Who Is The Best Actress Today?
So many of Hollywood’s A-list actresses have extraordinary talent and drive, yet it seems as if we see more and more of them flaming out before they reach their full potential. A gifted performer like Lindsay Lohan, for example, who has undeniable acting talent, cannot seem to get her act together. Because the press feels today’s actresses are fair game like any other celebrity, it is understandably difficult to have a bad day in public without every gossip show talking about it. On the other hand, the ability to successfully manage one’s relationship with the press and public is part of the package of fame.
Today’s crop of young actresses could learn a lesson from the career of my nomination for the best actress today — Helen Mirren. She chooses her roles carefully but also takes professional and artistic risks. She performs brilliantly on stage, screen and television. Some actresses seem diminished by taking television roles, but Helen Mirren has not yet encountered a camera that did not adore her.
Ms. Mirren has a prolific filmography, is dedicated to her craft, and is versatile enough to play any kind of character. Whether she is playing a cop or Queen Elizabeth, she is not afraid to let her intelligence shine through. Even her female villains are fascinating to watch.
Helen Mirren brings a strong performance to any role she plays, whether she is starring in a Hollywood blockbuster or an indie film. Except for occasional interviews and a personal memoir about her roles on stage and screen, Ms. Mirren’s life off-camera is fairly private, allowing us to focus on Ms. Mirren solely as an actress. This is probably the best lesson — the removal of distractions to one’s artistic work — that lots of today’s young actresses should take to heart.