10 Best Actresses 2008

The 10 best actresses 2008 made deep and lasting impressions on us all. Some, like Meryl Streep, are well known. Others, like Sally Hawkins, are performers you really need to know more about.

1. Kate Winslet - The Reader. Wonderful in this film, she was also in Revolutionary Road in 2008. She's one of the best working actresses out there, and 2008 found her at the top of her game.
2. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married. Sure, she also got a lot of yucks for Get Smart that year but in "Rachel Getting Married", Hathaway plays the difficult role of someone struggling with addiction. It is not a role in which her looks are played up, but is instead a true, honest portrayal of someone struggling with her demons.
3. Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. While Brad Pitt received much of the attention for this time-twisting tale, let's do not forget Blanchett. She is excellent here, as always.
4. Sally Hawkins - Happy Go Lucky. Some may have missed this Mike Leigh directed film starring Sally Hawkins. Hawkins demonstrates that it's just as hard to play a happy-all-the-time kinda gal, as it is to act sad; she's funny, a little bit. Most of all, Hawkins' character is simply glad to be alive. And to translate that emotion to the big screen is a whole lot harder than it looks.
5. Angelina Jolie - Changeling. Nobody looks for missing family members more often than Jolie, it seems. Much like in "A Mighty Heart" in 2007, Jolie searches for someone special -- this time, it's her son. Art imitates life, eh? Jolie is often seeking orphaned children when she's not making movies.
6. Meryl Streep - Doubt. Meryl Streep is not only amazing in Doubt, but she's one of the most consistent performers in Hollywood. When was the last time you saw Streep act badly? That's a trick question; she's never been bad.
7. Kate Beckinsale - Nothing But the Truth. Sure, the actress can do the blockbuster. But this is an indie film, which shows a more intimate side of her personality. She was one of the best actresses in 2008, without a lot of car crashes and explosions to help her cause.
8. Elizabeth Banks - Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Granted, this is not the most flattering film title. But Banks excels with this one. But shining in 2008, this is one actress that will never need to turn to real porno.
9. Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading. This is an unsung Coen Brothers 2008 film. And that's too bad because McDormand is great as an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances. It proves she can also play dumb, too.
10. Michelle Williams - Wendy and Lucy. This is a buddy film (about a girl and her dog) that is both sweet and uplifting. They say an actor should never work with animals. They usually get upstaged. Not here, however, this actress broke that rule in 2008 and succeeded. Michelle seems to thrive in the world of independent films and this is one of her best roles.