Gallery: Higher Ground

Vera Farmiga is one of America’s finest actors, transcending the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and George Clooney in scene-stealing supporting roles. Farmiga’s range stems from her ability to inhabit female characters deeply entrenched in male-dominated institutions, finding their power and vulnerability in the details of performance. Her characterizations invade hierarchical structures such as law enforcement (The Departed) and high-pressure sales (Up in the Air), creating women who exude a steady balance of wit, sassiness, and sensuality to subvert traditional gender roles. Considering her striking presence and demeanor, its not surprising Farmiga dominates sequence after sequence, relying on sly facial expressions and methodical physical tweaks to maneuver through a character’s arc. Femininity isn’t a lesson to be learned or a weapon to wield for Farmiga, but a genuine experience ripe for debate and consideration.

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