Top 10 Best Carey Mulligan Moments
Top 10 Carey Mulligan Moments
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Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Carey Mulligan Moments. For this list, we’ll be looking at the standout scenes from this British actress’s film and television work. We’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but we will be talking about some key plot points. What’s your favorite Carey Mulligan moment? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Seize the Moment “The Dig” (2021)
In this Netflix drama, Mulligan plays Edith Pretty, a real-life English landowner. Despite being based on a true story, “The Dig” takes several liberties. Namely, Pretty was 56 at the beginning of this film’s events whereas Mulligan is still in her 30s. While this may be distracting for history buffs, Mulligan nonetheless rises to the occasion with an effective performance. One detail the filmmakers get right is that Pretty didn’t have much longer to live, as she died following a stroke at age of 59. In one of the most touching moments, the sickly Pretty comforts Peggy Piggott, an archaeologist trapped in a loveless marriage. Knowing that her own days are numbered, Pretty encourages Piggot to seize the moment and not let true happiness slip away.
#9: Confronting the Weeping Angels “Doctor Who” (2005-)
Before she broke out as a silver screen star, Mulligan appeared in arguably the best “Doctor Who” episode. The Doctor is practically a supporting character in “Blink” with the spotlight belonging to Mulligan’s Sally Sparrow. In what is essentially a mini horror film, Sally is pursued by the Weeping Angels, aliens that turn to stone whenever somebody looks at them. For their prey, even blinking can spell certain death. The episode accumulates with a heart-racing climax where Sally and her friend Larry are surrounded. Every time the lights flicker, the statue-like creatures draw closer. Although Sally and Larry seemingly find refuge in the TARDIS, the ship disappears. The Doctor cleverly traps the Angels, however, as they all end up looking at each other, forever frozen.
#8: The Piano “Mudbound” (2017)
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In this hard-hitting historical drama, Mulligan brings great depth and resilience to Laura, a young woman who reluctantly moves to a farm with her husband and children. Laura isn’t thrilled to learn that her racist father-in-law will be living with them as well. Although Laura makes many compromises, she draws a line when Pappy suggests getting rid of her piano to make way for his bed. Taking her husband aside, Laura firmly asserts that they aren’t removing her most treasured possession from the living room. The piano not only represents Laura’s life before arriving on the farm, but also a part of her individuality that she’s willing to fight for. In the end, the piano stays, and Pappy is forced to find other sleeping arrangements.
#7: Real Human Being “Drive” (2011)
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“Drive” is a masterclass of showing rather than telling. As such, Nicolas Winding Refn’s neo-noir drama required actors who can get a lot of emotion across in an understated fashion. Mulligan and co-star Ryan Gosling excel in this department. Gosling’s nameless Driver is an empty vessel until he meets Mulligan’s Irene and her son, Benicio. In one of the film’s few uplifting moments, the Driver takes a detour with the woman he’s beginning to love and the boy he’s starting to view as his own. Driving to a secluded area, the three enjoy a pleasant escape from harsh reality. Set to an atmospheric soundtrack, it’s a simple sequence overflowing with humanity. Just as Irene awakens the Driver’s soul, Mulligan gives the movie a heart.
#6: Daisy’s Two Loves “The Great Gatsby” (2013)
Although Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel received mixed reviews, the casting was spot-on across the board. Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan is no exception. Although she’s the epitome of class and wealth, Daisy isn’t happy with her overbearing husband Tom. When Jay Gatsby reenters the picture, she’s tempted to reignite their relationship. The love triangle reaches its boiling point when Gatsy informs Tom of their affair, adding that Daisy never loved him. While that first part is true, Daisy confesses that Gatsby isn’t the only man she’s ever loved. A fight breaks out between the men, but the real conflict is within Daisy. The scene leaves the audience to wonder what Daisy wants out of life and Mulligan beautifully conveys her conflicted nature.
