Emma Thompson continues to be one of the UK’s national treasures with her latest film, which she both wrote and stars in, taking a unique look at the struggles and wonder of the festive season. LAST CHRISTMAS, inspired by the Wham! classic song, also stars Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, is directed by Bridesmaids director Paul Feig and comes to cinemas this Friday. To celebrate the release, we take a look at Emma Thompson’s best performances.
Sense and Sensibility
SENSE AND SENSIBILTY was first released in 1995 and is a British-American period drama by Ang Lee based on the novel written by Jane Austen in 1811. The actress Emma Thompson wrote and stars in the film as Elinor Dashwood, with Kate Winslet playing her younger sister Marianne. The story is about the Dashwood sisters, who are members of a wealthy family but due to circumstances both must find financial security through marriage. Emma Thompson spent five years writing the script in between shooting other films. Since its release the film has received overwhelming positive reviews by critics and landed on numerous top ten film lists the year released.
Love Actually
LOVE ACTUALLY was released in 2003 and was written and directed by Richard Curtis, filmed on location in London. Love Actually features an ensemble cast of predominantly British actors such as Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy. The film shows different aspects of love through ten separate stories which interlink as the film progresses. One of the stories we are shown is of Karen (Emma Thompson), who learns that her husband Harry is cheating on her after unwrapping her Christmas gift by him which is not the necklace she was expecting. Although the film had mixed reviews with critics, the film has gone on to become a Christmas classic among audiences.
Saving Mr Banks
The period drama SAVING MR. BANKS is a film directed by John Lee Hancock, written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. It tells the backstory of the Walt Disney Studios film Mary Poppins and stars Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. We learn about the briefing she had with the studio and their attempt to obtain the screen rights to her novels. Tom Hanks plays the role of filmmaker Walt Disney with Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman and Kathy Baker in supporting roles. The film was primarily shot in California, at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank where most of the films narrative takes place. Critics have given the film positive reviews, with most of the praise given to the acting performances from Emma, Tom and Colin.
Late Night
In 2019, the film LATE NIGHT was theatrically released. It is a comedy-drama directed by Nisha Gantra from a screenplay written by Mindy Kaling. The film stars Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, Max Casella and Amy Ryan, In the film, late-night talk show host Katherine’s (Emma Thompson) career is failing and the network decides to replace her with an edgy stand-up comedian. To save her career she teams up with her staff writer Molly (Mindy Kaling). The film has received positive reviews from critics for use of talented women in and behind the camera and has been praised for its social commentary and satire.
Last Christmas
LAST CHRISTMAS is Christmas romantic comedy starring Emilia Clarke, who plays the lead character Kate. Kate is a woman who has been down on her luck, but things begin to change as she meets Tom (Henry Golding). The movie was filmed in London last year in the twilight hours so that they could use the Christmas lights already in place when it was quieter in the city. Emma Thompson co-wrote the film with her husband Greg Wise and began writing the film before the passing of George Michael and had his blessing to do so. With the film being based on George Michael’s Last Christmas song, we are treated to the music of both Wham! and George Michael throughout.
Last Christmas comes to UK cinemas on Friday 15 November!
Let us know at @CelebMix if you are going to see it to get in the Christmas mood!
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