How Emily Blunt’s easy-going approach to acting has been a key element of the actress’s success and enduring appeal in Hollywood.
With an infectious smile and a demeanour that doesn’t get overly entangled in the highs and lows of a sometimes-fractious industry, Emily Blunt demonstrates just why she has enjoyed a robust career characterised by versatility and compelling performances.
Her ability to seamlessly shift between diverse movie genres is exhibited in pulsating portrayals across films like Edge of Tomorrow, Looper, The Adjustment Bureau, The Devil Wears Prada and Mary Poppins Returns as strong, determined women with depth and conviction.
“I enjoy diversifying my roles, playing varied characters to keep audiences intrigued and avoid being pigeonholed into a single type of role,” begins the Londoner.
“When the time is right, I want my children to look back over the work I’ve done and be proud of me. I don’t want them to think I took the easy option – otherwise what sort of example is that to set to them?”
Off-screen, she and husband, the actor and director John Krasinski, exist in perfect harmony and it’s a partnership that extends beyond their personal life and into their professional world, collaborating on highly successful projects – most notably the critically acclaimed horror A Quiet Place and its sequel.
Although, if when not engaged in shared projects, they’ll still lend a hand to the other on independent projects. Blunt says: “We often engage during our film preparation processes.
“I sometimes find it challenging to determine my approach to a character while preparing for a role. Although this process is intensely personal, having someone at home who truly grasps the intricacies of the industry and can empathise with my concerns is incredibly helpful.”
The power couple balance their Hollywood life raising daughters Hazel and Violet, with a foundation that’s based on solid family values, included in which is John being the perfect house husband! Blunt says, glowingly: “Ever since our first daughter arrived, we’ve maintained a high level of organisation in our family life. This was especially true when our children were younger, with John excelling in tasks like bottle washing and ensuring we always had a fresh supply of milk in the fridge for the next day.
“Now that our children are almost double figures in age, his role has evolved, but that caring nature remains constant.
“He’s an incredibly attentive and loving father, always involved and responsive to our children’s needs as they grow and change. His dedication to our family is something I deeply admire.”
Currently, Emily Blunt is gaining praise for her part in the new film The Fall Guy, which is loosely based on a remake of the 1980s television show of the same name. Yet rather than pivot into the realm of the rehash, where many a talented actor has ventured and never returned, the 41-year-old sees the opportunity to rework and reinvent.
“For me, approaching a project like this is about trying to breathe new life into a good story and something that was successful in the past. It’s about bringing it to the big screen with a loose connection to the original series, and seeing what people think.
“I think mixing things up to ensure they are not predictable is essential, and it keeps things interesting for me, as well.”
Indeed, Blunt admits she doesn’t plan much for the future where her career is concerned, preferring to be reactive more than proactive.
“You might say my strategy is not to have a strategy,” the Golden Globe winner and multi-nominated actress says. “For me it’s all about the script and the character. I want mix between genres, styles and perceptions, and if people keep watching me, that’s a bonus.”
