Tilda Swinton in Only Lovers Left Alive
Tilda Swinton is one of the most versatile actresses of her generation, moving from art house projects to mainstream roles in the blink of an eye.
During her career, we have seen her tackle some truly intriguing roles and characters, and she is back this week in Only Lovers Left Alive.
To celebrate the release of the film, we take a look at some of the best performances of her career.
- The Deep End (2001)
The Deep End was an adaptation of the novel by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding, as saw Swinton team up with director Scott McGehee and David Siegel.
The movie follows Margaret Hall (Swinton), who spirals out of control while trying to keep her son from being found culpable in a murder investigation.
Swinton teamed up with Goran Visnjic and Jonathan Tucker in this taunt thriller.
From start to finish, The Deep End is a finely crafted film that is intense, involving and really will have you on the edge of your seat.
Everyone is on top form, but Swinton really does shine as the ordinary woman who suddenly finds herself in extraordinary circumstances.
She has such an onscreen presence and force that you cannot help but take your eyes off her - it really was her performance that secured this movie the great reviews that it received.
- Michael Clayton (2007)
Michael Clayton was the crowning moment in Swinton's career as it was a performance that saw her scoop the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
The movie was directed and written by Tony Gilroy and saw Swinton team up with George Clooney and Tom Wilkinson.
Michael Clayton is one of the most intriguing and sharply written corporate thrillers in recent years; it is intense, pacey and dramatic from the word go.
All of the actors are on top form, but Swinton really does command the material every time she is on the screen.
There is a real cold streak to Swinton's character as she battles and schemes throughout the whole film.
Swinton saw off the challenge from Cate Blanchett, Ruby Dee, Saoirse Ronan, and Amy Ryan for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
- Julia (2008)
Another powerhouse performance from Swinton came in 2008 as she led the cast in Julia.
Julia was directed by Erick Zonca, who was making just his third feature film with this project; he also penned the screenplay for the movie.
The movie follows an alcoholic woman who takes part in the kidnapping of a young boy for $50,000. Soon the extortion plan that was hatched between Julia and the boy's mother gets out of control.
This is a plot that really does twists and turns, and you never quite know where the story is going to take you next.
Swinton delivers another knockout performance, as she really gets under the skin of this desperate and troubled woman.
She has created an eccentric character, and yet she is a woman that you cannot help but root for. Swinton's performance won rave reviews - some even suggested she should have picked up an Oscar nod for her work.
- I Am Love (2010)
Luca Guadagnino teamed up with Swinton for a documentary back in 2002, and the pair reunited for I Am Love in 2010.
"I Am Love" tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family of Milan, whose lives are rapidly changing.
At the heart of the family is Tancredi's wife and Edoardo Jr.'s mother, Emma (Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan, and whose existence is shaken when she enters a passionate love affair with her son’s friend Antonio.
I Am Love is a lush and elegant movie, which really captures the sights and the sounds of Milan.
Swinton strikes the perfect balance between strong and vulnerable, and she is the star that really does shine in this film.
Swinton is the actor that really does drive this movie forward and is its heart and soul; she shoulders that responsibility with ease.
- We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
We Need To Talk About Kevin was a big screen adaptation of the novel by Lionel Shriver, and saw Swinton team up with director Lynne Ramsay.
The movie followed a mother who struggled to love her son, before having to live with in the aftermath of an event that destroyed her life and the lives of the community around her.
This was a role that Swinton could really get her teeth into, as she was able to explore the troubled relationship between mother and son.
Swinton's incredible central performance was what really pushed this movie forward. Ezra Miller is also fantastic as Kevin; their scene together really are quite chilling.
This is not only a movie that explores a relationship between mother and son, but it also looks at the parent having to live with the actions of their child.
This movie is worth a watch for Swinton's performance alone, and she picked up a Golden Globe and Bafta nomination for her work.
- Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)
Only Lovers Left Alive is another terrific performance from Swinton, as she plays a vampire in the Jim Jarmusch.
The movie sees her team up with Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, and John Hurt, in what is one of the most beautiful films of the year so far.
Set against the romantic desolation of Detroit and Tangier, an underground musician, deeply depressed by the direction of human activities, reunites with his resilient and enigmatic lover.
Their love story has already endured several centuries at least, but their debauched idyll is soon disrupted by her wild and uncontrollable younger sister. Can these wise but fragile outsiders continue to survive as the modern world collapses around them?
This is an engrossing and atmospheric film from Jarmusch, while Swinton and Hiddleston both give terrific performances.
The pair has such wonderful chemistry, they really do sizzle together, and this relationship drives the film forward.
Other great Tilda Swinton performances include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Orlando, and The War Zone.
Only Lovers Left Alive is released 21st February.
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