MovieChat Forums > Mia Wasikowska Discussion > A special talent + depth = great actress

A special talent + depth = great actress

posted 12 years ago by LifeVsArt
9 replies | jump to latest

I feel Mia has a very special talent that really adds depth and soul to her characters. Along with the depth is a great subtlety that is rare in actors, especially ones so young. She has given at least three performances that I consider unforgettable: "In Treatment", "Jane Eyre" and now "Stoker" - all vastly different. For me if an actor can do that once or even twice over a career spanning decades I have great admiration for them. Still, whatever film she appears in she does a top notch job that elevates and enhances the story. What I also appreciate is the intelligence with which she cultivates her talent - she seeks interesting parts under the direction of creative directors and resists the immediate cashing-in on blockbuster super-hero, or robot populated extravaganzas - not that others shouldn't do it (they should), but I feel she has a real artist's sensibility and that's what she values - she's really something special. I'm fascinated with what Mia will do next - I wish her only the best.

I'd also now add "Tracks" to the unforgettable list.

[–] SwingBatta 12 years ago

Well said, my friend. Well said.

"And there sure as hell ain't no vista of no views."

[–] ragazza_fortunata 12 years ago

I'm with Swing...well said.

There is a tremendous amount of grace in Mia's film choices. She played it perfectly; land a huge role like Alice in Wonderland to make a name for herself and then she gets to pick and choose which Indie films she wants to do...that film makers are begging her to do.

Even though there is a risk of financing falling through on any particular Indie project, she has a pretty good success rate. The films she chooses usually get made and released. Maybe her name being tied to the project helps.

She's in a great position. I hope God's grace continues to shine on her.

[–] SwingBatta 12 years ago

Not only grace in her movie choices, but in how she's also been able (so far) to keep her professional and private lives completely separate. There aren't too many in her peer group who can pull that off.

I read a comment a few months ago on LJ that sums it up perfectly: "She's an actor actor, not a celebrity."

"And there sure as hell ain't no vista of no views."

[–] LifeVsArt 12 years ago

Well put - Mia Wasikowska is unbelievably mature and doesn't seem to be taken in at all by the whole fame game, celebrity industry - she focuses on her creative life. I think her new role in David Cronenberg's "Map to the Stars" is, in this context, pretty ironic as she plays a celebrity-obsessed, disfigured schizophrenic, a reflection of pop culture's soul-sucking disease. I'm sure Mia will dig down deep into that part, too.

[–] SwingBatta 12 years ago

From Tumblr (don't hold that against me): quite a diverse mix of roles she's played over just the past three years, with a nice quote presumably from the Stoker press rounds.

http://mydeepestobsessionsvol2.tumblr.com/post/50731201553/favourite-a ctors-and-actresses-mia

"And there sure as hell ain't no vista of no views."

[–] LifeVsArt 12 years ago

That was fun to look at - very impressive variety of roles for just three years.

[–] LifeVsArt 12 years ago

I think she has rapidly earned a lot of cred for her tremendous range as an actress and her ability to be totally convincing in extremely diverse parts. She also has a great ability for doing accents - she has a wonderful ear, besides a perceptive eye. She hasn't painted herself into a corner by being typecast and I think she's smart to be taking all these darker parts, too, as of late. I think she's wisely preparing herself for a long career, not just being another flash-in-the-pan.

[–] mysteryfan 12 years ago

Well said. I am a fan of hers as well. I just need to come to the board more often. I really like her diverse choices for roles. She might not have the hypes as some other young actresses but she is quietly building her reputation and I believe it will pay off.