Not many actors make movies that excel like Steve Carell. Since the 1990’s, Carell has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s financial investors, divorced fathers or renowned political figures, Carell has portrayed several interesting characters. Given the sheer number of movies that 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 Big Short
The financial crisis is a frightening disaster that always fascinated my father. At an early age, I bonded with a father that possessed knowledge about complicated crisis causing damage. A banker by profession, my father took interest in crisis that caused tension. I recollect memories of a father which was interested in financial subjects. He would often strive to educate my family about catastrophic financial crisis that caused the grim lives of people in his profession to deteriorate. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big crisis that caused the economy to fall short as powerfully as “The Big Short”. Released in 2015, Steve Carell’s best movie offered a fantastic depiction of the financial crisis. In the greatest role of his career, Carell portrayed an anxious investor that becomes the victim of a financial crisis causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, funny and emotional in his most memorable role. Carell has spent most of his career playing comical characters with humour in lighthearted comedies. With “The Big Short”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a frustrated financial investor. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Carell honoured a financial crisis that left the world mourning. For instance, the scene in which Mark Baum first becomes aware of the housing market crash causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Big Short” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the financial crisis that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after big factors led to the economy’s tragic downfall, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to enthral making memorable movies that are simple to recall.
2. Crazy Stupid Love
Divorce is a devastating process that causes stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriage. I recall the night when she endured a fight with her husband that wasn’t a pretty sight. Following her sad separation, it was challenging for my aunt to move on. As someone that witnessed my aunt fall out of love, I adored “Crazy Stupid Love”. Released in 2011, Steve Carell’s movie captured the impact of divorce on families. In the most romantic role of his career, Carell portrayed a depressed father struggling to cope with a devastating divorce causing despair. With “Crazy Stupid Love”, the actor showcased emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Julianne Moore who is also amazing, Carell created a portrait of a broken marriage that’s compelling. For instance, the opening scene in which Cal becomes aware that his wife wants a divorce in a restaurant causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Crazy Stupid Love” a commemorated comedy is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of the divorce process which causes stress, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has commonly produced great movies achieving success.
3. Foxcatcher
As far as I remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my brother. During my childhood, I bonded with a brother that was fond of playing soccer in the neighbourhood. As someone treasuring a brother that sought to become a famous sports player, I admired “Foxcatcher”. Released in 2014, Steve Carell’s movie celebrated real-life wrestling brothers. In the most transformative role of his career, Carell portrayed a real-life coach that guided wrestlers causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a coach that’s well-known. Working alongside Mark Ruffalo who is also outstanding, Carell honoured a wrestling coach that achieved fame years ago. For instance, the scene in which Du Pont offers Mark a chance to join his wrestling team Foxcatcher seeking to prepare him for glory is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Foxcatcher” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about relationships between brothers which would resonate with everyone. A touching tribute towards real-life brothers gaining victories in wrestling, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies are definitely worth watching.
4. The Way Way Back
Stepfathers that mistreat children have shaped my identity. I remember memories of a stepfather that often treated my friend in a disrespectful manner. When his parents had a divorce, my friend was given a stepfather that treated him in a cruel manner causing remorse. As someone treasuring a friend that hated stepfathers way back in childhood, I adored “The Way Way Back”. Released in 2013, Steve Carell’s movie captured the impact of stepfathers on families. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Carell portrayed a strict stepfather facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an unlikeable stepfather. Working alongside Toni Collette who is also amazing, Carell created a portrait of stepfathers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Trent asks Duncan to rate himself on a scale causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Way Way Back” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of stepfathers that cause lives of children to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured great movies which audiences appreciate.
5. Vice
Dick Cheney is a controversial politician that always fascinated my cousin. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that was fascinated with a political leader that changed America. He would often strive to educate my family about a politician he had grown up to appreciate. In 2018, Steve Carell honoured the controversial vice-president that made a huge sacrifice in his movie “Vice”. In the most political role of his career, Carrell portrayed a real-life political leader that guided America during a time when the nation faced despair. It gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a politician that’s well-known. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also outstanding, Carell honoured a politician with detail. For instance, the scene in which Dick Cheney first meets Donald Rumsfeld seeking to prepare the nation for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Vice” a great biopic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American politics to appreciate it. 30 years after Dick Cheney became a powerful president in America, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with charisma whose unforgettable films attract audiences to the Cinema.
6. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Steve Carell has always excelled at playing comical characters with funny stories to tell. Carell has built an image of being an actor that thrives at making comedies. Carell’s love for making comedies that begin conversations is evident in his movie “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”. Released in 2005, Judd Apatow’s movie showcased the actor at his funniest. In the most hilarious role of his career, Carell portrayed a middle-aged man seeking to lose his virginity in a romantic affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Paul Rudd who is also amazing, Carell created a comedy about virginity that’s compelling. A hilarious portrait of a virgin facing consequences that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made great movies audiences consider precious.
7. Beautiful Boy
Drug addiction causes tension. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. His addiction to weed put him on a path to fail rather than succeed. As someone that saw drugs destroy the life of a beautiful boy, I appreciated “Beautiful Boy”. Released in 2018, Steve Carell’s movie captured a heroin addict. In the most serious role of his career, Carell portrayed a father struggling to take care of a son with drug addiction causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase range he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also outstanding, Carell captured hardships faced by drug addicts today. A beautiful portrait of drugs that destroy the life of a boy, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences enjoy.
8. Despicable Me 2
Few animated franchises have achieved popularity of “Despicable Me”. Since its creation in 2010, Pierre Coffin’s franchise has become a series children adore. In 2013, Steve Carell honoured the classic animated series children value in his movie “Despicable Me 2”. In the most animated role of his career, Carell portrayed a father struggling to care for children causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase vocal talents for creating animated characters. Through his commanding voice, Carell created an animated character that’s compelling. Working alongside Kristen Wiig who is also amazing, Carell created an animated movie that’s compelling. As precious as minions Gru treats with value, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has never lost abilities to make movies making dreams come true.
9. Little Miss Sunshine
Stories of dysfunctional families have often made for engaging movies. Audiences have always been drawn towards stories of ordinary people facing obstacles that are painful. In 2006, Steve Carell captured the appeal of movies capturing dysfunctional families that decline in his movie “Little Miss Sunshine”. In the most vulnerable role of his career, Carrell portrayed a conflicted father struggling to care for a dysfunctional family causing despair. It’s a dramatic role that gave the actor a chance to showcase strong emotions he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Paul Dano who is also amazing, Carell created a powerful portrait of a dysfunctional family. A dazzling depiction of dysfunctional families facing a decline, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made divine movies which always shine.
10. Welcome to Marwen
Steve Carell hasn’t always made great movies that excel. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Welcome to Marwen” falls into the latter category. Released in 2018, Robert Zemeckis’ blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Carell portrayed an artist that designs a dollhouse to cope with a time of despair. Carell brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Welcome to Marwen” is a bad movie, it honoured Carell’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Mark’s desire to overcome his PTSD, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy making unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 