Following the recent news of legendary actress Diane Keaton’s passing at 79, we look back at her phenomenal career. With over a hundred memorable appearances in film and television, Keaton firmly established herself as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile talents. Her journey to stardom truly blossomed in the late 1970s.
She captivated audiences and critics alike, earning an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978 for her unforgettable role in ‘Annie Hall,’ with three additional Oscar nominations throughout her illustrious career for ‘Reds’ (1982), ‘Marvin’s Room’ (1997), and ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (2004). While her dramatic prowess was undeniable, it was often her extraordinary comedic timing that won the hearts of many, starring in hits like ‘Father of the Bride,’ ‘The First Wives Club,’ and ‘Finding Dory.’ To honor her incredible legacy, we’ve curated a list of five essential Diane Keaton films, all ready for you to stream.
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s monumental gangster saga introduced us to Diane Keaton as Kay Adams, the unassuming WASP outsider who inadvertently finds herself entwined with the powerful Corleone family. As Michael Corleone’s second wife, her character’s journey culminates in that haunting final scene, where a slowly closing door unmistakably signals Michael’s true allegiances. In a revelation she shared with People magazine in 2022, Keaton admitted to accepting the role without ever having read Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel. ‘I auditioned for ‘The Godfather,’ not having ever read ‘The Godfather’ or caring about ‘The Godfather’ or anything, because all I was doing was auditioning,’ she recounted. ‘I needed to get work.’ She would go on to portray Kay Corleone in all three iconic ‘Godfather’ films.
This film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase on various platforms.
‘Annie Hall’ (1977)
This Woody Allen-directed masterpiece, a Best Picture Oscar winner, brilliantly explores the highs and lows of a modern romance. Keaton shines as Annie Hall, a charming nightclub singer navigating a complex relationship with comedian Alvy Singer (played by Allen). The New York Times critic-at-large A.O. Scott once lauded it as ‘one of the funniest movies ever made about romantic love,’ even while noting its departure from conventional romantic comedy tropes. Keaton’s singular performance earned her only Academy Award, and her acceptance speech, ‘Well then, this is terrific. It’s simply terrific,’ perfectly encapsulated her delightful, offbeat persona. Speaking to The New York Times in 1977, Keaton expressed her joy, stating that what ‘really thrilled me about ‘Annie Hall’ was that I was able to sing in it.’ Indeed, her character’s renditions of ‘Seems Like Old Times’ and ‘It Had to Be You’ remain unforgettable. In her memoir, ‘Then Again,’ Keaton affectionately described the role as a ‘breeze’ to perform.
This film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase on various platforms.
‘Reds’ (1981)
In this ambitious, sprawling drama — a film that stretches beyond three hours — Keaton delivers a ‘splendid’ performance, as hailed by Vincent Canby in his 1981 review for The Times. She portrays Louise Bryant, a fiercely independent and unpredictable woman who leaves her husband in Portland, Oregon, to join radical journalist John Reed (played by director and co-writer Warren Beatty) in the vibrant intellectual circles of Greenwich Village, all against the backdrop of the Bolshevik Revolution. Canby declared it ‘the best work she has done to date,’ and this luminous portrayal earned Keaton her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
This film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase on various platforms.
‘Marvin’s Room’ (1996)
Adapted from Scott McPherson’s 1991 play and directed by Jerry Zaks, this poignant coming-of-age drama traces the divergent lives of two sisters: Lee, played by Meryl Streep, and Bessie, portrayed by Keaton. Bessie sacrifices her own life to care for their ailing father, while Lee has largely detached herself from the family. A devastating leukemia diagnosis for Bessie eventually forces a bittersweet family reunion after years of estrangement. A 1996 review from The Times praised Keaton’s ‘lovely’ performance, noting how she worked ‘wonders’ to elevate Bessie beyond a mere symbol of noble sacrifice. This heartfelt role secured Keaton yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
This film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase on various platforms.
‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (2003)
In this delightful romantic comedy, Keaton’s performance was celebrated by The Times as an ‘unparalleled comic skill’ showcase. She plays a successful middle-aged playwright who unexpectedly falls for an aging bachelor (Jack Nicholson) accustomed to dating much younger women. The film highlights her ability to craft a character that is ‘at once entirely coherent and dizzyingly unpredictable.’ Despite her initial skepticism that the film would fail, Keaton later confessed in her memoir that ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ had become her ‘favorite film.’ Unsurprisingly, this role also earned her an Academy Award nomination.
This film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase on various platforms.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the year that ‘Annie Hall’ was released. It was 1977, not 1978.
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