Not many actors have built a legacy as strong as Paul Bettany. Since the 1990’s, Bettany has become an icon. Whether it’s beautiful historical figures, naval captains or visionary heroes, Bettany 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 made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. A Beautiful Mind
Mental illness has shaped my personality. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. This mental disorder began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with the intense pressure posed by school, I experienced a nervous breakdown that was immense. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the impact that mental illness can have on a person’s mind as beautifully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Paul Bettany’s movie depicted the mind of mathematician John Nash. In the greatest role of his career, Bettany embodies an eccentric roommate that forms a friendship with a mathematician that becomes a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a tricky role that requires Bettany to be a figment of a person’s imagination, but he succeeded immensely. Bettany has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through monologues, and “A Beautiful Mind” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also amazing, Bettany honoured the legacy of a mathematician that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which John Nash experiences a nervous breakdown when he realizes that his roommate Charles Herman is simply a figment of his imagination causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” Paul Bettany’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a breathtaking film about a brilliant mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder about a one-of-a-kind actor whose unforgettable movies have left a lasting legacy behind.
2. Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers is a spectacular superhero team that shaped my friend’s identity. I remember a high companion admiring an iconic team in popular culture. A huge comic-book nerd, he adored heroes that made him feel heard. In 2018, Paul Bettany celebrated the superhero team facing a war in his movie “Avengers: Infinity War”. In the most visionary role of his career, Bettany embodies a superhero seeking to save the world from terrifying villains causing despair. Bettany has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions through his commanding voice projecting authority, and “Avengers: Infinity War” showcased his strengths as an actor. As Vision, Bettany did an extraordinary job of portraying a legendary comic-book character. For instance, the scene in which Vision is murdered by Thanos using the infinity stone causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Infinity War” a commemorated comic-book movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted solely towards comic-book fans, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as the Avengers’ desire to defeat Thanos, it’s a visionary reminder of a courageous actor that has created an illustrious career manufacturing commemorated movies audiences consider precious.
3. Margin Call
The financial crisis is a frightening disaster that fascinated my father. At an early age, I bonded with a father that possessed knowledge about crisis causing damage. A banker by profession, he took keen interest in crisis that caused tension. As someone treasuring memories of a father fascinated by the economy’s downfall, I adored “Margin Call”. Released in 2011, Paul Bettany’s movie offered engaging depictions of factors perpetuating the financial crisis. In the most downbeat role of his career, Bettany embodies a pessimistic investor whose dreams are shattered by a financial crisis causing despair. With “Margin Call”, the actor showcased sadness that he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Will Emerson uncovers evidence of the financial crisis causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Margin Call” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about crisis resonating with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with financial concepts to appreciate it. A heartbreaking depiction of the economy’s downfall, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to enthral whose movies are easy to recall.
4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Naval captains on an adventure are figures that have always impressed by grandfather. I remember forming strong bonds with a grandfather appreciating naval commanders. He would speak fondly about naval commanders that embarked on adventures across seas in history. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved naval captains exploring the world, I adored “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”. Released in 2003, Paul Bettany’s movie honoured naval commanders. In the most heroic role of his career, Bettany embodies a neurosurgeon taking care of wounded soldiers on a ship facing fear. With “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”, the actor showcased rare subtlety that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Russell Crowe is also fantastic, Bettany honoured naval captains that travelled seas centuries ago. For instance, the scene in which Stephen performs surgery on a child facing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” a great naval movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about leadership that would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jack Aubrey’s desire to be a naval commander, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which audiences treasure.
5. A Knight’s Tale
Medieval knights in history have shaped my teacher’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that adored medieval knights showing courage. I remember an English teacher in high school that grew up to treasure medieval knights in history. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved telling a knight’s tale, I adored “A Knight’s Tale”. Released in 2001, Paul Bettany’s movie honoured medieval knights in history. In the most comical role of his career, Bettany embodied a ring announcer facing fear. With “A Knight’s Tale”, the actor showcased comedic timing that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Heath Ledger who is also amazing, Bettany created a knight that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Chaucer is first introduced is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Knight’s Tale” a medieval masterpiece is universal appeal. Despite its focus on knights in history, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as William Thatcher’s desire to become a knight, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor that has achieved the spotlight.
6. Uncle Frank
Paul Bettany is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing conflicted characters. Bettany has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing tormented characters facing emotional damage. Bettany’s strength for playing frank characters in dilemmas is evident in his movie “Uncle Frank”. Released in 2020, Bettany’s movie captured a gay man confronting his sexuality. In the most sensitive role of his career, Bettany embodies a queer man facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters. Working alongside Sophia Lillis who is also amazing, Bettany created a portrait of a gay man that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of the burden that queer men bear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies about which audiences care.
7. Young Victoria
Queen Victoria is a legendary figure that my father has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that adored a queen with royal lineage. As someone treasuring a father that adored a queen in the Victorian era, I admired “Young Victoria”. Released in 2009, Paul Bettany’s movie honoured a legendary queen in British history. In the most majestic role of his career, Bettany embodied a wealthy suitor engaging in a romantic affair with a queen causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase a sensitive side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Emily Blunt who is also amazing, Bettany celebrated a legendary queen that’s enduring. A terrific tribute towards a towering queen, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
8. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Few characters created several years ago are as iconic as Han Solo. Since his introduction in 1977’s “Star Wars”, Solo has become an icon. With his charming personality, swagger and strong heroism, Solo has gained a huge following. In 2018, Paul Bettany honoured the space hero’s legacy in his movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. In the most villainous role of his career, Bettany embodied a space lord causing the galaxy to face fear. Bettany has spent most of his career playing heroes. With “Solo: A Star Wars Story”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Alden Ehrenreich who is also excellent, Bettany honoured Han Solo’s legacy. A spectacular tribute to a hero across space, it’s a sensational reminder of a great actor that has made memorable movies audiences embrace.
9. Gangster No. 1
One of the common criticisms levelled against Paul Bettany is that he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Following the success of “Wandavision”, Bettany has often been typecast in roles of heroes with a vision. This typecasting has often left little room for surprises in the actor’s career. However, in 2000 the actor took audiences by surprise earning recognition when he made “Gangster No. 1”. In the most psychopathic role of his career, Bettany embodied a gangster evoking fear. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a menacing side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Bettany showcased undeniable talent in one of his first roles that made him a commemorated star. As memorable as crimes that Gangster 55 has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor that has made timeless films which deserve to be celebrated.
10. The Da Vinci Code
Paul Bettany hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Da Vinci Code” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2006, Paul Bettany’s movie was a problematic adaptation of a beloved book. In the most shallow role of his career, Bettany embodies a preacher carrying a burden to bear. Bettany brought intensity to the role standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “The Da Vinci Code” is a flawed movie, it honours Bettany’s legacy. As precious as paintings in the Louvre Museum, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has achieved stardom playing characters with wisdom whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve my dreams of film criticism.
The Film Buff 