France is known for its great comedies. It is also a country where the dramas can be quite gripping.

After her work on the theater stage, she made her way to TV. She had a recurring role on the short-lived WB series Glory Days and also appeared on the Sci-Fi channel series Eureka.

Titanic (1997)

A sweeping epic romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, the “ship of dreams” that carried more than 1,500 people to their deaths in the icy Atlantic waters in April, 1912. Directed by James Cameron, this record-breaking film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of different social classes who fall in love.

Ismay wants the Titanic to break the trans-Atlantic speed record, dismissing warnings of icebergs as “showbiz,” and she is indeed nearly unsinkable until she strikes an iceberg.

Frances Fisher is a first-class passenger who is betrayed by her lover, Jack Dawson (DiCaprio). She is rescued by Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), who is searching for the Heart of the Ocean, an old treasure map. The movie was nominated for 14 Oscars, including Best Picture and a record-tying fourteen for Celine Dion’s song My Heart Will Go On.

Jolene (2008)

Jessica Chastain delivers a strong performance as Jolene, a naive and vulnerable young woman who gets caught up in a series of disastrous relationships with older men. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s short story, Jolene spends 10 years of mostly torment at the hands of men who find her irresistible.

She starts out in South Carolina as a sexy, impulsive teen whose sleazy uncle takes a predatory interest in her when she’s just 15. He is convicted of statutory rape but Jolene refuses to testify against him.

She later works as an erotic dancer in Las Vegas until she meets mobster Sal Fontaine and moves into his high rise condo. He eventually reveals that he’s involved in drug dealing and Jolene flees. She’s then thrown into the psychiatric system where she draws crayon portraits of other patients.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

Frances Fisher’s varied filmography has included both melodramas and thrillers. Her work on a number of television shows, including the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, helped establish her career. She also starred in films like The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) and House of Sand and Fog (2003), both of which showcased her acting abilities.

The film is based on Michael Connelly’s novel of the same name and was directed by Brad Furman. It stars Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller, a lawyer who carries out his business out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car and specializes in defending clients — hookers, low-lifes and bagmen — from Los Angeles dealers, gangsters and drug lords. The movie also stars Marisa Tomei, Josh Lucas and Ryan Phillippe.

It is not the most innovative take on the legal thriller genre, but it’s a solid one and features an outstanding performance by McConaughey.

House of Sand and Fog (2003)

A French-Canadian drama that follows the lives of three women and the way they support each other. It’s a great show for learning everyday conversations in the target language.

This movie is a classic of the French New Wave. Master director Jean Luc Godard keeps you on the edge of your seat as petty criminal Michel takes his crime spree too far. Keep an ear out for French terms of endearment, slang, and swear words as they come up throughout the film.

This drama tells the story of editor for Elle magazine Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers from a stroke that leaves him with full-body paralysis. It’s an inspiring story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie is available on Netflix.

Blue Car (2003)

Karen Moncrieff’s Blue Car is a harrowing drama about a troubled outsider. It isn’t always easy to watch, but it is ultimately very rewarding. The movie has a number of melodramatic turns, but the script never falls prey to any cliches.

It also boasts a great cast, led by the impressive debut performance of Agnes Bruckner. She is completely convincing as Meg, a surly teen with a troubled life. Her dialogue and interactions with her mother (Margaret Colin) never feel forced or strained.

Another reason to see this film is for veteran indie character actor David Strathairn, who delivers a memorable portrayal of Auster, Meg’s disheveled English teacher. This is a very worthy first effort from writer and director Moncrieff. It made a big impression at Sundance in 2002 before being released by Miramax a year later.

The Lyon’s Den (2003)

Frances Fisher starred as Jack Turner, the idealistic son of a political dynasty, in this Washington DC drama. He works at Lyon, Lacrosse & Levine, a 150 year old law firm that harbors dark secrets. He juggles tough cases with his complex personal life while working alongside a coworkers including practical George Riley (Matt Craven), cynical Grant Rashton (James Pickens Jr) and alcoholic Ariel Saxon. The Lyon’s Den had great writing with interesting subtext that sets it apart from other melodramas.

Frances Fisher’s acting showcases her range in this series. It’s a must watch! Its knack for melodrama occasionally veers into overindulgent territory but it stands as a slick, well-cast drama with a fruitful supply of intrigue. This is one of the best movies Frances Fisher has ever been in. It also features a great supporting cast.

Eureka (2008)

Unlike most sci-fi shows, which tend to focus on the gadgets and aliens, Eureka has always been more about the people behind the technology. Parent-child tensions, secret crushes, and old animosities are just as important to the plot as the latest gizmo from Global Dynamics. Frances Fisher joined the cast this season as Sam Thorne, a corporate fixer who brings some sense of order to Global Dynamics and its town of Eureka, Alaska. While the show will never be a classic, it’s a lighthearted diversion for science-fiction fans looking for something different from the usual law dramas and reality TV. And who could resist a little shameless product placement, like when GD hires the town’s sheriff to promote Degree deodorant?

Despite the occasional bout of clunky dialogue, this show is a fun and refreshing change from other sci-fi.

Touch (2013)

Director Agnes Varda is regarded as the “Grandmother of the French New Wave,” but her canonised male counterparts Godard and Truffaut are overshadowing her pioneering contribution. Her filmography is a wistful reverie on life itself and uses elements such as handwritten title cards and documentary-style camera work to evoke the sense of time passing.

Aude Lea Rapin, who made her feature debut with the critically acclaimed drama “Heroes Don’t Die,” follows up with this dystopian science-fiction thriller. Adele Exarchopoulos and Souheila Yacoub play hard-core eco-activists who end up in a virtual prison, a story that explores the limits of activism and the threats to democracy. The movie premiered in Venice’s Critics’ Week section. Frances Fisher’s acting skills are on full display here, showing off her softer side. This movie also stars Kiefer Sutherland and David Mazouz.