Dianne Wiest’s best movie and TV show roles highlight the career of a celebrated and legendary actor who is not quite a household name. Wiest began as a theater actor in the 1970s before stepping into movies and television roles, quickly finding success and cementing herself as a true talent. Over the course of her career, Wiest has won two Oscars and two Emmy Awards and received myriad other nominations for her wide variety of performances on the big screen and the small screen.
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Wiest has been known for playing soft-spoken and gentle characters, but she is also known as a comedic talent, holding her own on-screen with some of the funniest actors of all time, including Steve Martin and Robin Williams. She has worked with big-name directors like Tim Burton, Ron Howard, and Woody Allen, while also joining television shows that range from gritty dramas to hilarious sitcoms. It is a truly impressive career, and looking at Dianne Wiest’s best roles highlights her legacy thus far.
You are watching: Dianne Wiest’s 20 Best Movies & TV Shows Ranked
20
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
As Flori Montiel
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a guide to recognizing your saints
R
CrimeDrama
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints explores the complex memories of author Dito Montiel as he returns to his Queens, New York, neighborhood at his mother’s request. The film delves into his turbulent youth, dominated by friendships with Antonio, Giuseppe, Nerf, and Mike, and marked by violence and personal challenges.
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Release Date
September 29, 2006
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
104 minutes
Cast
Shia LaBeouf
, Channing Tatum
, Robert Downey Jr.
, Rosario Dawson
, Melonie Diaz
, Chazz Palminteri
, Dianne Wiest
, Martin Compston
, Olga Merediz
, Laila Liliana Garro
, Eléonore Hendricks
, Adam Scarimbolo
, Federico Castelluccio
, Chance Kelly
, Gilbert Cruz
, Scott Michael Campbell
, Eric Roberts
, Peter Anthony Tambakis
Director
Dito Montiel
Expand
Dianne Wiest joins an incredible ensemble of actors in an underrated coming-of-age movie. A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints stars Robert Downey Jr. as Ditto, a writer who returns to his old neighborhood in New York City to care for his ailing and estranged father. While back, he relives many of the memories of his troubled childhood and the violence of the place he grew up, highlighting how they shaped his adult life.
While the movie is largely focused on Ditto’s troubled relationship with his father, played by Chazz Palminteri, Wiest is also excellent as his mother, adding layers to their performance in a quieter performance. The movie also stars Shia LaBeouf and Channing Tatum, giving strong performances in the movie’s flashback sequences. It makes for an affecting and powerful drama with some stand-out performances.
19
Dan In Real Life (2007)
As Nana Burns
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Dan in Real Life
PG-13
ComedyDramaRomance
Dan in Real Life is a romantic comedy directed by Peter Hedges, featuring Steve Carell as Dan Burns, an advice columnist who excels professionally but faces challenges in his personal life. The plot thickens when he discovers that the woman he admires is his brother’s new partner, complicating family dynamics.
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Release Date
October 26, 2007
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
98 minutes
Cast
Steve Carell
, Juliette Binoche
, Dane Cook
, Alison Pill
, Britt Robertson
, Marlene Lawston
Director
Peter Hedges
While Dianne Wiest has been typecast in mother roles for much of her career, she often finds ways to bring out interesting shades of these characters while also working alongside some great actors. Steve Carell gives one of his most underrated performances in Dan in Real Life as an advice columnist who is struggling with the loss of his wife, raising his three daughters, and falling in love with his brother’s new girlfriend.
The movie deftly mixes humor and heart with Carell’s performance as the man who cannot get things together, providing a perfect centerpiece. Wiest is part of the excellent ensemble, playing Carell’s caring mother, who is one of the few people looking out for him as he tries to look out for everyone else. Wiest pulls off the role with a fine line between overbearing and loving.
