10 Best Female Monologues From Movies

The most famous of film monologues are predominantly spoken by men, but that doesn't mean women haven't had their fair share at the thespian center stage, so here is a list of the 10 best female monologues from movies. Indeed, some of the greatest monologues in the history of movies are delivered by actors; however, there are many instances in movie history where great actresses have delivered some stirring speeches. Filled with raw emotion and pathos, here are the best female monologues.

1. Faye Dunaway from "Mommie Dearest" Okay, so this is a film that has not received much critical acclaim. In fact, it has quite clearly settled itself in the negative end of the spectrum. Despite this, Faye Dunaway truly delivers an effective performance as Joan Crawford, especially in the delivery of her monologue. Many say she was chewing scenery, but nonetheless, it cannot be denied her words and the tone of her words are powerfully conveyed.
2. Vivien Leigh from "Gone with the Wind" By the end of this classic, Clark Gable has the final word, but preceding that infamous conclusion, Vivian Leigh herself gives a strong performance as evidenced by her monologue.
3. Ellen Burstyn from "Requiem for a Dream" This is not a pleasant film. "Requiem for a Dream" is a brilliant film, but its subject matter and depiction of characters who can be described as nothing less than broken provide for some challenging material. However, it is these lost individuals who provide moviegoers with some powerful and insightful character studies and Ellen Burstyn's blistering monologue is evidence of exactly that.
4. Zelda Rubinstein from "Poltergeist" This may seem like an odd choice, but when Zelda Rubinstein is dishing out her absorbing ideas about the supernatural, it is not to scare us, but to mystify us about the mysteries we clamor to learn more about. Indeed, the delivery of her monologue is the best special effect in a film full of them.
5. Renee Zellweger from "Down With Love" In the final act of this movie, Renee Zellweger looks into the camera and for what seems like an eternity, she pours her soul in a single shot that does not cutaway. Within this shot, Zellwegger conveys a series of emotions effortlessly without ceasing the delivery of her humorous and effective monologue.
6. Julianne Moore from "Magnolia" Towards the end of this picture, all the characters in "Magnolia" experience an epiphany in one form or another. Julianne Moore's character has been presented throughout the movie as an emotionally turbulent individual and when she finally breaks down and spills her guts, it makes for a compelling moment.
7. Joan Allen from "The Contender" Joan Allen was nominated for an Oscar in this political drama where her vice-presidential contender is accused of scandalous actions and when she proclaims her defense to the contrary, we're all ears.
8. Uma Thurman from "Kill Bill: Vol. 2 At the start of the second volume of "Kill Bill," Uma Thurman looks into the camera while driving behind the wheel of a car. She speaks directly to us and describes the details of her gory mission. She finally declares that she is going to "Kill Bill" and we know she means business.
9. Hillary Swank from "Million Dollar Baby" Monologues tend to be even more resonant when the character speaking is being self-deprecating. When that character's self-deprecation is not intended to be humorous, it hits us even harder like punch to the gut, no pun intended. Hillary Swank lays all the cards of her life out on the table for us in her stinging declarations in "Million Dollar Baby" and she won an Oscar for it.
10. Rosemary Harris from "Spider-Man 2" Okay, so it's a comic book movie with wall to wall special effects. That's alright because these effects are secondary to the human element in this wonderful film, the most amazing of which is the character of Aunt May played by the wonderful Rosemary Harris. At the onset of the last act, when she gives her moving opinion about real heroism, it's both poignant and effective.