Oppenheimer, Devil Wears Prada, Into the Woods & More
The talented actress Emily Blunt has finally been recognized with an Oscar nomination. Though renowned for playing roles like action heroines, musical leads, and supporting comic characters, this role in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” sees her portray an embittered and humourless wife, a far cry from her usual parts. This surprising transformation only serves to highlight her exceptional acting range.
Blunt’s acting journey began in her native London, where after a stint at a boarding school, she launched her professional career at the age of 18 with a debut in the West End production of “The Royal Family.” She then moved to screen acting in 2003 with roles in the British miniseries “Boudica” and “Henry VIII.” Blunt’s film debut came as an arrogant rich girl in the indie drama “My Summer of Love” (2004).
Blunt’s real breakthrough came in 2006 when she won a Golden Globe for her role in the BBC drama “Gideon’s Daughter” alongside Bill Nighy. The same year, she arguably outshone stars like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in the hit comedy “The Devil Wears Prada” where she played a sarcastic and materialistic fashion assistant. She delivered all the best lines in the film and transformed what could have been a minor role into a significant career boost.
Since then, Blunt has made a name for herself in both blockbusters and dramas, continually exploring different genres and roles. Highlights include impactful performances in action movies like “Edge of Tomorrow” and “Sicario” and in the suspenseful horror series “A Quiet Place” alongside her husband John Krasinski. She also surprised audiences with her singing and dancing abilities in movie musicals like “Into the Woods” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” Although some films like “Jungle Cruise” and “Wild Mountain Thyme” were less successful, she is never the weak link. Her acting adaptability allows her to seamlessly fit into any genre, typically producing terrific results.
In celebration of her Oscar nomination, we are ranking the top 10 best Emily Blunt film performances. The rankings are based on her performance, not the overall film quality.
Editorial inputs provided by Kate Erbland and Alison Foreman.
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