Marisa Tomei’s Best Roles
Marisa Tomei has built an impressive and enduring career in Hollywood, celebrated for her remarkable range and the vibrant energy she brings to every performance. She first captured the world’s attention with a star-making role that quickly led to an Academy Award, establishing her as a formidable talent. Since then, she has consistently proven her versatility, moving effortlessly between hilarious comedies, intense dramas, and blockbuster franchises with equal skill.
What truly sets her apart is her ability to craft characters that feel authentic and deeply human. Whether she is in a leading role or a memorable supporting part, she brings a unique blend of warmth, wit, and vulnerability to the screen. Her filmography is a testament to her dedication, showcasing a career filled with critically acclaimed performances that have solidified her place as one of the most respected actors of her generation.
‘My Cousin Vinny’ (1992)
In this classic comedy, Marisa Tomei plays Mona Lisa Vito, the smart and outspoken fiancée of a novice lawyer from Brooklyn named Vinny Gambini. She travels with him to rural Alabama, where he must defend his cousin in a murder trial. Lisa is a scene-stealer with her bold fashion, sharp wit, and unwavering confidence in Vinny even when no one else has any.
Her character is far more than just comedic relief, as her encyclopedic knowledge of cars, gained from her family of mechanics, becomes indispensable to the case. Her expert testimony during the film’s climax is a legendary movie moment that showcases her character’s hidden brilliance. The role earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
‘Chaplin’ (1992)
She portrays Mabel Normand, a real-life silent film star and director who played a significant role in Charlie Chaplin’s early career. The film chronicles Chaplin’s life, and her character appears in the section detailing his start at Keystone Studios. Mabel is depicted as a talented and established star who initially clashes with the newcomer.
Despite their early friction, Mabel becomes one of Chaplin’s first mentors in the world of filmmaking, teaching him the craft and becoming a close collaborator and love interest. Her character provides a glimpse into the creative and chaotic environment of early Hollywood and her influence on one of cinema’s greatest icons.
‘Untamed Heart’ (1993)
She stars as Caroline, a compassionate and cheerful waitress who works the night shift at a Minneapolis diner. Her life takes a turn after she is attacked on her way home from work and saved by Adam, the quiet and reclusive busboy from the diner. A gentle romance begins to blossom between the two.
Caroline finds herself drawn to Adam’s mysterious nature and kindness, and she works to bring him out of his shell. She soon learns about his traumatic past and his sincere belief that he was given a baboon’s heart as a child. Her character’s unwavering acceptance and love for Adam drive this touching and unconventional love story.
‘Slums of Beverly Hills’ (1998)
She plays Rita Abromowitz, the free-spirited and emotionally unstable cousin of the film’s teenage protagonist, Vivian. After leaving a rehabilitation facility, Rita moves in with Vivian’s family in their small apartment on the fringes of Beverly Hills. She brings a whirlwind of adult drama and worldly experience into the teenager’s life.
Rita’s character acts as a complicated mentor figure for Vivian, offering misguided advice on everything from boys to womanhood. Despite her own struggles, she tries to guide her younger cousin through the confusing journey of adolescence. Her presence highlights the chaotic yet loving dynamic of the eccentric family.
‘What Women Want’ (2000)
She appears as Lola, a charming and slightly eccentric coffee shop attendant who catches the attention of Nick Marshall, an advertising executive who can suddenly hear women’s inner thoughts. Lola is one of the first women Nick attempts to woo using his newfound psychic ability, thinking he can easily win her over.
Her character becomes a key part of Nick’s journey as he learns to genuinely understand and respect women instead of just manipulating them. Their interactions are filled with comedic moments as Nick tries to act on her thoughts, eventually leading to a real connection that helps him become a better person.
‘In the Bedroom’ (2001)
She delivers a powerful dramatic performance as Natalie Strout, a single mother navigating a complicated life in a small coastal town in Maine. She is separated from her menacing husband and has fallen in love with a younger man, Frank, whose parents disapprove of their relationship.
The story takes a devastating turn when a violent confrontation leads to tragedy, shattering the lives of both families. Her portrayal of a woman consumed by grief, guilt, and fear is deeply moving and central to the film’s exploration of loss and revenge. The role earned her a second Academy Award nomination.
‘Anger Management’ (2003)
She plays Linda, the loving and patient girlfriend of Dave Buznik, a mild-mannered man who is wrongly sentenced to anger management therapy. It is Linda who encourages him to see the therapist, Dr. Buddy Rydell, hoping it will help him be more assertive.
