Lily Collins has come a long way since her early days in the entertainment industry, from small roles to lead parts in high-profile films and TV shows. Despite facing criticism, her performances in movies like Tolkien and Mank have been well-regarded. Her most significant TV role is Emily in Paris, showcasing her range as an actress in a major series.
As we delve into Lily Collins’ career, we’ll explore her top 10 roles and what made them crucial parts of her acting journey.
The Blind Side (2009)
Lily Collins’ early days in Hollywood saw her play Collins Tuohy in this biographical sports drama film. Although The Blind Side received mixed reviews, it was a significant stepping stone for Collins, providing her with a chance to act in a high-profile, Oscar-nominated film. Her performance as the Tuohy daughter was solid, making her a key member of the family unit.
The Blind Side: A Critical Analysis
Released in 2009, The Blind Side tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teenager who is adopted by a wealthy white family. The film, directed by John Lee Hancock, is based on the real-life story of Oher’s journey.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Writers: John Lee Hancock, Michael Lewis
Cast: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox
Runtime: 129 Minutes
Main Genre: Biography
Tolkien (2019)
In recent years, Collins has faced a series of movies that received poor reviews. However, Tolkien helped to recover her reputation. This docudrama about J.R.R. Tolkien’s early life and inspiration saw Collins play Edith Bratt, an orphan who falls in love with Nicholas Hoult’s Tolkien. She brought gravity to the film’s drama.
Tolkien: A Critical Analysis
Directed by Dome Karukoski, Tolkien is a drama and biography film that explores the early life of author J.R.R. Tolkien.
Director: Dome Karukoski
Release Date: May 3, 2019
Distributor(s): Searchlight Pictures, Disney
Writers: Stephen Beresford
Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins
Runtime: 112 Minutes
Mirror Mirror (2012)
Mirror Mirror, Collins got to play Snow White in this reimagining of the classic fairy tale. With mixed reviews at the time of its release, Mirror Mirror arguably features a better presentation of Snow White compared to Kristen Stewart’s performance in Snow White and the Huntsman. Collins’ charming performance as the princess adds to the film’s aesthetics.
Mirror Mirror: A Critical Analysis
Mirror Mirror is a new adaptation of the original Brothers Grimm tale Snow White that stars Lily Collins and Julia Roberts as Snow White and the enchantress Clementianna.
Director: Tarsem Singh
Release Date: March 15, 2012
Studio(s): StudioCanal
Distributor(s): 20th Century, StudioCanal
Writers: Tarsem Singh
Runtime: 106 Minutes
MaXXXine (2024)
While MaXXXine received mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike, Lily Collins shone in her role as Molly Bennett, an actress in the fictional horror film The Puritan within the movie. Her performance was somewhat marred by critics who felt her accent was distracting.
MaXXXine: A Critical Analysis
In MaXXXine, adult film star Maxine Minx lands her big break but is threatened by a mysterious killer targeting starlets. As the body count rises, secrets from Maxine’s past put her fame at risk.
Release Date: July 5, 2024
Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito
Runtime: 103 Minutes
Les Misérables (2019)
Collins played Fantine in this TV miniseries adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel. Although largely forgotten since its release in 2019, Les Misérables received largely positive reviews.
Les Misérables: A Critical Analysis
The series stars Dominic West as Jean Valjean and David Oyelowo as Javert alongside other notable actors like Olivia Colman and David Bradley.
Collins appeared as Fantine in three episodes of the show. While she may not have had the same level of gravitas as Anne Hathaway’s performance in the musical version of Les Misérables (2012), she showed off her acting range in this more dramatic role.
Rules Don’t Apply (2016)
In Rules Don’t Apply, Collins played Marla Mabrey opposite Warren Beatty’s Howard Hughes. Although the film received mixed reviews with a 55% Tomatometer and a 34% audience approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, Collins’ performance as Marla earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
Rules Don’t Apply: A Critical Analysis
The film follows Howard Hughes’ relationship with Marla Mabrey and his obsessive behavior towards her.
Okja (2017)
Collins starred alongside Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal in Bong Joon-ho’s action-packed sci-fi film Okja, which received widespread critical acclaim.
Okja: A Critical Analysis
Okja tells the story of a genetically modified super pig named Okja who is raised by a young girl named Mija on a remote mountain farm. When Mija sets out on a mission to rescue Okja from an evil meat company led by Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton), they find themselves fighting for survival.
To the Bone (2017)
Collins played Ellen in this Netflix drama about anorexia recovery.
To the Bone: A Critical Analysis
The film follows Ellen’s journey as she grapples with severe anorexia and meets Dr., an understanding doctor who encourages her on a path to recovery.
Collins delivered a resonant performance as Ellen in To the Bone, showcasing her range as a dramatic lead.
Emily in Paris (2020)
Lily Collins plays Emily Cooper in this Netflix series about an American woman who finds work at a marketing firm in Paris.
Emily Cooper
In conclusion, Lily Collins has had an impressive career spanning over two decades, with roles ranging from small supporting parts to lead roles in high-profile films and TV shows. From her early days playing Snow White to her latest role as Emily Cooper, Lily has shown incredible growth and versatility as an actress. With her ten best movies and TV shows, she has proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most talented young actresses. With more projects on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what Lily has in store for us next!
