Not many actors in Hollywood have earned recognition of Alec Baldwin. Since the 1990’s, Baldwin has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s police-officers, frustrated fathers or salesmen in dangers, Baldwin has portrayed many 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 Departed
Trusting people is something that I’ve always found difficulty doing. Years ago, my family faced grief when we found that our housekeeper was a thief. I remember a great housekeeper that always treated my family in a generous manner. He was a caring assistant that dedicated life to assisting grandparents whom he always appreciated. However, appearances can often be deceiving. My grandparents were shocked when they discovered their housekeeper they trusted had stolen jewelry. Few movies I’ve seen have captured how difficult it is for people to be trusted as powerfully as “The Departed”. Released in 2006, Alec Baldwin’s best movie captured undercover cops struggling to find trust. In the greatest role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a conflicted cop that finds it difficult to trust co-workers facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Baldwin has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Departed”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a conflicted cop. Working alongside Mark Wahlberg who is also outstanding, Baldwin created a portrait of cops that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Captain Ellerby delivers a speech seeking to prepare his cops for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Departed” Alec Baldwin’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about cops, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about trust which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about cops that are hard to be trusted whose souls are departed, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor producing movies which audiences have appreciated.
2. Glengarry Glen Ross
Salesman are charismatic figures that always fascinated my father. I remember my father was fascinated with the lives of salesmen crunching mathematical numbers to ensure organizational success rather than failure. A banker by profession, he loved salesmen with dedication. As someone treasuring memories of a father that adored salesmen facing a loss, I appreciated “Glengarry Glen Ross”. Released in 1992, Alec Baldwin’s movie captured hardships salesmen go through. In the most over-the-top role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a charismatic salesman seeking to prepare a firm facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing characters in positions of power. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is also outstanding, Baldwin created a salesman that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Blake delivers a speech seeking to prepare a firm is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Glengarry Glen Ross” a masterpiece is appeal. Unlike most movies about salesmen, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the workplace which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of salesmen under stress, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to impress making movies achieving success.
3. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
Mission: Impossible is a spectacular franchise that always earned my father’s appreciation. I remember my father once appreciated a franchise about hunted spies facing danger. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he appreciated movies that changed his worldviews. In 2018, Alec Baldwin honoured the iconic franchise about spies facing doubt in his movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. In the most heroic role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a dedicated agent embarking on a mission causing despair. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also outstanding, Baldwin honoured a franchise about spies that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Hunley becomes aware that Ethan Hunt has deceived him causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” a commemorated action masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the action franchise, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Ethan Hunt’s desire to accomplish missions that are impossible, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a powerful legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies which audiences have always considered to be special.
4. Notting Hill
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. As famous as a Hollywood actress, she was always dressed to impress. When my family moved to Canada, I faced a dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. As someone that has witnessed uphill battles of love that’s hard to fulfill, I adored “Notting Hill”. Released in 1999, Alec Baldwin’s movie depicted a romance involving celebrities. In the most romantic role of his career, Baldwin portrayed the husband of a famous actress having an affair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters under pressure. Working alongside Julia Roberts who is also amazing, Baldwin created a romance that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jeff is first introduced as Anna’s husband causing William to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Notting Hill” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies in the 1990’s which are often outdated, it has aged beautifully. A powerful romance about celebrities with dreams to fulfill in Notting Hill, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make movies which thrill.
5. Still Alice
Dementia is a devastating disease that impacted my family. I recall with nostalgia a grandma that suffered from severe Dementia. She had habits to forget things in life which were important. It was painful to see a grandmother that I loved dearly become forgetful. As someone that witnessed a grandmother with Dementia facing anguish, I appreciated “Still Alice”. Released in 2014, Alec Baldwin’s movie painted a portrait of Alzheimer’s Disease. In the most compassionate role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a conflicted husband struggling to care for a wife with memory loss causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Julianne Moore who is also amazing, Baldwin created a portrait of memory loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which John first becomes aware that his wife suffers from memory loss causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Still Alice” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about memory which resonates with everyone. A powerful portrait of memory loss causing women to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate by manufacturing great movies which audiences appreciate.
6. The Aviator
When it comes to the world’s greatest innovators that made headline news, it’s worth discussing Howard Hughes. During the 1940’s, Hughes overcame mental disorders to create planes that are inspiring. In 2004, Alec Baldwin honoured the iconic aviator in his movie “The Aviator”. In the most historical role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a millionaire that assisted Howard Hughes prepare airplanes soaring in the air. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong figures in positions of power. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also outstanding, Baldwin honoured a commemorated aviator that achieved prosperity years ago. An awe-inspiring tribute towards Howard Hughes, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured great movies making news.
7. Blue Jasmine
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned recognition of Woody Allen. With their witty dialogue, compelling characters and strong themes, Allen’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2013, Allen showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Alec Baldwin in his movie “Blue Jasmine”. In the most witty role of his career, Baldwin portrayed the conflicted husband of a depressed woman facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Working alongside Cate Blanchett who is also outstanding, Baldwin created a romantic drama that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of painful consequences faced by women that are anxious, it’s a riveting reminder of a courageous actor that has made great movies audiences consider precious.
8. BlackKklansman
Few African-American cops in history are worth the recognition of Ron Stallworth. During the 1970’s, Stallworth was a renowned police-officer that infiltrated the Klu Klux Klan. In 2018, Alec Baldwin honoured the undercover cop with a plan in his movie “BlackKklansman”. In the most political role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a renowned politician that sought to investigate the Klu Klux Klan 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 Adam Driver who is also outstanding, Baldwin honoured a politician that’s inspiring. As strong as Ron Stallworth’s desire to become a successful undercover police officer, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has made great movies which audiences treasure.
9. The Hunt for Red October
Alec Baldwin has always excelled at playing heroes that are tragic. Baldwin has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Baldwin’s strength for playing anxious character under pressure is evident in his movie “The Hunt for Red October”. Released in 1990, John McTiernan’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most technical role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a CIA analyst seeking to save a submarine causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional characters under pressure. Working alongside Sean Connery who is also amazing, Baldwin created a submarine thriller that’s engaging. As precious as the Red October submarine, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor making great movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
10. The Cat in the Hat
Alec Baldwin hasn’t always made movies that are fantastic. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Cat in the Hat” falls into the latter category. Released in 2003, Bo Welch’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Baldwin portrayed a businessman seeking to care for a cat causing despair. Baldwin brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Cat in the Hat” is a bad movie, it honoured Baldwin’s enduring legacy. As strong as the Cat in the Hat’s desire to cause catastrophe, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has created a lasting legacy producing commemorated movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 