Not many actors had the charisma of Ray Liotta. Since the 1980’s, Liotta became a legendary icon. Whether it’s cruel gangsters, baseball players or divorce lawyers, Liotta played several strong characters. However, in 2022 Liotta’s career ended when he died from heart failure. His devastating death left the world mourning. Listed below are my picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Goodfellas
Gangsters are great figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that admired gangsters causing damage. I remember a grandfather that appreciated gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour. An offer he couldn’t refuse, he enjoyed spending time with gangsters that shaped his worldviews. Through his love of gangsters, my grandfather inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the destructive agendas of gangsters as powerfully as “Goodfellas”. Ever since its release in 1990, Ray Liotta’s best movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. In the greatest role of his career, Liotta embodies a gangster that engages in criminal activities that become a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and menacing in his most memorable role. Liotta always had an aptitude for playing characters that engage in criminal behaviour, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as an actor. As Henry Hill, Liotta used his commanding voice to embody the personality of a real-life gangster in American history. Working alongside Joe Pesci who is also amazing, Liotta created a mobster that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Henry faces fear when Tommy gets angry with him after he calls him funny causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” Ray Liotta’s greatest movie is its message. It delivers a strong message about the consequences of crime which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a great reminder of an actor that built a great career making movies about criminals with sympathetic personalities.
2. Field of Dreams
Baseball is a fascinating game that I was once fond of playing. I recall heartwarming memories of my love for playing baseball. During my childhood, I enjoyed playing the game with kids in my neighbourhood. I remember joining my school’s baseball team with big dreams of becoming a famous sports player. As someone treasuring fond memories of a game that inspired me to achieve my dreams, I adored “Field of Dreams”. Released in 1989, Ray Liotta’s movie depicted a farmer building a baseball field to fulfill his father’s dreams. With “Field of Dreams”, the actor showcased a soft side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Ray first meets Shoeless Joe Jackson who appears in his cornfield out of thin air is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Working alongside Kevin Costner who is also amazing, Liotta honoured a legendary baseball player. Ultimately, what makes “Field of Dreams” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Ray’s love for baseball, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that never lost his abilities to enthral audiences making movies that are easy to recall.
3. Marriage Story
Divorce is a painful process causing couples to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriage that caused emotional damage. I recall the night when she had heated arguments with her husband. Following the sad separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to move on. As someone haunted by marriage enduring tragedy, I adored “Marriage Story”. Released in 2019, Ray Liotta’s movie captured couples ending marriages causing tragedy. In the most comical role of his career, Liotta embodies a witty lawyer that gives legal advice to couples having divorces causing despair. Liotta has spent most of his career playing serious gangsters in dramas. With “Marriage Story”, however, Liotta showcased aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Jay Marotta gives Charlie legal advice is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Marriage Story” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. A marvellous portrait of a marriage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to engage manufacturing movies delivering a meaningful message.
4. The Place Beyond the Pines
Fathers are powerful figures impacting children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. Without his wisdom, I may not have achieved dreams I am passionate about. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles fathers play in lives of children facing declines as powerfully as “The Place Beyond the Pines”. Released in 2013, Ray Liotta’s movie offered a fantastic depiction of fatherhood. In the most menacing role of his career, Liotta embodies a corrupt cop that confronts a father facing despair. Liotta always had an intimidating screen presence, and “The Place Beyond the Pines” showcased his strengths as a performer. Despite appearing in the movie for limited screen-time, Liotta left a strong impression. For instance, the scene in which officer DeLuca threatens Avery telling him to follow his car causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Place Beyond the Pines” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of fatherhood, it’s a fabulous reminder of a commemorated actor that thrived playing misunderstood characters which has become an icon in Hollywood.
5. Cop Land
Police officers have always fascinated my brother. I remember a brother that had dreams of becoming a police officer. He spoke fondly about cops that shaped his identity. Watching cops solving crimes on the news was an offer he couldn’t refuse. As someone treasuring a brother that adored cops with strong command, I admired “Cop Land”. Released in 1997, Ray Liotta’s movie captured corrupt cops struggling to take care of a crime-ridden city. In the most aggressive role of his career, Liotta embodies a corrupt cop that commits despicable crimes causing despair. Liotta always excelled at playing hotheaded characters with a short temper, and “Cop Land” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Figgis discovers his girlfriend’s death causing by a fire causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Cop Land” one of Liotta’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a bold message about corruption which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Figgis’ desire to become a police officer, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that made timeless movies which audiences treasure.
6. Something Wild
Ray Liotta was one of those actors that always excelled at playing wild characters. Liotta built an image of being an actor that thrived at playing characters facing emotional damage. Liotta’s strength for playing characters facing wild emotions is evident in his movie “Something Wild”. Released in 1986, Ray Liotta’s movie captured wild criminals seeking to reunite with lovers. In the most emotional role of his career, Liotta embodies a jealous ex seeking to reunite with his lover from a past affair. It’s a role that gave Liotta an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing emotional characters. Liotta showcased promise in his first breakthrough role that signalled he had a bright future. A wonderful portrait of criminals facing emotions that are wild, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that compiled great movies leaving audiences beguiled.
7. Narc
A common criticism levelled against Ray Liotta is that he never took risks as an actor. Following the success of “Goodfellas”, Liotta was typecast as gangsters that were frightening. This left little room for surprises in the actor’s career. However, in 2002 Liotta took audiences by surprise when he portrayed a police officer with a spark in his movie “Narc”. In the most righteous role of his career, Liotta embodies a narcotics agent seeking to fight crime in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone playing a heroic character that isn’t a gangster. Working alongside Jason Patric who is also fantastic, Liotta created a cop that’s authentic. As strong as Tellis’ desire to be a narcotics agent, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.
8. Dominick and Eugene
Intellectual disability shaped my identity. At an early age, my life changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. A debilitating disorder, Autism affected my behaviour. As someone impacted by a disability that affected my routine, I adored “Dominick and Eugene”. Released in 1988, Ray Liotta’s movie captured disabilities causing brothers to deteriorate. In the most subtle role of his career, Liotta embodies a medical student struggling to care for a disabled brother facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase a compassionate side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Tom Hulce who is also amazing, Liotta created a portrait of disability that’s compelling. As strong as Dominick’s bond with Eugene, it’s a strong reminder of an actor that made movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
9. Blow
When it comes to the most notorious drug traffickers in American history, it’s worth discussing George Jung. During the 1970’s, Jung engaged in illegal cocaine trafficking. Skilled in the art of drug trafficking, Jung built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2001, Ray Liotta honoured the drug kingpin that achieved fame years ago in his movie “Blow”. In the most mature role of his career, Liotta embodied the father of a notorious drug trafficker facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing characters in positions of power. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Liotta honoured a drug trafficker. Nearly 40 years after George Jung engaged in illegal trafficking of cocaine, its a breathtaking reminder of an actor that managed to gain a huge following by making movies which entertain.
10. The Bee Movie
Ray Liotta hasn’t always made great movies which are beloved today. While most movies that the actor made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Bee Movie” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Steve Hickner’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Liotta embodied an animated version of himself facing despair. Liotta used his voice to create a strong animated character, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Bee Movie” is a flawed movie, it honours Liotta’s legacy. As strong as Barry’s bond with bees that are inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that built a lasting legacy whose captivating movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
The Film Buff 