Not many actors in Hollywood entertain audiences like Eddie Redmayne. Since the 2000’s, Redmayne has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s physicist figures, transgenders or political leaders, Redmayne has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking is a powerful physicist that my father has always found inspiring. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a physicist with an inspiring message. A huge fan of Stephen Hawking, he would always love discussing a larger-than-life historical figure that he found inspiring. He believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a physicist holding a precious place in his heart. In 2014, Eddie Redmayne did an extraordinary job portraying the famous physicist whose theories changed everything in his film “The Theory of Everything”. In the greatest role of his career, Redmayne embodied the real-life physicist that faced disabilities which became a burden to bear causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Redmayne is one of those actors that has always shown a strong commitment to playing characters through method acting, and “The Theory of Everything” showcased his strengths as a performer. Working alongside Felicity Jones who is also amazing, Redmayne honoured the lasting legacy of Stephen Hawking. For instance, the scene in which Stephen Hawking discovers that he has been afflicted with disabilities causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Theory of Everything” Eddie Redmayne’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a universal message about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams that would resonate with everyone. Unlike most biopics, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 80 years after Stephen Hawking overcame frightening disabilities to change physics introducing the theory of everything, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
2. The Danish Girl
Transgenderism has impacted my cousin’s identity. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that was secretly a transgender. Fond of wearing women’s colorful attire, he was a person that my family would always admire. A tomboy in a league of his own, he would often enjoy doing activities that were meant for girls alone. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that sought to become a girl, I adored “The Danish Girl”. Released in 2015, Eddie Redmayne’s Oscar-winning movie honoured a real-life transgender artist. In the most emotional role of his career, Redmayne embodies a transgender artist facing despair. With “The Danish Girl”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a transgender artist. Working alongside Alicia Vikander who is also amazing, Redmayne honoured a legendary transgender artist in history. For instance, the scene in which Einar breaks down in tears after he reveals his sad affair to Gerda is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Danish Girl” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. A touching tribute towards a transgender artist that transformed his gender, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a one-of-a-kind actor whose movies audiences treasure.
3. The Trial of the Chicago 7
Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my uncle has always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of an uncle that adored the courtroom drama genre. My uncle grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men would fight a courtroom case. As someone treasuring memories of an uncle that loved courtroom movies years ago, I adored “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. Released in 2019, Eddie Redmayne’s movie offered an engaging depiction of a real-life trial in American history. In the most authoritative role of his career, Redmayne embodies a protestor standing up against legal injustice in a courtroom case that becomes a burden to bear. Redmayne is one of those actors that has always excelled at delivering emotional monologues in movies, and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Tom Hayden delivers an inspiring speech motivating his protestors facing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Trial of the Chicago 7” a great courtroom drama is its relevance. Despite taking place in the 1960’s, it tackles timely themes that remain relevant today. A captivating portrait of a commemorated courtroom trial, it’s a compelling reminder of an actor with style whose memorable movies have always left audiences with a smile.
4. Les Miserables
Les Miserables is a beloved Broadway play that my mother loves today. I remember forming a strong bond with a mother that grew up to treasure a Broadway play that changed her life forever. She always spoke fondly about a Broadway production that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring a mother that loved a play she considered special, I adored “Les Miserables”. Released in 2012, Eddie Redmayne’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved Broadway musical production. In the most theatrical role of his career, Redmayne embodies a revolutionary figure whose romantic affair with a woman faces despair. One of the challenges in making the movie is that actors were required to sing melodies live on set. It gave the actor a chance to showcase musical talent he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Marius sings about there being empty chairs at empty tables causing despair is a highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Les Miserables” a great musical is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about standing up against injustice which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor whose films deserve to be celebrated today.
5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Harry Potter is a magical series that I have always loved dearly. As far as I can remember, I’ve grown to treasure J.R. Rowling’s literature. The story of the misunderstood boy who lived has always been part of my childhood. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting spells with timeless stories to tell. In 2016, Eddie Redmayne did a fantastic job of honouring the book series about beasts in his film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. In the most magical role of his career, Redmayne embodies a magical wizard seeking to care for beasts that are rare. Redmayne has spent most of his career playing serious characters in solmen dramas. With “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, however, the actor showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Newt Scamander seeks to catch a mischievous Niffler in a bank is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Fantastic Beasts” and Where to Find Them” one of Redmayne’s best movies is its universal appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter movies targeted to fans of the iconic books, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Newt Scamander’s relationship with beasts that are magical, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has made commemorated movies audiences consider special.
6. Savage Grace
Incest is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from depicting incestuous relationships. A sensitive subject matter, incest rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has found incest hard to face, it’s worth praising “Savage Grace”. Released in 2007, Eddie Redmayne’s movie depicted an incestuous relationship. In the most provocative role of his career, Redmayne embodies a teenager engaging in an incestuous affair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone. Working alongside Julianna Moore who is also amazing, Redmayne created an incestuous relationship that’s compelling. An extraordinary portrait of hardships incestuous couples face, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor whose memorable movies audiences embrace.
7. My Week With Marilyn
Few actresses that achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Marilyn Monroe. With her attractive looks, charming personality and strong demeanour, Monroe gained a huge following in the 1950’s. In 2012, Eddie Redmayne celebrated the legendary actress in his film “My Week With Marilyn”. In the most glamorous role of his career, Redmayne embodies a filmmaker engaging in a romantic affair with an actress that’s a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his strength for playing charming characters. Working alongside Michelle Williams who is also phenomenal, Redmayne honoured a legendary movie-star. A magnificent tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a marvellous reminder about a commemorated actor whose timeless movies have always given audiences dreams to follow.
8. The Good Nurse
When it comes to notorious serial killers in history that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Charles Cullen. During the 1980’s, Cullen committed gruesome murders disguised as a nurse at various hospital facilities. A terrifying serial killer with a strong track record, Cullen built a lasting legacy. In 2022, Eddie Redmayne portrayed the nurse n his film “The Good Nurse”. In the most villainous role of his career, Redmayne embodies a serial killer committing murders causing despair. Redmayne has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Good Nurse”, however, he showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. As memorable as murders Charles Cullen has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor whose timeless movies deserve to be appreciated.
9. Black Death
Eddie Redmayne is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing characters facing pain. Redmayne has built an image for playing characters facing emotional damage. Redmayne’s strength for playing emotional characters that fear death is clearly evident in his film “Black Death”. In the most religious role of his career, Redmayne embodies a conflicted monk questioning his faith following an accident causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters facing turmoil. Working alongside Sean Bean who is also amazing, Redmayne created a portrait of a monk that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of religious doubt causing lives of monks to deteriorate, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences appreciate.
10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Eddie Redmayne hasn’t always made great movies which entertain. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” falls into the latter category. Released in 2022, David Yates’ blockbuster was a disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Redmayne embodies a wizard facing despair. Redmayne brought charm standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although it’s far from a fantastic movie, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” honours Redmayne’s legacy. As strong as Newt Scamander’s love for beasts that are fantastic, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor whose iconic movies I will forever treasure for motivating me to accomplish my lifelong dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 