Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Since the 1990’s, Gordon-Levitt has become an icon. Whether it’s doomed lovers, romantic teens or bike riders, Gordon-Levitt has played many strong characters. Given the 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 a great actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. 500 Days of Summer
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school came to admire. As famous as a Hollywood actress, she was always dressed to impress. However, fate caused our doomed relationship to deteriorate. When my family moved to Canada, I was faced with a dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured romantic relationships that rarely last forever as powerfully as “500 Days of Summer”. Ever since its release in 2009, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s film has stood the test of time as a romantic classic. In the greatest role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a man facing a doomed romantic affair that experiences despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable career role. Gordon-Levitt has always had a flair for conveying strong emotions through his expressions, and “500 Days of Summer” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Zooey Deschanel who is also excellent, Gordon-Levitt creates a strong portrait of a doomed romantic relationship. For instance, the scene in which Tom’s expectations about his love with Summer clash with harsh reality is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “500 Days of Summer” Gordon-Levitt’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about relationships which would resonate with everyone. 20 years following the release of a charming romantic film about lovers facing obstacles that are challenging, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose engaging movies are definitely worth celebrating.
2. 50/50
Terminal illness has impacted my family. Several years ago, my family learned that our beloved uncle had been diagnosed with Cancer causing sorrow. I remember that my uncle was always an optimistic person that looked at the world from a positive perspective. He always looked at life from a positive perspective until the day he was diagnosed with a disease that was destructive. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle that endured terminal illnesses causing tragedy, I loved “50/50”. Released in 2011, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie did an extraordinary job of depicting terminal illness causing men to face tragedy. In the most emotionally draining role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a man diagnosed with Cancer that’s a heavy burden to bear causing despair. It isn’t easy to capture the serious subject of Cancer from a humorous perspective, but Gordon-Levitt succeeded tremendously. For instance, the scene in which Adam shaves his head after learning devastating news that he has Cancer is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “50/50” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of illness causing friendships to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose movies audiences appreciate.
3. Inception
Dreams have always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a mother that was fascinated with dreams causing damage. She would often love sharing dreams with my family which she remembered clearly. Sometimes, her dreams were joyous events about which she came to care. Few films I have ever seen have captured the emotion associated with dreams as powerfully as “Inception”. Ever since its release in 2010, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie has stood the test of time as a science-fiction classic. In the most thought-provoking role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a man on a mission to infiltrate dreams causing despair. With “Inception”, Gordon-Levitt showcased skill for being an action hero that he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the hallway fight scene in which Arthur fights guards in a rotating hallway during a scary dream is one of the most memorable moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Inception” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Cobb’s desires to make dreams come true, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great actor that hasn’t lost abilities to make timeless movies that audiences value.
4. The Dark Knight Rises
Batman is a celebrated superhero my brother has always appreciated. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a brother that adored the comic-book hero. A comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a superhero that made him feel heard. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that loved a superhero full of surprises, I adored “The Dark Knight Rises”. Released in 2012, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie did an amazing job of bringing a beloved comic-book franchise towards a satisfying conclusion. In the most heroic role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a dedicated cop seeking to fight dangerous crime in a doomed city facing despair. Despite being a minor part of the movie with limited screen-time, Gordon-Levitt left a strong impression. For instance, the scene in which Blake motivates Bruce Wayne to come out of retirement through a candid conversation is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight Rises” a comic-book masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about hope which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking conclusion to a franchise about a caped crusader, it’s a brilliant reminder about an actor whose movies audiences treasure.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You
Adolescence is a formative time in life that shaped my identity. I vividly remember the time when I was a teenager. I was often anxious about failing classes, being bullied and finding social acceptance from my peers in school. Nevertheless, I can’t deny that my adolescence experience shaped the person that I am today. As someone treasuring memories of adolescence that I value, I loved “10 Things I Hate About You”. Released in 1999, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie offered a powerful portrait of adolescence shaping teenagers’ identities. In the most romantic role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a teenager seeking to pursue an affair with a crush about whom he has grown to care. Gordon-Levitt has always been one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour, and “10 Things I Hate About You” showcased his aptitude for comedy. For instance, the scene in which Cameron negotiates with his classmates about how to win over the affection of Bianca is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “10 Things I Hate About” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about teens that would resonate with everyone. An engaging portrait of teens listing 10 things they hate about each other in high school, it’s a remarkable reminder of a great actor whose timeless movies audiences always consider to be cool.
6. Brick
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing troubled teenagers. Gordon-Levitt has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing teenagers that face emotional damage. Gordon-Levitt’s strength for playing panic-stricken teenagers facing circumstances that are tragic is clearly evident in his film “Brick”. Released in 2005, Rian Johnson’s thriller found the actor playing a teenager seeking to solve a high school murder. In the darkest role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies an angsty adolescent seeking to resolve a school murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for playing dark teens experiencing danger. As precious as the brick of heroin, it’s a fantastic reminder about a great actor whose memorable movies have built a legacy that’s iconic.
7. Looper
Time travel is a tricky concept to execute in movies. In order for any film about time travel to be successful, it needs to strike a balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a complicated balance most movies can’t achieve. However, in 2012 Joseph Gordon-Levitt pulled off the complex subject matter in his film “Looper”. In his most complex role, Gordon-Levitt embodies a hitman stuck in a time loop whose life spirals out of control. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing courageous action heroes. Working alongside Bruce Willis who is also extraordinary, Gordon-Levitt created a powerful portrait of time travel. As precious as time travel missions which loopers seek to fulfill, it’s a spectacular reminder of an amazing actor whose movies always please audiences seeking a thrill.
8. Lincoln
When it comes to the greatest presidents in American history that merit recognition, it’s worth discussing Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln guided the country during the dark time period of slavery. With his bold presence, wisdom and strong leadership, Lincoln became a symbol of hope for America. In 2012, Lincoln’s life story was beautifully brought to the big-screen in Joseph Gordon Levitt’s film “Lincoln”. In the most historic role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodied the son of a president facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave Gordon-Levitt the chance to showcase his flair for playing troubled characters. Despite limited screen-time, Levitt left a strong impression as Lincoln’s son. A profound tribute towards a powerful president, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.
9. Mysterious Skin
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has long held a history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. It’s rare to come across movies that capture the burden which queer people bear. In an industry that has often shied away from stories of gay lovers showing skin, it’s worth praising “Mysterious Skin”. Released in 2004, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie celebrated LGBTQ communities. In the most provocative role of his career, Gordon-Levitt portrays a queer adolescent haunted by child abuse causing despair. It’s a brave role that gave Gordon-Levitt a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a victim of child abuse. A powerful portrait of painful child abuse, it’s a profound reminder about a commemorated actor whose strong movies earning rave reviews always make headline news.
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10. The Trial of the Chicago 7
When it comes to legal trials in American history, it’s worth discussing the trial of the Chicago 7. During the 1960’s, individuals protesting against the Vietnam War became target of police authorities. The sad trial that ensued exposed injustice of the U.S. legal system. In 2017, Joseph Gordon-Levitt did an amazing job of portraying the legal trial in his movie “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. In the most serious role of his career, Gordon-Levitt embodies a lawyer fighting a court case that’s a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave Gordon-Levitt the chance to showcase his talent for delivering monologues. Nearly 60 years after the Chicago 7 legal trial, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a versatile actor that hasn’t lost style whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue dreams of film criticism that are worthwhile.
The Film Buff 