Linda’s well-intentioned plan backfires as Dr. Rydell’s methods prove to be increasingly bizarre and intrusive, pushing Dave to his breaking point. She becomes a central figure in the therapist’s chaotic exercises, which test her relationship with Dave in a series of hilarious and escalating situations.
‘Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead’ (2007)
She plays Gina Hanson, the wife of a real estate executive who is secretly embezzling money from his company. When his schemes fall apart, he persuades his younger brother to help him rob their parents’ jewelry store, a decision that leads to disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
Gina’s character is trapped in an unhappy marriage and is also having an affair with her husband’s brother, placing her at the center of the family’s web of deceit. She is both a victim of and a participant in the lies that ultimately lead to betrayal and violence in this dark and intense crime thriller.
‘The Wrestler’ (2008)
She stars as Cassidy, a single mother who works as an exotic dancer to support her son. She forms a fragile friendship with Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a professional wrestler well past his prime who is a regular at the club where she works. Like Randy, her character is grappling with the physical and emotional toll of her profession.
Cassidy, whose real name is Pam, acts as a source of emotional support for Randy, encouraging him to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Their relationship is one of the few genuine connections in his lonely life. This raw and heartfelt performance earned her a third Academy Award nomination.
‘Cyrus’ (2010)
She portrays Molly, a funny and charming single mother who starts a new relationship with John, a man struggling with loneliness after his divorce. Their connection seems promising, but John soon discovers that Molly has an unusually close and co-dependent relationship with her adult son, Cyrus.
Molly’s character is caught in the middle of a passive-aggressive battle between her new boyfriend and her son, who is determined to sabotage the relationship. The film explores this awkward and uncomfortable dynamic, with Molly trying to balance her love for her son with her chance at a new romantic life.
‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.’ (2011)
She appears in a highly memorable supporting role as Kate Tafferty, a teacher who has a wild night with Cal Weaver shortly after he separates from his wife. She meets him at a bar and takes him home, where her emotional and unfiltered personality leads to a hilarious and awkward encounter.
The story takes another comedic turn when Cal discovers that Kate is his son’s eighth-grade teacher. This connection leads to a painfully funny parent-teacher conference where their secret is almost revealed. Her character provides one of the film’s biggest laughs and most cringe-worthy moments.
‘The Ides of March’ (2011)
She plays Ida Horowicz, a seasoned and cynical political journalist for The New York Times. Her character is covering a tight presidential primary race and is constantly on the hunt for a breaking story that could change the election’s outcome. She is sharp, persistent, and understands the inner workings of politics.
Ida becomes a pivotal figure when a junior campaign manager makes a critical mistake, giving her the leverage she needs. She represents the powerful and often ruthless role the media plays in shaping political narratives, serving as a major obstacle for the campaign team in this tense political drama.
‘The Big Short’ (2015)
She portrays Cynthia Baum, the wife of Mark Baum, a hedge fund manager who becomes convinced that the U.S. housing market is on the verge of collapse. While her screen time is limited, her character provides crucial insight into the personal life and emotional state of her husband.
Through their conversations, the audience sees the human side of the financial crisis. Cynthia acts as a grounding force for Mark, who is haunted by a family tragedy and consumed by his work. Her role helps to humanize the complex world of finance and illustrates the personal toll of his high-stakes bet against the economy.
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
She offers a fresh and modern take on the character of May Parker, the aunt and guardian of Peter Parker. In this version, Aunt May is younger and more active in Peter’s life, though she is initially unaware that her teenage nephew is the superhero Spider-Man. She is portrayed as a caring, witty, and sometimes embarrassing parental figure.
Her primary role is to provide a stable and loving home for Peter, helping him navigate the normal challenges of high school while he secretly battles villains. Her discovery of his secret identity at the end of the film creates a major turning point for their relationship and sets up future storylines in the series.
‘The King of Staten Island’ (2020)
She plays Margie Carlin, the devoted and overworked mother of Scott, a young man struggling with arrested development after the death of his firefighter father. Margie is an emergency room nurse who has dedicated her life to her children but finally decides it is time to start living for herself.
Her decision to start dating again for the first time in years sets the film’s main conflict in motion, forcing Scott to confront his unresolved grief and lack of direction. Her character is the emotional heart of the story, portraying a resilient and compassionate mother who is trying to find happiness while guiding her son toward maturity.
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