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Its not that Im not in touch with my feelings.
Its that Im scared of what happens when I show them, she said.
For an actor, thats crazy!
What a cruel profession for somebody like me.
I didnt choose it.
I was 3 years old.
I got picked because I was willing.
A lot of people are made to be an actor on a cellular level.
They cant wait to cry their eyes out in front of everyone.
Its ultimately death and being alone.
The meaning of life.
All of those big things that would seem obnoxious if I went on about them.
A Jodie Foster heroine often has to go it alone.
Her characters are unflappable because they have no other choice.
Life has taught them to keep their guard up.
Below, we rank 33 of Fosters most memorable performances.
She didnt choose to be an actor, but theres no denying shes a natural.
The womens rapport makes you wish theyd all had a proper movie to star in together.
Alas, that has yet to happen.
30.Elysium(2013)
In recent years, Foster has gravitated toward playing eccentric supporting characters.
Her role inElysiumis what happens when that strategy goes badly.
(Wouldnt want any dirty commoners like Matt Damons lowly hero ruining the place, right?)
Theres no real wit or menace to the performance, although her hair looks amazing in the film.
(One thing, though: What is that accent supposed to be that shes doing?)
29.Hotel Artemis(2018)
LikeElysium, this is Foster trying on some quirks for size.
InHotel Artemis, she plays the Nurse, who runs the titular hotel.
(It onlylookslike a hotel, though its really a hospital that specializes in patching up bad guys.)
28.Nell(1994)
How much do you blame Foster forNell?
Fosters good in the part, but shes also too good for the part.
But to be fair, this is a movie where she wakes up to a seal kissing her.
(Available to rent on Amazon.)
Foster brings her usual intelligence and steeliness, butThe Mauritanianisnt to her level.
Its fun to watch her do this sort of semi-action movie, but its a lot of effort wasted.
Is Foster superior to the material?
Thats the least Jodie Foster decision we can imagine which, honestly, is probably why she did it.
It helps to have an actress as invested as Foster: She elevates the material by her very presence.
And you know what?
The ending gets us every time.
Were not above it either.
(Oh, also, this takes place during the civil-rights movement.
Clearly, there is alotgoing on in this thing.
Foster was so good at this time that even when she was considering retiring, she was collecting awards.
The movie dares you to loathe Nyad, but Foster helps explain why you ultimately respect her.
10.Contact(1997)
I dont find many movies I love, Fostersaidaround the release ofContact.
I have to have some acute personal connection with the material.
And thats pretty hard for me to find.
Are we alone in the cosmos?
When the movie gets a little dippy, she grounds the proceedings in something crushingly real.
This was the work of a major comedic star, one who was only 13.
Shes a hoot, start to finish.
Adult actresses have been trying to do what Foster does effortlessly here their entire careers.
The great exception is Madeleine White, the calculating fixer in Spike Lees underrated crime thriller.
(Who knows: She actually might.)
Its a cocky performance, and Foster has an absolute blast in the part.
Id just been asked to be myself.
But there was no guarantee shed get to play the rape survivor Sarah.
Everybody wanted the part, everybody, sheonce said.
So it took a lot of door-banging for anyone to be interested in me.
(Perfect timing:Clariceis now a CBS drama.)
Thrillers arent supposed to be this emotional.
Horror films arent meant to be this stirring.
