One of the most decorated and prestigious actors to have ever come from Australia and a true Hollywood legend in his own right, Geoffrey Rush has enjoyed a sublime career. After toiling away through the '70s and '80s, he landed his breakthrough role in 1996’s Shine, excelling in a lead performance that earned him an Academy Award. From there, he has gone from strength to strength, appearing in everything from critically revered sleeper hits to major blockbuster triumphs.
A deep dive into the depraved mind of de Sade, Quills flaunts a sexual openness that can make it a difficult viewing, particularly with some of its more violent scenes. Still, Philip Kaufman intelligently uses provocative material to spur contemplation rather than shallow excitement. Rush received an Oscar nomination for his lead performance, while Winslet and Phoenix earned praise for their trademark brilliance.
Using insinuations and suspicious characters to emphasize its core message of trust, betrayal, and forgiveness, Lantana represents Australian cinema at its most bold and ambitious. Ultimately thriving as a delightful, witty, and visually sublime period rom-com, Shakespeare in Love became one of the biggest hits of its year, winning seven Academy Awards and grossing $289.3 million worldwide. Geoffrey Rush was nominated for his portrayal of Philip Henslowe, Shakespeare’s employer and owner of The Rose Theatre, while Paltrow and Judi Dench won Oscars for their respective performances.
Firth, who won the Oscar for Best Lead Actor, was particularly brilliant, portraying King George as a deeply relatable and anxious man whose abrasive traits shelter a rooted self-doubt and vulnerability. The blossoming of the friendship between him and Logue, while progressing with predictable beats, is a touching and sincere display that brings a refreshing honesty to the story.