▲A 19-year-old Bonham Carter impressed critics in this universally acclaimed Merchant Ivory romance, based on E.M. Forster's novel. The New York Times noted her "remarkably complex performance."

▲Merchant Ivory's lavish adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic 1910 novel was eagerly received by critics, and Bonham Carter was BAFTA nominated. Empire gave it a four-star review and the New York Times described it as "a breakthrough for Ms. Bonham Carter."

▲Rolling Stone quipped that by appearing in this Woody Allen romantic comedy, Bonham Carter was "becoming increasingly unleashed from period-film corsets." But it was always going to be co-star Mira Sorvino's movie.

▲Film Journal International highlighted Bonham Carter's "bravura performance" as reason enough to go and see this comedy drama. Empire agreed, and cited the film's "rationally satisfying but life-affirming note."

▲Rolling Stone loved what it called a "groundbreaking film," with Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, and director David Fincher hitting "career peaks." It went on: "Bonham Carter, looking like the waif from h*ll, has never been this tough or terrific." However, the late America film critic Roger Ebert was scornful, complaining that the project was not a worthy vehicle for actors of such a high caliber.

▲Reviews were generally unkind towards this darkly comic film noir. The San Francisco Chronicle lamented its peculiar casting, off-key tone, and uninteresting plot line. Empire struck a more conciliatory note, describing it as "a two-star movie with... four-star moments."

▲Bonham Carter took somewhat of a back seat in this remake of 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory' (1971). Conceding it was more polished and sinister than the original, Slant magazine nonetheless described the film as a "gooey mess" and "sickly sweet."

▲The film's use of split-screen presentation irked many critics, with Empire awarding the low-key drama three stars out of five. The Chicago Reader signed it off as "much ado about very little."

▲Bonham Carter's performance in Tim Burton's screen version of Stephen Sondheim's theatrical musical divided critics. Variety noted her "haunted and musically adept lead performance" while The Boston Globe suggested she wasn't up to the demands of the role, and that her "singing voice is all wrong." The film, however, was a big hit with audiences.

▲While The Globe and Mail heaped praise on her fellow thespians—Gambon, Rickman, Smith, et al —it remained strangely mute regarding Bonham Carter's own performance. Variety, however, underlined her role as one played with "mesmerizing abandon."

▲The Guardian praised Bonham Carter's portrayal of British author Enid Blyton as "riveting," and the actress ended up being nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress.

▲Describing this installment in the hugely successful franchise as "sadder and slower," the New York Times dismissed the efforts of some of the cast—including that of Bonham Carter's—as moving along after a scene or two.

▲This critically acclaimed historical drama garnered Bonham Carter a Best Supporting Actress BAFTA, and an Oscar nod. The Guardian called it a "richly enjoyable drama." The Hollywood Reporter described Bonham Carter's role as a "revelation."

▲In its first look review, The Guardian newspaper heaped praise upon the actress, remarking on her ability to "effortlessly steal the show."

▲The Telegraph was not impressed by Tim Burton's supernatural vampire fantasy, nor with Bonham Carter's "least consequential role yet..." IndieWire described it as "lazy and incoherent."

▲The Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton biopic garnered favorable reviews. The New York Times underlined Bonham Carter's portrayal of Taylor as "instantly believable." Variety praised her for her uncanny replication of Taylor's voice.

▲The Hollywood Reporter praised Bonham Carter for "making something satisfyingly complex out of [her role]." Nonetheless, the Sunday Times didn't recommend the film, believing it "too meandering [and] too dull."

▲Universally panned, the film was laughed at by The Atlantic for making "the fateful decision not to end." Time Out called it "frustrating, lazy and lifeless."

▲Remarking on her performance, The Wall Street Journal noted Bonham Carter's singular intelligence and sly wit, but decried the movie as "pallid." In its review, the Guardian gave the actress the benefit of the doubt, telling its readers she acquitted herself just "fine."

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Director Kenneth Branagh's live-action take on the animated Disney classic was generally well received, exemplified by a glowing review by Time. Bonham Carter's "naughty pout" while waving her magic wand was noted by Glamour magazine.

Sources: (The New York Times) (Empire) (Rolling Stone) (Time Out) (CNN) (Variety) (San Francisco Chronicle) (Slant) (Chicago Reader) (The Boston Globe) (The Globe and Mail) (The Guardian) (The Hollywood Reporter) (The Telegraph) (The Sunday Times) (The Atlantic) (The Wall Street Journal) (Time) (Glamour)

▲This art house movie failed to capture the imagination of a wider public. Empire noted how Bonham Carter, acting in French, "holds the piece together" while Time Out argued that her central performance was "too busy and bitty."

▲Bonham Carter garnered Oscar and BAFTA nods for Best Actress for her performance. CNN called the film "mesmerizing," while Variety praised the actress for her ability to capture with particular precision the shifting moods of her character.

▲Unflattering was the overriding critical tone leveled at Kenneth Branagh's ambitious and largely accurate version of Shelley's classic Gothic novel. While admitting Bonham Carter looked "splendid" as the love interest, Empire ultimately compared it to an acceptable night out that could have been better.

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Essentially a reboot of the 1968 original, this version saw Bonham Carter take on the role as a sympathetic chimp called Ari, who Roger Ebert declared was the "Eleanor Roosevelt of the apes."

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Bonham Carter's small but pivotal role made little difference to what Time Out lambasted as "shambolic... and intelligence-insulting mess."

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With Bonham Carter voicing the film's titular character, Scene-Stealers described Tim Burton's stop-motion fairy-tale as "deliciously dark." The New York Times elaborated by pointing out Mr. Burton's "love of bones and rot."

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The film's interesting ensemble of actors included Bonham Carter as Ophelia, but it was Mel Gibson's Hamlet that most critics had their eyes on.

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Helena Bonham Carter has enjoyed an incredibly successful film career. The English actress has appeared in dozens of movies, most of them finding favor with the critics. But along the way, a few have failed to raise the curtain. Click through the following gallery and see if you agree with the opinions of the critics.