Eiza González is part of a select group of actors who can trace their blockbuster beginnings back to a show on the Argentinian Nickelodeon—she might even be the only one. Starting her journey with Dream with Me, the Mexican actress has climbed the ranks and starred in significant films. From portraying a gangster in Baby Driver to a tech genius in Godzilla vs. Kong and a member of the ‘Oxford Five’ in 3 Body Problem, González consistently demonstrates her talent.
Like many actors, González’s path has been shaped by various influences throughout her life. She cites her father’s passing when she was just 12 as a pivotal moment in her career, along with inspiration from actress Patricia Reyes Spíndola and her drama school experience. However, there’s one film that sparked her passion for the arts.
When asked about her top four films during a Letterboxd interview, she expressed some hesitation before revealing her picks. “Let’s begin with Midnight Cowboy,” she mentioned. “The performances are incredibly moving. Dustin Hoffman’s role really ignited my desire to act. I was captivated. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorites.”
Released in 1969, Midnight Cowboy is considered a classic. Directed by John Schlesinger, it stars Jon Voight as Joe Buck, a sex worker aiming to strike it rich in New York City. There, he encounters Enrico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo (Hoffman), a hustler. After a rocky start, the two become unlikely allies, navigating the murky waters of their respective careers.
Initially, the film’s X rating was seen as a potential death knell for its box office appeal, especially during the 1960s. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) deemed its same-sex scenes too explicit for a standard ‘R’ rating. Against all odds, however, Midnight Cowboy not only succeeded at the box office but also became the first—and only—X-rated film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, with Voight’s and Hoffman’s performances now regarded as iconic.
For her list, González couldn’t stop at just Midnight Cowboy. “Another favorite is GoodFellas,” she said, noting she has seen it “about 100 times.” Next, she highlighted The Nightmare Before Christmas, stating, “I loved horror as a kid. I wasn’t into Disney princesses; I was all about Jack Skellington.”
Her final choice was Darren Aronofsky’s mind-bending Requiem for a Dream, which left her astonished when she first watched it at a young age.
With influences ranging from groundbreaking dramas to beloved animated films, it was clear that Eiza González was destined to leave her mark on the film industry.
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