18
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
As Diane Booker
The Horse Whisperer
PG-13
DramaDocumentaryRomanceWestern
A mother enlists a skilled horse trainer to heal her traumatized daughter through the recovery of her equally injured horse
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Release Date
May 14, 1998
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
164 minutes
Cast
Robert Redford
, Kristin Scott Thomas
, Sam Neill
, Dianne Wiest
, Scarlett Johansson
, Chris Cooper
Dianne Wiest has worked on some truly star-studded ensembles in the past, but she always finds a way to stand out no matter the size of her role. The Horse Whisper is directed by Robert Redford and also stars the iconic actor as a man who specializes in helping animals and their riders heal from traumatic experiences. When a mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) brings her troubled daughter (Scarlett Johansson) to get his help, she and Redford form a bond.
Wiest has a small supporting role in the movie as Diane, Redford’s warm and caring sister-in-law, who lives on the ranch with her husband (Chris Cooper). The movie is a beautiful and engrossing drama with a grounded magical quality to it. Wiest adds a spark with her take on the simple rural life that is able to find beauty and comfort in its connection to nature.
17
The Mule (2018)
As Mary Stone
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The Mule
R
DramaCrimeMystery
A 90-year-old horticulturist and WWII veteran is caught transporting $3 million worth of cocaine through Michigan for a Mexican drug cartel. This is the latest directorial effort from Clint Eastwood, and his second of 2018. It is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who worked with the cartel. Eastwood joined the project in January 2018, with Bradley Cooper and other members of the supporting cast signing on in the months after. Production started in June 2018 and wrapped shortly after. The Mule marks Eastwood’s first acting role since Trouble With the Curve in 2012.
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Release Date
December 14, 2018
Cast
Michael Pena
, Clint Eastwood
, Loren Dean
, Noel Gugliemi
, Bradley Cooper
, Dianne Wiest
, Daniel Moncada
, Robert LaSardo
, Clifton Collins Jr.
, Alison Eastwood
, Laurence Fishburne
, Manny Montana
, Taissa Farmiga
, Jill Flint
Director
Clint Eastwood
Expand
Dianne Wiest collaborated with another famed filmmaker while also sharing the screen with him in The Mule. Clint Eastwood directs this crime thriller and stars as Earl Stone, a war veteran who falls on hard times when his farming business goes bankrupt. Cut off from his family due to his selfish behavior in the past, Earl takes a job from the cartel, transporting their drugs. Wiest stars as Mary, Earl’s estranged wife.
Despite the fact that the movie is based on a true story, it can seem a little outlandish at times, but Wiest’s performance keeps it grounded. Eastwood also seems to be enjoying playing the flawed outlaw character, leaning into the unlikable aspects of Earl’s personality. It makes for a gripping crime thriller and a fun late starring role for Eastwood.
16
Mayor Of Kingstown (2021-2023)
As Mariam McLusky
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39
9.9/10
Mayor of Kingstown
ThrillerDramaCrime
Mayor of Kingstown is a drama-thriller series starring Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, who takes over for his brother as the head of the family. The McLusky family are power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption, and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.
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Release Date
November 14, 2021
Cast
Pha’rez Lass
, Jeremy Renner
, Derek Webster
, Hamish Allan-Headley
, Hugh Dillon
, Dianne Wiest
, Aiden Gillen
, Taylor Handley
, Kyle Chandler
, Tobi Bamtefa
, Emma Laird
Creator(s)
Hugh Dillon
, Taylor Sheridan
Seasons
3
Mayor of Kingstown is another of the many shows created by Taylor Sheridan, but a very different setting from his Yellowstone universe. Jeremy Renner stars in this series as Michael McLusky, a member of a family who has kept the peace in a town in which the prison is the biggest company around. This position has meant danger and heartbreak for the family, while also giving them power not everyone is willing to let go of.
Wiest plays Mariam, the matriarch of the McLusky family who is often at odds with Michael. Unlike many of the mother roles that Wiest has played, Miriam isn’t afraid to show her anger towards her kids, even if she is still a loving person. The series is a gripping thriller that makes great use of Renner as a complex leading man.
15
Little Man Tate (1991)
As Jane Grierson
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Little Man Tate
PG
DramaFamily
Little Man Tate follows single mother Dede as she raises her son Fred, a child prodigy. As Fred’s exceptional intellect gains attention, Dede navigates the challenges of ensuring he receives proper opportunities while safeguarding his emotional well-being.
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Release Date
September 6, 1991
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
99 minutes
Cast
Dianne Wiest
, Jodie Foster
, Adam Hann-Byrd
, Harry Connick Jr.
