With the supporting performances in the books, today we began the task of looking back at the very best lead performances from 2023. As usual we’ll start with lead actress, a category chock-full of amazing talent. There were some REALLY good leading ladies to consider making this a challenging category to narrow down. But such is the nature of these silly lists so let’s get to it.
Honorable Mentions:
Sophie Marceau (“Everything Went Fine”), Virginie Efira (“Revoir Paris”), Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), Abby Ryder Fortson (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”), Alma Pöysti (“Fallen Leaves”), Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“Origin”), Kate Beckinsale (“Prisoner’s Daughter”), Dianna Agron (“Acidman”), Phoebe Dynevor (“Fair Play”), Thomasin MacKenzie (“Eileen”)
#5 – Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”)
“Maestro” was a compelling yet slightly frustrating biographical sketch of Leonard Bernstein. But the film’s heart and soul (an overused phrase, I know) was the great Carey Mulligan. Though much less showy than Bradley Cooper’s performance, it’s Mulligan who stands out most, bringing empathy and authenticity to Leonard’s wife, Felicia Montealegre.
#4 – Jessica Chastain (“Memory”)
Among the most consistently good performers in movies today is Jessica Chastain. So it’s really no surprise that she’s once again terrific in the heartfelt adult drama “Memory”. Writer-director Michel Franco gives Chastain a meaty role with many emotional layers and she just kills it. Sadly she’s gone largely unnoticed this awards season. That’s a shame.
#3 – Natalie Portman (“May December”)
I’ve always been a little back and forth on Natalie Portman. That uncertainty doesn’t apply with her latest performance – a gripping and beguiling turn in Todd Haynes’ “May December”. Portman is superb as an ambitious actress researching for an exciting yet troubling new role. It’s such a cryptic and captivating performance that (dare I say) is the best of Portman’s already successful career.
#2 – Greta Lee (“Past Lives”)
Oh how I loved Greta Lee in the beautiful yet aching drama “Past Lives”. She gives such a resonating performance in this bittersweet story of two childhood friends and the romance they may have let slip through their fingers. Lee is enchanting yet strikingly grounded and authentic. She gives the movie its emotional charge while also rooting it firmly in reality. She’s simply fantastic.
#1 – Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”)
To me Lily Gladstone fits better in the Supporting category, but either way she would be in my #1 spot. Gladstone gives an eye-opening, breakout performance in Martin Scorsese’s epic “Killers of the Flower Moon”. She’s the beating heart of the movie – our emotional connection to an otherwise dark and gritty historical crime drama. She has us in the palm of her hand from the very first moment she arrives on screen. Spectacular.
And that takes care of the Lead Actress category. See something I miss? Let me know in the comments. There’s only one category left – Lead Actor.
Keith & the Movies 
I loved Uma Thurman in The Kill Room and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in You Hurt My Feelings.
I actually missed “The Kill Room”. I need to catch up with it as I do love Uma Thurman. I liked JLD too. Glad you mentioned her.
Curious what you think of it.
Glad to hear someone mention THE KILL ROOM. And Nicole Holofcener always does great stuff.
OK, we’re going to disagree heavily on this…
1. Emma Stone-Poor Things
2. Cailee Spaeny-Priscilla
3. Margot Robbie-Barbie
Honorable Mentions: Brie Larson, Teyonnah Parris, & Iman Vellani-The Marvels.
That’s all I have for now. I wished I’ve seen more films.
I did like Spaeny (she made my honorable mentions). Definitely not as high on Stone’s performance as many are. As for Robbie, she fit her part well and was funny in spots. But it wasn’t a performance I could ever take seriously, even as a comedy. It wasn’t her fault, it was the material she was given.
You missed Margot Robbie 🛼
Nah. She was funny in that role but hardly memorable to me.
She’s a Queenslander like me 🇦🇺
Have you reviewed Oppenheimer yet? If not, what are your thoughts.
Oh definitely. Here ya go… https://keithandthemovies.com/2023/07/22/review-oppenheimer-2023/
I completely agree with your take on the movie. I would only make a connection to what is now being recognized as “Moral Injury,” whereby his focus was in creating something really terrible and was unsure of his own governments use thereof, and his sure understanding of what the Nazi’s would do with such a weapon. Thanks.
Oh yes. it’s a driving force that convinces him to go through it. Nolan handles that extremely well. I’m really glad you love the movie also.
As I grew up post dropping the bombs and being taught in school drills, when the alarm sounded, we were to drop and hide under our school desks, I always thought it odd to do this, when I had seen pictures of shadows on buildings that had once been human beings that were vaporized when the bombs exploded. I couldn’t help think that we would have the same fate, even under our desks!
Wow! That’s quite a childhood memory to have. I’m with you, hard to find much comfort under a school desk!
I never saw Memory! I’ll have to look for that, because I do love Chastain. I’d have Greta and Lilly on my list too! I’d also add Emma Stone, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Margot Robbie.
Chastain is terrific. Sadly it seems like “Memory” came and went without getting much push. I hope you get to see it soon.