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Singer/songwriter/actress/girl crush Mandy Moore is up for a Golden Globe at this Sunday’s festivities in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her role as Rebecca Pearson in NBC’s This Is Us. It’s one of the buzziest and most tear-inducing shows of the year and the fact that Moore was recognized for her work in the hour-long drama is wonderful. It’s just a little bit late, is all.
If you’re playing a word association game and Mandy Moore pops up, there’s a strong chance “Candy” will be blurted out. Fine; the TRL-staple is a jam, there’s no denying that. But since 1999 when Moore stepped out of that lime green VW bug to dance in the street, she’s carved out a rather respectable career as an actress. She still does the singer-songwriter thing too, also on an impressive level. It’s only appropriate that she’s being recognized for her talent, especially by the Golden Globes, as she’s hopped back and forth between TV and film projects.
While she’s up against a tough slate of other badass, brilliant actresses including Olivia Colman (The Night Manager), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Thandie Newton (Westworld), and her This Is Us co-star Chrissy Metz, it really is an honor that she’s being recognized. And just in case you aren’t quite sure why, or just need a tiny reminder, these are some of the performances she’s given over the years that have led her to become such a fantastic, award-worthy actress.
'A Walk to Remember'
Can you even read the name of this movie without tearing up, because not me. A Walk to Remember is one of the first highly successful film adaptations of a Nicholas Sparks novel, and as a cancer-stricken teen who falls in love with the school bad boy (Shane West), Moore is utterly heartbreaking in the romance drama that will never leave you. She brings a true vulnerability to this role that immediately catapulted her to leading-lady territory.
'Saved!'
Which brings us to 2004’s Saved!. The dark comedy finds Moore as a bitchy teen who uses her Christianity as a condescending tool for bullying a pregnant girl (Jena Malone) at school. We learned Moore could play prissy perfectly and that there was a darker, deeper side to her acting abilities. Oh, and that she can totally pull off bright blue eye shadow.
'Entourage'
She stuck with the unexpected comedies, playing a version of herself during the second season of HBO’s Entourage, as a co-star and love interest to Vinny Chase (Adrian Grenier). The stint loosened the grip on her “pop” image for anyone that was still hanging on to it, and indicated this might be a performer who’s not scared to take some interesting risks in her career.
'Dedication'
It’s a damn shame that not many people have gotten their eyeballs on the 2007 film Dedication, as it’s one of Moore’s best roles to date. She stars as an illustrator who must work with a highly reluctant (and total douche) children’s book author (Billy Crudup). Of course they start to grow close, just as she contemplates returning to her ex (Martin Freeman) who shows up wanting to reconnect and to let her know he’s dedicated his book to her. It’s an even more grown-up role for Moore, which she handles spectacularly, and not just in the form of harsh, dark bangs. It is also the first time she starred opposite Freeman, and they reunited for the 2011 comedy Swinging with the Finkels. I know, Mandy and Martin might not immediately come to mind as one of your favorite on-screen duos, but there’s something between them that works so well. No word on any Sherlock guest spots for her, though.
'Because I Said So'
Don’t sleep on Because I Said So. It would be a very unwise move on your part. Moore teams up with Diane Keaton for the rom-com, playing her daughter who’s trying to figure life out for herself, even though mom has other plans. This 2007 flick is all the proof you need to know that Moore can carry not only a mom-daughter comedy, but also a romantic comedy, while portraying a nuanced yet relatable character.
'License to Wed'
Wait, why wasn’t Moore nominated for a Golden Globe in 2007? She was clearly giving her strongest performances that year. License to Wed found her teamed with John Krasinski in the big budget rom-com about a couple preparing to tie the knot — as long as their reverend (Robin Williams) doesn’t get in the way. It’s understandable that Moore hasn’t really gone down the broad comedy path since this release, because she kinda masters it here. Just because the movie is silly and predictable doesn’t mean she doesn’t shine here.
'This Is Us'
Which brings us to This Is Us. Just think of all the times Moore’s made you feel emotions in one of this year’s most beloved dramas. And it increases with each episode! It’s only right that she was nominated for such a demanding role, it’s just too bad it took this long for people to catch on that she’s such a gem.