, David Hyde Pierce
, Debi Mazar
, P.J. Ochlan
, Michael Shulman
, Celia Weston
, George Plimpton
, Bob Balaban
, Josh Mostel
, Danitra Vance
, Jennifer Trier
, Carolyn Lawrence
, Michael Mantell
, Gordon Greene
, Alex Lee
, Ellen McElduff
Director
Jodie Foster
Expand
Dianne Wiest joined the directorial debut of fellow Oscar-winner Jodie Foster in the touching drama Little Man Tate. The movie focuses on Fred Tate, a 7-year-old music prodigy living with his single mother (Foster). While he struggles in a society that doesn’t challenge his level of genius, Fred’s brilliance comes to the attention of a child psychologist (played by Wiest) who wants to nurture his talents and provide him with an environment in which they can thrive.
The movie is filled with humor as this little genius tries to figure out his identity in the world he doesn’t seem to fit into. However, the dynamic between Foster and Wiest’s characters is the most interesting element, as they both find themselves in conflict over what they think is best for the boy. Wiest takes what could have been a cliché character and adds dimensions with her being a former prodigy herself who doesn’t want to see Fred struggle as she did.
14
The Lost Boys (1987)
As Lucy Emerson
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8.3/10
The Lost Boys
R
HorrorComedy
The Lost Boys follows Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) after they move to the small California beach town of Santa Carla only to discover that it is overrun with teenage vampires. When Michael falls victim to the titular gang and joins their ranks, Sam enlists the help of young vampire hunters the Frog brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) in order to save his brother from head vampire David (Kiefer Sutherland).
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Release Date
July 31, 1987
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
97 minutes
Cast
Corey Feldman
, Kiefer Sutherland
, Jason Patric
, Jami Gertz
, Corey Haim
Director
Joel Schumacher
While Dianne Wiest is largely known for her roles in prestigious shows and movies, she also helped to elevate a lot of great genre projects as well, including this beloved ’80s classic. The Lost Boys stars Jason Patric as a young man who moves with his single mother (Wiest) and little brother to a new town. When meeting some of the local teens, he falls in with a gang of rebellious youths who turn out to be ancient vampires.
Long before Twilight, The Lost Boys had fun looking at the life of vampires from a teenage perspective. The quintessential ’80s vibe of the movie has helped it remain a nostalgic cult classic for decades. While the movie sometimes struggles with meshing its horror and comedic elements, Wiest can be counted on to bring gravitas in a strong mother role.
13
I Care A Lot (2020)
As Jennifer Peterson
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I Care A Lot
R
ThrillerCrimeComedy
I Care A Lot stars Rosamund Pike as Marla Grayson, a con artist who makes money by becoming a court-appointed guardian for elderly people she claims can’t take care of themselves, and then stealing their life’s savings. But things don’t go according to plan when she tries to do the same thing to a mother of a dangerous mob boss.
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Release Date
February 19, 2021
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
118 minutes
Cast
Macon Blair
, Alicia Witt
, Damian Young
, Dianne Wiest
, Peter Dinklage
, Eiza Gonzalez
, with Isiah Whitlock Jr.
, Rosamund Pike
, Chris Messina
Director
J Blakeson
Even with her extensive career, it is rare to see Dianne Wiest get a role that allows her to embrace her sinister side. However, the effectiveness of her performance in I Care a Lot proves that she should do it more often. Rosamund Pike stars as Marla Grayson, an immoral and scheming con artist who targets vulnerable senior citizens to drain their wealth and leave them with nothing. However, Marla’s latest target, Jennifer (Wiest), is far from vulnerable and connected to some very dangerous people.
The crime-comedy balances the two genres wonderfully, embracing the darkness of the story while also having a lot of fun. Much of that fun comes from Wiest who is chilling at times but also hard not to cheer for as it becomes clear that Marla picked the wrong person to try and milk for money.
12
Rabbit Hole (2010)
As Nat
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Rabbit Hole
PG-13
Drama
Rabbit Hole, released in 2010, stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as a couple grappling with the aftermath of their young son’s tragic accident. The film explores themes of grief, family dynamics, and healing as they navigate their altered lives and relationships.
