Michelle Williams Breaks Down Her Career, from 'Blue Valentine' to 'The Fabelmans' | Vanity Fair

[@kiwibelt]

I was cabin crew for an airline and we flew Michelle and her young daughter Matilda back to the United States not long after Heath died. She had been in Australia with Heaths family. There was just Michelle on her own looking after Matilda. She did not sit in the first class lounge, she sat in the main departure gate lounge with everybody else. Kept to herself and just concentrated on Matilda. During the long flight to the US, we assured her that we would look after Matilda if she woke in the night and Michelle could carry on sleeping. She was so grateful for this because she had a full schedule upon arrival back to Los Angeles. She was absolutely humble, kind and so sweet. Really restored my faith in celebrity after having a few very different encounters with much less famous people who thought they were more important than they were. I wish this woman all the success in the world.

[@matd8653]

Thanks for your post. Confirmed what I suspected.

[@lulugoulart5014]

Thank you for that. You are just confirming what I always thought about her. A great human being!

[@sandyb1464]

@@matd8653 Are you f**King serious?

[@samsong24]

I love this anecdote x

[@simonboccanegra3811]

She visited my town some years ago (around Brokeback Mountain time), and seemingly everyone who encountered her and recognized her had a good experience. Very sweet and kind.

[@alexandraRatliff]

Michele’s performance in blue Valentine is something I always come back to. That movie spoke to me in a way that no film had before and none has since. Truly beautifully written, directed, and performed. Michelle and Ryan did an absolutely incredible job. A movie I can’t help but rewatch over and over

[@lari3966]

She is way overdue for a Academy Award, she is to me the best actress of her generation

[@alenanela1743]

If I’m not mistaken, she won an academy award already!

[@alenanela1743]

OMG SHE HAS NEVER WON AN ACADEMY AWARD! It was a golden globe, I was mistaken!

[@elisam643]

​@Alena nela I know, for some reason I was sure she won an Oscar already?? Like I have a picture in my brain and it's totally made up😅 I'm sure she will get one soon enough, she is so talented

[@65g4]

@@alenanela1743 she should have one hopefully she might win for The Fabelmans.

[@TalkAsSoftAsChalk]

Yess!! For me, it's Michelle and Amy Adams. Leagues above everyone else. And sadly both have yet to win an Oscar.

[@PeaceFan1]

She was BRILLIANT in Brokeback Mountain!!!

[@plasticweapon]

her best.

[@simonboccanegra3811]

Blue Valentine may be her highlight to date, because she and Gosling are so much at the center of it and they're so great. But that big scene in Manchester by the Sea, the encounter on the street...it's as powerful the twelfth time as the first. That would get my vote for her greatest single scene. Randi is such a fully realized character in her limited screen time.

[@amb86]

Cannot agree more, that scene was so moving

[@sunshinecity8351]

Michelle is so composed, eloquent and thoughtful in her answers. She always fascinates me when she gives interviews. A beautiful artist that grows more with each role that she takes on. Utterly perfect in anything she undertakes. Thank you VF for this!

[@arontamas5639]

I wish My week with Marilyn would not have been cut out, that portrayal even with her GG win and Oscar nomination feels so underrated. Glad they left Blue valentine's part, that movie never fails to amaze me even after a decade I saw it. Michelle and Ryan gave, in my humble opinion, their A-game in that movie.

[@TripleC188]

Blue Valentine is devastating and heartbreaking, but I've watched it multiple times because their performances are so wonderful and mesmerizing!

[@jj-if6it]

Blue Valentine is one of my favourite movies of the genre

[@jaredtalbeaux8102]

Not even all her BEST movies were mentioned!!! Thats how good her CV is!!! like My week with Marilyn, All the money in the World, Shutter Island, Station Agent, Im not there. OMG She‘s sooo goood!!!

[@j.cutrone]

Michelle always chooses the best roles. She's so deserving of an Academy Award.

[@joshmerritt4953]

Michelle is incredible in EVERYTHING. It's a shame there's no discussion on 'The Station Agent', but sooo glad we got 'Wendy and Lucy'!

[@Erasureeraser]

Wendy and Lucy was absolutely incredible, one of her most overlooked performance. Maybe The Station Agent wasn't here because her role wasn't even all that big

[@tiananesbitt7156]

She’s so promising 😢

[@amarofpatel]

Exactly. I love that film and it was a great surprise to see her in it after a long absence (for me) post-Dawson's Creek.

