Film icon Meryl Streep plays legendary culinary star, Julia Child, in this 2009 dramedy directed by Nora Ephron. The screenplay is based on two books, including Childs’ autobiography, and tells the story of a young Julia Child, along with another young woman, Julie Powell, who made it her goal to cook all of Child’s recipes in just 365 days. Julia Child was a popular TV cook who gained recognition for bringing French Cuisine to America.
Meryl Streep was nominated for dozens of awards for her performance in the role, which included Best Actress at the Golden Globes, Oscars, and the BAFTAs. Nora Ephron was also nominated for a few awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
This 2019 film as written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, includes a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt. It tells the story of an actor, Rick Dalton, and his stunt double, working to adjust to the changes in Hollywood during its Golden Age while living next door to the ill-fated Sharon Tate (Robbie.) Unlike the film, Sharon Tate was tragically killed in her home by the cult members of the Charles Manson gang. She was pregnant at the time and married to Roman Polanksi.
It received the number of accolades, including 10 nominations that year’s Academy Awards, among them, Best Picture, and a win for Pitt as Best Supporting Actor. The film also earned a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy.)
Woman in Gold (2015)
Helen Mirren stars in this 2015 biographical drama as Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee living in Los Angeles, and trying to recover stolen piece of art that she’s been battling the government of Austria for over a decade for after it was taken from her family by the Nazis. The Austrian-American Jewish refugee from Austria became recognized for a successful legal campaign to reclaim her family-owned paintings by Gustav Klimt which were stolen by the Nazis during World War II.
The film opened to mostly positive reviews and saw over $61 million returned on its budget of $11 million. Mirren earned a nomination at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor and a Leading Role.
Serpico (1973)
Al Pacino stars in this 1973 neo-noir crime biography about New York police detective Frank Serpico, who spent more than a decade working to expose corruption within the force. The film dives into his experiences while working as a whistleblower.
The film was released just one week before the Academy Awards in 1974, where it was nominated for both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Pacino’s performance. The actor won the Golden Globe that year for his work on the film, which was also up for Best Motion Picture (Drama) at the Globe
Frida (2002)
Famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is portrayed by Salma Hayek in this film that depicts both her relationships with different men and women, as well as the arduous process of recovery she had to endure after being in a terrible accident at age 18.
The film grossed over $55 million against the budget of just $12 million and holds a 75% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, based on the opinion of more than 155 critics. Frida won two Academy Awards, Best Makeup, and Best Original Score, and Hayek was nominated for her performance.