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Release Date
December 16, 2010
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
91 minutes
Cast
Aaron Eckhart
, Nicole Kidman
, Dianne Wiest
, Miles Teller
, Tammy Blanchard
, Sandra Oh
, Giancarlo Esposito
, Jon Tenney
, Stephen Mailer
, Mike Doyle
, Roberta Wallach
, Patricia Kalember
, Ali Marsh
, Yetta Gottesman
, Colin Mitchell
, Deidre Goodwin
, Julie Lauren
, Rob Campbell
, Jay Wilkison
, Ben Hudson
, Salli Saffioti
, Ursula Parker
, Phoenix List
, Sandi Carroll
, Teresa Kelsey
Director
John Cameron Mitchell
Expand
Nicole Kidman was nominated for an Oscar for her powerful turn in this harrowing drama, but Dianne Wiest also adds to the impact of the story in a supporting role. Rabbit Hole focuses on a couple (Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) who struggle with grief in the aftermath of their son dying. As they find it hard to connect with each other and share their pain, Kidman finds unexpected solace in her connection to the young man (Miles Teller) who is responsible for her son’s death.
While that is the most central relationship in the drama, some of the most powerful scenes are between Kidman and Wiest, who plays her mother. The charactters have a difficult relationship that is also cut off from emotion, but they gradually learn to share their anger and frustrations with each other in a healing way.
11
Let Them Talk (2020)
As Susan
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Let Them All Talk
R
ComedyDrama
Let Them All Talk is a comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. The story follows a renowned author, played by Meryl Streep, who embarks on a transatlantic voyage with friends to reconcile past issues. Lucas Hedges co-stars as her nephew navigating his own journey, while Candice Bergen and Dianne Wiest join as her longtime friends. The film explores themes of friendship, regret, and creativity.
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Release Date
December 10, 2020
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
113 minutes
Cast
Meryl Streep
, Gemma Chan
, Lucas Hedges
, Candice Bergen
, Dianne Wiest
, Saskia Larsen
Director
Steven Soderbergh
There are not too many female actors who have maintained as successful and acclaimed of a career over the years as Dianne Wiest. However, it is a real treat to see Wiest share the screen with some of them while in the hands of a master filmmaker in Let Them All Talk. From director Steven Soderbergh, the comedy-drama stars Meryl Streep as a celebrated author who invites her two closest friends, played by Wiest and Candance Bergen, on a cruise ship only to appear too busy to spend time with them.
The simple movie set almost entirely on the ship makes for a funny and engrossing story of friendship that has run its course. As Streep and Bergen deal with their long history of feuds and betrayals, Wiest provides a lot of the comic relief as the friend caught in the middle.
10
Life In Pieces (2015-2019)
As Joan Short
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Life in Pieces
Life in Pieces is a family sitcom that chronicles the daily lives of the Short family through four short stories in each episode. Featuring an ensemble cast including Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, and Colin Hanks, the series humorously explores various family dynamics and relationships. Each segment provides a unique perspective on life’s significant and mundane moments, reflecting the complexities of the modern family experience.
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Release Date
September 21, 2015
Cast
Colin Hanks
, Betsy Brandt
, Thomas Sadoski
, Zoe Lister-Jones
Seasons
4
Dianne Wiest has sometimes been typecast in warm roles as well as roles that show her comedic side, but her role in Life in Pieces proves just how effective she is at combining these elements. Life in Pieces is a sitcom like Modern Family, taking a look at the different households within one large extended family. It follows them through their various struggles, awkward times, and the moments they all share together.
The sitcom thrives on its winning ensemble, which also includes Colin Hanks and James Brolin. However, Wiest is one of the true standouts as Joan, the wife of Brolin’s character and the matriarch of the family. Wiest is hilarious as the sought-spoken and loving mother and grandmother who is also silly, rather than being the voice of reason these characters can sometimes get pigeonholed into.
9
Radio Days (1987)
As Aunt Bea
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Radio Days
PG
ComedyMusic
Radio Days is a period film set in New York City from the late 1930s to New Year’s Eve 1944, exploring how radio influenced a young boy’s upbringing. It intertwines his personal memories with anecdotes and urban legends of radio personalities of the time.
