Best known for her acting work in British TV series such as the hit historical showThe Crownor the darkly humorous sitcomFleabag, Olivia Colman is one of the most talented actresses of her generation. Born in the UK in 1974, Colman has started her professional acting career in the early 2000s, and since them, she has become a recognizable name both on the TV screen and in movies.
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Colman has proved her acting chops by winning various awards, including an Academy Award in 2019. She’s also the only person who won the BAFTA TV awards in three different categories. Considering her talent and popularity, it’s no wonder Olivia Colman has appeared in many memorable, well-rated movies!
6Hot Fuzz (2007)
The second movie inEdgar Wright’s unofficially titled ‘Cornetto trilogy’is a parody of police and crime stories. Simon Pegg stars as a super-efficient cop Nicholas who’s transferred to a small village where nothing ever happens. At least until he discovers there’s something sinister bubbling underneath the village’s calm facade.
Nicholas is both frustrated with the place he works and with the other cops in the village, but he’s determined to crack the mystery nonetheless. Olivia Colman plays one of the frustrating cops, PC Doris Thatcher, and even though she only has a supporting part, it’s still impossible to miss her since she cracks multiple jokes in the movie.
5Tyrannosaur (2011)
Despite the movie’s name, this story doesn’t have anything to do with dinosaurs. Instead, it’s a deeply intimate and complex drama about two people who are unhappy with their lives but see very little chance at things getting better, if any chance at all. Joseph (Peter Mullan) is haunted by his rage but when he meets Hannah (Colman), both of their lives could change.
Those who would expect that from there on, the story would turn idyllic, will be disappointed, though.Tyrannosauris painfully realistic, doesn’t spare its heroes, and will leave a strong impression on the audience. Olivia Colman won the BIFA award for playing Hannah, and to this day,Tyrannosaurremains one of her best movies.
4Locke (2013)
When somebody asks what the connection is between Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy, even Colman’s fans might be unsure what the answer is. Not only did they appear together in this movie but also shared an acting agent. However, unlike Hardy in the leading role, the audience never sees Colman’s face in the movie. Hardy’s Ivan is traveling to his family in his car but while he drives, things go wrong both in his work and personal life, and he has to deal with it in a series of calls.
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Lockeis a proof that when a movie has an excellent cast and a strong story, it can take place in a single location and doesn’t need anything else. And even thoughthe attention is focused on Tom Hardy, Colman’s Bethan with whom he had an affair and who now is giving a birth to his child is just as important for the movie’s plot. Plus, Colman gives a memorable performance even with just her voice.
3The Lobster (2015)
The director Yorgos Lanthimos is known for creating unusual movies that will stay with the audience for a long time and have the power to make people think. InThe Lobster, being single is illegal and single people are transported to a hotel where they have to find a partner in 45 days. If they don’t know, they’re transformed into animals.
The movie combines drama and dark comedy, and has a strong cast that includes Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, and, of course, Olivia Colman in another unforgettable role as the manager of the hotel. Even when she’s a member of a larger ensemble, Colman doesn’t disappoint and delivers another excellent performance.
2The Favourite (2018)
By far the most celebrated and noticeable movie role of Colman’s career is her Academy Award-winning part of Queen Annein this historical drama. Once again working with Yorgos Lanthimos, Queen Anne is a lonely woman surrounded by intricacies and people who want to take advantage of her. Despite that, she still holds a significant power in her hands.
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It’s complex roles like these that give Colman the chance to show her true acting range. So even though she’s surrounded by other excellent actresses such as Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, Colman is still a focal point of the story.
1The Father (2020)
The most recent well-rated movie in which Olivia Colman plays a leading role is this excellent drama story.Anthony Hopkins plays an 80-year-old manwho’s slowly losing himself due to dementia. Despite that, he’s refusing his daughter Anne’s help.The Fatheris a realistic drama that will keep the audience hooked, especially if they’ve ever been through anything similar.
Hopkins and Colman give unforgettable performances, and the movie assumes a unique form of storytelling. Since it’s told from Hopkins’ perspective, it’s difficult to make a sense of what’s happening, at least until the viewers realize that Hopkins' hero is forgetting things. Both Hopkins and Colman were nominated for Academy Awards, and Hopkins even won it! If anybody wants to see Colman at her strongest,The Fatheris a good choice.
