Moore plays Yelena, the young and stunning second wife, alongside Wallace Shawn and Larry Pine, who had worked with Malle and Gregory frequently. With her vivid red hair shining against the barren background, Moore undoubtedly stands out. One of Moore’s most engaging turns is Vanya on 42nd Street, which Time Out called “absolutely fantastic.”
