Beginning his professional career in the West End theatre, English actor Eddie Redmayne is mainly known for starring in biopics and blockbusters. The actor’s film career started back in 2006, but he also continued starring in different stage productions from Richard II to Red to Cabaret. Despite earning his breakthrough from different dramas, the general audience knows him best as Newt Scamander from the Fantastic Beasts franchise. He is set to star in yet another biopic alongside Jessica Chastain in Netflix’s The Good Nurse. With all that being said, let’s take a look at the best period drama movies that Redmayne has starred in.
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6 The Danish Girl (2015)
Working Title Films
Directed by Tom Hooper, The Danish Girl is a biographical romantic drama loosely based on the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Redmayne portrays Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender reassignment surgery, while Alicia Vikander plays Redmayne’s partner who supports her wife through the transition. Although the movie received criticism for the inaccurate portrayal of historical events, and Redmayne later regretted taking the role of a transgender when being a cisgender man himself, the period drama still garnered major critical success. In spite of all the external factors, it’s a beautiful piece of media filled with cuteness and intimacy overload.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
5 Les Misérables (2012)
Universal Pictures
Yet again directed by Tom Hooper, Les Misérables is an epic period musical based on a 1980 French musical, which is, in turn, based on a Victor Hugo’s book of the same name. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Redmayne, and more. The plot tells the story of fugitive Jean Valjean (Jackman) who is hunted by policeman Javert (Crowe). Valjean agrees to take care of a factory worker’s (Hathaway) daughter (Seyfried). As for Redmayne, he plays the character of Marius Pontmercy, a student revolutionary who takes part in the June Rebellion of 1832. Redmayne’s acting performance of a man who is part of a student group that wants to change the world received a lot of praise and recognition. He perfectly managed to portray the awkward nature of Pontmercy.
4 The Aeronauts (2019)
Mandeville Films / FilmNation Entertainment
Based on the 2013 book Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air, The Aeronauts is a biographical adventure movie starring Redmayne and Felicity Jones in the lead roles. It tells the story of pilot Amelia Wren (Jones) and scientist James Glaisher, who, despite getting ridiculed, embark on the launch of the biggest hot air balloon ever constructed. Their journey is far from a smooth sailing as we watch them deal with many obstacles to prove their scientific theories of modern day weather forecasting. Per usual, the movie depicts the British Royal Academy of Science as a racist and sexist institution that is way behind in inclusion and acceptance. If you want to watch a good movie with both of the leading actors doing a great job, this one’s for you.
3 The Theory Of Everything (2014)
Once again seeing Redmayne and Jones in the lead roles, The Theory Of Everything is a biographical romantic drama directed by James Marsh. Adapted from Jane Hawking’s memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen about her life with her ex-husband Stephen Hawking, the plot is set on the Cambridge University telling their love story, Hawking’s diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and his successful career in the field of physics. The Academy Award, British Academy Film Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award that Redmayne received for his performance can give you a hint just how outstanding it was. Although some say that Redmayne’s earnest attempts have aged badly, it still does not change the fact that the portrayal of Hawkings’ love and relationship instantly draws out empathy and compassion from the audience.
2 My Week With Marilyn (2011)
TWC
Directed by Simon Curtis, My Week With Marilyn is a biographical movie starring Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, and Redmayne in the lead roles. Depicting the making of a movie called The Prince and the Showgirl with Monroe as the lead actress, it showcases a week of the movie’s production, when Monroe was seen escorted around London by British writer and filmmaker Clark (Redmayne) after her husband departed back to the United States. It shows the conflicts between Monroe and Laurence about professionalism on set and his constant intolerance towards her feelings.
1 The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020)
Netflix
Initially intended to be directed by Steven Spielberg, The Trial of The Chicago 7 landed in the hands of Aaron Sorkin. As a historical legal drama, the movie tells the story of the Chicago Seven, a group of anti-Vietnam protesters who were charged with conspiracy with the intention of inciting riots in 1968 at the Democratic National Convention. Redmayne plays the character of Tom Hayden, the leader of the Students For A Democratic Society. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniel Flaherty, and others were praised for their acting performances and the modern parallels created to 1960s. Despite almost all of it taking place at a courtroom, you won’t be able to take your eyes off of the screen with how amazing the storytelling and cinematography are. You can catch the movie on Netflix.
