Filmsane

Keri Russell is an underdog for me. Yeah, even today with the career she has right now.

Steadily building her career for almost 3 decades now, she’s been a child actress, teen actress, and now a leading actress. In fact she’s grown up and blossomed into a beautiful and talented young woman right before our eyes, and somehow we’ve always taken her for granted. We’ve underestimated her talent, and her ability to make a movie/TV show better. Oh but not me. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since I saw her in Felicity and just know that there was more to her than some pretty hair. In fact when most of America was fascinated with her hair (or lack thereof) I was waiting for her next move. Regardless, of TV or film, I wanted more form her.

This week was the finale of one of the best TV shows ever, and I’m happy to say that Keri was an instrumental part of it. Yes, I’m talking about The Americans. For 6 season’s I’ve been obsessed with Elizabeth and Philip Jenkins, and I was happy that the series ended like it did. No spoilers here folks.

Keri was absolutely phenomenal as Elizabeth (Nadezhda) Jenkins. Soviet KGB officer posing as an American. I loved the chemistry with her co-star and eventual lover Matthew Rhys, and how she portrayed the character with dignity and strength.

But she has a decent amount of films in her portfolio, and I’d like to mention 6 of my favorite Keri Russell films.

The Upside of Anger (2005)

Director: Mike Binder
Stars: Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Erika Christensen…
Fun fact about the movie: Lauren Ambrose changed her mind about playing the role of the daughter whose obsession with dance and dieting almost kills her. Keri Russell soon took on the role. Russell had studied classical dance when she was younger. She said she just needed some catch-up classes.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Director: J.J. Abrams
Stars: Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames…
Fun fact about the movie: Scarlett Johansson was cast in the film early on, but pulled out of the project, and her role eventually went to Keri Russell.

Waitress (2007)

Director: Adrienne Shelly
Stars: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto…
Fun fact about the movie: The toddler who plays Lulu in the movie’s final scenes is Adrienne Shelly’s daughter, Sophie Ostroy.

Extraordinary Measures (2010)

Director: Tom Vaughan
Stars: Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell, Harrison Ford…
Fun fact about the movie: This is his first film since Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) where Harrison Ford has not had his name first in the credits.

Austenland (2013)

Director: Jerusha Hess
Stars: Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Jennifer Coolidge…
Fun fact about the movie: Keri Russell’s partner, Matthew Rhys plays Mr. Darcy in BBC’s adaptation of the book Death Comes to Pemberly. Characters based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Director: Matt Reeves
Stars: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis…
Fun fact about the movie: The photographs of Gary Oldmans’ character’s children, are of his children in real life.