Not many actors have made movies that are worth talking about like Colin Firth. Since the 1990’s, Firth has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, majestic leaders or tormented soldiers, Firth has portrayed many characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The King’s Speech
King George VI is a legendary figure of the royal family that impressed my father. At an early age, I formed a strong relationship with a father that admired a king with speech impediments causing damage. Fascinated with British history, he would always speak fondly about a big king impacting his identity. My father was always inspired by how the king overcame a debilitating speech disability to guide Britain towards victory. In 2010, Colin Firth did an extraordinary job of portraying the great king with a speech disability in his movie “The King’s Speech”. In the greatest role of his career, Firth portrayed a majestic king that suffered from a severe speech impediment that caused despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Firth has spent most of his career playing great romantic heroes in period pieces. With “The King’s Speech”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary king that’s well-known. Working alongside Helena Bonham Carter who is also amazing, Firth created a commemorated portrait of a majestic king that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which King George VI has an emotional breakdown questioning whether he will be ever able to prepare a commemorated speech causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The King’s Speech” Colin Firth’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the royal family that are targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after the release of a classic film about a majestic king seeking to overcome a speech impediment that’s tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has built a great career by making memorable movies that are iconic.
2. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Girls with diaries that seek love have shaped my identity. I remember forming a friendship with a bold girl in school that used a diary to keep track of her lovers. She would often enjoy discussing her feelings about various boys in her diary which she valued highly. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a girl that recorded her thoughts on boys in a diary, I admired “Bridget Jones’s Diary”. Released in 2001, Colin Firth’s movie offered a captivating romantic comedy about women with diaries. In the most romantic role of his career, Firth portrayed a serious businessman that has an affair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase flair for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Renee Zellweger who is also amazing, Firth created a romance that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Darcy reads Bridget Jones’s diary becoming aware she hates him causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Bridget Jones’s Diary” a romantic classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most romantic comedies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as diaries Bridget Jones seeks to publish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured movies which audiences cherish.
3. Love Actually
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, immigration ended bonds forever. When my family immigrated to Canada, I lost touch with a girl that I had once appreciated. As someone treasuring fond memories of a childhood crush I loved dearly, I adored “Love Actually”. Released in 2003, Colin Firth’s movie depicted romantic relationships between British couples. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Firth portrayed a famous writer that has a romantic affair with his housekeeper causing despair. Firth has always had an aptitude for playing romantic heroes with a serious nature, and “Love Actually” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Jamie bids goodbye to Aurelia after becoming aware he has fallen in love with her causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Love Actually” a great romantic comedy is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about relationships which would resonate with everyone. A captivating depiction of couples celebrating the Christmas season, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor producing movies that deserve appreciation.
4. Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins is a magical nanny that I’ve always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Dedicated to performing every chore, she was a person that my family had grown to adore. In 2018, Colin Firth did an extraordinary job of honouring the magical nanny in his movie “Mary Poppins Returns”. In the most musical role of his career, Firth portrayed a financially unstable father struggling to take care of a family facing despair. With “Mary Poppins Returns”, Firth showcased rare flair for singing melodies that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Emily Blunt who is also outstanding, Firth honoured a classic movie about nannies that are spellbinding. For instance, the scene in which Michael Banks mourns the loss of his wife in an emotional musical number causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mary Poppins Returns” one of Firth’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the commemorated roles housekeepers play in shaping families today. A magnificent tribute towards a magical nanny that’s practically perfect in every way, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor manufacturing unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
5. 1917
War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle that admired veterans with courage. He grew up to value movies capturing the hardships that WWII soldiers went through. As someone treasuring an uncle that loved seeing war movies on the big-screen, I appreciated “1917”. Released in 2019, Colin Firth’s movie honoured veterans that fought in World War II. In the most authoritative role of his career, Firth portrayed an army commander seeking to prepare soldiers for warfare. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an army commander that’s well-known. Despite appearing in the film for a brief scene with limited screen-time, Firth left a strong impression. For instance, the scene in which General Erinmore issues orders seeking to prepare soldiers for mission in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “1917” a great war movie is universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWI history to appreciate it. A wonderful tribute towards soldiers that fought in the war of 1917, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured great movies that demand to be seen on the big-screen.
6. A Single Man
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about gay men without a plan, it’s worth discussing A Single Man. Since its publication in 1964, Christopher Isherwood’s book has become a literary classic. In 2008, Colin Firth honoured the iconic book about men without a plan in his movie “A Single Man”. In the most tragic role of his career, Firth portrayed a grieving gay professor facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Julianne Moore who is also outstanding, Firth honoured an iconic book that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a commemorated book about heavy burden that queer professors bear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an illustrious career making movies about which audiences care.
7. Supernova
Dementia is a devastating disease that impacted my family. Recently, I witnessed the disease destroy my own family. I remember my grandmother suffering from a disease that caused disaster. As someone that witnessed my grandma suffer from Dementia, I loved “Supernova”. Released in 2021, Colin Firth’s drama captured Dementia. In the most emotional role of his career, Firth portrayed a queer man whose marriage with his partner is threatened by illness causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase rare subtlety he hadn’t shown in his career. Working alongside Stanley Tucci who is also excellent, Firth created a powerful portrait of memory impairment. A dazzling depiction of Dementia, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose memorable movies have always attracted audiences to the Cinema.
8. Mamma Mia!
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2008 Colin Firth pulled it off successfully in his movie “Mamma Mia!”. In the most theatrical role of his career, Firth portrayed a gay man attending a wedding of a close companion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase flair for composing melodies he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, Firth honoured a classic Broadway play. A breathtaking tribute towards a beloved Broadway musical, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies audiences consider special.
9. The English Patient
Colin Firth has always excelled at playing conflicted characters that question worth. Firth has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Firth’s strength for playing emotional characters that aren’t patient is clearly evident in his movie “The English Patient”. Released in 1996, Anthony Minghella’s Oscar-winning movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most aristocratic role of his career, Firth portrayed a British nobleman facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters under pressure. Working alongside Ralph Fiennes who is also amazing, Firth honoured a classic book. A beautiful adaptation of a book about patient English soldiers whose dreams vanish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies audiences cherish.
10. Arthur Newman
Colin Firth hasn’t always made great movies with worth. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Arthur Newman” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Dante Ariola’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Firth portrayed a depressed man with suicidal intentions causing despair. Firth brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Arthur Newman” is a bad movie, it honoured Firth’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Arthur Newman’s desire to overcome his depression, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 