Anne Hathaway has been on a roll lately, and it's not just because of her recent projects. The actress has been making waves in the entertainment industry for over two decades, and her versatility and talent have been on full display. While her biggest hits, such as the "Princess Diaries" and "Devil Wears Prada" movies, may not always represent her best work, she has delivered masterful performances in major blockbusters and quirky indie films. Here are my ranked picks for the best Anne Hathaway movies, along with personal commentary and analysis.
"Rachel Getting Married" (2008): Hathaway deservedly received her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a recovering addict in Jonathan Demme's alternately harrowing and joyful domestic drama. Hathaway's Kym gets a brief reprieve from rehab to attend the wedding of her sister Rachel, where togetherness and spitefulness mix as family and friends gather for a music-filled celebration. Demme and screenwriter Jenny Lumet tackle the heavy topic of Kym's addiction and its fallout without ever losing sight of the happiness that comes with Rachel's impending marriage. Hathaway conveys Kym's anguish over her past mistakes and her resentment of her family's judgmental treatment, while also capturing the love Kym feels for Rachel as she embarks on a new personal journey. Demme makes the movie feel like attending an actual chaotic backyard wedding, complete with freewheeling musical performances and the honest messiness of human relationships. Personally, I think this movie is a masterpiece of emotional storytelling, and Hathaway's performance is a testament to her range and depth as an actress.
"Colossal" (2017): The premise of Nacho Vigalondo's sci-fi film sounds ridiculous, but Vigalondo uses the trappings of a kaiju movie to tell a poignant story about addiction and codependency. Hathaway plays Gloria, an alcoholic writer who returns to her New Hampshire hometown and finds herself connected to a giant monster in Seoul, South Korea. Her drunken wanderings somehow manifest a deadly creature on the other side of the world, and she has to resolve her own issues in order to keep the monster at bay. Hathaway captures Gloria's harsh humor and bitter regret, and the movie is a fascinating exploration of the impact of addiction on personal relationships. In my opinion, this movie is a hidden gem, and Hathaway's performance is a powerful and nuanced portrayal of a complex character.
"Eileen" (2015): The title character of director William Oldroyd's engrossing psychological thriller is obsessed with her psychologist co-worker, Rebecca St. John (Hathaway), and it's not hard to see why. Hathaway makes Rebecca into the most sophisticated and worldly woman in a drab working-class Massachusetts town in the 1960s. It's no wonder that shy, sheltered Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) both idolizes and desires this glamorous older woman. Things don't end well for either Eileen or Rebecca, but for a while, their flirtatious friendship is exciting and transgressive, until the attraction takes a turn into violence. Oldroyd expertly handles that transition, peeling back the layers to show the darkness that was always lurking under the surface of these troubled women. Hathaway and McKenzie have smoldering chemistry that erupts at just the right moment for maximum damage. What makes this movie particularly fascinating is the way it explores the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal norms on personal desires. Personally, I think this movie is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant exploration of the human condition.
"Ocean's 8" (2018): Hathaway gets to tweak her own public image in this female-focused spin-off of Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's" film series. She plays Daphne Kluger, a vain movie star who becomes an unwitting accomplice in a daring jewel heist at the Met Gala in New York City. Hathaway is clearly having fun playing up Daphne's egotism, which turns out to be an asset to the crew's elaborate, cleverly staged heist, in a reversal that's both surprising and funny. This movie is a refreshing take on the heist genre, and Hathaway's performance is a delightful and entertaining portrayal of a character who is both flawed and charming. From my perspective, this movie is a testament to the power of female friendship and collaboration, and Hathaway's performance is a highlight of the film.
"The Dark Knight Rises" (2012): Christopher Nolan's third Batman movie is a bit overstuffed, but Hathaway still makes a strong impression as Selina Kyle, the slinky and seductive burglar known as Catwoman (although that name is never uttered in the movie). In a story that can sometimes get too heavy and bombastic, Hathaway offers a playful counterpart to the grim intensity of her male co-stars. She even gets Christian Bale's gruff, taciturn Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) to lighten up a bit, and they have lively chemistry both in their civilian identities and when fighting alongside each other in costume. Hathaway proves just as adept at action as she is at flirty banter, and she convincingly portrays Selina's character arc from a flippant, amoral thief to a valuable ally in Batman's battle against Tom Hardy's megalomaniacal villain Bane. What makes this movie interesting is the way it explores the complexities of female identity and the impact of societal expectations on personal choices. Personally, I think this movie is a fascinating exploration of the darker side of human nature, and Hathaway's performance is a highlight of the film.
"Brokeback Mountain" (2005): One of Hathaway's first mature roles after her initial family-friendly princess phase, this Oscar-winning drama helped establish her as a serious actress who could take on complex material. Hathaway plays Lureen Newsome, an outgoing rodeo queen who falls in love with Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), a cowboy who is in a decades-long affair with Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger). Hathaway and Michelle Williams deliver equally heartbreaking performances as the wives who become collateral damage of a homophobic society. What makes this movie powerful is the way it explores the complexities of love and desire in the face of societal norms and expectations. In my opinion, this movie is a timeless classic, and Hathaway's performance is a testament to her ability to convey deep emotions and complex relationships.
"Mother Mary" (2021): Hathaway gives a fierce and vulnerable performance as the title character, a pop singer in the mold of Lady Gaga or Taylor Swift. After an onstage accident, she's attempting to get her career back on track, and she turns to her former costume designer and estranged friend Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel) to design the perfect dress for her comeback performance. That sounds straightforward, but "Mother Mary" is a moody psychodrama that digs into the troubled relationship between the singer and the stylist. Hathaway is as commanding in the onstage musical numbers as she is anguished in the duo's intimate interplay. What starts as a dark but grounded story takes a turn into the surreal and becomes more fascinating as it becomes more abstract. Writer-director David Lowery delivers a haunting and evocative film that's more about mood than plot, with rewarding and unsettling results. Personally, I think this movie is a fascinating exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal expectations on personal desires.
