Is it possible to have someone who can play the blonde bombshell that is as talented as she is beautiful? Margot Robbie thinks so. And I agree. While she burst onto the public consciousness with Wolf on Wall Street, Robbie has been acting long before that and has continued to build upon her status with every feature she is in. This week she finally gets her staring role so we wanted to celebrate her and reflect on the best movies she has been in to build up to this weekend’s staring role.
Tina Fey plays Journalist Kim Baker and in a story of her recounting her experience in Wartime Afghanistan. The film would be best classified as a Biography/Drama/Comedy. Margot Robbie plays a seasoned War Journalist named Tanya Vanderpoel. Tina Fey and Margot Robbie have some really memorable exchanges throughout the film. Especially right off the bat with them talking about their sexuality, you instantly like them paired together. Tanya is very self assured and comfortable in her skin, whereas Kim is very green around the gills and just trying to fit in. I appreciate the approach taken in this film with tonal balance. It provides levity when needed and is unique on how it deals with war. Billy Bob Thorton as General Hollanek is quite the character and doesn an excellent job portraying his character. Well delivered and written dialog is in abundance, especially with him. Back to Margot Robbie, she is a firecracker and is transparent to say the least with her feelings on any subject. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is a pleasant divergence from other Biographical War Films. (Joseph Vargas)
In a time of cinema when post-apocalyptic films are a common occurrence and a dime a dozen, how does one stand out from the rest? Is it tons of action and explosions? Is it horrifying imagery not for the faint of heart? We see plenty of these kinds of films but a film like Z for Zachariah is something different. No explosions or mutated creators, this film relies on people, performances, and intrigued. Margot Robbie stars as a woman stuck between two men and their love. How often do you see a tense romance as a focus of a dystopian film? Not often but that might be considered a good thing. A better question is how often does a romance not feel forced or cliched on screen? Z for Zachariah transcends that and creates genuine tension and intrigue as the film is a slow burn to a metaphorical explosive finale. This is a human film that really takes a deep dive into what people would do in the worst of situations. Patience is a virtue with this one but the journey is certainly worth it. (Shane Conto)
Before we saw them on screen together as Deadshot and Harley Quinn, we saw them team up for 2015’s Focus. Will Smith plays a highly experienced con artist (Nicky) who ends up taking Jess (Margot Robbie) under his wing to teach her how to con people in his mischief. After they successfully pull of a very big con, he decides to part ways because he thinks it’s what could be best for him. Three years later after they reunite, he decides that he made the wrong choice. It’s easy to admit that this movie gives off an ocean’s eleven vibe, but luckily it strays away enough to become it’s own thing. I’m a sucker for these types of films so if you enjoy films like the oceans movies, this should be in your wheelhouse. Robbie and Smith are both great leads, they did end up working together in Suicide Squad but I think they’re a pairing that should team up again like this. The chemistry works, especially when they have good material to bounce off of. (Alex Henderson)
While much of Goodbye Christopher Robin is Domhnall Gleeson’s (who plays AA Milne), I believe that Daphne Milne (played by Margot Robbie) is just as important to the film as Gleeson is. Robbie as Daphne is marvelous. She disappears into Daphne Milne, unapologetic about how much she enjoys the success that her husband brings her, but she never comes off as crazy.If you love a good character piece as much as I do, go spend an evening with this one! (Austin Belzer)
Who is ready for the next coming of Adam McKay? Ever since the debut of The Big Short, Adam McKay has gained notoriety for his unique style and energy that he brought to a politically charged film with a lot to say. Now Jay Roach of Austin Powers fame is taking his own stab at making a film that I honestly thought was a McKay effort. Bombshell focuses on the sexual harassment allegations at Fox News lodged against Roger Ailes. Instead of making a laundry list of characters to tell of all the things Ailes did, the script takes a turn and creates one character to represent them all. Who would you cast to handle this large undertaking? Well none other than one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood, Margot Robbie. Robbie is on another level in this film as she delivers a performance that is funny, charming, and emotionally powerful. This tightrope is navigated impressively well including one particular scene where all of Robbie’s raw emotions can be seen boiling over. This is not a perfect film and it feels more like Vice than The Big Short but Robbie’s performance is worth the time. (Shane Conto)
