Kristen Stewart moving on, proving her worth post Twilight
Although best known for her role as Bella in the Twilight Saga film series, Kristen Stewart has always been a real talent to reckon with. Her performance in her last three films for this past year have all received positive reviews from the critics.
In the indie Guantanamo Bay drama Camp X-Ray, where he 24-year-old actress plays private first class Amy Cole, a guard who strikes up a tenuous friendship with one of the detainees, David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter proclaims: "There's not a moment Stewart's onscreen here where she isn't completely transfixing." Xan Brooks of The Guardian says her "role [that] reminds us what a fine performer she was in the likes of Into the Wildand Adventureland." Matt Patches at Vanity Fair writes: "You likely have strong opinion on Kristen Stewart's acting abilities. Well, throw that perception out the window. Camp X-Ray is Stewart shedding a skin and allowing herself to be tapped for talent."
In Clouds of Sils Maria, which will show in US theaters beginning March next year, Stewart plays loyal assistant to Juliette Binoche's aging actress in a film described by Matt Risley of Total Film as "an elegant, intelligent drama, enlivened by strong performances by Binoche, Moretz and especially Stewart, for whom this will surely usher in a new dawn." Xan Brooks of The Guardian says "The relationship here is quite beautifully drawn, with Stewart again demonstrating what a terrific performer she can be away from the shadow of Twilight. She's sharp and limber; she's a match for Binoche." Clouds of Sils Maria which this month was named France's Louis Dellouc Critics Award winner for best film drew Stewart's career-best raves to date.
Still, there is Still Alice where Stewart plays the part of a struggling actress and daughter to a renowned linguistics professor, played by Julianne Moore, struggling with early onset Alzheimers.
"It's Moore's picture, but Stewart leaves a distinct mark as a young woman forced to cope with inevitable tragedy," writes Nigel Smith of Indie Wirewho also asked her what it was like to have worked with both Moore and Binoche.
Stewart replied: "To be in the presence of people like that who are so talented, even despite age, that's absolutely going to shape you and motivate you. I loved working with Julie because I felt there was a serious commonality in terms of how we reach our goals in acting. Juliette, on the other hand, just floored me. She achieved this greatness by means that I don't understand. I love her for that. She perplexes me and she keeps me going and keeps me asking questions. Juliette kind of drives me crazy, whereas Julie has such attention to detail."
Still Alice hit US theater screens beginning December 5.