Roses Have Thoughts

Saoirse Ronan, an acclaimed Irish-American actress, has built a remarkable film career defined by versatility and depth. She rose to prominence with her role as Briony Tallis in Atonement (2007), earning her first Academy Award nomination at only 13 years old. This early acclaim set the stage for a career filled with complex, memorable performances.

Ronan’s talent for immersing herself in varied characters has led to roles across different genres and styles. In 2015, she starred in Brooklyn, portraying Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant navigating life in 1950s New York. This role garnered her a second Oscar nomination and showcased her ability to capture the emotional nuances of a young woman torn between two worlds. Her critically acclaimed performance marked her as one of the leading actresses of her generation.

In 2017, Ronan played the titular character in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, a coming-of-age film that resonated widely for its authentic portrayal of adolescence. Her portrayal of Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson earned her a third Oscar nomination, solidifying her reputation as a talented young actress capable of carrying a film. Ronan and Gerwig reunited in 2019 for Little Women, in which Ronan’s portrayal of Jo March further demonstrated her gift for breathing new life into literary characters, earning her another Academy Award nomination.

Beyond these standout roles, Ronan has embraced a range of parts in films like Hanna (2011), where she played a trained teenage assassin, and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), highlighting her versatility. More recently, she starred in Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch (2021) the 2022 mystery-comedy See How They Run, Nora Fingscheidt’s The Outrun (2024) and Steve McQueen’s Blitz (2024).

1. Atonement (2007)

Ronan’s breakthrough role came in Atonement, a film directed by Joe Wright and based on Ian McEwan’s novel. At just 13, Ronan earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Briony Tallis, a young girl whose false accusation irrevocably alters the lives of her sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and her love, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Ronan masterfully captures Briony’s innocence, jealousy, and naivety, portraying her as a complex child haunted by regret. Her nuanced performance left a lasting impression and hinted at the exceptional career ahead of her.

2. Brooklyn (2015)

In Brooklyn, Ronan plays Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant navigating life in 1950s America. Directed by John Crowley, this adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel provided Ronan with her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her portrayal of Eilis, torn between the familiarity of her homeland and the excitement of new possibilities in Brooklyn, is emotionally raw and moving. The film beautifully showcases Ronan’s ability to convey internal conflict and growth, as Eilis transforms from a timid young woman into someone confident in her identity and choices.

3. Lady Bird (2017)

Lady Bird, directed by Greta Gerwig, saw Ronan take on a vastly different role as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a rebellious teenager yearning for independence. The film captures the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, the trials of adolescence, and the search for personal identity. Ronan’s performance earned her a Golden Globe and another Academy Award nomination. Her portrayal of Lady Bird is filled with humour and poignancy, making the character feel relatable and endearing. Her chemistry with Laurie Metcalf, who plays her mother, adds depth to this coming-of-age story.

4. Little Women (2019)

Reuniting with Greta Gerwig, Ronan starred as Jo March in Little Women, an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel. As the fiercely independent and ambitious Jo, Ronan brings both strength and vulnerability to the character. She embodied Jo’s determination, her struggle with societal expectations, and her journey toward self-discovery. The film received critical acclaim, with Ronan earning another Oscar nomination. Her performance was a love letter to the character and a modern take on Alcott’s timeless themes of family, ambition, and self-worth.

5. On Chesil Beach (2017)

In Dominic Cooke’s 2017 adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel On Chesil Beach. Ronan leaves a lasting impression as Florence Ponting, a young woman navigating the complexities of love, intimacy, and societal expectations in early 1960s England. Ronan’s portrayal captures Florence’s quiet strength and vulnerability, highlighting her inner struggle as she and her husband Edward (Billy Howle) face a momentous challenge on their wedding night. Ronan’s subtle, layered performance beautifully conveys Florence’s deep fear, confusion, and ultimately, her yearning for independence and self-understanding.

In Summary

Saoirse Ronan’s filmography reflects her commitment to diverse roles, from historical dramas to coming-of-age stories and thrillers. Her dedication to authenticity and emotional depth has made her one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. These five films underscore her range and versatility, with each role contributing to her legacy as a powerhouse in contemporary cinema.