Sometimes you’re blessed to live during a time when a particularly talented actress takes to the screen, bringing tremendous charisma and character to each and every role, whether it be on television or film, as a solo act or as part of an ensemble. Melissa McCarthy is one of those talents.
In her time in Hollywood she has solidified her status as one of the finest comic actresses working today, as well as showing that she has the chops to do drama as well. Here are her top-ranked performances, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Mike & Molly --61%
Though Mike & Molly doesn’t take a lot of risks with its storytelling, there’s no denying that there is a lot to laugh at and find pleasurable in this charming comedy that aired from 2010 to 2016. In it, McCarthy portrays Molly, the titular Molly, a teacher who eventually quits her job to become a writer. As she would continue to do as her film career really took off in the 2010s, truly shines in the role, bringing her signature warmth and joy to her character.
The Nines (2007)--65%
This is a rather early film for McCarthy, and so it came out before her star status had really started to congeal. It’s also a bit out of the ordinary in of genre, for it sits at the crossroads of psychological drama and science fiction. The brilliance of her performance, though, is that she manages to play three different roles in the course of the film, bringing a individuality and depth to each of them.
The Heat (2013)--65%
There’s something innately pleasurable whenever a film decides to do something new with an old formula. In this instance, the formula in question is the buddy cop film, arguably one of the most reliably entertaining (and profitable) genres in Hollywood.
There’s undeniable chemistry between leads Sandra Bullock and McCarthy, and of course McCarthy plays the loud-mouthed, hot-headed part of the duo. As always, though, you can’t help but stand in awe of both her innate charisma and her comic timing.
Ghostbusters (2016)--74%
You have to it that it takes a lot of guts to take a beloved classic like Ghostbusters and give it a complete makeover. However, the gamble paid off in this film, in which McCarthy plays the role of Abby Yates, who becomes the leader of the ghostbusters. It’s actually a bit of a restrained performance for McCarthy, whose film roles typically involve her doing a lot more slapstick. Her innate charm, however, more than makes up for that and she, along with the other women in the cast, are truly extraordinary.
St. Vincent (2014)--77%
This film, a mix between comedy and drama, feels like something of a throwback to the 1990s, when that genre had its flowering. Like all good dramedies, it has moments of wry humor as well as ones of genuine pathos. There’s also an undeniable chemistry between Bill Murray and McCarthy, and it’s truly a one-of-a-kind film that features two comedy giants both working at the top of their game. It was a moderate success both commercially and critically.
Samantha Who --77%
Samantha Who is one of those television series that, despite its great cast and its excellent writing, never really found the audience that it needed to be an unmitigated success. Still, Christina Applegate shines as the titular Samantha, who wakes up from a coma with amnesia and doesn’t realize what an awful person she was before her coma. Here, McCarthy plays Dena, a childhood friend who gradually becomes something of a guardian angel for Samantha, helping to bring out the good in her.
Gilmore Girls (85%)
This series, one of those that really helped to solidify the network brand for the WB (and later the CW), has since become something of a classic, and though it went off the air in 2007 it was later revived for a few episodes in 2016. It was also one of the first big successes in McCarthy’s career. In the show, she played the character of Sookie St. James, Lorelei’s best friend. She would later appear in one episode of the series revival.
Bridesmaids (2011)--90%
This is one of those films that is truly one-of-a-kind. While the gross-out comedy is a staple for men, it’s much rarer to see women given the opportunity to act loud and misbehave in public.
Though the film is mostly focused on the friendship between Kristen Wiig’s Annie and Maya Rudolph’s Lillian, there’s no question that it is McCarthy’s turn as the earthy and visceral Megan that threatens to steal the show and who gives the film so much of its pungent appeal
Spy (2015)--95%
This film is one of those rarities: a Melissa McCarthy vehicle that also managed to impress the critics. It is really a shame that more of her solo projects don’t receive critical adulation, but far too often the critics praise her performance while panning the film. This one, however, hits all of the right notes, sending up the spy film genre in spectacular fashion, while allowing McCarthy her time to shine in the spotlight.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)--98%
Though she is, of course, most well-known as a comic actress, this film, based on the memoir by Lee Israel, showed that she has what it takes to play drama. What’s truly remarkable about this film is the extent to which McCarthy manages to imbue Israel with so much raw pathos and energy that you cannot help but identify with her, even as you might condemn her for she does. Unsurprisingly, McCarthy was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.
