Top 10 Underrated Actresses

[cocomonkey4]

^ soooooooo true, when did putting semen in your hair and laughing like the joker equal acting chops???????

 

[CelineChic]

I think Sarah Polley is one of the best actresses that I've ever seen.

She was excellent in The Law of Enclosures, Guinevere and My life without me.

I don't know the rest of the list.

 

[electricringo]

Ludivine Sagnier from Swimming Pool.

She's in this Miu Miu ad!

Source: glamourparis.com

 

[60swildchild]

Farah Fawcett in The Burning Bed
Patricia Clarkson

 

[TheGlassAngel]

^ Agreed on Patricia Clarkson

 

[Anastasia]

I actually think Patricia Clarkson is overrated, because I cannot stand her I've watched many of her movies, and the best case scenario is that she falls flat, worse case I want to throw something at the screen, she's so annoying. I don't get the accolades. All The Real Girls was the worst, though Zooey Dechanel's performance was excellent.

Seconding Sophie Okonedo, and adding Famke Janssen. She wasn't that consistent when she started, but has improved dramatically, and is capable of some very impressive, understated, emotional acting, even when the rest of the movie stinks.

 

[Sloan]

Martha Plimpton is one that I believe is under rated...

 

[Erin]

I think Sarah Polley is one of the best actresses that I've ever seen.

She was excellent in ... My life without me.

I was disappointed with My Life Without Me. I'm not sure if it was the script... many low points in the script... or the acting, I'm not sure... but since I saw that, I've been a bit turned off by her. But by viewing this board, she's to be an excellent actress.... guess I have yet to see that...

 

[KhaoticKharma]

I love Thandie Newton- she is undderated here in the states, but it seems like she's actually quite a big star in her native England.

Eva Green (The Dreamers ; Kingdom of Heaven)

That's probably going to change soon with the new James Bond movie, Casino Royale. It's a great launching pad for a lot of actresses.

 

[mcflyandgemmafan]

Evan Rachel Wood.

 

[Erin]

^ I've been haunted by her since I watched Thirteen... brilliant young actress, she is.

 

[Whitelinen]

I wonder since when has a James Bond film been good for any actress's career...it does bring you an international celebrity status, but only for your sex appeal. Major part of the Bond girls are just remembered for those roles and thought to be bimbos. I don't think it brings acting credit to actresses; just many GQ covers. I don't think it is a great career choice for Green; she was good in The Dreamers, and of course I cannot base my opinion of her as an actor to just to one role, but somehow I didn't think she'd take on a role like this.

I do think that it is a shame that all the Hollywood barbies are the ones who get the limelight, but what draws these European actresses, who seem to be intelligent and talented or at least potentially talented, to Hollywood? Is it just the money and glitz? I just do not understand it. Everyone knows the slump Hollywood is in, if we look at the quality of the films done there these days. I am not saying a film is instantly good if it is done in Europe, but I do think there are better films done here, with more variation and interesting roles.

Underrated actresses in my opinion:

Samantha Morton
Sofie Okonedo
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Emily Watson
Marion Cotillard

There are also many more new, talented French and British actresses emerging.

I'm not sure about this, but I do think Rosamund Pike has potential...she was strong in The Libertine. She's also an exception to the Bond-girl curse, I don't think she will be remembered from that, nor does she deserve to be remembered from that. But we'll see how she develops in her career.

 

[kanita]

^I totally agree with you, those 3 actresses are great! Sophie is one of my favourites.

 

[60swildchild]

I actually think Patricia Clarkson is overrated, because I cannot stand her I've watched many of her movies, and the best case scenario is that she falls flat, worse case I want to throw something at the screen, she's so annoying. I don't get the accolades.

Have you seen High Art? She literally falls flat.

 

[60swildchild]

Toni Collette ... from Muriel's Wedding??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!

I think she's great!

Kelly Lynch

 

[kissmesweet]

Gillian Anderson

Agreed. She's a great actress and she's gorgeous. I saw an article in Vogue awhile ago and I fell in love with her all over again. I loved X-Files.

 

[milamar]

My favourite underrated actresses (which perhaps doesn't always mean unknown, but not chosen for good movies or talked about as much as their talents deserve) are:

Kelly MacDonald (Trainspotting, Intermission, Nanny McPhee)
Tilda Swinton (Young Adam, Underworld)
Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, The Wings of the Dove)
Emily Mortimer (Match Point)

 

[Zen]

Zooey Deschanel
Toni Collette (I liked her so much in Muriel's Wedding!)
Ralph Fiennes
Vince Vaughn

 

[SiennaInLondon]

Ugh Sophie Okenedo...

I agree with you White Linen about what Bond does to an actress' career. Being a bombshell can be so damaging to how you are percieved. Just look at Monroe. She is the sex siren of all time but I love her because I think she was a haunting talented actress and comedienne. And on the other hand, Audrey Hepburn who had an understated, dignified beauty, is remembered as an understated, dignified actress even though I think she is horrendous... delicate and vulnerable seeming yes -but not through anything she did

 

[humor]

In my opinion a lot of people can confuse "underrated" with not being overexposed. A lot of actresses choose not to be very comercial or exposed and that doesn´t mean they are underrated. I have read names like Mira Sorvino (no offense to those who picked her) who I think is of course very talented but also very apreciated as well. I think no one denies her talent. the fact that she (an many others) is not very exposed, shows her preferences as an actor, but doesn´t mean she´s underrated.