Dianne Wiest’s best movie and TV show roles highlight the career of a celebrated and legendary actor who is not quite a household name. Wiest began as a theater actor in the 1970s before stepping into movies and television roles, quickly finding success and cementing herself as a true talent. Over the course of her career, Wiest has won two Oscars and two Emmy Awards and received myriad other nominations for her wide variety of performances on the big screen and the small screen.
Wiest has been known for playing soft-spoken and gentle characters, but she is also known as a comedic talent, holding her own on-screen with some of the funniest actors of all time, including Steve Martin and Robin Williams. She has worked with big-name directors like Tim Burton, Ron Howard, and Woody Allen, while also joining television shows that range from gritty dramas to hilarious sitcoms. It is a truly impressive career, and looking at Dianne Wiest’s best roles highlights her legacy thus far.
a guide to recognizing your saints
Cast
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints explores the complex memories of author Dito Montiel as he returns to his Queens, New York, neighborhood at his mother’s request. The film delves into his turbulent youth, dominated by friendships with Antonio, Giuseppe, Nerf, and Mike, and marked by violence and personal challenges.
Dianne Wiest joins an incredible ensemble of actors in an underrated coming-of-age movie. A Guide to Recognizing Your Saintsstars Robert Downey Jr.as Ditto, a writer who returns to his old neighborhood in New York City to care for his ailing and estranged father. While back, he relives many of the memories of his troubled childhood and the violence of the place he grew up, highlighting how they shaped his adult life.
While the movie is largely focused on Ditto’s troubled relationship with his father, played by Chazz Palminteri,Wiest is also excellent as his mother, adding layers to their performance in a quieter performance. The movie also stars Shia LaBeouf and Channing Tatum, giving strong performances in the movie’s flashback sequences. It makes for an affecting and powerful drama with some stand-out performances.
Dan in Real Life
Dan in Real Life is a romantic comedy directed by Peter Hedges, featuring Steve Carell as Dan Burns, an advice columnist who excels professionally but faces challenges in his personal life. The plot thickens when he discovers that the woman he admires is his brother’s new partner, complicating family dynamics.
While Dianne Wiest has been typecast in mother roles for much of her career, she often finds ways to bring out interesting shades of these characters while also working alongside some great actors. Steve Carell gives one of his most underrated performances inDan in Real Lifeas an advice columnist who is struggling with the loss of his wife, raising his three daughters, and falling in love with his brother’s new girlfriend.
The movie deftly mixes humor and heart with Carell’s performance as the man who cannot get things together, providing a perfect centerpiece.Wiest is part of the excellent ensemble, playing Carell’s caring mother, who is one of the few people looking out for him as he tries to look out for everyone else. Wiest pulls off the role with a fine line between overbearing and loving.
A mother enlists a skilled horse trainer to heal her traumatized daughter through the recovery of her equally injured horse
Dianne Wiest has worked on some truly star-studded ensembles in the past, but she always finds a way to stand out no matter the size of her role.The Horse Whisperisdirected by Robert Redfordand also stars the iconic actor as a man who specializes in helping animals and their riders heal from traumatic experiences. When a mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) brings her troubled daughter (Scarlett Johansson) to get his help, she and Redford form a bond.
Wiest has a small supporting role in the movie as Diane, Redford’s warm and caring sister-in-law,who lives on the ranch with her husband (Chris Cooper). The movie is a beautiful and engrossing drama with a grounded magical quality to it. Wiest adds a spark with her take on the simple rural life that is able to find beauty and comfort in its connection to nature.
The Mule
A 90-year-old horticulturist and WWII veteran is caught transporting $3 million worth of cocaine through Michigan for a Mexican drug cartel. This is the latest directorial effort from Clint Eastwood, and his second of 2018. It is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who worked with the cartel. Eastwood joined the project in January 2018, with Bradley Cooper and other members of the supporting cast signing on in the months after. Production started in June 2018 and wrapped shortly after.The Mulemarks Eastwood’s first acting role sinceTrouble With the Curvein 2012.
Dianne Wiest collaborated with another famed filmmaker while also sharing the screen with him inThe Mule.Clint Eastwood directsthis crime thriller and stars as Earl Stone, a war veteran who falls on hard times when his farming business goes bankrupt. Cut off from his family due to his selfish behavior in the past, Earl takes a job from the cartel, transporting their drugs.Wiest stars as Mary, Earl’s estranged wife.
Despite the fact that the movie is based on a true story, it can seem a little outlandish at times, but Wiest’s performance keeps it grounded. Eastwood also seems to be enjoying playing the flawed outlaw character, leaning into the unlikable aspects of Earl’s personality. It makes for a gripping crime thriller and a fun late starring role for Eastwood.
Mayor of Kingstown
Mayor of Kingstown, released in 2021, is a crime thriller series set in a small Michigan town where the McClusky family wields influence among police, criminals, and politicians. As power brokers, they navigate the complexities of a community reliant on the business of incarceration.
Mayor of Kingstownis another of the many shows created by Taylor Sheridan, but a very different setting fromhisYellowstoneuniverse. Jeremy Renner stars in this series as Michael McLusky, a member of a family who has kept the peace in a town in which the prison is the biggest company around. This position has meant danger and heartbreak for the family, while also giving them power not everyone is willing to let go of.
