Not many actors have earned appreciation of Brendan Gleeson. Since the 1990’s, Gleeson has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s magical schoolteachers, historical gangsters or music players, Gleeson 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. The Banshees of Inisherin
Friendships are fragile relationships that rarely last forever. I vividly remember forming friendships with a smart kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We would always enjoy playing soccer together. However, all of a sudden our short bond reached closure. No longer the friend I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Breaking ties with a friend I idolize brought tears to my eyes. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how friendships end in tragedy as powerfully as “The Banshees of Inisherin”. Released in 2023, Brendan Gleeson’s best movie captured doomed friendships between Irish men in the 1920’s. In the greatest role of his career, Gleeson portrayed an Irish musician that breaks friendship with a close companion causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Gleeson has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Banshees of Inisherin”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing an Irish man facing a doomed friendship. Working alongside Colin Farell who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of doomed friendship that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Colm abruptly tells his lifelong companion Padriac that he doesn’t want to see him anymore causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Banshees of Inisherin” Brendan Gleeson’s best movie is its universal appeal. Despite its focus on Irish men in the 1920’s, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of frightening factors that cause friendships between longtime companions to deteriorate, it’s a fabulous reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences appreciate.
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2. Braveheart
Medieval warriors in are figures that my mother considered special. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a mother that adored medieval warriors with courage. Fond of Scottish warriors, she would always speak fondly about figures she came to cherish. As someone treasuring a mother that loved medieval warriors with a brave heart, I admired “Braveheart”. Released in 1995, Brendan Gleeson’s movie depicted medieval warriors in Scottish history. In the most historical role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a Scottish warrior that participated in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong characters in positions of power. Working alongside Mel Gibson who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured warriors in history. For instance, the scene in which Hamish participates in battle with William Wallace engaging in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Braveheart” a medieval masterpiece is universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Scottish history to appreciate it. A breathtaking portrait of medieval warriors with a strong heart, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has produced movies audiences consider art.
3. Edge of Tomorrow
Repetition has shaped my identity. Being an Autistic person, I have often liked to follow a routine everyday. This repetitive routine has left little room for surprises in my life. As someone impacted by a repetitive routine that I regularly follow, I loved “Edge of Tomorrow”. Released in 2014, Brendan Gleeson’s science-fiction blockbuster captured men reliving the same day repeatedly. In the most authoritative role of his career, Gleeson portrayed an army general seeking to prevent an alien invasion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing strong characters in positions of power. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of time travel that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which General Brigham issues orders to Major Cage in alien invasions causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Edge of Tomorrow” a science-fiction masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about time travel, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of pain faced by army generals reliving the same day again, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies which entertain.
4. Gangs of New York
Gangsters are great figures that fascinated my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that was fascinated with gangsters. He was interested in the stories of gangs that shaped American history. An offer he couldn’t refuse, my grandfather loved watching gangsters that shaped his worldviews. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that adored gangs in New York, I loved “Gangs of New York”. Released in 2002, Brendan Gleeson’s movie depicted gangs in American history. In the most violent role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a butcher that becomes involved in gang warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of American gangs that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which McGinn delivers a speech to citizens of the Five Points area in warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gangs of New York” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships gangs in New York faced causing lives to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that has produced movies which audiences consider special.
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter is a magical series that shaped my identity. J.K. Rowling’s iconic series about a misunderstood boy who lived was a pivotal part of my childhood. I immediately fell in love with a series about wizards casting a magical spell with stories to tell. I have always treasured a spellbinding series that gave me a lifelong love for literature. In 2005, Brendan Gleeson honoured the iconic series readers admire in his movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. In the most magical role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a supportive school teacher that assists Harry with a competition causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary literary character that’s well known. As Mad-Eye Moody, Gleeson did an extraordinary job of portraying one of the most iconic characters in the series. For instance, the scene in which Moody gives a lesson seeking to prepare students for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” a great adaptation is its appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter movies targeted towards fans of the books, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as the Goblet of Fire, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences admire.
6. Calvary
Brendan Gleeson has always excelled at playing conflicted characters that suffer from depression. Gleeson has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters carrying a heavy emotional baggage. Gleeson’s strength for playing emotional characters facing tragedy is clearly evident in his movie “Calvary”. In the most tragic role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a priest receiving frightening death threats causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters. Working alongside Kelly Reilly who is also amazing, Gleeson created a portrait of religion that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of priests experiencing tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies audiences love dearly.
7. Cold Mountain
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a mountain, it’s worth discussing Cold Mountain. Since its publication in 1997, Charles Frasier’s book has become a literary classic. In 2003, Brendan Gleeson honoured the classic book about a mountain in his movie “Cold Mountain”. In the most tragic role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a legendary army solider 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. Gleeson showcased his strength for playing emotional characters. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Gleeson honoured a classic novel about about war. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a treacherous mountain, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with dedication that has made great movies which deserve appreciation.
8. In Bruges
Few filmmakers in Ireland have earned recognition of Martin McDonagh. With their dark humour, compelling characters and sharp storytelling, McDonagh’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2008, McDonagh showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Brendan Gleeson in his movie “In Bruges”. In the most comical role of his career, Gleeson portrays a gangster that engages in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase flair for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Colin Farrell who is also amazing, Gleeson created a comedy about gangsters that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of hardships faced by gangsters that are Irish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences cherish.
9. The Tragedy of Macbeth
It isn’t easy to adapt a classic Shakespeare play on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in English literature, Shakespeare penned timeless plays that changed the world forever. Making a Shakespeare adaptation often poses certain challenges for actors. However, in 2021 Brendan Gleeson pulled it off effectively in his movie “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. In the most poetic role of his career, the actor embodied a king involved in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for delivering Shakespearean monologues. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Gleeson honouring Shakespeare’s writing. A spectacular adaptation of a Shakespeare play, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has produced movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
10. Joker: Folie a Deux
Brendan Gleeson hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies the actor has made have been celebrated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Joker: Folie a Deux” falls into the latter category. Released in 2024, Todd Phillips’ comic-book blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Gleeson portrayed a prison guard facing despair. Gleeson brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a bad movie, it honoured Gleeson’s enduring legacy. As strong as the Joker’s desire to become a stand-up comedian, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor with strong dedication that has built a legendary reputation whose commemorated movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 