Rank These young A List Actresses by Talent

Add Jennifer Lawrence too for a good measure!

Here's my list:

1. Amy Adams
2. Jessica Chastain
3. Emily Blunt
4. Michelle Williams
5. Keira Knightley
6. Natalie Portman
7. Mia Wasikowska
8. Jennifer Lawrence
9. Carey Mulligan
10. Rooney Mara
11. Anne Hathaway

The Best, career-defining and the talent-showcasing performance(s):

Michelle Williams (Rank #4):
- "Blue Valentine" (2010)
- "My Week with Marilyn" (2011)
- "Brokeback Mountain" (2005)

For me, 'Blue Valentine' is the reference for the best performance I have ever seen. What Michelle and Ryan did in this movie, I'm not sure anyone else could have pulled it off the way they did. And I agree, this movie and 'Brokeback Moutain' and 'My week with Maryilyn' really show how tremendous Michelle's talent is, except I would personally put her in the first place tied with Brie Larson(who should definitely be in the ranking).

I considered it but Larson is just beginning. Nowhere near the career that the actresses on the list have had, yet. But the talent is there and will be refined the more she works.

1.) Jessica Chastain
2.) Michelle Williams
3.) Rooney Mara
4.) Carey Mulligan
5.) Amy Adams
6.) Emily Blunt
7.) Keira Knightley
8.) Anne Hathaway
9.) Natalie Portman
10.) Mia Wasikowska

1-Michelle Williams
2-Jessica Chastain
3-Natalie Portman
4-Keira Knightly
5-Amy Adams
6-Anne Hathaway
7-Emily Blunt
8-Rooney Mara
9-Carey Mulligan
10-Mia Wasikowska
11-Jennifer Lawrence

I would put other, non-listed actresses above some of these but I'll stick to the OP's selection for now:

1. Michelle Williams (tied with spot below)
1. Carey Mulligan (tied with spot above)
3. Amy Adams
4. Natalie Portman
5. Emily Blunt
6. Mia Wasikowska
7. Anne Hathaway
8. Rooney Mara (I've not seen much of her so it's not really a fair judgement)
9. Jessica Chastain
10. Keira Knightley (very overrated IMO)