Top 10 Best Amy Adams Performances

The mark of a great actor is when they can appear in a film for only a few moments but still leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Such is the skill of Amy Adams. “Her” is the story of Theodore Twombly, a soon-to-be divorced man who enters into an intimate relationship with his new computer operating system Samantha. Adams plays Theodore’s friend and former lover Amy, who is also testing the waters with a female OS. With just a handful of scenes to work with, Adams manages to deliver a heartfelt and layered performance, one that if removed, would leave the film feeling incomplete.

“Julie & Julia” is the story of two women at very different points in their lives. Adams plays Julie, a floundering call center employee who decides to cook every recipe in “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, a cookbook from the ‘60s written by renowned chef Julia Child; played by the ever charming Meryl Streep. One of the most underrated roles of her career, Adams is a delight from start to finish. Asking anyone to compete against Streep is a near-impossible task, but Adams still manages to turn in a strong performance that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.

Oscar nom alert! Adams received the first of her five Academy Award nominations for her portrayal of Ashley Johnsten, a pregnant chatterbox with a heart of gold who wants nothing more than to be a mother. “Junebug” is a character piece loaded with wit and overflowing with heart; and Johnsten, perhaps more than any other character, feels right at home in the world the film has created. Adams’ performance turns what could have been just another indie dramedy into one of the best films of 2005. While she may not have taken home cinema’s ultimate prize, it definitely put her name on the map in a big way!

After receiving a copy of her ex-husband’s upcoming novel, art gallery owner Susan Morrow begins to suspect that the book’s violent subject matter is a veiled threat directed at her. While the film features a number of stirring performances from its star-studded cast, Adams’ portrayal of Morrow is particularly jarring. She does an excellent job of sending mixed signals to the viewer, causing you to question whether or not you should be rooting for her, or salivating at the chance to see her crumble; a feat not easily accomplished by anyone less than a seasoned veteran like Amy Adams.

After being banished from the magical kingdom of Andalasia and sent to New York City, Giselle must balance her newfound love for handsome lawyer Robert with her desire to return home. Nominated for three Academy Awards, “Enchanted” was a massive critical and commercial success and helped catapult Adams into the mainstream. Her performance as the fish-out-of-water Giselle is the backbone of the film. Hilarious, touching and surprisingly realistic for a Disney flick, “Enchanted” proved to the world that Adams was a movie star who was ready to move on to bigger and better things.

Oscar nom alert! Adams’ fifth Academy Award nomination came for her portrayal of Sydney Prosser in this David O. Russell crime drama. Starring alongside a number of Hollywood A-listers like Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, Adams more than holds her own. The film tells the semi-fictionalized tale of two con artists, played by Adams and Bale, who are recruited by the FBI to help them set up a sting operation to ensnare a corrupt mayor. Adams is pure cinematic gold from start to finish, infusing her innate ability to craft sympathetic characters with her magnetic on-screen persona.

You know it’s coming…wait for it…here it is…Oscar nom alert! Amy Adams received her third Academy Award nomination for her role in this film, ultimately losing to co-star Melissa Leo. “The Fighter” is the incredible true story of American boxer Micky Ward and his struggle to become a world champion in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. Adams plays Charlene, Ward’s girlfriend, and the chemistry between the two characters is palpable. With her role in this film, Adams proves once again that she is not only capable of taking on tough roles, but also that she has no problem knocking them out of the park.

When a group of mysterious spacecraft suddenly appear around the world, it is up to linguistics expert Louise Banks and physicist Ian Donnelly to figure out what Earth’s visitors want. A far cry from the typical sci-fi flicks of the early 21st century, “Arrival” balances its otherworldly plot with an array of complex characters led by Amy Adams’ Banks. Her turn as a brilliant yet conflicted linguist is spellbinding, making it nearly impossible to tear your eyes from the screen whenever she is present. For any other actress, a starring turn in a critically acclaimed thriller would be cause for celebration, but when you’re as consistently successful as Amy Adams, it’s just another day at work.

Set in 1960s New York, “Doubt” is the harrowing story of Sister Aloysius Beauvier’s quest to prove that a priest carried out an inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old altar boy. Adams plays Sister James, a teacher in the Church’s parish school who first suspects that the priest is guilty. Pitted against Hollywood screen legends Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Adams proves yet again that she can hang with the best of them, matching their skills at every turn. Oh and did we mention, Oscar nom alert? That’s right, Adams received her second nomination from the Academy for her role in the film.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:



Brenda Strong

“Catch Me If You Can” (2002)



Susan

“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006)



Margaret Keane

“Big Eyes” (2014)

One last time with feeling…Oscar nom alert! If you still haven’t seen “The Master,” we recommend you stop what you’re doing and watch it immediately; and by immediately we mean after you finish this video, of course. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who isn’t afraid to dig into the darker side of the human psyche, the film casts Adams as the determined wife of enigmatic cult leader Lancaster Dodd. Adams is a revelation in the role, demonstrating that she has the capability to play characters from both ends of the emotional spectrum. Her turn as Peggy Dodd snagged her yet another Academy Award nomination. Maybe one day she’ll actually take home of those bad boys!