In a recent segment, acclaimed actress Kerry Condon, prominently known for her performance in “The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022), curated her favorite films from the Criterion Collection. It is a video series where prominent personalities select and discuss their cherished movies. In a session with Condon, the actress revealed a fascinating insight into her tastes and personal stories related to each movie. Let’s dive into the films that Condon claims made an impact on her.
Kerry Condon starts with “Night of the Hunter,” a classic film that had a significant impact on her. The actress recalled how it was recommended to her by filmmaker Martin McDonagh, who persuaded her to watch the film. Condon recounted that while watching the film, she found the character’s tattoed hands fascinating to the extent that it left a lasting impression on her. She said, “That really stuck out to me.” She mentioned that she might keep this film for herself or give it to McDonagh as a present, but given her fondness for the film, she said, “Or maybe I’ll keep it.“
The next pick from her collection was Andrea Arnold’s directed film “Fish Tank.” The actress especially praised Michael Fassbender’s portrayal in the film, and she also appreciated the raw and gritty nature of the film.
Condon then picked David Gordon Green’s “George Washington.” She described the film as “capturing youth and childhood. And it makes you remember like when you were a kid.” She emphasized the challenges of acting with children and the delicacy required when directing them. She even appreciated Green’s ability to capture the essence of childhood.
Another film from her collection is “The Tin Drum.” While picking the movie, she admitted that she barely remembered it because she watched it during her early 20s, a time when she might have been a bit “stoned.” She further said, “There’s a lot of movies I should rewatch. Actually, I’ll take “The Tin Drum” because I saw it when I was very young, and maybe it’ll all come flooding back to me sometimes as well.“
While choosing her favorite films Condon also discussed the peer pressure when it comes to choosing a favorite. The 41-year-old actress said, “I go out with someone, and they’re like, what bands do you like? And you know what they’re trying to check, like, how cool you are or whatever. So sometimes I feel that way about movies. It’s like, hang on a minute. Like, I’m entitled to my own taste, even if it’s not like super high. So hopefully, I’m not being judged.“
Yes, her fear of judgment is right, but looking at her taste in movies, Condon has indeed done a great job so far.
Looking further into her movie choices, Condon then picked Mike Leigh‘s “Secrets and Lies.” The actress loved the film for its compelling story and impactful performances. She shared that Brenda Blethyn’s portrayal in the film inspired her to become an actress.
While she was surfing the collection, she came across “McCabe & Mrs. Miller.” Although she didn’t take it due to personal reasons, she claimed that it was a great film.
Another film that made an entry into her collection was “Valley of the Dolls.” She described it as endlessly entertaining and something one could watch over and over again.
Apart from every film mentioned so far, “Dogfight” stood out as Condon’s favorite film. She recounted the story of River Phoenix’s character, who engages in a game to bring the “ugliest girl” to a party but ends up learning about love and compassion through his interaction with Lily Taylor’s character. Condon shared how this movie influenced her perception of acting and love, reflecting on the beauty of the film’s subtle storytelling and profound emotional impact.
Last but not least, two films from the criterion collection made their way to Condon’s favorite list. The tough decision was posed to her as she had to choose between “All About My Mother” by Pedro Almodóvar and “The Prince of Tides” starring Nick Nolte, who has also been a collaborator of Condon. She shared her admiration for Nolte’s wild and charismatic personality. While initially skeptical about the two films, Condon finally reached a conclusion when she decided to take both.
Kerry Condon’s Criterion Collection offered a unique and personal glimpse into her favorite films and the memories attached to them.
Watch Kerry Condon’s Closet Picks here:
