Emily Blunt gave a tour-de-force performance in the mystery thriller The Girl on the Train, directed by Tate Taylor.
Based on Paula Hawkins’s best-selling novel of the same name that you can buy on Amazon, Blunt played Rachel Watson, an alcoholic who becomes involved in a missing person investigation.
While the film received mixed reviews, Blunt’s performance was universally praised.
Despite criticism that Emily Blunt was too attractive for the role of an alcoholic, makeup artists used techniques inspired by real alcoholics and Blunt’s pregnancy to make her look more haggard (Credit: Universal Pictures)
How Blunt Embodied the Complexities of Alcoholism
Emily Blunt went to great lengths to portray the physical and emotional toll of alcoholism in The Girl on the Train.
She wore bloodshot contact lenses and prosthetics to make her cheeks look slightly plumper, and she even kept her early pregnancy a secret from the cast and crew so that she could continue to film the demanding role.
Blunt’s performance was particularly praised for her unrehearsed confession in the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
The scene was filmed in one take, and Blunt’s nervousness and discomfort were completely genuine. This raw authenticity helped to make the scene one of the most memorable in the film.
Emily Blunt in character as Rachel Watson on the set of The Girl on the Train in New York City, November 4, 2015 (Credit: ACE / INFphoto)
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote that Blunt “is perfection, playing the hell out of this blackout drunk and adding a touch of welcome empathy. Blunt digs into the role like an actress possessed – there’s not an ounce of vanity here, and she keeps her real English accent to portray a Brit transplant on the ropes in New York.”
Blunt was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.
When “The Girl on the Train” was released in the United States on October 7, 2016, Emily Blunt was 33 years old, Rebecca Ferguson was 32, Haley Bennett was 28, Justin Theroux was 45, Luke Evans was 37, Allison Janney was 56, Édgar Ramírez was 39, and Lisa Kudrow was 53.
Emily Blunt Stuns in Alexander McQueen Dress at ‘The Girl on the Train’ Premiere
Just a few months after welcoming her second child, Violet, with husband John Krasinski, Emily Blunt stunned the world at the London premiere of The Girl on the Train (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
One month before the movie adaptation of the best-selling novel, ‘The Girl on the Train,’ was set to hit the theaters in the United States, the cast was already making the rounds promoting the movie.
They held a world premiere in London, with Emily Blunt leading the pack.
Emily Blunt chose to grace the red carpet in a magnificent Alexander McQueen floor-length gown adorned with sequin embroidery, exuding an ethereal aura (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
The then-33-year-old plays the main female protagonist in the movie. While she looked nondescript and somber in the film, she pulled all the fashion stops at the world premiere in this stunning dress.
Emily Blunt donned a tulle gown with meticulously crafted sequin “caravan” embroidery from Alexander McQueen’s pre-spring 2017 collection (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
While filming her movie, Emily reportedly hid her pregnancy, but you couldn’t tell based on the Alexander McQueen Resort 2017 piece she chose for the promotion.
Emily Blunt effortlessly sported a natural, “just-woke-up-like-this” beauty look, complemented by an updo enhanced by a strategically placed bejeweled headband (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
The ornate dress features embroidered flowers and structured long sleeves. Emily’s styling team added a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, Ruth Tomlinson jewelry, and a Jennifer Behr headpiece to complete this look.
Emily Blunt’s kohl-rimmed smoky eye artfully highlighted the dress’s darker beading, adding a touch of autumnal allure (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
This exquisite haute couture ensemble epitomizes the type of look we’ve learned to expect and deeply admire from the actress.
Emily Blunt with a pearl and gold flower crown intricately woven into her updo at “The Girl on the Train” world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on September 20, 2016 (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
However, given its haute couture status, it’s unfortunately not accessible for us mere mortals just yet.
Luke Evans stands approximately 5.5 inches (13.9 cm) taller than Emily Blunt, with a height of 6 feet (182.9 cm) compared to her 5 feet 6.5 inches (168.9 cm) (Credit: Joe / WENN / Mario Mitsis / Lia Toby)
Fortunately, we’ve curated a selection of alternatives available at Farfetch for you to explore.
1. Dolce & Gabbana Majolica Print Long Dress, $5,395.00
2. Valentino Enchanted Tree Evening Dress, $8,490.00
3. Etro Striped Paisley Print Lace Dress, $4,022.97