……………………………………………………….

Top Five Female Performances of 2019

Women did not have the strongest year in 2019, but still there were a number of truly amazing roles and performances, some did get nominations for the Oscars, but none of the best won unfortunately. I chose only one supporting role for this list, though there were a couple of other worthy ones as well.

5. Aisling Franciosi – The Nightingale

Had The Nightingale been an American instead of an Australian film, it would have wound up with multiple nominations as the Oscars, and it’s a shame that more people do not appreciate this powerful historical drama. At its heart lies Clare Carroll, a deeply troubled, scarred woman who is on a personal quest for revenge. Franciosi is every bit believable as this thankfully very carefully, realistically portrayed woman from her period, and I found her emotional scenes electric.

4. Florence Pugh – Little Women

This is the one supporting performance on my list, and a highly deserved one. Little Women is all around a tremendously acted, beautifully cast motion picture, and Florence Pugh is one of the best members of its cast. She killed it as at times unlikable, but ultimately quite complex Amy. This was an amazing role for her in what is a breakthrough year for Pugh, and I hope she continues to get more such roles as she is worthy of them.

3. Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story

Scarlett Johansson had a stupendous year as she was also very good in Jojo Rabbit, but her work in Marriage Story is what should have brought her an Oscar, and unfortunately it didn’t happen. All of her scenes, especially her famous fight with her husband, are fantastic, and this is by far Johansson’s best performance so far, the deepest and most complex in terms of the variety of emotion at display.

2. Saoirse Ronan – Little Women

Saoirse Ronan is such a commendable young talent who’s already got a bunch of strong roles under her belt. Her Jo is probably going to become the quintessential Jo, and the same goes for the overall movie adaptation. She is relatable, powerful, consistently memorable in this truly impressive role for women, and I also hope that she gets her Oscar one day.

1. Adele Haenel – Portrait of a Lady on Fire

The essential female performance of 2019 has to be Adele Haenel in the role of Heloise from the best film of the year, which is of course Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Her co-star is great, but she is the star in my book. Heloise is an instantly iconic creation as this very mysterious, but also sad woman, and Adele beautifully played both her cold and mysterious distance at first, and later on her outbursts of emotion. This is a French movie so naturally it did not get quite as much love on the global spectrum, but it deserved it, and Adele herself provides a consistently magnetic presence and a heart to the film.

Honorable Mentions:

Lupita Nyong’o – Us – Lupita was utterly snubbed for awards when in reality her work in Us is terrific, especially admirable for such a difficult dual role.

Noemie Merlant – Portrait of a Lady on Fire – The other star of this lesbian classic, Noemie Merlant is also very strong in her role, and she provided a lot of nuance and emotion as well.

Jodie Turner-Smith – Queen & Slim – The breakout new female talent of the year has to be Jodie Turner-Smith who in Queen & Slim exuded a lot of charisma, sex appeal and talent.