Not many actors have built a legacy as strong as John C. Reilly. Since the 1990’s, Reilly has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s caring police-officers, corrupt gangsters or pornographic actors, Reilly has played several compelling 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. Magnolia
It’s always challenging facing loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit crushing lows when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower, she became victim of psychotic murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the sad loss of a bold housekeeper that tragically died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured trauma faced by people mourning the dark loss of loved ones as powerfully as “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, John C. Reilly’s best movie captured the intertwining lives of individuals that are impacted by loss in America. In the greatest role of his career, Reilly portrays a conflicted police officer that struggles to cope with a crushing loss of loved ones causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Reilly is known for playing goofy characters in comedies. With “Magnolia”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a conflicted police-officer. It gave the actor a rare chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Reilly created a bold portrait of loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jim confesses that he is a bad police officer having lost his gun to Claudia causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” John C. Reilly’s best movie is its message. It delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about people affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma that has produced memorable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.
2. Boogie Nights
Pornographic actors are controversial figures that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that adored adult actors facing damage. He would speak fondly about bravery of adult actors that starred in provocative movies. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that was fascinated with adult actors facing fights, I adored “Boogie Nights”. Released in 1997, John C. Reilly’s movie honoured the adult film industry. In the most provocative role of his career, Reilly portrayed a pornographic actor facing a heavy burden to bear. It’s a sensitive role that gave the actor the chance to take a step out of his comfort zone. Working alongside Mark Wahlberg who is also amazing, Reilly created a portrait of the adult film industry that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Reed and Eddie face a gangster’s home causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Boogie Nights” a masterpiece is its message. Despite its focus on a controversial industry, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of addiction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships that adult actors face, it’s a profound reminder of an actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences embrace.
3. Chicago
Broadway performers are fascinating figures that inspire my father today. I remember a father that was fascinated with the lives of actors in theatre. He would marvel at the way in which Broadway performers created an unforgettable stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway actors years ago, I loved “Chicago”. Released in 2002, John C. Reilly’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved Broadway production. In the most theatrical role of his career, Reilly portrayed a stage performer facing a burden to bear. With “Chicago”, the actor showcased flair for singing melodies that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Renee Zellweger who is also amazing, Reilly honoured a legendary Broadway play that’s inspiring. For instance, the “Mister Cellophane” scene in which Amos delivers a musical performance lamenting about being ignored by the press is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Chicago” a musical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Broadway adaptations, it tackles themes everyone will relate to. A brilliant adaptation of a Broadway play, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has produced memorable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
4. Gangs of New York
Gangsters are great figures that always fascinated my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that was fascinated with the lives of gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour. He was interested in the stories of gangs that shaped American history. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that adored gangs in New York, I loved “Gangs of New York”. Released in 2002, John C. Reilly’s movie depicted gangs in American history. In the most violent role of his career, Reilly portrayed a gangster engaging in tense warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a ruthless gangster. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also outstanding, Reilly created a portrait of historic gangs that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Happy Jack is hanged to death causing gangs to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gangs of New York” a great period piece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about historic gangs, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of hardships gangs in New York faced causing lives to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor manufacturing movies which audiences consider special.
5. Wreck it Ralph
Playing video-games is an activity my brother always enjoyed doing. I remember a brother that always enjoyed playing video-games that he grew up to treasure. Fascinated with video-game characters, he loved discussing games that he enjoyed playing on a daily basis. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that adored video-games, I appreciated “Wreck it Ralph”. Released in 2012, John C. Reilly’s movie offered an awe-inspiring animated celebration of video-games. In the most animated role of his career, Reilly portrayed a video-game character that faces a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his abilities to create compelling characters through his commanding voice. Working alongside Sarah Silverman who is also amazing, Reilly created a video-game character that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Ralph offers assistance to Vanellope during a time of despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Wreck it Ralph” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most animated movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Ralph’s desire to be part of a game, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made movies achieving fame.
6. Stan & Ollie
When it comes to the greatest comedic teams in Hollywood history, it’s worth discussing Laurel and Hardy. During the 1920’s, the team built a lasting legacy through creating strong comedy. In 2018, John C. Reilly honoured the legendary comedic team in his movie “Stan & Ollie”. In the most transformative role of his career, Reilly portrayed an iconic comedian that created timeless jokes people loved to hear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a real-life comedian that’s well-known. Working alongside Steve Coogan who is also amazing, Reilly honoured a renowned comedian. A spectacular tribute towards an iconic comedic duo that achieved fame years ago, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced memorable movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
7. The Hours
Few books ever written about female writers are as beloved as The Hours. Since its publication in 1998, Michael Cunningham’s book has become a literary classic that audiences appreciate. In 2002, John C. Reilly celebrated the book about women writing over many hours in his movie “The Hours”. In the most compassionate role of his career, Reilly portrayed the husband of a depressed woman facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Reilly honoured an iconic book about female writers. A spectacular adaptation of a celebrated book about writers committing suicide, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which have always left audiences satisfied.
8. Hard Eight
Gambling is a serious addiction rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often had the habit of glamorizing gambling. In an industry that has rarely captured gambling causing lives to deteriorate, it’s worth praising “Hard Eight”. Released in 1996, John C. Reilly’s movie offered a powerful portrait of gambling addiction. In the most reckless role of his career, Reilly portrayed a careless man that becomes addicted to gambling causing despair. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actor a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a victim of gambling. Working alongside Gwyneth Paltrow who is also amazing, Reilly captured gambling addiction.A grand portrait of gambling causing consequences that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made great movies which are worth celebrating.
9. Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy is a great superhero team that has built a lasting legacy. Since the 1960’s, the team of misfits have appeared in many movies. Getting viewers hooked on a feeling, the team has built a legacy which is lasting. In 2014, John C. Reilly honoured the team of guardians defining a galaxy in his movie “Guardians of the Galaxy”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Reilly portrayed the manager of a team facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for playing strong heroes in positions of power. Working alongside Chris Pratt who is also amazing, Reilly honoured a comic-book hero that’s inspiring. As strong as the Guardians’ desire to defend a galaxy that’s dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which audiences consider precious.
10. Holmes & Watson
John C. Reilly hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Holmes & Watson” falls into latter category. Released in 2018, Etan Cohen’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Reilly portrayed a detective investigating murders causing despair. Reilly brought a sharp sense of humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Holmes & Watson” is a disastrous comedy, it honoured Reilly’s legacy. As memorable as murders Holmes and Watson investigate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that I appreciate.
The Film Buff 