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Release Date
January 30, 1987
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
90 minutes
Cast
Danny Aiello
, Jeff Daniels
, Mia Farrow
, Seth Green
, Robert Joy
, Julie Kavner
, Diane Keaton
, Julie Kurnitz
, Renée Lippin
, Kenneth Mars
, Josh Mostel
, Tony Roberts
, Wallace Shawn
, Michael Tucker
, David Warrilow
, Dianne Wiest
, Mike Starr
, Paul Herman
, Don Pardo
, Martin Rosenblatt
, Helen Miller
, Danielle Ferland
, Mick Murray
, William Flanagan
, William Magerman
Director
Woody Allen
Expand
Dianne Wiest has worked with many acclaimed filmmakers over her long career, but the one who has had the biggest impact on her career is certainly Woody Allen. She worked with the renowned and controversial filmmaker five times in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to some of her biggest successes as an actor. One of their final collaborations to date was in Allen’s semiautobiographical movie Radio Days which takes a look at a young boy’s life growing up in a Jewish New York City neighborhood.
The movie features a terrific ensemble in the coming-of-age story, but Wiest steals the show as Aunt Bea, the hapless aunt of the main character who is looking for love but never finds it. Wiest leans into his comedic skills and her endearing screen persona as the endlessly positive and hilarious character who adds a special spark to the movie.
8
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
As Ellen Bascomb/Millicent Weems
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Synecdoche, New York
R
DramaDocumentary
Synecdoche, New York follows a theater director, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, as he works to construct a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse for his latest project. As his ambitious endeavor progresses, he grapples with personal and professional challenges.
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Release Date
October 24, 2008
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
124 minutes
Cast
Philip Seymour Hoffman
, Catherine Keener
, Sadie Goldstein
, Tom Noonan
, Peter Friedman
, Charles Techman
Director
Charlie Kaufman
Synecdoche, New York marks one of the most puzzling movies in Wiest’s career while also being one of the most fascinating. Philip Seymour Hoffman leads the movie as an ambitious stage director who begins work on his biggest project yet. Obsessed with making the production as real as possible, it ends up spanning years of his life while also blurring the lines between the production and reality. Wiest plays an actress cast in the play who becomes a part of the story.
The movie serves as the directorial debut of Charlie Kaufman, so it should perhaps come as no surprise that it is such a mind-bending and fascinating journey. Some felt the movie was a pretentious and incomprehensible exploration of an artist’s mind while others called it a masterpiece. Wiest earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her supporting role.
7
The Birdcage (1996)
As Louise Keeley
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9/10
The Birdcage
R
Comedy
The Birdcage is a comedy film starring Robin Williams as Armand Goldman, the owner of a South Beach drag club, and Nathan Lane as his partner Albert. When their son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative Senator, the couple must pretend to be straight and “normal” to impress the future in-laws, leading to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and cultural clashes.
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Release Date
March 8, 1996
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
119 Minutes
Cast
Robin Williams
, Nathan Lane
, Dan Futterman
, Gene Hackman
, Dianne Wiest
Director
Mike Nichols
As much as Dianne Wiest is able to deliver some powerful dramatic performances, there is no denying that she is also a gifted comedic actor. The Birdcage is one of the funniest examples of this as she fits right into the hilarious wacky comedy. Robin Williams plays a gay man living with his partner (Nathan Lane) when he learns that his son is getting married. With Williams and Lane wanting to make a good impression on the new conservative in-laws (Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest), they attempt to pretend they are straight.
Wiest is hilarious as the uptight wife who is also not so easily fooled as her husband. Amid some of the bigger performances in the movie, Wiest gets big laughs from her understated reactions to the wildness around her. She was nominated for an American Comedy Award for her performance, while the entire remarkable cast was nominated for a Screen Actor’s Guild Award.
6
Parenthood (1989)
As Helen Buckman
Parenthood
PG-13
The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the ‘black sheep’ of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.