#5: Telling Off Llewyn “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013)
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Mulligan’s Jean gets the funniest one-liners in this dark comedy, never missing an opportunity to remind Llewyn what a colossal loser he is. Jean is especially annoyed that she might be pregnant with Llewyn’s child. While the baby could also be her husband’s, Jean won’t take any chances and decides to terminate the pregnancy. Asking Llewyn to pay for the procedure, Jean berates him with one scathing insult after another. Although her anger is mainly directed at Llewyn, a part of Jean may also be frustrated with herself. After all, it takes two to tango. In a particularly brutal conversation at a cafe, Jean sums up Llewyn in a nutshell. “You Don’t Want to Go Anywhere.” Jean essentially foreshadows the film’s conclusion, which sees Llewyn wind up back where he started.
#4: New York, New York “Shame” (2011)
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In one of her bravest performances, Mulligan plays Sissy Sullivan, a singer who has a - um, let’s say complicated - relationship with her brother Brandon. At a bar, Brandon watches Sissy perform the theme from “New York, New York.” We’re all familiar with Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra’s triumphant renditions of this song. Mulligan’s slower interpretation brings a haunting sense of melancholy to the tune, however. Although Sissy can come off as a very outgoing person, this scene provides a glimpse into the pain she conceals. Brandon identifies with the sadness and loneliness in her voice, practically moving him to tears. With the camera fixated on Sissy and Brandon for almost five straight minutes, the song speaks volumes about the anguish these siblings have in common.
#3: Hard & Boring “An Education” (2009)
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Bringing Mulligan her first Oscar nomination, “An Education” will be remembered as the film that made her a star. Mulligan shines as Jenny Mellor, a sixteen-year-old student going on seventeen. Jenny is sophisticated beyond her years, yet widely naive. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in this scene where Jenny confronts her headmistress. Having accepted a marriage proposal from the older David, Jenny decides to walk away from her studies. Despite the headmistress’ objections, Jenny believes the road to Oxford will be hard, boring, and ultimately unfulfilling. Anyone who’s ever been a teenager can relate to Jenny’s desire for a life full of passion and fun. Once Jenny leaves, however, she’s given a schooling in how life works and the value of an education.
#2: War’s the Only Language “Suffragette” (2015)
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In one of her most underrated performances, Mulligan owns the screen as Maud Watts, a wife and mother who joins the women’s suffrage movement. Although Maud is fictional, her struggle is all-too-real and Mulligan’s acting is full of raw honesty. As countless voices go unheard, Maud and her fellow suffragettes are driven to bomb statesman David Lloyd George’s empty house. When confronted by Inspector Steed, Maud unleashes all of the anger, desperation, and repression that led to these violent measures. Whether or not you agree with Maud’s tactics, her words still ring true more than a century later. Just as the good fight is still being fought, Mulligan’s performance is like a flame that can’t be extinguished. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. We All Complete, “Never Let Me Go” (2010) If You’re Not Choked Up, You May Need a Heart Transplant Grace Talks to Allen, “The Greatest” (2009) Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again Lamb, “Far from the Madding Crowd” (2015) A Meaty Marriage Proposal Showing Joe the Fire, “Wildlife” (2018) The Expressions Say Everything Winnie Dumps Jake, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” (2010) You’ll Forget This Sequel Exists, But You Won’t Forget Mulligan Here
#1: I’m a Nice Guy “Promising Young Woman” (2020)
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Delivering what may be a career-best performance, Mulligan transforms herself as Cassie Thomas, one of the most unpredictable characters of recent memory. This 30-year-old targets self-proclaimed “nice guys” who have other motives in mind. She also goes after women who have contributed to the problem, including an irresponsible dean. Cassie’s most satisfying scene, however, finds her on a date with Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s Neil. As he prepares to take advantage of her, Cassie lets Neil know that she’s stone-cold sober. Neil is horrified by this revelation, but Cassie isn’t done tormenting him. They play a game of questions and answers with Neil scoring nothing but zeroes. Although she leaves him in one piece, Neil isn’t inclined to forget Cassie, even if he can’t remember her name.
