Diane Keaton never quite fit the mold of a glamorous Hollywood movie star. Though she appeared in some of cinema’s most celebrated films and dated several of her generation’s biggest names, Keaton has always remained refreshingly original — eccentric, approachable, and effortlessly herself. With her blend of self-effacing humor and magnetic charm, it’s no surprise she became a muse for filmmakers from Woody Allen to Nancy Meyers.
Often described as self-deprecating, Keaton’s modesty stemmed from genuine insecurity. She once admitted struggling with eating disorders and feeling unattractive, even as she built one of Hollywood’s most distinctive careers. Through those vulnerabilities, she delivered performances spanning five decades that remain unmatched in depth and authenticity.
Keaton’s filmography is vast, ranging from her collaborations with Woody Allen to modern favorites like The First Wives Club (available to rent), nostalgic classics such as Father of the Bride (streaming on Hulu), and dramatic roles in Marvin’s Room (on Kanopy) and Shoot the Moon (available to rent).
Here are six standout Diane Keaton films to revisit or discover anew:
The Godfather (1972)
As Kay Adams, the future Mrs. Corleone, Keaton turned what could have been a passive role into something quietly powerful. Her subtle performance balanced the intensity of the male-dominated cast, culminating in one of cinema’s most haunting final scenes.
In a 2023 Instagram exchange, director Francis Ford Coppola revealed why he cast her: “Although you were to play the more straight/vanilla wife, there was something more about you — deeper, funnier, and very interesting. (I was right).”
Where to watch: Available to rent on various platforms, including Prime Video.
Annie Hall (1977)
The definitive Diane Keaton role — quirky, vulnerable, and endlessly charming. Her offbeat style, from the khaki trousers to the tie and vest, became instantly iconic.
Keaton later wrote that she drew inspiration for her wardrobe from “cool-looking women on the streets of New York,” adding that filming with Woody Allen felt spontaneous and unpressured.
Where to watch: Streaming on Fubo TV.
Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)
Released the same year as Annie Hall, this darker drama showcases Keaton’s range. She plays Theresa Dunn, a Catholic schoolteacher who leads a double life — teaching deaf children by day and seeking dangerous encounters in bars at night.
Long unavailable on home video, the film has recently become accessible on digital platforms, reclaiming its status as a bold, unsettling character study.
Where to watch: Available to rent on various platforms.
Reds (1981)
Directed by and co-starring Warren Beatty, Reds is an ambitious historical drama about journalists covering the Bolshevik Revolution. Keaton portrays writer and activist Louise Bryant — a role shaped by her real-life relationship with Beatty during filming.
In her memoir, she recalled, “Everyone knew I didn’t take well to Warren’s direction… Sometimes it felt like I was being stun-gunned. Even now I can’t say my performance is my own — it was a reaction to Warren.”
Where to watch: Streaming on Kanopy.
Baby Boom (1987)
This Nancy Meyers–Charles Shyer comedy stars Keaton as a driven Manhattan executive whose life is turned upside down when she inherits a baby girl. Relocating to Vermont, she rediscovers herself — and romance — with a local vet played by Sam Shepard.
A witty, ahead-of-its-time take on the work-life balance debate, Baby Boom remains a fan favorite. Critic Roger Ebert called it “a fantasy about mothers and babies and sweetness and love, with just enough wicked comedy to give it an edge.”
Where to watch: Available to rent on various platforms.
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
As Erica Barry — the sophisticated playwright with a perfect Hamptons home and an enviable collection of turtlenecks — Keaton shines in one of her most beloved roles. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, the romantic comedy boldly placed a woman in her 50s at the center of a love triangle with Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves.
Keaton has called it her favorite film, partly because “it was so unexpected at age 57” to play a romantic lead — and to share a memorable onscreen kiss with Nicholson.
Where to watch: Available to rent on various platforms.
From complex drama to timeless comedy, Diane Keaton’s performances capture both the insecurities and resilience of modern womanhood — always on her own terms.
Source:AP