Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From Emma Thompson

One of my absolute favorite humans on Earth celebrates a birthday tomorrow. Of course she’s a fire sign. With no further ado:

EINTKILF Emma Thompson

1. Women can do anything men can do.
And that is an understatement. Emma is one of only seven female best screenplay winners. I am not about to make an insane claim like Sense and Sensibility is a more impressively penned movie than anything a man has adapted, buuuuut at the same time, I am impressed that Emma’s name is included on an incredibly short list of women. Even if I despise that awards shows like the Oscars remain primarily a “boys club,” I will always be appreciative of Emma for standing out in such a crowd.

Oh and did I mention that she also stars in her own film? Just checking. 

2. Gold is a complimentary color.

As if I didn’t cover the Academy Awards enough already, I would just like to point out Emma’s accomplishments: 

1993 — Emma wins Best Actress for Howards End
1994 — Emma is dual nominated for Best Actress in The Remains of the Day and as Best Supporting Actress in In the Name of the Father
1996 — Emma wins Best Adapted Screenplay and is nominated for Best Actress for her own movie, Sense and Sensibility

And that is only the Oscars. Her BAFTA wins and nominations, as well as her Golden Globe nods are just as impressive.

3. Sometimes, it is okay to drink in public.

4. What true (movie) love looks like.
Something I have noticed, and something that I love, about British actors is that they always seem to stick together. I know we get excited in America when actors we really appreciate as couples reunite. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks? Julia Roberts and Richard Gere? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence? Well call me crazy, but it seems like it happens more often with British actors, like they sign some sort of contract as a package deal or something. What does this have to do with Emma, do you ask?

Alan Rickman, of course. Have you heard of him? Emma and Rickman have done like a million (or five that I can count) movies together, and they are simply the cutest-true-love-movie-couple-of-all-time, if you ask me.

5. Looks don’t matter.

“A lot of very beautiful women can be a pain because all they’re thinking about is how they look.”

and

“My appearance has changed a lot over the years, but it has far more to do with how I feel about being a woman.”

There is simply nothing I could add to either wonderful pieces of wisdom.

6. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

“Maybe I don’t take myself so seriously any more. And I don’t care how I’m judged. I’m past all that.”

I know so many of us would like to think that we have learned how not to take everything so seriously–but if you are like me (and I’m gonna guess that you are), you are a 26 year old know-it-all. And 26 year old know-it-alls know absolutely nothing about anything. I think I am stellar at not taking things seriously and then I realize I am usually complaining about a bad phone call at work or a very minor and unnecessary fight with my boyfriend. I have not learned this absolutely vital skill yet. I can only hope to learn it one day.

7. Painful shoes just are not worth it.

As we learned this past award show.

At the Golden Globes this year, Emma let us all know exactly how she felt about wearing gorgeously uncomfortable high heeled shoes at an award show. In fact, Emma owned all moments of all award shows this past year. You go girl.

8. How to cry.

I know she is a character, but in Love Actually, Emma’s performance as Karen is heartbreaking and perfect. She is a strong and resilient mother, a proud sister, an understanding wife, and a brutally honest friend. Beyond all of that, she can make you forever remember a Joni Mitchell song. I have seen Love Actually approximately one thousand and fifty times, yet I always manage to cry when Emma does.

9. Have friends in high places.

Emma’s best friends?

Kate Winslet. And?

Meryl.

I mean… friends are important. The closest girlfriends in my life are just as important as Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet. Find your Meryls and Kates, ladies. And then take cute pictures together, because I live for girlfriends.

Lastly…

10. Always check your tea leaves.

Even if it makes you sound totally nuts, it is important to believe in what you believe in. I believe in horoscopes and full moons and birth order. I don’t necessarily believe in tea leaves and crystal balls, but I am not entirely Hermione about it. That being said, I am not accusing Emma Thompson of being Professor Trelawney in real life. However, I am shouting out her performance as the nutty professor. It is, after all, one of my favorite book-to-film interpretations of the whole series.

And also, tea leaves can be really important.

Featured image via , Rickman GIF via alanrickmandaily, shoes image via twitter, Kate and Emma image via suicideblonde, Meryl and Emma image via celebitchy.