ACTING SCHOOL: Cate Blanchett

The LAMB is back with another edition of "LAMB Acting School 101" and I'm delighted that the featured actor is Cate Blanchett. She's one of my absolute favourites. I feel like there is nothing she can't do. Here are my 3 favourite scenes from her filmography:

#3 - The Aviator

You often find people criticizing biopic performances as inferior to those created from fictional characters. However, when "mimicry" is really done right, kudos are in order. This is certainly the case with Cate's amazing interpretation of the iconic Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator". When I saw the film, I actually had never seen any of Hepburn's films. However, after finally becoming familiar with her work I realize how exceptional Cate's performance was. This particular scene reminds me of "Bringing Up Baby" when Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn first meet each other on the golf course. Blanchett nails the confidence, the look and of course, her unique voice.

#2 - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMpigAUQt_4&
This is part 1 of "Don't f*** with Cate Blanchett"! In a roundtable discussion earlier this year, Christopher Plummer said that the sign of a good actor is the ability to unleash rage and quickly reel in those emotions (correct me if I'm wrong). Blanchett certainly shows this talent in this scene. She has such a commanding voice that she can definitely hold her own among the men. If only words could kill.

#1 - Notes On A Scandal

This is one of my favourite films of all time, primarily because of the divine acting duet of Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. This is another "Don't f*** with Cate Blanchett" moment as she delivers the dialogue to perfection, leaving all her emotions bare. I love the theatricality of this scene (sorry for the poor quality clip).