Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Ed Harris. Since the 1990’s, Harris has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s powerful painters, television creators or space navigators, Harris 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 favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Apollo 13
The moon landing is a great event in American history that my grandfather always found fascinating. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandpa appreciating NASA. I remember my grandfather was fascinated with efforts it took to get the first man to land on the moon. He would often strive to educate my family about historic missions he grew up to celebrate. Through lifelong love for NASA’s astronauts, my grandpa inspired me to pursue passion for Cinema. In 1995, Ed Harris honoured astronauts that achieved moon landings several years ago in his movie “Apollo 13”. In the greatest role of his career, Harris portrayed a technician that ensured astronauts survived space missions causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Harris has spent most of his career playing villainous characters with dark personalities. With “Apollo 13”, however, the actor took steps out of his comfort zone playing a technician that achieved moon landings in history. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Harris honoured a real-life space mission in American history. For instance, the scene in which Kranz gives his technicians a motivational speech saying failure is not an option when astronauts are stranded in space causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Apollo 13” Ed Harris’ best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most space movies which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message about determination which everyone would relate to. Nearly 60 years after astronauts endured excruciating tensions seeking to survive a nerve-wracking mission in space, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies discussing bold themes which are simple for audiences to embrace.
2. A Beautiful Mind
Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder that always fascinated my teacher. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor interested in disorders which were cruel. He would strive to educate students about illnesses causing lives to deteriorate. As someone treasuring a teacher fascinated with disorders affecting the mind, I adored “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Ed Harris’ movie honoured the Schizophrenic mathematician John Nash. In the most mysterious role of his career, Harris portrays a businessman that becomes a figment of John Nash’s imagination causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a mysterious character. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also amazing, Harris honoured a mathematician that suffered from mental illness years ago. For instance, the scene in which John Nash becomes aware that Parcher is simply a figment of his imagination causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” a beautiful film is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A brilliant tribute to a mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has made one-of-a-kind movies leaving a legacy behind.
3. Gone Baby Gone
Child abduction is a painful process that causes parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in stores which were humongous. Fearful he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her devastated. As someone haunted by an incident in which my brother was almost gone, I adored “Gone Baby Gone”. Released in 2007, Ed Harris’ movie captured child abduction. In the most emotional role of his career, Harris portrays a detective seeking to investigate a case in which children disappear causing despair. Harris has an aptitude for playing characters under pressure, and “Gone Baby Gone” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Casey Affleck who is also amazing, Harris created a portrait of child abduction that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Remy Bressant find kids have gone missing in a case causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gone Baby Gone” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of abductions causing families to deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies audiences appreciate.
4. The Hours
Writing is an activity that I’ve always enjoyed doing. As far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a famous writer. During my childhood, I developed lifelong passion for writing about the art of filmmaking. Nothing has stopped me from pursuing my writing passion. As someone that has always enjoyed writing for several hours, I admired “The Hours”. Released in 2002, Ed Harris’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about feminist writers. In the most tragic role of his career, Harris portrays a terminally ill writer dying from AIDS causing despair. It’s a sensitive role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an AIDS victim. Harris showcased emotional range in one of his saddest roles he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also outstanding, Harris honoured a book that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Richard becomes aware he has a short time left to live causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Hours” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular adaptation of a book about suicide, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that has never lost abilities to make unforgettable movies leaving audiences satisfied.
5. The Truman Show
Reality shows have always fascinated my father. I remember a father that was fascinated with the unusual lives of individuals living on reality shows facing disaster. He would often love discussing reality shows with my family that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring a father that adored reality shows several years ago, I appreciated “The Truman Show”. Released in 1998, Ed Harris’ movie offered a captivating portrait of dangerous reality shows. In the most eccentric role of his career, Harris portrays the intelligent creator of a stimulated reality show causing despair. Harris has spent most of his career playing serious characters in intense dramas. With “The Truman Show”, however, the actor showcased rare aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which the creator speaks to Truman when he becomes aware he’s on a reality show causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Truman Show” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about media that would resonate with everyone. As precious as Truman’s reality show, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless films give audiences dreams to follow.
6. The Abyss
Stories of submarines crossing dangerous seas have made for memorable movies. Since the 1990’s, submarines have often made for captivating movies. In 1989, Ed Harris captured the enduring appeal of the abyss in his movie “The Abyss”. In the most fantastical role of his career, Harris embodied an underwater explorer travelling across the abyss without fear. It’s a physically demanding role that required the actor to perform dangerous underwater stunts, but Harris succeeded tremendously. Harris showcased strong commitment towards his craft that he hadn’t shown in his career before. A dazzling depiction of the painful dangers associated with underwater exploration, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which are definitely worthy of celebration.
7. Glengarry Glen Ross
It isn’t easy to adapt a Broadway play on the big-screen. Broadway plays are by definition the complete opposite of movies. What works on stage productions doesn’t always translate into movie-magic. However, in 1992 Ed Harris pulled it off in his movie “Glengarry Glen Ross”. In the most theatrical role of his career, Harris portrayed an anxious salesman in a firm facing despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actor chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a salesman. Harris showcased his aptitude for delivering monologues. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is amazing, Harris honoured a Broadway play. A beautiful adaptation of a Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to portray strong characters in unforgettable movies that deserve to be celebrated today.
8. A History of Violence
Ed Harris has always excelled at playing conflicted characters under intense pressure. Harris has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Harris’ strength for playing characters drawn towards violence is evident in his movie “A History of Violence”. Released in 2007, David Cronenberg’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most violent role of his career, Harris portrayed a psychopathic gangster facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for playing courageous characters without fear. Working alongside Viggo Mortensen who is also amazing, Harris honoured a graphic novel published years ago. A powerful portrait of families facing a history of violence, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose movies have attracted a huge audience.
9. Pollock
When it comes to the most beloved painters in American history, it’s worth discussing Jackson Pollock. During the 1940’s, Pollock created powerful paintings that were treasured. An awe-inspiring painter, Pollock built a lasting legacy. In 2000, Ed Harris honoured the iconic painter in his movie “Pollock”. In the most artistic role of his career, Harris portrayed a legendary painter that suffered from severe alcoholism causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a painter that’s well-known. Working alongside Jennifer Connelly who is also amazing, Harris honoured a legendary painter in American history. A powerful tribute towards a beloved American painter, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences treasure.
10. Top Gun: Maverick
Few films ever made about aviation are as beloved as “Top Gun”. Since its release in 1986, Tony Scott’s movie has become a beloved action classic. In 2022, Ed Harris honoured the iconic classic about aviators in his movie “Top Gun: Maverick”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Harris portrayed an aging army commander seeking to care for aviators facing despair. Harris brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out in a star-studded cast in spite of limited screen-time. Although “Top Gun: Maverick” falls short of Ed Harris’ greatest movies, it honoured the actor’s enduring legacy. As strong as Maverick’s love for flying, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies that I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong passion for filmmaking.
The Film Buff 