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Release Date
July 31, 1989
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
124 minutes
Cast
Steve Martin
, Mary Steenburgen
, Dianne Wiest
, Jason Robards
, Rick Moranis
, Tom Hulce
Director
Ron Howard
Dianne Wiest scored another Oscar nomination for her layered performance in the comedy-drama Parenthood. Later adapted into a popular TV series, Parenthood is an ensemble movie that takes the look at a large extended family as they deal with the struggles of raising children, from destructive toddlers to awkward teens to adults who still act like children.
Steve Martin gives a charming and funny performance in the lead role while Parenthood also marks a memorable early project for Keanu Reeves and Joaquin Phoenix. However, Wiest gives the best performance in the ensemble as the wife of Martin’s character and the mother of two teens. She is funny, sweet, and heartbreaking, showcasing the grounded and real struggles of a mother who is ignored by her children but also has to be there to protect them regardless of how they treat her.
5
In Treatment (2008-2009)
As Gina Toll
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In Treatment
TV-MA
Drama
In Treatment: This drama series follows Dr. Paul Weston, a psychotherapist navigating the complexities of his patients’ lives during individual therapy sessions, while grappling with his own insecurities as he seeks guidance from his own therapist. The show offers an introspective look into the intricacies of therapy and personal struggle.
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Release Date
January 28, 2008
Cast
Gabriel Byrne
, Patrick Cavanaugh
, Sonya Maddox
, Sonya Walger
, Uzo Aduba
, Gilbert Cruz
, Quintessa Swindell
, Julia Campbell
, Lauren Hodges
, Peter Horton
, Jake Richardson
, Chris Heuisler
, Laila Robins
, Keith Nobbs
, Max Burkholder
, Michelle Forbes
, Glynn Turman
, Sherri Saum
, Alex Wolff
, Susan Misner
, Samrat Chakrabarti
, Dendrie Taylor
, Joseph Siravo
, Brian Shortall
, Drew Matthews
Expand
Along with winning two Oscars in her career, Dianne Wiest also nabbed an Emmy win for her performance in one of the most underrated HBO series of all time. In Treatment stars Gabriel Byrne as psychotherapist Paul Weston who has a weekly session with a variety of patients. As he starts to lose faith in his abilities within his profession, he begins to also attend sessions for himself with his former mentor, Gina (Wiest).
Byrne makes for a powerful lead of the series with a reserved and internalized performance as this disillusioned man. However, equally important to the success of the series is Wiest’s thoughtful and nuanced performance as an experienced professional who reminds him that they are still human. For fans of the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, In Treatment provides a similar, albeit more serious, look at this world of therapy.
4
The Purple Rose Of Cairo (1985)
As Emma
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The Purple Rose of Cairo
FantasyComedyRomance
The Purple Rose of Cairo is a film set during the Great Depression, following Cecilia, a New Jersey waitress who finds solace in the cinema. Repeatedly watching a film featuring archaeologist Tom Baxter, she uses the fantasy world as an escape from her dreary existence after losing her job.
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Release Date
March 1, 1985
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
82 minutes
Cast
Jeff Daniels
, Mia Farrow
, Danny Aiello
, Irving Metzman
, Stephanie Farrow
, Edward Herrmann
, John Wood
, Deborah Rush
, Van Johnson
, Zoe Caldwell
, Milo O’Shea
, Dianne Wiest
, Glenne Headly
, Paul Herman
, Rick Petrucelli
, Peter Castellotti
, John Rothman
, David Kieserman
, Elaine Grollman
, Victoria Zussin
, Mark Hammond
, Wade Barnes
, Joseph G. Graham
, Don Quigley
, Maurice Brenner
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The first movie Dianne Wiest made with Woody Allen is a standout movie for both of them. The Purple Rose of Cairo is an inventive and fun comedy that stars Jeff Daniels as a character in a movie who steps out of the screen and into the real world, striking up a connection with a timid young woman in the audience, played by Mia Farrow.
Wiest has another hilarious role as a sex worker, Emma, who also develops a crush on this movie character come to life. She brings laughs and layers to the character, making it obvious why Allen continued working with her. The movie takes its fun premise and mines it for great comedic material, imagining the world’s reaction if something like this actually happened. The result is a Woody Allen movie with a little bit of magic, feeling like a precursor to Midnight in Paris.
