By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Diane Keaton recently passed away at the age of 79. Her death caught us by surprise. Keaton has been working for six decades since the 1970s
In honor of her work, here are Keaton’s top five best performances of her career:
5) Something’s Gotta Give
A fantastic rom-com movie with Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Two great actors bringing the best out of each other. Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand are also part of the cast.
Keaton portrays Erica Barry, who is a successful Broadway playwright. She lives very calmly, especially after surviving a bitter divorce. Her performance in this movie earned her a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Nancy Meyers did it when she wrote and directed the film.
4) Reds
Warren Beatty directed and wrote this movie. Reds have beautiful cinematography. Keaton portrays Louise Bryant, who was an American feminist, journalist, and political activist. The film is based on the 1919 book “Ten Days That Shook the World.”
The movie is too long. It could’ve been shredded down. However, Keaton, alongside Beatty, gives outstanding performances. Reds is very melodramatic with lots of serious politics and history.
3) Looking for Mr. Goodbar
It is one of the most potent and sincere roles that Keaton has done throughout her career.
Keaton plays the role of Theresa, who teaches deaf children during the day and cruises singles bars and discos at night. Theresa was raised in a strict catholic family. The movie has a gut-wrenching ending. You rarely see a film like this being made. It is a work of art.
There are many themes explored in this film, including loneliness, desperation, and female liberation.
2) Annie Hall
Woody Allen and Keaton have been frequent collaborators for many movies, and this one is one of their best ones together. Their scenes together are epic. Allen is a talented writer and filmmaker, but his strongest asset is writing. Keaton was mesmerizing, especially in the movie’s second half.
Keaton plays Annie Hall, who is a struggling singer. You see a couple that struggles with their careers and with their modern romance. Annie Hall is one of the best rom-coms ever made in the 20th century.
1) Baby Boom
Many would disagree, and many would agree, but Baby Boom is arguably the best performance of Keaton’s career.
A woman who plays the role of a character that’s successful, independent, enjoys freedom, doesn’t want distractions, but her world changes when she devotes her life to taking care of a baby.
It is one of the most influential strong female roles we have ever seen. Keaton knocked this role out of the ballpark.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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