10 Greatest Films of Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton was born in London, in 1960. She graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1983, with a degree in social and political sciences. The following year, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 1986, she made her first film, Caravaggio.
She has appeared, thus far, in 67 films. In 2008, she won a Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Michael Clayton. She also has three Golden Globe nominations.
Tilda Swinton is a chameleon. She completely buries herself in a role, leaving nothing apparent to us of Tilda and everything apparent as the character. Just scroll through the below pictures and decide if you are looking at one actress or ten characters.
10. Trainwreck (2015) — Tilda’s role in this film is relatively small, but it is a uncommon opportunity to see her in something light and funny. It’s also a perfect example of her disappearing. I’m betting some of you who have seen the film are saying — “That was Tilda Swinton? Man, I didn’t recognize her at all!”
“I like you, Amy. You’re clever but you’re not too brainy. You’re prettyish but you’re not too gorgeous. You’re approachable.” — Dianna
9. Young Adam (2003) — A difficult film to summarize. It’s a dark story, set in Scotland in 1954. Ella (Swinton) and her husband Les (Peter Mullan) operate a barge on the Scottish canals. They are in an unhappy marriage. A drifter named Joe (Ewan McGregor) comes aboard the barge to work as their assistant. We are then told two stories, in parallel. One is about the affair that begins between Ella and Joe and the other is about a dead woman found in the canal.
“Fat lot of good that would do me.” — Ella Gault
8. Julia (2008) — A story about a promiscuous drunk trying to kidnap her son from the custody of his grandfather.
“I wouldn’t wipe my face with your ass.” — Julia
7. Snowpiercer (2013) — A wonderfully quirky and original science fiction story set aboard an immense train in a dystopian future. The film stars Chris Evans in the heroic role. Tilda Swinton plays a vicious authority figure, enforcing order on the inhabitants of the train.
“My friend, you suffer from the misplaced optimism of the doomed.” — Mason
6. Edward II (1991) — This Derek Jarman film is an adaptation of the play by Christopher Marlowe. Tilda plays Queen Isabella, the French wife of the English king. She is fighting to keep her husband’s attention as he engages himself in an affair with a male friend.
“Ah, Mortimer, now breaks the king’s hate forth, and he confesseth that he loves me not.” — Isabella
5. Doctor Strange (2016) — A big change of pace for Tilda Swinton. It’s not her first comic book film (she played the Archangel Gabriel in Constantine). Here, she plays the powerful master sorcerer known as The Ancient One. As she holds back the forces of evil, she serves as a mentor for Dr. Strange.
“You’re a man looking at the world through a keyhole. You’ve spent your life trying to widen it. Your work saved the lives of thousands. What if I told you that reality is one of many?” — The Ancient One
4. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) — Jim Jarmusch’s vampire film stars Tilda and Tom Hiddleston as a married vampire couple.
“How can you have lived for so long and still not get it? This self obsession is a waste of living. It could be spend in surviving things, appreciating nature, nurturing kindness and friendship, and dancing. You have been pretty lucky in love though, if I may say so.” — Eve
3. Michael Clayton (2007) — A tense thriller about a fixer at a law firm, starring George Clooney, in over his head. Excellent supporting performances from Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton.
“He goes from criminal prosecution to wills and trusts? He’s been there seventeen years and he’s not a partner? This is the guy they send? Who is this guy?” — Karen Crowder
2. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) — A fascinating story about a mother dealing with the horror of her young son committing a massacre at his school and looking back at how they got to this point.
“Oh! Yes I do as a matter of fact! I’m going straight to hell. Eternal damnation, the whole bit. Thanks for asking! Ok?” — Eva
1. Orlando (1992) — This adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel tells the story of a nobleman named Orlando who lives for centuries and one day wakes up and finds he is now a woman.
“Nothing thicker than a knife’s blade separates melancholy from happiness.” — Orlando
Other films considered for this list include Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Adaptation, Hail, Caesar!, Broken Flower, I Am Love, and The Deep End. What would make your list?
