Actresses Who Cry Convincingly

As a prelude to my post, let me say that I usually enjoy watching films that feature Kate Beckinsale. I particularly liked her in Serendipity, and Laurel Canyon. Her talent and screen presence has grown as she matured.

With all that being said, Beckinsale's work in this early film is poor. Particularly bad were the crying scenes in Uncovered. While her character's emotions are supposed to be raw, Beckinsale gives obvious and mechanical shoulder shuddering sobs, that reveal she is absolutely not crying. I thought Jennifer Garner was a terribly phony crying actress, but Beckinsale gives her a run for her money here. It's as if Beckinsale can't summon actual tears and emotion, so she inflicts the viewer with wails, excrutiating grimaces and sucking wind. Despite the facial contortions - the crying isn't convincing. I realize that crying is a difficult emotion to convey as an actor, but many are adept at it. Beckinsale is just not one of them in this film.