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Best Actress Oscars of the 2000's
2000 Best Actress
Julia Roberts for "Erin Brockovich"
 2000 Erin Brockovich  Drama R, 130 Minutes Director: Steven Soderbergh Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Cherry Jones, Peter Coyote, Veanne Cox, Conchata Ferrell, Tracey Walter, Jamie Harrold Twice-divorced and mother of three, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) talks her way into a job at a law office and is given a job by Ed Masry (Albert Finney). While filing records, she notes a case that interests her and initiates her own investigation. The result is a conviction of Pacific Gas and Electric for pollution that caused widespread sickness. Based on a true story, there are good performances by all. Julia Roberts won an Oscar for Best Actress; nominations included Best Picture, Director Steven Soderbergh (who received an Oscar that year for "Traffic"), and Supporting Actor (Albert Finney, with his fifth nomination).
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2001 Best Actress
Halle Berry for "Monster's Ball"
2001 Monster's Ball Drama / Romance R, 108 Minutes Director: Marc Forster Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Peter Boyle, Heath Ledger, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Mos Def, Coronji Calhoun, Taylor Simpson, Gabrielle Witcher, Amber Rules Racism is uncovered when Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) falls for Leticia (Halle Berry) whose husband (Sean "Diddy" Combs) was executed in a "monster ball" (no lawyer or minister was present). Hank has quit his job as a death row prison guard, but he can't deal with the fact that he was part of the team that executed the husband of the woman he now loves. Halle Berry received an Oscar for Best Actress.
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2002 Best Actress
Nicole Kidman for "The Hours"
2002 The Hours Drama PG-13, 114 Minutes Director: Stephen Daldry Starring: Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Stephen Dillane, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Miranda Richardson, John C. Reilly, Linda Bassett, Toni Collette Virginia Woolf's novel "Mrs. Dalloway" connects the stories of three different women–Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman), Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), and Clarissa (Meryl Streep)–in three different eras–1925, 1951, and 2001–who resort to suicide as the solution for their problems. Very well acted, but with this cast what else could one expect? Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress Oscar for her excellent performance. In addition, the film received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actress in a Supporting Role (Julianne Moore), and Actor in a Supporting Role (Ed Harris).
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2003 Best Actress
Charlize Theron for "Monster"
2003 Monster Drama / Romance R, 110 Minutes Director: Patty Jenkins Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Scott Wilson, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Lee Tergesen, Annie Corley, Marco St. John, Bubba Baker, Marc Macaulay This crime drama attempts to delve into the psyche of highway prostitute Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron). At age 13, Aileen became a prostitute. Later, she hooks up with lesbian Selby Wall (Christina Ricci) and forms a relationship that leads to Aileen killing her clients and getting their money without having sex. Aileen kills seven men in Florida and is known as the first female serial killer. Theron won an Oscar for Best Actress.
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2004 Best Actress
Hilary Swank for "Million Dollar Baby"
2004 Million Dollar Baby  Drama PG-13, 132 Minutes Director: Clint Eastwood Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brian F. O'Byrne, Anthony Mackie, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome Searching for a way to improve her lot in life, wannabe boxer, 31-year-old single-mom/waitress Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) walks into the gym and asks trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to teach her how to be a viable boxer. Frankie agrees, Maggie makes great strides, the two bond, and, in the process, overcome hurdles of the past. The film received Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director (Clint Eastwood), Actress (Hilary Swank), and Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman). Three other nominations were received, including Best Actor (Clint Eastwood).
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2005 Best Actress
Reese Witherspoon for "Walk the Line"
2005 Walk the Line  Drama / Musical / Romance PG-13, 136 Minutes Director: James Mangold Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts, Dan John Miller, Larry Bagby, Shelby Lynn, Tyler Hilton, Waylon Payne His life, music, and rocky romance with June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) are the focus of this biography of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix). The story begins with Cash's early childhood in Arkansas during the Great Depression and then moves on to his time spent in the military, marriage to Vivian (Ginnifer Goodwin), and the beginning of his musical career. His marriage to Vivian fails as Cash's career rises, and he becomes addicted to drugs. On tour, he meets June Carter, she helps him overcome his drug addiction, and Cash proposes to June while performing at a show. Witherspoon won the Best Actress Academy Award, and four other nominations were received, including Best Actor (Phoenix).
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2006 Best Actress
Helen Mirren for "The Queen"
2006 The Queen Drama PG-13, 103 Minutes Director: Stephen Frears Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Alex Jennings, Mark Bazeley, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Sylvia Syms, Tim McMullan, Robin Soans This inside look at the struggle between HM Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and recently elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) chronicles decisions made in the compromise between public mourning and private snubbing following Diana's tragic death that resulted in a state funeral. Helen Mirren won an Oscar for Best Actress, and the film received five other Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Director.
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2007 Best Actress
Marion Cotillard for "La Vie en Rose"
2007 La Vie en Rose Foreign / Drama / Musical PG-13, 140 Minutes Director: Olivier Dahan Starring: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner, Jean-Paul Rouve, Clotilde Courau, Gerard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Martins, Catherine Allegret, Marc Barbe Writer-director Olivier Dahan's story skips back and forth as it chronicles events in the life of fabled French singer Edith Piaf (Marion Cotillard). She was born into poverty to street singer mother Anetta (Clotilde Courau) and circus contortionist father Louis (Jean-Paul Rouve), but as a young girl (played by Manon Chevallier) Edith was given to Louis' mother (Catherine Allegret) to raise. Later, with support from friend Momone (Sylvie Testud), song writer Raymond Asso (Marc Barbe), and manager Louis Barrier (Pascal Greggory) she succeeds as a singer. As the story shows, Edith's powerful singing voice helps her survive when she goes through the trials and triumphs of her short, bittersweet life. The film received two Academy Awards including Best Actress (Cotillard) and received one other nomination.
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