10 Best Times Actors Played Themselves

Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 anthology film is full of actors playing themselves. A delightfully quirky collection of short films about the titular addictive treats, it features great self depictions from the likes of Alfred Molina, Bill Murray, and Jack and Meg White.

Best of all, though, is Cate Blanchett, who pulls double duty as herself and her overly enthusiastic fictional cousin Shelly. One of the most gifted actresses of her generation, Blanchett gets a rare opportunity here for freewheeling comedy as she acts out both parts of a passive aggressive meeting. Shelly envies Cate for the perks she assumes makes up her movie star life, and only wants to talk about her musician boyfriend.

Cate, meanwhile, goes through the motions of the conversation, flaunting her privilege as she puffs away in the no smoking lounge and makes disingenuous promises to meet up at a later date.

It’s a hugely charming short, and Blanchett’s chops mean the two characters are made distinctive and whole. It’s one of the best moments of a great film by one of America’s most distinctive auteurs.