Winter of the Crow Review: Lesley Manville Thriller | TIFF 2025

This excerpt from a Guardian article discusses Lesley ‌Manville’s ​career resurgence, notably after her‍ acclaimed performance in Phantom Thread. Here’s a breakdown of ​the key points:

Late-Career Bloom: Manville was a respected actress for years, ​associated with the ‌”enviable Mike Leigh troupe,” but her career truly took off after Phantom Thread. The article argues this is a well-deserved reward.
Breaking ⁤the Mold: She’s ⁢defied the typical‍ fate of older female​ actors, avoiding stereotypical “post-Book Club” ⁢roles and instead⁣ taking on a diverse⁢ and ​challenging range of parts.
Variety of Roles: The ⁤article lists a remarkable array of recent roles, showcasing her versatility: a woman experiencing sexual dissatisfaction (I Am ⁤Maria), a criminal matriarch (Let Him Go),‍ a jungle doctor (Queer), a⁢ villain in a spy⁤ series​ (Citadel), a fashion-focused cleaner (Mrs. Harris Goes too Paris), and an OnlyFans performer (Grotesquerie).
unique Post-Oscar Trajectory: The author suggests her career path‌ after gaining recognition is ‌unusually captivating⁢ and rewarding.
Current Project: She’s currently at the Toronto Film Festival promoting Winter of the Crow, a cold​ war thriller where she plays a British psychiatrist. She recently had a small role in a disappointing film, The Critic*.In essence, the⁣ piece ​celebrates Manville’s talent and her ability to consistently ‌choose‌ compelling and ​unexpected roles, defying industry expectations for actresses ⁤of her age.