25 Best Female Performances Of The Last 20 Years

Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos.

Probably the most incredible transformation by an actress in recent cinema history. She made a huge brekout with this role, and we're all still talking about THAT performance of hers.

Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath.

What I call "acting classes". The peak of an actress' career. The role of all dreams. A very deserved Oscar.

Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II.

Helen Mirren should be taught on school for this performance. Everything about this is absolutely stunning. Long live "THE QUEEN".

Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf.

For most actresses, it would have been impossible to play The Little Sparrow, but I guess it was just ordinary business for Marion Cotillard. And, maybe, a matter of make up!

Hilary Swank as Teena Brandon / Brandon Teena.

Words can't describe such a glorious performance. I don't agree with her second Academy Award - but let's face it, that year there was no competition. Sorry.

Nicole Kidman as Satine.

"Moulin Rouge!", to me, is the best picture of the entire decade. Nicole's character was beautiful, charming, and hypnotizing. Her dedication and talent are remarkable. Her acting is perfect. Hell the Oscar - you won our hearts, Mrs. Kidman.

Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes.

Another Academy-Award winning role. But for Bates was the triumph after years of struggle. But revenge is a dish best served cold, definately.

Emily Watson as Bess McNeill.

Young, tender-faced, apperently naive Emily Watson debuted with this role as heart-breaking Bess in Lars Von Trier's masterpiece. You CAN'T ask anything else from an actor when you clearly see that they put their heart, mind and soul in a superb performance like this one.

Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysious Beauvier.

Meryl should have won her third Oscar for this, and Winslet should have taken her Academy Award for "The Reader" for Best Supporting Actress. Like Medusa, she can petrify with a single look, knock you down with just a whisper, but still make you sympathize with her. That's what great actors do. And here, we have another astonishing portrait from the best one of all times. PERIOD!

Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmidt.

As I said before, I think Kate should have won in the supporting film - because I think that the main character in the film is Michael Berg. But, apart from awards' logic, this is a remarkable achievement for Winslet, whose performances have always been vivid, brilliant and vibrant. Especially in this case.

Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen Prejean.

That's another acting goddess. I mean, thank God for Susan Sarandon. "Dead Man Walking" was - probably - her peak, and shame the Golden Globes members who never gave her one. Well, by the way, she recieved other accolades, even more prestigious awards [read the Oscar...].

Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I.

I don't know why, but - especially for British actresses - portraing a reignant takes the best out of an actress [Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench, Glenda Jackson and, more recently, Emily Blunt], but it's hard to think of a better performance in this subject. Who could play her if not the most versatile actress of our times? "Elizabeth" was such a great way to start out, but, quite frankly, Blanchett could be listed for every performance she gave...

Felicity Huffman as Bree Osbourne / Stanley.

An unconventional and touching performance that sparks, year after year. And by the way, the reason why Huffman didn't get the Oscar was because the Academy members' view of her as a TV actress [didn't you stop awarding Helen Hunt thou, uh?]. Her humoristic, flawless act nonetheless sticks with in your brain and you cannot not ADORE it!

Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna Rothstein.

Forget "Basic Instinct", "The Specialist" or anything that comes to your mind when you think of Sharon Stone. Her role in "Casino" brought the best out of her, she's huge as a drug-addicted hooker turned into a spineless mother. I sincerely hope for her to comeback.

Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove.

She needs to come back doing this kind of films. Because she brights on them. The story itself is well-crafted and painful, but this performance brings you to tears. Halle is a great actress when well-directed and her 'duets' with Billy Bob Thornton hurt you like a knife. Congratulations Mrs. Berry!

Annette Bening as Carolyn Burnham.

Annette Bening is one of those actors who can deliver spectacular performances even when the movie itself isn't spectacular at all. But this is not the case, fortunately.

Julianne Moore as Cathy Whitaker.

An excellent work. Well, it's Julianne Moore playing an unhappy housewife, what did you expect?

Judi Dench as Barbara Covett.

Subtly mean, cleverly evil, secretly manipulative: Judi Dench offers us one of her most dedicated portraits as the old obsessive teacher. The final scene with Blanchett gives you a thrill that hunts you for days. "With stealth, I might secure the prize long-term, forever in my debt", she whispers. Ditto.

Michelle Pfeiffer as Lea De Lonval.

Not a recognition for this little, beautiful picture that brought Michelle Pfeiffer to the splendor of her early years. Brilliant and seductive, her Lea drops passion and fire from her eyes, seduces with just one act, and brings Colette's character to life in a charming, sensitive way.

Winona Ryder as May Welland.

Winona was robbed. That would seem a bit sarcastic, but I think it's tragic. In 1993, her beautiful piece in "The Age Of Innocence" moved everybody, and this performance should led her to an Oscar. But it was given to Anna Paquin [who, by the way, was 11 years old at the time]. After years of minor movies, we really hope that Winona makes a final comeback, giving us other great performances like this one.

Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich.

Was she playing herself? Maybe. But she does it beautifully!

Kristin Scott Thomas as Juliette Fontaine.

I've loved you so long, Kristin Scott Thomas. And after watching this film, I'll love you even more. Sorry she was out of the nominees that year, but maybe her flawless french accent wasn't considered cool enough in Hollywood.

Angelina Jolie as Lisa Rowe.

Was Lisa just flirting with madness, or was she literally crazy? And has Jolie identified herself with the character too much? We'll never know it, but surely she gave Lisa the rudeness, the anger and the hardness she deserved. An amazing work, still on the top list of Angelina's career.

Tilda Swinton as Orlando.

Has this woman ever done a bad performance? I don't think so. Plus, this one was such a challenging, difficult role to cast that I think only Tilda could have done it properly.

Naomi Watts as Christina Peck.

The whole ensemble cast of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's film is remarkable. But Watts' Christina, her pain and her hurts are undeniably effective. Thank David Lynch, who brought her out of obscurity - we will never be thankful enough for this.