[@bodyofhope]

Take This Waltz is one of my favorites, but I didn't see it on the lineup.

[@gracetorre3195]

I didn’t even know about Wendy and Lucy until I saw this interview - so heartbreakingly good.

[@j72726]

i would have loved to hear her talk about shutter island. her performance in that movie was so incredible.

[@Sol-dw1ew]

It's a shame she didn't discuss My Week with Marilyn or Shutter Island, she's great in those movies!

[@deerheart87]

I agree she’s brilliant

[@casckettfriki]

I was sad too. But then you think about her career and you see she has so many amazing performances that we could be an entire week talking with her about her movies.

[@Erasureeraser]

One of the best actress of her generation, so happy to see her breaking down her career. I'll forever so proud to be a fan of her ❤️

[@Cristiggi]

Dawson Leery’s room was pretty much a Steven Spielberg shrine, and Jen Lindley was the apple of his eye… SO, in a weird way, Michelle (Jen) playing Spielberg’s mom just makes perfect sense to me.

[@gisellxe]

yessss I just love how it came back full circle

[@schmarsh]

Best comment. :')

[@Enidscake]

Not surprised her career has excelled, she was a standout in Dawson's creek and has become a versatile, conscientious and talented actress.

[@Erasureeraser]

When it comes to The Greatest Showman, I'm sad that she doesn't get enough appreciation. Especially on her singing, "Tightrope" was one of the movies best songs and Michelle was probably the most underrated singer in the movie compare to everybody else

[@Zanessa757]

I know right, I feel the same. I'm like obsessed w Charity Barnum + her & Hugh's chemistry is 🔥🔥 #JusticeForCharityBarnum

[@jaredtalbeaux8102]

Definitlly one of the best actress out there!!!! She‘s a rare diamond and that diamond deserves an oscar!!!

[@pachanas703]

It's about time she got to do one of these. Probably one of the best actresses of her generation. I think she and Paul Dano were better than Fabelmans deserved, but whatever increases their profile.

[@duanein3d]

I totally get it but I love how 4-time Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams is like “why would Steven Spielberg wanna talk to me?”

[@jazminpolanco3187]

Such an underrated actress

[@amparonarbona5142]

The Blue Valentine segment is pure magic

[@manantial773]

It is criminal to not include My week with Marilyn and Shutter Island, what an incredible career she has.

[@IzabelBabic]

Wish they talked about her role in 2011's Take This Waltz! Highly underrated!!

[@JuiceMyRandomness]

100%

[@jedilazaro07]

She grows so much into each role that she performs in and when you see her in different shoes you think “it’s Michelle!” But you watch her perform and she becomes someone else COMPLETELY; Williams may not be as educated as she says but she really is a true master in the craft. One of the few who’s shown me sidelined how to be or try to be a better actor

[@kianaaherrera]

Jen in a Spielberg movie! Full circle wholesomeness ❤

[@annywind7609]

She should have won an Oscar long time ago! So many incredible and moving performances.

[@MissUnderstood_Mom]

She is one of the very best actors. Blue Valentine is heartbreaking.

[@curtismichael4703]

She elevates every movie that she’s featured in. If she’s in it, I watch it!

[@mariannerady1137]

Love her so much! Have been a fan since Dawson's Creek

[@looney1023]

Would have loved to hear her take on Take This Waltz! Would have been especially interesting given her playing (surface level) similar characters in both that and Fabelmans, and costarring with Seth Rogen in both.

[@CringerKitty]

Same, I really love that movie. And not even a mention of it on her timeline. And yet both Venom movies got mentioned. This was not the best VF Career Breakdown tbh.

[@keeshy]

Yes, that movie is incredible!!

[@johnoconnor4616]

One of my favorite actresses working today 😁😁

[@chasehedges6775]

Absolutely agree with you. She’s fabulous in whatever she’s in.

[@RSB1949]

Ugh she’s magic 🪄

[@Swameh]

First of all this deserves a part two -- she's immaculate

[@suzywade7695]

'Me Without You' - much overlooked and Michelle Williams was pitch perfect in it. I also love her in all her collaborations with Kelly Reichardt.

