Emily Watson has quickly become one of the world's most acclaimed actresses. She first caught the attention of critics and audiences alike in 1997 for her stirring performance as Bess in Lars Von Trier's "Breaking The Waves". The role went on to win her numerous awards; not bad for her first foray into feature films.
      The younger of two girls, Emily's father was an architect, her mother a teacher. After graduating from high school, Emily continued her education, going to university for three years. Interestingly, when she applied to drama school she was refused. So as with most struggling thespians, she waitressed and did some secretarial work between getting bit parts in theatrical productions. It wasn't the most exciting time in her career, but she learned the ins and outs of her craft, but more importantly, she met Jack Waters, whom she later married in 1995.
      After numerous attempts and sheer determination, the five-foot-eight thespian was finally accepted into the London Drama Studio, where she spent a year honing her craft. Her per- serverance was finally beginning to pay off. She soon landed her first professional job with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1992. Around this time another actress was about to play an important part in Emily's fate. Helena Bonham Carter was asked to star in Lars von Trier's "Breaking The Waves", but concerned with all the nudity the part called for, she decided to back out of the project. Enter Watson, who showed up at the audition with only a few theatre roles and one BBC telefilm tucked under her belt. With one quick screen test she landed the role that would set the wheels in motion. From there it was only uphill for Emily.
      "Metroland" and "The Boxer" followed, but it was her role in the autobiographical film "Hilary And Jackie", based on the life of Jacqueline du Pré, the celebrated English cellist who was tragically struck down by multiple sclerosis, that shot Emily into the international spotlight. Watching her performance as the spoiled yet deeply troubled Du Pré makes one wonder why Emily had ever been rejected entrance by the London Drama Studio in the first place. What- ever the reason, perhaps rejection was exactly what Emily needed to work even harder at mastering her thespian skills.
      Perhaps her thoughts to Premiere magazine sums it up best, "What I love about film is that you spend a whole day very, very carefully and precisely defining and redefining something that in reality was, like, two seconds of somebody's life. I get such a thrill from that. I love it."
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