Amy Adams is a rare talent I think, one who defies expectations, able to find roles that seem entirely unique in every film she is cast. Think about it. What do you know her from? Maybe you thought of Man of Steel. Or American Hustle. Or Arrival. Or even The Muppets. You get my point. She’s good. Like, very good. With that said, I want to shine a little light on some smaller parts in her filmography and share why her contribution to these films matter. Here’s 3 times Amy Adams made small parts big.
Her (2013)
Writer/director Spike Jonze‘s sci-fi romantic drama Her is a minor masterpiece, the story of a lonely man who falls in love with his advanced computer operating system not only great science fiction, but incredibly insightful and touching. Led by a critically praised performance from Joaquin Phoenix, the story centers on a time in the near future when pocket-sized computers run our daily lives, even more than they do now. The latest features an AI virtual assistant (voiced by Scarlet Johansson), who is for all intents and purposes, human, just without the body. But she’s also more than human, much, much more so, and this becomes the problem.
Either way, while the film is about redefining the the boundaries of what love is, taking us on an exploratory journey with what technology might mean to us in the future, we also meet Amy (Adams), a neighbor of Theodore (Phoenix). We learn they dated briefly years ago in college, but she’s moved on and is now married. Still, they are good friends. She is on the outside of this, watching as Theodore shares his new love, something that isn’t considered all that shocking in the world they live in. In fact, Amy has befriended an AI of her own (which I won’t spoil).
Adams doesn’t have a lot of screen time, and when she does, she is often to the side or subdued, the story less about he bombastic moments we might expect and more concentrated on the smaller cuts of life and love, the slow bleed as it were. I really like the awareness Adams brings to her part, the lived in sort of sensibility that humanity has taken a turn and that no matter the advancements, we are still a critically vulnerable creature. Adams is often lost in the larger visual presence of Her, her almost drab appearance part of the character, but take a closer look at what she offers to Theodore and the story itself.
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Director Mike Nichols‘ comical biography of the titular Wilson (played by Tom Hanks), is not meant to be taken seriously, or even accurately, its take based on real events but skewered to a degree so that history is at the very least, contorted. Either way, while the film wasn’t a huge success, it is a decent watch with some good performances and a biting sense of humor.
The story is complex, centered on Congressman Charlie Wilson. It’s the early 80s and he’s a party legend, allowing his power to give him access to plenty of benefits, including a staff of lovely, buxom, young women. Eventually, he’s brought attention to the trouble in Afghanistan, socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) saying he should use his influence to help. He’s soon embroiled in a battle with the CIA, the Russians, and his own government. It’s funny. But it’s also tense and powerful when it needs to be (thanks a lot to the work of Philip Seymour Hoffman).
Adams is Bonnie Bach, Wilson’s Administrative Assistant and head of the female staff. I absolutely love what Adams does with this small role, almost always off to the side but delivering some of the best lines (and visuals) as she takes direction from Wilson while offering her own acerbic opinion. This is a woman in the middle, able to see and hear it all, recognizing little ways to be part of the process. Watch how Adams gives Brach so much dignity, breathless beauty, and incredible intelligence in every scene she’s in (in a time and place when women in Wilson’s company appear to have none), even at the base of the stairs sucking down a drink (with two olives). Great stuff.
The Fighter (2010)
Director David O. Russell‘s sports biography of American former boxer Micky Ward was a huge box office and critical success, the film focusing much of it time on Ward’s older half-brother Dicky (Christian Bale). While it doesn’t stray too far from what we might expect in the genre, this is a powerfully convincing drama led by a cast that delivers some of the best work of their careers, including a sensational turn from Melissa Leo.
It’s not a stretch to say this boxing movie is like all the rest, with a down on his luck fighter in a tough situation struggling to find himself and punch his way back to the top. The addition of Dicky is the special sauce that helps to elevate the material, his own hardship and spiraling troubles keeping much of the story in conflict. Bale is really effective in an already crowded field, once again transforming himself into a character that will be long remembered as one of his most memorable.
Adams is Charlene Fleming, a former athlete now working as a bartender. She’s spicy, sexy, testy, and headstrong, attracting Micky immediately. They eventually start a relationship and she is central to much of the conflict as Micky’s family feel she’s nothing but a distraction, actively ruining his chances to succeed. Adams leaps into the role, herself transforming into something audience have not seen her do before. Bale, Leo, and Adams all won Academy Awards for their performances, and as such, maybe it’s not fair to call this part small for Adams, but nonetheless, her support in this, even with the screen time she has, is big. I really love the way she centers Charlene, just in your face, commanding, making her choices fun to watch. We don’t really think of Adams in such robust roles, but she grabs hold and delivers. Don’t miss it.