[@defanged9630]

A wonderful, talented actor with a long list of great performances, many of which have been overlooked in this condensed overview. I'm surprised that She, Ms. Williams links "Wendy and Lucy" to Her "education" on location with "Dawson's Creek". Surely, Her first lead feature role in Sandra Goldbacher's brilliant "Me Without You" (2001) was her first step, with a female director, telling a passionate story about female friendship (ups and downs) over a twentysomething period. In which She nailed an English accent and like Gillian Anderson in Terence Davies' "The House of Mirth" (2000), showed that She wasn't some flash in the pan ingenue. Yes, it didn't do big business (not so important), but it is a key moment in Her creative life. Well I think it is. If You haven't see it. Check it out. If You've ever experienced a very intense friendship/relationship, I think You'll agree that there's a lot of emotional truth on screen.

[@debcollins01]

Michelle is truly one of the greats of our time. Brilliant at her craft.

[@heatherheatherandheather846]

She’s so incredibly talented and underrated. The fact she hasn’t won an Oscar yet is insane

[@caitx1248]

The performance in Blue Valentine is one of the best I’ve ever saw

[@erikbergfeldt4007]

Absolutely love Manchester by the sea!

[@primaprimotv]

Wish she would have talked about her character in I Feel Pretty because she’s amazing in that

[@danieladamico5485]

It's crazy how many great movies she's been in in! Throughout the video I kept thinking "oh, you left out this movie and that movie". Beautiful actress and a great filmography as well.

[@SusanB16]

She has the warmest energy! I loved her performance in Manchester by the Sea ❤❤

[@ldrfan27577]

My Week With Marilyn should have been included. She was so great in that one, she should have won an oscar for that film.

[@wolf_biter]

Fosse/Verdon was incredible. Everyone brought their A game.

[@octosparkTC]

She’s transcendent. A prism. Gifted, and kind. ❤

[@gavinhenderson7250]

Wendy and Lucy is one of the best films ever made.

[@mkrowenp]

They were all so amazing so its difficult to pick a favorite, but for me its Blue Valentine 💙

[@barbiepombo]

I love Michelle's career so much, fan since Dawson's Creek (which I still rewatch to this day) but also of her amazing film career. This woman in so unproblematic, such a chamaleon, so focused, how could you cut off "My week with Marilyn"?? Great film and she's done my favorite Marilyn in film since miss Monroe herself. The one film that did her (MM) most justice. Also, for DC fans: How funny would it be for Dawson to know that Jen lives in a Spielberg film as his mother? Amazing.

[@ruth4137]

A true actress. She always encompasses her character and becomes them. I thought after Dawson creek she would just fade away but she is one of the best

[@aureliajoypae4596]

Nothing about " My week with Marilyn " ? She was so beautiful and charismatic in this movie. Ana de Armas did a great job but Michelle embodied Marilyn Monroe perfectly

[@kauigirl808]

OMG I was googling her and all of a sudden this. Love her!!

[@cristiansalazar4412]

I don't know about you guys but I think lee jung jae, the actor who plays player 456 in squid game, should be invited and should also break down his career because he has been famous in korea since 1994 and it would be interesting to hear him talk about the movies and tv shows he has appeared in . So he could talk about city of the rising sun, sandglass, typhoon, the housemaid, the thieves, New world, assassination, squid game and more.

[@jj-if6it]

She was great as Marilyn and looked and sounded remarkably like her. I feel like people have forgotten about that movie a bit.

[@hanc2w]

She's an incredible actress and she looks like an incredible person too

[@Bamgeutcutiepie]

she is just one of my very favorite actresses ever💕 she is so unique.

[@MichikoOkada]

take this waltz is my favourite film in large part because of her performance, it needs to get more love!!

[@Jumbaride]

I loved her in "I Feel Pretty". 💜

[@StevieCooper]

Omg I had no idea who this actor was until now but WOW! The way she explains her passion and her views. I loved this!

[@jj-if6it]

lol how

[@isabelaxalves]

ela é uma das atrizes mais talentosas dessa geração. Que orgulho dessa mulher ❤❤❤

[@nicolehall694]

I'm going to write this for the crazy, rare chance Ms. Michelle Williams will see this.... She was crazy, unprecedented, incredibly friggin outstanding in Fosse/Verdon. If you've never seen this run, don't walk, to Hulu now. It's beyond worth your time.

[@glenngatlin8475]

I want to see all of her movies!!!

