Frances McDormand: Five Films for Newcomers
Acclaimed American thespian Frances McDormand has left her mark on cinema, especially with her progressive stances and noteworthy awards season speeches. As a performer alone, McDormand is still a scene stealer, and likely the strongest name in an entire cast (or at least one of them). As a celebrated talent and a figure of numerous pop culture staples, McDormand is a name and face you’ve likely seen a lot. On her birthday, we’re going to do some celebrating. If you don’t know much about this esteemed actress, then today you start to discover her work. Here are five films for newcomers to the works of Frances McDormand.
5. Almost Famous
As an overly cautious mother in Cameron Crowe’s rock n’ roll dramedy Almost Famous, Frances McDormand anchors the sentiments of one’s home. She means well but can be detrimental to her son’s growth. McDormand plays this tough love angle with ease, allowing us to understand her son and daughter’s frustrations whilst knowing she loves her children and is afraid of the big bad world. As a hen ready to defend her chicks, McDormand can occasionally be (lovingly and hilariously) ruthless in Almost Famous.
4. Moonrise Kingdom
Now an honorary member of the Wes Anderson troupe, Frances McDormand shines especially in Moonrise Kingdom, as the conflicted mother of a runaway child, with her own skeletons in the closet. Her hidden secret mirrors the chasing of love that her daughter partakes in, despite her own oppositions and guilt about her own tryst. In the public eye, she is unapologetic, and a dominant parent and wife that runs the show in comedic fashion.
3. North Country
For a change of pace on this list, we have Frances McDormand’s work as Glory Dodge in the legal drama North Country. As a supportive ally of the lead character Josey, Glory is a rare gem of a person in an industry full of lies and bigotry. As the film progresses and Glory’s health worsens, she refuses to be silenced, either by oppressors or by nature. McDormand’s powerful tenderness is exactly what North Country needed, and she knocks even the challenging moments out of the park.
2. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Her second Academy Award for Best Actress was well deserved, and this role may have placed her in an untouchable tier for good. As a grieving mother driven by anguish, McDormand’s shattering work in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is too painful to watch at times. Whether she is beating herself up or demanding justice from those around her, McDormand’s Mildred Hayes is relentless, bold, and extravagantly acted.
1. Fargo
So, it’s no secret that Frances McDormand is a Coen brothers alumni ever since the beginning, as her and husband Joel Coen have worked together for decades. You can place many notable roles here, including the small and fun bit parts (Raising Arizona, Hail, Caesar!) to the leading roles (Blood Simple). However, we absolutely, positively, certainly find her best role to be a no brainer. and so we go to Brainerd. McDormand’s Marge Gunderson from Fargo is an all-time celebrated character in film, mostly because of her pitch perfect acting (which scored her her first Academy Award). As hilarious as she is empathetic, Frances McDormand’s police chief is slightly goofy in a charming way, but completely professional, and easily the most competent person in the entire film. It’s great to see McDormand kick ass as the sing-song talking Marge, who brings a lifetime of complexity into a role that only shows up two thirds of the way into the film. You absolutely must start here with Frances McDormand’s filmography.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.