Not many actors have earned the appreciation of Tom Wilkinson. Since the 1990’s, Wilkinson has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s gangsters, police-officers or grieving fathers, Wilkinson 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 a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Batman Begins
Batman is a celebrated superhero my brother always appreciated. I remember my brother once was a fan of the caped crusader. A comic-book nerd, he would always speak fondly about a superhero making him feel heard. His room was decorated with posters of a superhero he appreciated. My brother often yearned to see the caped crusader be seen on the big-screen. In 2005, Tom Wilkinson honoured the iconic superhero whose story begins in his movie “Batman Begins”. In the greatest role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed a merciless gangster that engages in a life of crime causing Batman to face despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Wilkinson has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Batman Begins”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a merciless comic-book villain. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Wilkinson created a portrait of Batman that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Carmine Falcone confronts Bruce Wayne in his bar causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Begins” Tom Wilkinson’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Batman movies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book blockbuster that introduced the caped crusader transforming the world forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured movies which audiences treasure.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Memory loss is a painful process that causes people to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory. She got into the habit of forgetting about certain things, people and places. It was heartbreaking seeing a grandmother I loved dearly losing her memory. As someone that witnessed a grandmother losing memories in her spotless mind, I adored “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. Released in 2004, Tom Wilkinson’s movie captured lovers with memory loss. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed an intelligent doctor facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Kirsten Dunst who is also amazing, Wilkinson created a portrait of memory loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dr. Howard becomes aware that Joel misses his girlfriend causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about memory loss that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of memory loss in the mind causing romance to be declined, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor hat has made great movies which have left a long-lasting legacy behind.
3. In the Bedroom
It’s challenging to face loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower, my housekeeper became victim of a gruesome murder. Her death left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t move on from a housekeeper that died. As someone haunted by a housekeeper that died in her bedroom, I appreciated “In the Bedroom”. Released in 2001, Tom Wilkinson’s movie captured a family facing tragedy. In the most emotional role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed a grieving father affected by the murder of his son causing despair. Wilkinson has always excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “In the Bedroom” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Marisa Tomei who is also amazing, Wilkinson created a portrait of grief that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Matt first becomes aware of Frank’s heartbreaking death causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “In the Bedroom” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of loss causing families to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor producing movies which audiences appreciate.
4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
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 forever changed his worldviews. In 2011, Tom Wilkinson honoured the iconic franchise about spies following a protocol in his movie “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. In the most anxious role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed an IMF agent that negotiates deals with Ethan Hunt causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show as a supporting character with limited screen-time. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Wilkinson honoured a franchise about spies that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which IMF Secretary gives Ethan Hunt advice seeking to prepare him for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” a 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 an actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences consider special.
5. Sense & Sensibility
Jane Austen is a legendary author whose timeless literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a massive fan of the legendary author in English literature. As someone treasuring a mother drawn towards the sense and sensibility of Jane Austen, I loved “Sense & Sensibility”. Released in 1995, Tom Wilkinson’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s most beloved book. In the most aristocratic role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed the dying patriarch of a family giving his daughters a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Emma Thompson who is also amazing, Wilkinson honoured a book about women that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Dashwood gives his daughters his final words on his deathbed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Sense & Sensibility” a literary classic is its universal appeal. Ultimately, what makes “Sense & Sensibility” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a commemorated book about women that inspire, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor manufacturing movies that audiences admire.
6. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Travelling can be a challenging activity for seniors that are aging. Years ago, my grandparents were always enthusiastic about going to Toronto. However, recently age has become a barrier. As someone treasuring grandparents that once fell in love with travelling, I adored “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. Released in 2011, Tom Wilkinson’s movie celebrated senior communities. In the most wise role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed an aging senior visiting a hotel that causes despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional men under pressure. Working alongside Judi Dench who is also amazing, Wilkinson created a drama that’s engaging. As beautiful as the Marigold hotel, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor making memorable movies that cast audiences under a spell.
7. The Full Monty
Tom Wilkinson has always excelled at playing emotional characters facing tension. Wilkinson has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Wilkinson’s strength for playing emotional characters facing adversity is clearly evident in his movie “The Full Monty”. Released in 1997, Peter Catteneo’s comedy showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed a steel worker that turns towards stripteasing to provide for his family causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Robert Carlyle who is also amazing, Wilkinson created a comedy that’s engaging. As precious as the striptease, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies.
8. Michael Clayton
Lawyers are fascinating figures that have often made for memorable movies. Audiences have always come to embrace movies about lawyers that resolve a courtroom case. In 2007, Tom Wilkinson captured the enduring appeal of lawyers in a competitive profession in his movie “Michael Clayton”. In the most commanding role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed an attorney that engages in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes driven to accomplish a goal. Working alongside George Clooney who is also outstanding, Wilkinson created a legal drama that’s engaging. As strong as Michael Clayton’s desire to resolve his case, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies in his career which audiences embrace.
9. Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare is a spectacular author whose literature inspired my teacher. During high school, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that loved the author. As someone treasuring a teacher in love with Shakespeare, I adored “Shakespeare in Love”. Released in 1998, Tom Wilkinson’s Oscar-winning movie celebrated the legendary author. In the most poetic role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed an aristocrat that adores the writings of Shakespeare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for delivering complex dramatic monologues. Working alongside Gwyneth Paltrow who is also amazing, Staunton honoured an author that wrote stories centuries ago. A spectacular tribute to Shakespeare, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has manufactured a great career making movies about which audiences care.
10. The Lone Ranger
Tom Wilkinson hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Lone Ranger” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Gore Verbinski’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Wilkinson portrayed the sheriff of a town facing despair. Wilkinson brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “The Lone Ranger” is a bad movie, it honoured Wilkinson’s enduring legacy. As strong as the Lone Ranger’s desire to defeat Cavendish, it’s a riveting reminder of a British actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever cherish for inspiring me to believe that my dreams of film criticism are possible to accomplish.
The Film Buff 