Wiest plays Mariam, the matriarch of the McLusky family who is often at odds with Michael. Unlike many of the mother roles that Wiest has played, Miriam isn’t afraid to show her anger towards her kids, even if she is still a loving person. The series is a gripping thriller that makes great use of Renner as a complex leading man.
Little Man Tate
Little Man Tate follows single mother Dede as she raises her son Fred, a child prodigy. As Fred’s exceptional intellect gains attention, Dede navigates the challenges of ensuring he receives proper opportunities while safeguarding his emotional well-being.
Dianne Wiest joined the directorial debut of fellow Oscar-winner Jodie Foster in the touching dramaLittle Man Tate. The movie focuses on Fred Tate, a 7-year-old music prodigy living with his single mother (Foster). While he struggles in a society that doesn’t challenge his level of genius,Fred’s brilliance comes to the attention of a child psychologist (played by Wiest) who wants to nurture his talentsand provide him with an environment in which they can thrive.
The movie is filled with humor as this little genius tries to figure out his identity in the world he doesn’t seem to fit into. However, the dynamic between Foster and Wiest’s characters is the most interesting element, as they both find themselves in conflict over what they think is best for the boy. Wiest takes what could have been a cliché character and adds dimensions with her being a former prodigy herself who doesn’t want to see Fred struggle as she did.
The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys follows Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) after they move to the small California beach town of Santa Carla only to discover that it is overrun with teenage vampires. When Michael falls victim to the titular gang and joins their ranks, Sam enlists the help of young vampire hunters the Frog brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) to save his brother from head vampire David (Kiefer Sutherland).
While Dianne Wiest is largely known for her roles in prestigious shows and movies, she also helped to elevate a lot of great genre projects as well, including this beloved ’80s classic. The Lost Boysstars Jason Patric as a young man who moves with his single mother (Wiest)and little brother to a new town. When meeting some of the local teens, he falls in with a gang of rebellious youths who turn out to be ancient vampires.
Long beforeTwilight, The Lost Boyshad fun looking at the life of vampires from a teenage perspective. The quintessential ’80s vibe of the movie has helped it remain a nostalgic cult classic for decades. While the movie sometimes struggles with meshing its horror and comedic elements, Wiest can be counted on to bring gravitas in a strong mother role.
I Care A Lot
I Care A Lot stars Rosamund Pike as Marla Grayson, a con artist who makes money by becoming a court-appointed guardian for elderly people she claims can’t take care of themselves, and then stealing their life’s savings. But things don’t go according to plan when she tries to do the same thing to a mother of a dangerous mob boss.
Even with her extensive career, it is rare to see Dianne Wiest get a role that allows her to embrace her sinister side. However, the effectiveness of her performance inI Care a Lotproves that she should do it more often. Rosamund Pike stars as Marla Grayson, an immoral and scheming con artist who targets vulnerable senior citizens to drain their wealth and leave them with nothing. However, Marla’s latest target, Jennifer (Wiest), is far from vulnerable and connected to some very dangerous people.
The crime-comedy balances the two genres wonderfully, embracing the darkness of the story while also having a lot of fun. Much of that fun comes from Wiest who is chilling at times but also hard not to cheer for as it becomes clear that Marla picked the wrong person to try and milk for money.
Rabbit Hole
Rabbit Hole, released in 2010, stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as a couple grappling with the aftermath of their young son’s tragic accident. The film explores themes of grief, family dynamics, and healing as they navigate their altered lives and relationships.
Nicole Kidman was nominated for an Oscar for her powerful turn in this harrowing drama, but Dianne Wiest also adds to the impact of the story in a supporting role. Rabbit Holefocuses on a couple (Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) who struggle with grief in the aftermath of their son dying. As they find it hard to connect with each other and share their pain, Kidman finds unexpected solace in her connection to the young man (Miles Teller) who is responsible for her son’s death.
While that is the most central relationship in the drama,some of the most powerful scenes are between Kidman and Wiest, who plays her mother. The charactters have a difficult relationship that is also cut off from emotion, but they gradually learn to share their anger and frustrations with each other in a healing way.
Let Them All Talk
Let Them All Talk is a comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. The story follows a renowned author, played by Meryl Streep, who embarks on a transatlantic voyage with friends to reconcile past issues. Lucas Hedges co-stars as her nephew navigating his own journey, while Candice Bergen and Dianne Wiest join as her longtime friends. The film explores themes of friendship, regret, and creativity.
There are not too many female actors who have maintained as successful and acclaimed of a career over the years as Dianne Wiest. However, it is a real treat to see Wiest share the screen with some of them while in the hands of a master filmmaker inLet Them All Talk. Fromdirector Steven Soderbergh, the comedy-drama starsMeryl Streep as a celebrated author who invites her two closest friends, played by Wiest and Candance Bergen, on a cruise shiponly to appear too busy to spend time with them.
The simple movie set almost entirely on the ship makes for a funny and engrossing story of friendship that has run its course. As Streep and Bergen deal with their long history of feuds and betrayals, Wiest provides a lot of the comic relief as the friend caught in the middle.
