A Kate Winslet Tribute

I find myself going to movies recently so I can find myself. I realize this is a HUGE statement to make, but it's something I think about every time I watch a movie: Am I like this character? Could I possibly be in this situation? Is this actor like his/her character in reality? Regardless of any circumstance, I always find myself drawn to the characters Kate Winslet plays. These are strong women not afraid to show their full range of emotion through any situation.

In Sense and Sensibility (1995), Winslet's interpretation of Marianne Dashwood leaves me wondering if selfishness and pride get in the way of my better judgment when it comes to love.



Rose in Titanic (1997) fuels my passion to question authority and my desire to be genuine, authentic, and heart-driven in all aspects of my life. Her portrayal of Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) made me realize my neuroticism is quirky, charming, and lovable. And, in Revolutionary Road (2008), April Wheeler showed the courage and tragedy facing a woman trapped by her husband's ambitions.

But, when it comes down to it, there is no doubt in my mind as to why she received an Oscar nomination in 2009 for the role of Hanna Schmitz in The Reader (2008). Winslet created a character full of depth, grace, and guilt that in turn transforms a Nazi war criminal into a catharsis-worthy person. Most striking of Schmitz is her overwhelming sense of guilt. Take a look:



Marion Cotillard, Academy Award winner for Best Actress in 2008, said this of Winslet:

"Kate Winslet, with each new role you continue to push the boundaries of what's possible. Your brilliant performance in The Reader encompasses all of the qualities that have drawn us to you: passion, vulnerability, and extraordinary depth. As your characters move through time, love, and the most dire of circumstances, we, as your audience, never lose a connection to you. This is yet another unforgettable portrait from one of our most gifted actresses and one of our most inspiring, too."

Congratulations, Kate, Academy Award winner for Best Actress in 2009. I cannot wait to see where you go next!!