It’s Marion Cotillard’s birthday! To mark the occasion, here are five of her best performances. Check some of these out!
Rust and Bone (2012)
Watching Rust and Bone was the first time I really took notice of Marion Cotillard. She plays the part of killer whale trainer Stephanie, enjoying her life dancing around to Katy Perry songs in the marine park she works at. One day she is involved in a horrific accident and her life is completely turned upside down. Cotillard displays her character’s mental and physical trauma brilliantly and really shows off her fantastic range with a variety of complex emotions. Director Jacques Audiard always seems to get the best out of his actors. With Marion Cotillard and fellow lead Matthias Schoenaerts at the top of their game, Rust and Bone is no exception.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Woody Allen’s quirky romantic comedy features a number of historical cameos, from F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddlestone) to Salvador Dali (Adrien Brody). It’s a strange blend of modern-day comedy mixed with time-travelling fantasy, and when Marion Cotillard makes an appearance as Pablo Picasso’s lover, she completely lights up the screen. She fits perfectly into 1920s Paris and adds even more charm to a film that is already overflowing with it. A perfect piece of casting.
Two Days, One Night (2014)
The premise is simple. Sandra (Cotillard) must convince the majority of her 16 fellow workmates to sacrifice their annual bonus in order for her to keep her job. She has the weekend to visit and convince each of them individually, before a secret ballot takes place on Monday morning. Not an easy task given the economic climate and considering the fact she is recovering from a bout of depression. The film earned Cotillard her second Oscar nomination for best actress, becoming one of only six actors in history to receive multiple nominations for foreign-language performances. It’s a great movie that simply would not work if not for her emotionally raw display.
The Immigrant (2013)
Ewa (Cotillard) is a Polish immigrant fleeing war in her homeland to pursue the American dream. What she finds when she arrives on Ellis Island isn’t exactly what she had envisioned. Her sister is taken away due to illness and she is threatened with deportation. Things only get worse from there and her life becomes a constant struggle. Cotillard plays the role with a real innocent fragility, all the while showing a dogged determination when it comes to rescuing her sister. The way she can show desperation simply through a look in her eyes, using no words, is exceptional. A difficult watch in places but one that’s worth sticking with.
Inception (2010)
A role that helped familiarise Cotillard with a more mainstream audience, she plays Mal, femme fatale and deceased wife of lead character and troubled soul Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio). Her role may not garner that much screentime, yet she might be the most important character in the entire film. Cobb is plagued by the memories of her, having numerous flashbacks and subconscious visions. A tragic persona enveloped in a subtle touch of darkness, impeccably portrayed by Cotillard.
What are some of your favorite films to feature birthday girl Marion Cotillard?
