Before Marion Cotillard became one of Hollywood’s best actresses, she established herself as one of French cinema’s foremost talents. Born in Paris, Cotillard began her film career in the 90s, when she was just a teenager. Her breakthrough movie role came with her supporting turn in Gérard Pirè’s Taxi, an action-comedy that would spawn an entire franchise. As her career began to take off, Cotillard eventually earned roles in Hollywood movies, like Tim Burton’s Big Fish and Ridley Scott’s A Good Year.

Cotillard would ultimately launch to superstardom with her role as real-life singer Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Her performance won her the Oscar for Best Actress, catapulting her career to international acclaim. From there, Cotillard would appear in several English-language movies, such as Contagion, Nine, Macbeth, and Inception. At the same time, she has also found opportunities to return to her home country. In fact, her work in French cinema is arguably still some of her best, like these movies below.

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7 Taxi

     Le Studio Canal+

Taxi was released in 1998 and is an action comedy film which was written by Luc Besson and directed by Gérard Pirès. The film follows a taxi driver who reluctantly agrees to help the police in order to keep his driving license. Cotillard plays Lilly, and it’s one of the earliest roles in her career. The film was a huge success and spanned several sequels and remakes. Cotillard would reprise her role in Taxi 2 and Taxi 3.

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6 Innocence

     Mars Distribution

Cotillard starred in Lucile Hadžihalilović’s 2005 mystery drama Innocence, which is set in a mysterious private school, to which the students arrive in coffins. She stars in the supporting role of Mademoiselle Eva, who helps run the strange school. Eva is an interesting character who is brought to life beautifully by Cotillard. It’s a totally unique film that is enhanced by Cotillard’s presence.

5 It’s Only the End of the World

     Sons of Manual

It’s Only the End of the World was released in 2016 and is a drama film written and directed by acclaimed director Xavier Dolan. The film is based on the play of the same name by Jean-Luc Lagarce, following a young playwright who reunites with his family after not seeing them for 12 years to inform them that he is going to die. It’s a classic Dolan film, which is magnified by the strong cast. With Cotillard playing a subtler role than usual in Catherine, it’s a very enjoyable ensemble experience.

4 A Very Long Engagement

     Warner Bros. France

A Very Long Engagement is a 2004 film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film was a follow-up to his critical and commercial success, Amélie. Cotillard plays Mathilde, who befriends her true love, Manech, during childhood. After he goes to war, he is declared missing, so she goes looking for him after believing him to still be alive. It’s a beautiful film that is once again amplified by Cotillard’s strong performance.

3 Rust and Bone

     Canal+

Cotillard starred in Rust and Bone in 2012, a Jacques Audiard drama about self-discovery. She stars as a former whale trainer who loses her legs in an accident. After the accident, she forms a bond with a bouncer, and they embark on an intense physical relationship that lacks emotional sentimentality, which makes their relationship interesting to understand. The complexity of the relationship makes for a gripping viewing experience, and Cotillard’s Stephanie occupies a space between confidence and ruin after experiencing a life-changing accident.

2 La Vie En Rose

     Légende Films

La Vie En Rose is a film that presented a huge shift in Cotillard’s career, as this role won her an Academy Award and cemented her place, per Variety, as a respected actor on the world stage. She plays Edith Piaf, who is a French cultural icon, telling the story of her dramatic life spanning across multiple decades of her career. She embodies the character so perfectly that we forget that we’re not watching the real singer.

1 Two Days, One Night

     Les Film du Fleuve

Two Days, One Night was directed by the Dardenne brothers and released in 2014. In this film, Cotillard plays Sandra, a working-class wife and mother. After she has a nervous breakdown, she must return to work and discovers that it is likely she will lose her job. It’s then put to a vote by the company employees if she can keep her job at the expense of their bonuses. The performances are stripped back and subtle, and portray the interesting nature of modern culture and emotions.