Michelle Williams has been somewhat of an underrated actress for some time but 2011 she really did show just how good she can be.
She has put in two powerhouse performances this year in Blue Valentine and My Week With Marilyn - both proving to be a major hit with the critics.
She teamed up with Ryan Gosling at the beginning of the year with Blue Valentine - which was directed by Derek Cianfrance.
This was a beautifully crafter movie that looks at human flaws during a relationship between Williams and Gosling’s characters.
This is a very raw performance from Williams that was both moving, tender and very real in what is a very engaging movie.
For her superb performance Williams picked up a Best actress Oscar nod but she missed out to Natalie Portman.
She returned to the big screen last month with new biopic movie My Week With Marilyn, in which she takes on the role of icon Marilyn Monroe.
This is a stunning movie largely because of Williams’ central performance as she totally embodies Monroe for the entire movie.
It is a very moving performance from Williams as she shows Monroe's daily struggle with being the most famous woman in the world and her desperate need to find someone that loves her.
Don’t be surprised to see Williams feature heavily during the awards season and I would bet my bottom dollar that she secures another Oscar nod in the new year.
She is currently filming Oz: The Great and Powerful - which is directed by Sam Raimi and also stars Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and James Franco.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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