Few actors in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Ben Kingsley. Since the 1980’s, Kingsley has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s political leaders, Holocaust survivors or comic-book villains, Kingsley has portrayed many characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with immense knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. I remember a history teacher that was fascinated with mass genocide disasters that changed his life forever. He took great pride in teaching students about a genocide in which his people died. He believed movies were an art that could never capture a genocide that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture a genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Ben Kingsley’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest movie ever made about the Holocaust. In the greatest role of his career, Kingsley embodies a Jewish accountant that becomes victim of a mass genocide which causes despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in the most memorable role of his career. Kingsley is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing historical figures, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as an actor. It isn’t easy to portray a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, but Kingsley succeeded tremendously. For instance, the heartbreaking scene in which Itzhak Stern consoles Schindler after he says he could have saved more Jews from the genocide is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” Ben Kingsley’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a heartbreaking genocide in which people died, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor with pride whose movies have left audiences satisfied.
2. Gandhi
Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that loved a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia that my grandfather spoke fondly about a political leader in India. He believed Gandhi was an inspirational leader who deserved to be celebrated for feats he achieved. In 1982, Ben Kingsley did an extraordinary job of portraying the commemorated political leader in Indian history in his movie “Gandhi”. In the most transformative role of his career, Kingsley embodies an iconic Indian leader that guided his nation during a time of despair. Kingsley has always been one of those actors with an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through delivering monologues, and “Gandhi” showcased his strengths as a performer. For instance, the scene in which Gandhi delivers an inspirational speech towards a crowd of spectators in a political rally is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gandhi” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about political leaders which would resonate with everyone. An incredible tribute towards an iconic political leader that forever changed India, it’s an insightful reminder about an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
3. Hugo
As far as I remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. From an early age, I’ve been drawn to the magic of the moving image as an art with power to deliver a meaningful message. During my childhood, I developed a passion for writing about movies that I found engaging. As someone that developed lifelong love for filmmaking years ago, I appreciated “Hugo”. Released in 2011, Ben Kingsley’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about filmmaking. In the most nostalgic role of his career, Kingsley embodies an aging filmmaker that yearns for a past when he was once a famous filmmaker that was iconic. Kingsley has always had an aptitude for playing commemorated characters with wisdom, and “Hugo” showcased his strengths as a performer. For instance, the black-and-white scene showing the young George Melies pursuing passion for filmmaking is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Hugo” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about dreams which would resonate with everyone. As precious as machines manufactured by Hugo Cabaret, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated today.
4. Iron Man 3
Iron Man is an incredible superhero that inspired my friend years ago. I remember a friend that grew up to treasure the comic-book character. He came to care deeply about a starkly rich millionaire. Through his love for an iconic hero with stark charisma, my friend gave me a love for Cinema. As someone treasuring a friend that loved a hero shaping his identity, I adored “Iron Man 3”. Released in 2013, Ben Kingsley’s movie celebrated a superhero with a starkly rich personality. In the most comical role of his career, Kingsley embodies an actor disguised as a menacing villain that isn’t who he may appear. Kingsley has always been one of those actors with sharp humour, and his comedic talents are evident in “Iron Man 3”. For instance, the scene in which Tony Stark discovers the Mandarin is a theatre actor showcased the actor’s flair for comedy. Ultimately, what makes “Iron Man 3” a great comic-book movie is its balance. Unlike most Marvel movies, the film manages to balance storytelling and spectacle. As precious suits designed by Tony Stark, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his spark making movies with a mark.
5. Shutter Island
Anxiety has shaped my personality. I remember facing pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with pressure posed by studies, I faced a nervous breakdown. As someone haunted by memories of mental illness causing disaster, I adored “Shutter Island”. Released in 2010, Ben Kingsley’s movie offered a marvellous adaptation of a book about mental institutions. In the most psychotic role of his career, Kingsley embodies a psychiatrist that manages a mental institution facing despair. Kingsley has always had the ability to steal the show in a supporting role, and “Shutter Island” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Dr. Crawley reveals the terrifying truth about the island to Teddy is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Shutter Island” one of Kingsley’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of mental illness, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a greaet actor raising awareness about issues that has become an icon in the entertainment business.
6. Sexy Beast
Ben Kingsley has always been one of those actors that has excelled at playing heroic characters. Since he achieved stardom in the 1980’s, Kingsley has always been a symbol of heroism. Kingsley has built an image of playing strong heroes with courage. However, in 2000 the actor took audiences by surprise when he played an evil gangster behaving like a beast his film “Sexy Beast”. In the most villainous role of his career, Kingsley embodies a fearless gangster committing crimes causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a villain. Kingsley showcased a menacing side to himself far removed from Gandhi that audiences hadn’t seen before. As strong as Don Logan’s desire to be a menacing gangster, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
7. Searching for Bobby Fischer
Chess is a challenging game that I’ve never been fond of playing. As far as I remember, I’ve never enjoyed playing a game requiring intense concentration. As someone that has never been a great chess player, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed “Searching for Bobby Fischer”. Released in 1993, Ben Kingsley’s movie offered an engaging portrait of a real-life chess prodigy. In the most intelligent role of his career, Kinglsey embodies a larger-than-life chess coach determined to train an impressionable kid to achieve victories in a game about which he has grown to care. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor the opportunity to showcase his talent for playing intelligent characters with wisdom. A grand tribute towards a great game, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actor whose memorable movies have achieved fame.
8. The Jungle Book
When it comes to the greatest animated movies ever made about jungles with a scary look, it’s worth discussing “The Jungle Book”. The animated cartoon about jungles was a pivotal part of my childhood. I grew up watching an animated cartoon that inspired me to make dreams come true. In 2016, Ben Kingsley did an exceptional job honouring the animated classic about jungles that look scary in his live-action film “The Jungle Book”. In the most animated role of his career, Kingsley embodies a panther seeking to achieve goals that’s conflicted. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing animated characters through his powerful voice. As strong as Mowgli’s relationship with animals in the jungle, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless movies audiences consider to be special.
9. House of Sand and Fog
Iran is a complex country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often built barriers against residents of a country that’s misunderstood. It’s rare to see authentic depictions of a country that’s misunderstood in movies. However, in 2003 Ben Kingsley did an exceptional job of depicting the country facing fog in his film “House of Sand and Fog”. In the most emotionally draining role of his career, Kingsley embodies a downtrodden Iranian immigrant living in America whose family experiences despair. It’s an intense role that gave Kingsley the opportunities to demonstrate emotional range which he hadn’t shown in her career before. An incredible adaptation of a beloved book about hardships Iranian immigrants face, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor whose movies audiences embrace.
10. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Few comic-book characters have built a legacy as strong as Shang-Chi. Since his introduction in 1973, Shang-Chi has become a hero that’s legendary. With his magical powers, charming personality and strong presence, Shang-Chi earned a humongous following. In 2021, Ben Kingsley honoured the iconic superhero in his movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. In the most comical role of his career, Kingsley embodies an actor facing a situation that’s dangerous. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his perfect comic timing. Despite his limited screen-time in the movie, Kingsley left a strong impression. As precious as the ten rings Shang-Chi seeks to retrieve, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose iconic movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to believe my film criticism dreams are possible to achieve.
The Film Buff 