In 2017, director Craig Gillespie not only gave us one of the best films of that year, but one of the most memorable based-on-a-true-story films in recent years with the biographical comedy-drama, “I, Tonya,” which tells the story of Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) who rises to fame as an Olympic figure skater, only to have her future come crashing down when she becomes involved with the 1994 attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver). Robbie delivers a superb performance that exhibits her character’s determination for greatness, her frustration over not being taken seriously, and the guilt over what she has done. Yes, the movie might rub some viewers the wrong way in how it tries to show Tonya as a victim; but while she is to blame, you can’t help but feel sympathetic at times because of what drives her to do this, with her reasoning being that people never gave her a fair shot to begin with because of her lower-class background, despite her figure-skating talents. What’s so fascinating about Steven Rogers’ screenplay is how it’s told from multiple perspectives. These conflicting narratives add a spin on the biographical genre because you have several people trying to get you to believe their side of the story, with all of their testimonies breaking the fourth wall. This is a biopic and sports movie unlike any other, and it’s as sharp as an ice skate’s blade. (Vincent Abbatecola)
Margot Robbie is typically known for her flashy roles like Harley Quinn, Tonya Harding, and Jordan Belfort’s wife Naomi. Her more toned down and nuanced performances don’t often get a ton of attention. But one in particular that deserves more praise than it gets is her turn as Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots. It isn’t necessarily a great movie, but her work in this film really stands out. Also counter to her typical appeal (see: her appearance in The Big Short), she is made up to be physically unattractive and constantly covered in a thick coat of makeup. It’s a great way to play against type, and she seizes the moment and runs with it. (Robert Bouffard)
We’re all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride. Fellas, listen up. This is a Rom-Com you want to see. I know, I was an unbeliever as well, but this one is remarkable. And bonus points if it’s your idea to watch it with your S.O. This movie is remarkably clever, completely original, heartbreaking, but also incredibly charming. This movie has moments that made me absolutely sob, which is a relatively hard thing to make me do. This movie also had moments that made me laugh out loud, which is way less hard. Domhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighty are impeccable in their performances and bring these characters to life in a completely believable way. It’s a ridiculous concept: The men in this family can time travel at will and they use it to have a great romantic life. But this one manages to do it in a way that doesn’t make you question the time travel, deals with the consequences of time travel, and deals with others response to it as well. It’s got the heart of a romantic film as well as a father/son flick, the humor of an awkward summer comedy, and the drama of what should be a Meryl Streep performance. And also, a very surprising Margot Robbie performance that I completely forgot about the first time I watched this movie, but looking back, it’s because she feels so natural. She perfectly plays the really cute friend of your sister who is over all the time and it is an absolute delight to see her in this role. She also delivers some of the most charming and devastating moments, so prepare to have her rip your heart out again! I cannot recommend this one enough to you, especially if you’re feeling like a good cry and laugh combo! (Aaron Schweitzer)
In the pure insanity that is The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot Robbie is magnetic in every one of her scenes. Playing the part to perfection, she challenges Dicaprio to up his game while establishing that she would be a mainstay in Hollywood for years to come. This was her breakthrough role that put every other actress on blast. She very easily could have just been eye candy for viewers, but instead she attacked the role and added layers to a character that risked being one dimensional. There is a reason that Robbie’s career was never the same after this movie. There is a boldness to the way she approaches each part and portrays each character that is on full display throughout this film. Her stellar performance was a huge step in propelling her into Oscar noms and stardom. (Kaleb Wolters)
How on Earth did Quentin Tarantino get this absolutely A list packed cast? Oh, right, because he is Tarantino. I’ve always been a huge fan of Tarantino’s sense of humor; his dark comedy can be really off putting for most people but I laugh every time. With there being a good amount of that humor included and actors I enjoy watching, Once Upon a Time is a good time. Be warned though that the pacing is a bit slow at times so go in expecting this to be a methodical movie. (Blake Hodges)
Honorable Mentions
The Big Short, Peter Rabbit, Suicide Squad