Joey Magidson
Emily Blunt has had a long road to getting her first Academy Award nomination, which came two years ago for her work in Oppenheimer. Now, having had that Oscar nod, she’s almost seen as overdue for another one, or even a win. That should say something about how highly regarded her performances have been, continue to be, and likely will be for decades to come. With The Smashing Machine one of this weekend’s big new releases, an updated ranking of her best work seems well in order, especially as she’s likely to contend for that second nom from the Academy.
In my review of The Smashing Machine (here), I had the following to say about Blunt’s work, opposite Dwayne Johnson:
Dwayne Johnson does manage to upend expectations with this quiet yet immensely physical performance. Turning down some of his movie star charm and making the charisma on display merely an essence, Johnson inhabits Mark Kerr. He finds a way to make this gigantic human both gentle and imposing. He also has some real showcase moments opposite Emily Blunt, especially a real knock down argument in the third act (more on that in a moment). Blunt also disappears into the part and does excellent work, even if the screenplay doesn’t seem to like Dawn very much.
Below, you can see how Blunt’s top turns stack up for me now. A lot of the list likely will be films and performances you expect, like Oppenheimer, but I’m also a guy who’s going to go to bat for things like The Adjustment Bureau and Your Sister’s Sister, to one degree or another. Those movies are not just underrated in and of themselves, they represent some top tier Blunt work. Where does The Smashing Machine end up ranking for her? Has there been any other changes from my prior list? Find out next…
Here now are what I consider to be the best performances so far from Emily Blunt. Take a look:
Honorable Mention: The Adjustment Bureau, Into the Woods, Jungle Cruise, Looper, Sunshine Cleaning, and The Young Victoria
10. Edge of Tomorrow
9. The Fall Guy
8. A Quiet Place Part II
7. The Five Year Engagement
5. Your Sister’s Sister
4. The Devil Wears Prada
3. Oppenheimer
2. Sicario
1. A Quiet Place
What are your favorite performances from Emily Blunt? Let us know!
This top ten list looks very different from my own rankings of her best work. I’d declare her performances in Edge of Tomorrow and Looper comfortably among the top three of her entire career. She’s… fine, in A Quiet Place but I would not ever consider it superior to what she managed in Sicario or The Devil Wears Prada.
I can certainly see that.