Midwinter Break Extends Lesley Manville’s Acting Reign

Adapted from Bernard MacLaverty’s acclaimed novel, Polly Findlay’s debut feature, Midwinter Break, stars Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds as a couple from Belfast who suddenly must reconsider their lives and relationship during a trip to Amsterdam. To register the depth of years lived together in a single movement or moment of silence, the filmmakers needed actors of extraordinary ability. Describing Manville, who is able to “hold the full weight of the character’s interior life,” Findlay says in the production notes, “She has an absolute truthfulness combined with startling transparency.”

 Manville’s performance in Midwinter Break is only the latest in a series of roles in both film and television that have made her, according to Acting Magazine, “one of the finest actresses of her generation.” To showcase her remarkable range, we are spotlighting four of her recent films.

Get tickets for Midwinter Break—now playing in theaters!

Phantom Thread

In Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread, Manville plays Cyril, the no-nonsense businesswoman who runs “The House of Woodcock,” the elite atelier of her brother, Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), one of London’s most sought-after fashion designers. During production, Manville worked with Day-Lewis to create an intricate backstory to define the siblings’ complex bond. Manville told New York Magazine, “They’re equal in their contributions, it’s just that his contribution is artistic and more visible, while hers is utterly practical. She’s the heartbeat, keeping the business alive.” Manville was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for capturing the proprietary nature of Cyril.  For The Playlist, Manville “steals the show; she sips tea as she drops the most British of shade, as if to spit her venom into her cup before drinking it back down.” 

Watch Phantom Thread now on iTunes or Amazon

Let Him Go

In Thomas Bezucha’s Let Him Go, Manville plays Blanche Weboy, the iron-fisted matriarch of a family who has kidnapped the only grandson of a retired sheriff, George Blackledge (Kevin Costner), and his wife, Margaret (Diane Lane). When the couple travel to North Dakota to challenge the Weboys’ claim on the boy, they must face off with the indomitable Manville. “Styled like a faded ’50s bombshell with a bite that’s as bad as her bark. Like all good villains, she’s used minimally…devouring her prickly dialogue while amplifying her room-stopping death stare from Phantom Thread tenfold – and then some,” writes The Guardian.

Watch Let Him Go now on iTunes or Amazon

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

In Anthony Fabian’s Academy Award®-nominated Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Lesley Manville plays the title character, a London charwoman whose decision to buy a Dior gown sends her to Paris for the adventure of her life. Manville’s sunny performance not only lit up the French fashion scene but the hearts of film audiences everywhere. Collider writes, “Manville’s Mrs. Harris is an absolute delight to spend time with, a respite from the usual darkness of the world, and a light in a world that too often shows its darkness.” And the Hollywood Reporter writes, “this is Manville’s film, a too-rare star vehicle in which one of England’s most invaluable actors carries us effortlessly on the wings of Mrs. Harris’ dream of egalitarian elegance.” Manville was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her charming performance.

Watch Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris now on iTunes or Amazon.

Back to Black

In Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Back to Black, Manville plays Cynthia Levy, the beloved grandmother of Amy Winehouse (Marisa Abela). As a former jazz singer, Cynthia offers the up-and-coming star a personal connection to the musicians who would define her breakthrough style. Even more, she provided Winehouse with a caring role model. Rolling Stone UK writes, “the emphasis is firmly on familial love, which leads to moving scenes between Abela and Lesley Manville, who plays the grandmother Amy adores.”

Watch Back to Black now!