We’ve had some amazing supporting performances from some incredibly talented men and women. Now we move into the lead performance categories and let me say there were a lot to choose from. As I mulled over my options for the top lead actress performances, I had forgotten how many strong female lead performances there were in 2012. So many of them stood out and stuck with me. That’s one reason it was so difficult to leave some off this list. But that’s the nature of Top 5 lists, right? Ok, enough babbling. Here are the Top 5 Lead Actress Performances (according to me)…
5 – EMILY BLUNT (“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”)
I’m on record as being a big, big Emily Blunt fan. Well, this is one example why. Once you get past its goofy title “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” has a lot to offer. One of the highlights is Blunt’s delightful performance. She plays opposite Ewen McGregor and the two have a very different but enjoyable chemistry. Blunt is charming and witty and she brings her signature playfulness to this character that I love. But Blunt does a lot more than just smile and giggle. She has some really heartfelt scenes that I think give the movie its punch. The Golden Globes surprised people by giving her a nomination for her work. For me it was a very pleasant surprise.
#4 – RACHEL WEISZ – (“The Deep Blue Sea”)
Rachel Weisz has come a long way since I first saw her in “The Mummy”. Since then she has stretched out her talent to reveal some serious acting chops. She showed it again in this year’s underappreciated “The Deep Blue Sea“. In this layered British drama from Terence Davies, she plays a character trapped by her own poor decision. Her desire for passion muddies her vision of true love and Weisz takes us through all the conflicting emotions and subsequent heartbreak that this fragile woman endures. It’s a powerful and complex role that only works because of Weisz’s brilliance.
#3 – NAOMI WATTS – (“The Impossible”)
Naomi Watts is another one of those actresses that gets a lot of praise but yet I was never fully convinced of her work. That has changed and I now see she is a tremendous actress. You can see that clearly by her strong work in “The Impossible“. This is one of the most believable and captivating performances of 2012. Her ability to convey a mother’s love for her family is amazing but watching her sell both the physical and emotional pain her character is enduring is acting at its finest. Talk about giving everything to a performance! Watts nails it.
#2 – JESSICA CHASTAIN – (“Zero Dark Thirty”)
2011 was a fantastic year for Jessica Chastain. She was featured in two of my favorite movies of the year, “The Tree of Life” and “Take Shelter”. But 2012 saw her soar even higher with an incredible lead performance in “Zero Dark Thirty“. She plays a tough and determined CIA operative heading the search for Osama bin Laden. Watching Chastain take her character through the highs and lows of the search is a delight. She gives us a character who is hard-nosed and aggressive yet we also see her emotionally laboring under the burden of her mission. Chastain channels all of this brilliantly while establishing herself as a bonafide superstar.
#1 – QUVENZHANE WALLIS – (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”)
I just smile when I think of Quvenzhane Wallis and her performance in “Beasts of the Southern Wild“. This amazing newcomer was only 5 years old when she auditioned for the part and 6 years old during filming. That alone is stunning especially after seeing the beautiful work she did. This is a sweet but heartbreaking role and it’s impossible to not be deeply moved by what you see. Wallis navigates through this weighty material with a grounded authenticity and a skill that makes you think she’s a professional. Hats off to the Academy for giving this young star the recognition she deserves.
So where did I get it right and where was I wrong. Share your thoughts as well as your favorite lead actress performances. Tomorrow I wrap it up with the Top 5 Lead Actor Performances of 2012.
Keith & the Movies 
Stop making me feel bad for not having seen Beasts of the Southern Wild! Ha! Can’t wait to catch up with that one. Good to see Naomi Watts’ performance on here, I thought she was brilliant. Also nice to see Emily Blunt getting some love, I haven;t seen SFitY but I do think she’s an excellent actress. She was the best thing about Looper in my opinion.
My wife will testify to how much I love Emily Blunt! LOL! Yes you must hurry and see Beasts. Wallis may be disqualified by some because of the debatable age argument. I think she’s fabulous and is a key reason this movie works so well. I had to put her on the list.
Wallis was amazing. I really hope she gets recognized by the Academy.
Obviously I’m with you 100%. Unfortunately I think she’s a longshot. But who needs an Oscar when you are recognized by Keith & the Movies, right?
Nice list. Big fan of all of these ladies. Except Quvenzhané, but only because I haven’t seen Beasts yet.
You’ll like her performance. I promise you!
I bet I will. Really looking forward to Beasts. I think I’ll watch this weekend.
Nicely done sir. Kudos for pullin the trigger on the youngin’. We’ll see if I concur in a couple of days. LOL. 😀 I have great respect for the top three performers here, they all made my list as well. I didnt get a chance to see “Salmon Fishing” though.
I’ll definitely have to check out Deep Blue Sea. I didnt get a chance to this year 😦
Thanks dude! Definitely check out “The Deep Blue Sea”. Both Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston are exceptional. Salmon is a pretty tame but very well done film. And besides that I have a soft spot for Blunt.
I had to give it all to Wallis. Some will discredit her by saying that the director is pulling all the strings. But there are so many scenes where she does things that a 6 year old shouldn’t be able to do. She was tremendous.
Totally agree. 🙂
I’ve only seen 2 out of the five, but I do like Emily Blunt in ‘Salmon Fishing.’ It’s such a lovely movie, I’m glad I saw it. I really want to see Deep Blue Sea as I adore Hiddleston, but I’m sure Rachel was great as well, she was the best thing in Bourne Legacy too. As you know I love Chastain so props for putting her here, too, I’m rooting for her at the Oscars!
I just love all of these performances. There is a strong group of actresses making movies these days which is very exciting. This list only scratches the surface!
Wallis would be my #1 as well.
“Great minds” and all that jazz!!!
I wish I was as moved by Wallis’ performance as everyone else seems to have been. She was brilliant. Not sure if it’s my ambivalence with the film as a whole that makes it hard for me to really believe in her performance.
So damn HARSH! Woops.
Sadly, not seen any of the other films here. Not good!
Obviously I was really struck by Wallis’ work. Seeing her harsh and difficult world through her eyes really was powerful for me.
As for the other films, I’m anxious for you to catch up with them. Would love to hear your thoughts of some of these performances.
Nice man. Young Wallis would be my choice also. Really hope she takes the Oscar.
I think she a real long shot (unfortunately). The Academy has a history of believing that nominating a child is enough. They’ll get theirs eventually. I think that’s ridiculous. There’s also the argument that says she was prodded by the director. I wholeheartedly disagree. She was amazing and I would love to see her grab that Oscar.
Very cool to see Wallis as your #1. Hard to believe that was her film debut.
Agree 100%.She was fantastic. Thanks for checking out my lists.
Only seen The Impossible and Salmon fishing out of this lot. Emily Blunt made develop quite a crush on here from that film but I wouldn’t say it was a performance of the year. Watts was incredible. Looking forward to seeing Beasts and Zero Dark Thirty asap!
I thought Blunt was just fantastic. Salmon was a nice little movie but I thought she was the best part of it. I picked her because she really does do a lot with her performance. And of course she does it really well.
You must see Beasts and ZDT. Both are great films and the two lead performances are stellar.
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