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Top 10 - Naomi Watts

Tank Girl (1995)

Up until the early 2000s, Naomi Watts’ career was largely overshadowed by her 5’10” Aussie pal Nicole Kidman. While Kidman was off keeping her Eyes Wide Shut with soon to be ex-husband and Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise, Watts was keeping her head above water with a string of lesser known films. It was only when an unknown Watts signed up for comic book movie Tank Girl that her career began to take off. Based on the British comic strip, she played side-kick Jet Girl alongside a punky-looking Lori Petty as the grenade-throwing, tank-riding Rebecca.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Teaming up with David Lynch in 2001 was perhaps one of Watt’s smartest career moves. Famous for his surrealist psychological thrillers, Lynch threw his leading lady straight in the deep end of a challenging plot, heavy on the subtext. The film was awarded the Prix de la mise en scène (Best Director Award) at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and earned Lynch critical acclaim from former detractors. Watts plays two characters residing in different realities; the successful and charming Betty Elms, and the failed, down-and-out actress Diane Selwyn.

The Ring (2002)

Gore Verbinski's take on the original Japanese horror film, Ringu, saw Naomi Watts in her first box office hit. Watts plays a journalist living in Seattle, whose curiosity is sparked after a string of mysterious deaths become linked with a video tape, reputed to set into motion a deadly seven day curse. The Ring’s financial success firmly secured Watt’s place on the Hollywood circuit and opened up an array of filmic opportunities.

21 Grams (2003)

Watts pulled out all the stops to play a recovering drug addict, alongside Hollywood heavyweights Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, in this gritty Alejandro González Iñárritu thriller. The plot centres on three characters whose lives become entwined after a hit and run accident. Watts reportedly didn’t even so much as glance over the script before signing the contract. But it paid off: the role earned Watts her very first 2003 Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and proved to her biggest critics that she was no longer playing catch up with Kidman.

I Heart Huckabees (2004)

David O. Russell’s off-beat comedy has gathered somewhat of a cult gathering since its release in 2004. In the film, an environmental group infiltrate a supermarket chain in an attempt to thwart the creation of its latest branch. Watts’ good looks and acting credentials made her the ideal candidate to play superficial Dawn Campbell – face of the Huckabees supermarket chain and girlfriend to its money-hungry executive, Brad Stand (Jude Law). The film’s eccentric humour paired with its unfocused storyline prompted mixed reviews, but its actors were largely praised for giving convincing and creative performances.

The Assassination Of Richard Nixon (2004)

Watts teams up with Sean Penn for a second time in this political thriller based on the true story of one man’s disillusioned plan to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Watts ditched her glamorous demeanour to give a convincing performance as Samuel Bicke’s (Penn) downtrodden wife, who one day ups and leaves him, taking the children with her. The film - which draws comparisons with Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver - reaffirmed Watt’s willingness to throw herself into less conventional leading roles.

King Kong (2005)

In 2005 all eyes were on Watts as she stepped into the shoes of Fay Wray in Peter Jackson’s big-budget remake of the 1933 classic, King Kong. The film depicts struggling vaudeville actress Ann Darrow and director Carl Denham (Jack Black), as they embark on a project deep in the heart of a prehistoric Island. The film was well received by critics but fell short of the studio's financial expectations. Prior to filming, Watts met up with silver screen legend Wray in a bid to do her predecessor’s performance justice.

Stay (2005)

Watts gives a thought provoking performance, alongside Ryan Gosling and Ewan McGregor, in Marc Forster’s gripping drama. The film – which received lukewarm reviews – explores a car crash victim’s perceptions of reality after enduring a horrific blow to the head. The supporting role of Lila won’t go down as the Aussie star’s most memorable performance, but it certainly isn’t her worst.

Eastern Promises (2007)

Set deep in the heart of London, Eastern Promises depicts one woman’s interaction with the Russian mafia. Director David Cronenberg – famous for abstract horror pieces such as Dead Ringers and Videodrome – cast Watts in the foreground of the film as midwife, Anna Khitrova. The film received critical acclaim and marked Watt’s second time working with an Oscar nominated cast. Although Watts didn’t receive any nominations herself, co-star Viggo Mortensen was placed in the running for Best Actor at the 80th Academy Awards.

The International (2008)

Tom Tykwer’s action thriller sees Watts as straight talking Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, Eleanor Whitman, in a film which poignantly addresses the current state of the world’s economic climate. Watts plays second fiddle to Clive Owen as his feisty side-kick, and while the film and Owen received mixed reviews, Watts managed to side-step any negative press with an impressive performance in this savvy spy plot.

Jennifer Trevorrow

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