[@blackforest825]

When is Nicole Kidman gonna do one of these? I want her to talk about To Die For, Eyes Wide Shut, Moulin Rouge!, The Others, Dogville, The Hours, Big Little Lies, Lion, Paddington, and The Undoing

[@adrianatdottru]

You guys need to get Radha Mitchell to do one of these !! Love Michelle williams, deserves every award

[@patrickferguson5349]

Let's not forget about her sleeper-hit role as Molly in Halloween H20. Thank you.

[@MediaLover194]

Why did they skip over My Week With Marilyn?

[@mountsinai_]

shutter island too

[@65g4]

One of my favourite actors my god Blue Valentine broke me. She was amazing in Manchester by the Sea and The Fabelmans and My Week With Marilyn.

[@lolamakron7514]

Thank you Vanity Fair for this interview! Michelle Williams is so talanted and so stunning! She deserves an Oscar and I hope she will get it soon!

[@jj-if6it]

I'll have to check out Wendy & Lucy, sounds right up my alley. Had never really heard of it

[@vincentmorris3617]

She is my favorite actor by a mile...every one of these roles is so much better with her in it...thanks for this VF

[@tylerprice7667]

I love Michelle Williams. You should have Frances McDormand!!

[@AlMoSiCe210]

That would be a dream!

[@geoafe66]

More people need to watch Manchester by the Sea

[@jj-if6it]

Aww I wanted to hear her talk about Shutter Island

[@user-pw1zk1ok1o]

michelle williams deserves an oscar

[@airelxo]

Absolutely adored her as Jen lindley 🥺 didn’t like the character at first but towards the end she was my fav

[@Helen-mh8mq]

Oh,Wendy and Lucy!!!!I loved that movie!

[@residentevil4life]

Its interesting how unlike other TV actors turned big movie stars people don't seem to bug Michelle as much by constantly reminding us she got her big break on Dawson's Creek to the point you almost forget,

[@AvecPoesie]

I appreciate that Michelle mentions Dawson's Creek quite a bit on her own with reverence, appreciation, and always an acknowledgement for how much the experience taught her, professionally and personally.

[@itsallanillusion4827]

What a gem she is!

[@EmmaSmith-t3q]

10:10 I AGREEE!! YES PLEASSSEEEEE

[@kimmieremis3180]

Manchester by the sea will haunt me forever

[@delrey874]

She's always been a great actress.

[@ashleyclaunch7966]

My Week With Marilyn was one of her best ever performances. Real shame they cut it.

[@mocowan6642]

She was amazing in Take This Waltz.

[@rmannayr2129]

SHE IS SO TALENTED!

[@4r1777]

She is in so many of my favorite movies. Simply an incredible actress

[@irrumnaaz]

You didn't even include Suite Francaise?? That movie was gorgeous and hugely underrated, she was amazing in it. That's criminal 😑

[@AvecPoesie]

I was quite moved by that film too.

[@sarahgordino6695]

I adore her. All time favourite actress.

[@jaredwalkingeagle]

I cannot believe they skipped over Halloween: H20

[@prdimuzi]

I’m happy to see Wendy and Lucy found enough of an audience to be featured here.

[@Lastofthescofflaws]

I saw Wendy and Lucy. It is still fantastic!

[@singingepi]

Best actress or our generation , hands down. Incredible in everything she’s in.

[@seevanhawkins4591]

Loved her since Dawson’s Creek!

[@georgenassr6133]

i love herrr 😫❤️

[@vipulnarang4295]

She deserves an Oscar for her performance in "The Fabelmans".

[@anderson_ptomaz]

nah... yeoh is better... even cate.

[@jj-if6it]

I love Michelle but I found her performance so awkward!

[@ezekel.4656]

She was just snubbed for a SAG nom. 😖 Hopefully Oscars nominate her

[@anderson_ptomaz]

@@ezekel.4656 i'm not... that's what u get when u try category fraud

[@4512red]

@@anderson_ptomaz Cate maybe. The other - WRONG!

[@alicemestria4373]

Blue Valentine lives in us too, Michelle ❤️❤️❤️

[@rmannayr2129]

MICHELLE IS A BEAUTY!

[@somerset8088]

yes, c’mon! the greatest showman part 2!!

[@marquisstarks9471]

Wonderfully generous Mrs. Williams

[@angelduran7277]

She didn't mention her small roles in Baywatch (1993/1994) and Species (1995).

[@tyke2026]

Love her! Shame Synecdoche, New York wasn’t covered

[@teddybear0473]

absolutely loved her as Glinda....really wish she'd have talked about Oz....

[@enveille3994]

My favorite actress 🥰