3
Hannah And Her Sisters (1986)
As Holly
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10/10
Hannah and Her Sisters
R
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Release Date
February 7, 1986
Cast
Mia Farrow
, Michael Caine
, Woody Allen
, Carrie Fisher
, Barbara Hershey
, Dianne Wiest
, Max Von Sydow
Director
Woody Allen
Dianne Wiest co-starred with some big-name stars in her second collaboration with Woody Allen, but she ended up especially standing out in Hannah and Her Sisters, enough to win her first Oscar. The movie stars Mia Farrow as a woman celebrating Thanksgiving with her siblings. There is Lee (Barabara Hershey), who is having an affair with Hannah’s husband, and Holly (Wiest), a drug addict struggling in her career as an aspiring actor.
The movie is a terrific three-act story with Holly making up the final and most compelling act. Though she comes off as immature and in constant need of support, Wiest also makes her an endearing character who pursues what she loves. Wiest’s performance is a highlight of this intense yet funny drama that also stars Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, and Carrie Fisher.
2
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
As Peg Boggs
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11
8.2/10
Edward Scissorhands
PG-13
RomanceFantasyDrama
From director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands follows the titular character, an artificial human created by an inventor, who has scissor blades instead of fingers. After his creator’s death, Edward is taken in by a normal suburban family and becomes attracted to the family’s teenage daughter, Kim Boggs. Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star as Edward and Kim.
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Release Date
December 14, 1990
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
105 minutes
Cast
Vincent Price
, Dianne Wiest
, Anthony Michael Hall
, Johnny Depp
, Winona Ryder
, Kathy Baker
Director
Tim Burton
The first collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton also features a standout performance from Dianne Wiest. In Edward Scissorhands, Wiest plays suburban woman Peg Boggs who, while selling beauty products door to door, comes across a castle with a strange and abandoned young man. Edward (Depp) is the creation of an inventor who died before he was able to complete him, leaving the young man with scissors for his hands. Taking pity on him, Peg brings Edward home and introduces him to the suburban world.
The movie is a brilliant mix of Burton’s eccentric sense of humor and his beautiful gothic visual style. It attempts to pull off a difficult tone between comedy and fairy tale, with Wiest’s performance essential to its success. She is funny, sweet, and caring in a role that earned her several award nominations.
1
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
As Helen Sinclair
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10/10
Bullets Over Broadway
R
ComedyCrime
Bullets Over Broadway (1994) is a comedic drama that delves into the world of 1920s theater, where a struggling playwright is forced to cast a mobster’s talentless girlfriend in his latest production. The film explores themes of artistic integrity, compromise, and the clash between creative ambitions and external pressures. Directed by Woody Allen, it features strong performances from an ensemble cast, balancing humor with a satirical look at show business.
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Release Date
October 14, 1994
See more : 10 Actors Who Were Surprisingly Good In Rom-Coms
Runtime
98 Minutes
Cast
John Cusack
, Chazz Palminteri
, Dianne Wiest
, Jennifer Tilly
, Mary-Louise Parker
, Tracey Ullman
, Jim Broadbent
, Joe Viterelli
, Harvey Fierstein
, Rob Reiner
, Jack Warden
, Tony Sirico
, Victor Colicchio
, Louis Eppolito
, Gene Canfield
, Peter Castellotti
, Tony Conforti
Director
Woody Allen
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Among Wiest’s many collaborations with Woody Allen, Bullets Over Broadway is the best, and features the strongest performance from the legendary actor. The period comedy is a hilarious mix of the world of theater and the mob. John Cusack plays a playwright who attempts to get his latest play financed by casting the untalented girlfriend of a mobster. Wiest plays the veteran actress and a fading alcoholic who joins the play, bringing her talent and also seducing Cusack’s self-important playwright.
The movie is one of Allen’s funniest with a terrific cast of colorful characters which also includes Chazz Palminteri and Jennifer Tilly in standout supporting roles. However, it is Wiest who steals the show as the vain actress who is unaware her fame is slipping away and still sees herself as the biggest and most important star on Broadway. Wiest won her second Oscar for the performance.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment