It took seeing her fantastically funny turn in a not so massive role in Welcome To Collinwood recently for me to realise just how versatile and always excellent she is. So here's five more films you should see her in:
The Safety of Objects (2001) Dir. Rose Troche
An ensemble piece adapted from the A.M. Holmes novel of the same name. Clarkson stars alongside Justified dreamboat Timothy Olyphant and the girl who smelled so nice in that vampire movie before sleeping with a really old married man.
The Station Agent (2003) Dir. Thomas McCarthy
Probably my favourite movie of 2003 this is the sweet, funny and moving film that set Thomas McCarthy on the road to indie fame. Clarkson is the broken woman who finds a way to grieve thanks to two unexpected friends.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Dir. Craig Gillespie
We all know about Ryan Gosling these days, he's a fantastic modern actor. Back when this quirky drama was released it seemed to fly under the radar a little but is definitely worth the watch. Patricia Clarkson has a very important role as his girlfriends doctor, the kind of role that could easily have destroyed the movie in the wrong hands but Clarkson brings the right level of humour and sincerity to it.
Good Night, And Good Luck (2005) Dir. George Clooney
George Clooney astounds me, he is so damned good looking and much much more than a pretty face. He sells coffee for a living and occasionally makes fantastic movies. This one was nominated for six Academy awards and features very strong performances from the entire cast including Patricia Clarkson as Robert Downey Jr.'s wife. I know many women who would kill to be in that position. She looks fabulous in black and white too.
Easy A (2010) Dir. Will Gluck
The smartest teen comedy in years featured Emma Stone as a pocketful of sunshine and a couple of scene stealing performances from Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as her parents. Comic gold. I enjoyed them as a couple so much that I am searching out the 2007 Stanley Tucci directed movie Blind Date.
