20 Most Intense Movie Performances Of All Time

7. Angel McCourt (Emily Watson) - Angela's Ashes

Like The Pianist, Angela's Ashes is a harrowing ordeal made all the more difficult to take by the True Story label on the front of it. It's something a travesty that the film was never as appreciated on release as it deserved to be, particularly as it contains a stunning performance by Emily Watson, who plays the very heart of the story, Angela McCourt.

Her story is one of despair and tragedy - not a portrait of triumph over adversity, per se - more a celebration of persistence. Angela endures - quietly for the most part - and struggles on against some of the worst possible circumstances. She lives in abject poverty, exacerbated by her husband's alcoholism, which murders her children and shatters her dreams. She is stoic but every blow wilts her further and the performance is simply stunning to watch.

Her intensity comes in her resilience and how she deals with the unending grief of her life and there are few performances quite like it.