Maggie Smith has had a long and successful career in movies. She has been nominated for six Academy Awards and has won once, in 1969. She has played characters in different movies — from historical dramas to the Harry Potter series.
She has won all three major acting awards: an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony. Smith’s performances are funny and tough, and she continues to be a figure in the movie industry. Her movies are definitely worth watching for any movie fan.
Sister
In the 1990s movie Sister Act, Smith delivers a memorable performance as the strict convent leader. She shelters Whoopi Goldberg’s character, a lively lounge singer in witness protection, after witnessing a mob murder. Smith’s portrayal of the prim and proper Mother Superior contrasts humorously with Goldberg’s vibrant and edgy character.
Sister Act is a heartwarming and entertaining movie, with Smith’s exceptional acting contributing significantly to its enduring popularity. The film led to a sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and received recognition with NAACP Image and People’s Choice Awards. While Maggie Smith excels in diverse roles in this film, it’s not her most dramatic performance and doesn’t rank among her best.
The Harry Potter Series
Maggie Smith is best known for playing Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies. Her portrayal of the stern but endearing head of Gryffindor house and transfiguration professor leaves a lasting impression. Her character’s multifaceted nature is established in the first film, and over the subsequent seven movies, Smith skillfully allows the character’s softer side to emerge. However, she doesn’t get enough screen time for Harry Potter to rank higher among her best movies.
The Lady In The Van
The Lady in the Van tells the true story of Miss Mary Shepherd, a homeless woman who parks her van in playwright Alan Bennett’s driveway for 15 years. Smith does a great job capturing Miss Shepherd’s unusual behavior, showing her as guarded and mysterious, hinting at a hidden past. Smith’s acting earned her a ninth Golden Globe nomination. Despite Shepherd’s difficult personality, Maggie Smith gives the character depth and likability. This performance is charming enough to make The Lady in the Van one of her top 10 movies, but she has had so many other great performances that it doesn’t quite make it into the top five.
Travels With My Aunt
The movie “Travels with My Aunt” was a turning point in Smith’s career. In the film, she plays the eccentric character Aunt Augusta Bertram, who takes her nephew on a global adventure. This role showcased Smith’s comedic talents and her ability to bring a flamboyant character to life. It earned her a well-deserved third Academy Award nomination and a second Golden Globe nomination. Despite this being one of her top performances, some of her later movies are even more memorable. It is one of the Maggie Smith movies.
California Suite
Maggie Smith’s performance as Diana Barrie in California Suite is considered one of her best. The movie tells four stories of guests at a fancy California resort. In the film, Diana, a British actress, deals with a failed awards ceremony and her marriage to a closeted gay man, played by Michael Caine. Smith’s performance won her both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Her comedic timing is excellent, and her chemistry with Caine, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, and Elaine May adds depth to the film.
Gosford Park
Smith’s performance in the movie Gosford Park is a great example of delivering clever and sharp remarks. She received her sixth Oscar nomination and seventh Golden Globe film nomination for this role. The movie is an intelligent murder mystery set in a country house and features a talented cast including Alan Bates, Eileen Atkins, and Helen Mirren.
In this movie, Maggie Smith played the role of the countess and it was a significant moment in her career, hinting at the iconic character she would later portray in Downton Abbey. Even years later, Gosford Park remains a delightful watch, and Smith’s portrayal of Countess Constance Trentham is considered one of her best performances.
