When incredible characters meet fantastic actors
1. Joker - Heath Ledger
The Joker is one of the most intriguing characters ever brought to the big screen. His sinister appearance, iconic laugh, and chaotic intentions have inspired many method actors to tackle the role. However, when Heath Ledger was chosen for The Dark Knight, people thought this would end in disaster. Instead, Ledger gave an absolutely breathtaking performance that will live on for generations. His greasy hair, terrifying scars, and self-applied make-up are exactly what the Joker should look like. This, paired with Ledger's impeccable voice and creepy mannerisms, result in the greatest movie performance of all time. Unfortunately, he was unable to accept his academy award for best supporting actor because of an overdose shortly after the film finished shooting. The young star tragically passed away before he could continue to share his incredible gift with the world. I will forever be sad that we didn't get to see Heath Ledger's Joker for a second time in Nolan's final Batman movie.
2. Jack Torrance - Jack Nicholson
A common theme for these top picks is the mentally unstable villain and Jack Nicholson's performance as "The Caretaker" certainly fits the bill. And while his murderous rampage at the end of the film is exciting, here I want to focus more on his descent into madness. Jack's charismatic interactions with the hotel's ghosts compared to his resentful conversations with Wendy paint an unnerving picture of what is to come. Nicholson brilliantly conveys Jack's inclination towards the evils of the hotel, making the movie's final twist all the more fascinating.
3. Jules Winnfield - Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is the most badass, hilarious actor of all time and the way he just toys with people in Pulp Fiction is absolutely classic. The dude is in the middle of multiple violent shakedowns and he is constantly cracking jokes at his enemies. The only downside to Jules Winnfield is that you leave the movie wishing you could've seen more of him.
4. Hannibal Lecter - Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins plays the calm, calculated maniac perfectly in this movie. His slow, whispery speech towards Clarice only elevates the intense dialogue during their interactions. And of course, we can't forget about that sound he made when describing the lovely time he ate another person's liver with a nice Chianti.
5. Hans Landa - Christoph Waltz
I could let the opening scene of Inglourious Basterds do the talking when it comes to Christoph Waltz's portrayal of "The Jew Hunter". He is cunning, deliberate, and the absolute perfect actor to play this villain. Tarantino nearly canceled the movie because he was convinced he would never find the right actor for this incredibly nuanced role. He then, of course, met with Waltz, and the two of them created movie magic.
6. Tony Montana - Al Pacino
In my opinion, Al Pachino's best role is Tony Montana. In this movie, he is ruthless, chaotic, and stubborn right up to his death. Here, a great actor pairs up with a great character to create a truly entertaining performance.
7. Forrest Gump - Tom Hanks
While Tom Hanks embodies a ton of great characters, his most iconic is that of Forrest Gump. What makes this role stand out is the unique portrayal of a slow-witted, child-like figure navigating the biggest stages of American life.
8. Don Vito Corleone - Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando executed the ruthless mob boss to perfection. His raspy voice and peaceful demeanor convey that he is in total control even in the unpredictable world of organized crime. I don't love The Godfather as much as the consensus opinion, but Don Corleone is an awesome character nevertheless.
9. Daniel Plainview - Daniel Day-Lewis
While this film can be excruciating to watch at times, it is hard to deny the prowess of Daniel Day-Lewis. Part of what makes this movie difficult to watch is the raw emotion that is constant with this main character. On the other hand, however, that same emotion makes this performance undeniably great.
10. Patrick Bateman - Christian Bale
This psychotic portrayal is the pinnacle of an actor going from zero to one hundred on the emotion scale. One second Patrick Bateman puts on his Wallstreet facade and the next he is axing innocent coworkers. This reminds me of Dexter without the good intentions.
Comentários