After the success of “Harry Potter,” Emma Watson became a goddess to millions of people. However, for a long time, she struggled with other roles to escape the shadow of Hermione. Emma Watson was born on April 15, 1990, in Paris, France. She grew up in a family with both parents being British and working as lawyers. Five years later, Emma Watson moved to Oxfordshire with her mother where she attended Dragon School. At just six years old, she had a dream to become an actress. After performing in school plays, in 1999, Emma Watson received the role of Hermione for life in the blockbuster hit “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001). Based on J.K. Rowling’s novel of the same name, “Harry Potter” has a total of 8 parts and became one of Warner Bros.’ most successful movie franchises of all time. It’s no wonder that the fame of the cast has exceeded the borders of England, including Emma Watson.
Hermione, the adorable witch, has always been Emma Watson. In 1999, the production of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2011) began. Emma Watson was discovered by the casting team through her drama teacher at Oxford. After eight auditions, producer David Heyman announced the selection of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint for the roles of Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley, respectively. Critics praised Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and the performances of the lead actors. The Daily Telegraph described Emma Watson’s performance as “fantastic.” She received five nominations at various awards for her role as Hermione in the film and ultimately won the Young Artist Award. Emma Watson continued to act in the Harry Potter franchise for the next 10 years.
It’s possible that I’ll be 100 years old and sitting on a swing, but I’ll still be proud to be a part of Harry Potter,” said Emma Watson. Hermione has brought a dazzling glow to Emma Watson for nearly 15 years, but that doesn’t mean the beautiful actress hasn’t delivered outstanding performances in Harry Potter. While her acting skills may not be as impressive as her stunning appearance, the character of the witch Hermione is undeniably beautiful, charming, and fascinating. If Lily Collins had been cast in this role, everything would have still been fine. The daughter of singer Phil Collins may not be highly regarded for her acting abilities, but her facial expressions are more diverse than Emma Watson’s. The glow at that time would have moved from “Beauty” to “Snow White.” Everything about Emma Watson is perfect, except her acting. Emma Watson is cute, intelligent, humble, has a sense of style, and avoids controversy. In addition, the beauty often makes personality statements that inspire others, such as “Don’t feel stupid when you don’t like what everyone else likes” or “The saddest thing for a girl is to torment herself for some guy.” It’s easy to understand why Emma Watson is considered one of the most beloved actresses by young people around the world. She’s almost perfect, except for her acting skills.
Emma Watson is almost perfect according to many, but unfortunately most of her roles after Harry Potter have not left a lasting impression. In My Week with Marilyn (2011), directed by Simon Curtis and nominated for two Oscars, she played the role of Lucy, a girl working in a costume shop, but her character seemed only to serve as a background for Michelle Williams’ portrayal of Marilyn Monroe. The same thing happened in Noah (2014), a biblical epic directed by Darren Aronofsky, where the beauty couldn’t compete with seasoned actors Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. It’s sad to say that Emma Watson sometimes gives the impression that she could be replaced by any other actress.
Emma Watson’s first R-rated film was “My Week with Marilyn.” However, it was in 2012’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” where Watson marked another important milestone in her acting career before the movie “Noah.” Directed by Stephen Chbosky, the film is set in the 90s and follows the struggles of young people during that time. Despite not being highly praised compared to her co-stars Ezra Miller and Logan Lerman, Watson did a relatively good job of portraying Sam, a girl who represents the youth that must navigate the difficulties of growing up. Sam also carried within her a conflicting charm: beautiful and liberated on the outside, but deeply sad within.
Emma Watson played a significant role in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” but she hasn’t had as many breakthroughs as Kristen Stewart, who has made notable advancements since the “Twilight” series. After “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” in 2012, Stewart took a break from the big screen and surprised fans with her impressive comeback. In 2014, the actress starred in three highly acclaimed films: “Camp X-Ray,” “Clouds of Sils Maria,” and “Still Alice.” Her performances received numerous positive reviews from film enthusiasts.
Initially, Kristen Stewart wasn’t recognized as a talented actress. However, her role in Camp X-Ray showcased her extraordinary acting skills as she played the character of Cole, a dusty soldier who forms an unusual friendship with a prisoner named Ali in a notorious detention camp. Her performance in this movie was so captivating that people almost forgot her bland portrayal of Bella Swan. Soon after, she acted alongside Juliette Binoche in Clouds of Sils Maria and won the Best Supporting Actress award from the French Academy. She became the first American actress to receive the César award. It seems like Kristen Stewart is finally breaking free from the shadow of her past Twilight movies and the lackluster character of Bella. Despite the negative feelings towards her due to the quality of the Twilight series and her portrayal of Bella, Kristen Stewart has made significant progress in her career and deserves recognition for her achievements. Regardless of her personal life controversies, let’s acknowledge Kristen Stewart for her talent and progress.
Despite not having a breakthrough role, Emma Watson has made noticeable progress since the “Twilight” series. She is not content with being typecast and always strives to reinvent herself. This is evident in the diverse range of films she has been a part of. After starring in biographical, entertainment, crime, comedy, and epic genres, the actress decided to take on a horror film called “Regression” (2015). The story follows detective Bruce Kenner as he investigates the case of sexual abuse involving the Gray family. Watson portrays Angela Gray, a complex character who serves as the key to unlocking the mystery in the film. She captivates the audience with her portrayal of a fragile-looking, vulnerable daughter with a deeply sinister agenda. Through this performance, Emma Watson showcases her maturity as an actress and proves that she is more than just a pretty face on screen.
Emma Watson successfully holds her own against Ethan Hawke in the film “Regression.” It’s reminiscent of a line from David Lynch’s Mulholland Dr. (2001), where Naomi Watts’ character Betty says, “Of course, I want to be a great actress, not just a movie star. But sometimes people end up being both.” This haunting dialogue reminds us of actors who tirelessly strive for their art.
Emma Watson, Lily Collins, and Kristen Stewart are all movie stars. However, there is a vast difference between a movie star and a talented actor, let alone a great one. Narrowing this gap requires constant learning and relentless effort from artists. Emma Watson is demonstrating her desire to be recognized as a talented actor rather than just a beautiful actress, or perhaps both. Her statement in the past, “I never act for money,” and her efforts over time have proven everything.
