Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Tom Hollander. Since the 2000’s, Hollander has become a British icon. Whether it’s political leaders, prejudiced lovers or renowned writers, Hollander 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 great actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother acknowledging the author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of a author that shaped her identity. My mother would value books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that that took pride in a bold author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Tom Hollander’s best movie honoured Jane Austen’s most romantic book. In the greatest role of his career, Hollander portrayed a gentleman suitor seeking to marry girls from a family causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Hollander has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in British period dramas. With “Pride & Prejudice”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary literary character that’s well-known. Working alongside Keira Knightley who is also amazing, Hollander honoured an author whose books are captivating. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth seeking marriage in a family causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” Tom Hollander’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s book to appreciate it. Centuries after the publication of a powerful piece of literature about women with pride facing barriers causing danger, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that audiences treasure.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean is a fantastic franchise about pirates that earned my cousin’s appreciation. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a cousin that adored Jack Sparrow. I remember he would love seeing movies in theatres about a pirate he grew up to treasure. In 2006, Tom Hollander honoured the iconic franchise about pirates that left my cousin impressed in his movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Hollander portrayed a naval commander seeking control over pirates facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Hollander honoured a franchise about pirates that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Lord Beckett gatecrashes Elizabeth’s wedding preventing her from having marriage causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” a fantasy classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the pirates franchise, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as Davy Jones’ chest, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured unforgettable movies which have left audiences impressed.
3. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
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 2015, Tom Hollander honoured the iconic franchise about spies on a mission in his movie “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”. In the most villainous role of his career, Hollander portrayed a corrupt politician that becomes a nemesis for Ethan Hunt causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase aptitude for playing villains he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also outstanding, Hollander honoured a franchise about missions that are captivating. For instance, the scene in which the Prime Minister becomes aware that his life is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Rogue Nation” a commemorated movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about false identity which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as missions Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his commemorated career which audiences cherish.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury is a legendary musician that my grandfather always loved dearly. I remember my grandfather was once a huge fan of the iconic singer whose melodies he would treasure. Drawn towards Queen, he would often yearn to see the famous musician’s life depicted on the big-screen. In 2018, Tom Hollander honoured the legendary musician in his movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. In the most musical role of his career, Hollander portrayed the real-life manager that sought to prepare a rock band composing melodies people love to hear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned figure in music history that’s well-known. Working alongside Rami Malek who is also amazing, Hollander honoured Freddie Mercury’s enduring legacy. For instance, the scene in which Jim Beach is first introduced to Queen becoming aware of the band’s talent for music is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Bohemian Rhapsody” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Queen to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of following one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Freddie Mercury’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that makes movies captivating the general public.
5. About Time
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl with dreams of marriage. However, fate caused our bond to deteriorate. When my immigrated, I separated from a girl that I had always appreciated. Years later, I would wonder if I would still be in contact with my crush if I could time travel. As someone treasuring a childhood crush that I lost over time, I adored “About Time”. Released in 2013, Tom Hollander’s movie offered a beautiful exploration of romantic relationships affected by time travel. In the most comical role of his career, Hollander portrayed a flatmate giving advice to a companion having a doomed affair. 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 Domnhall Gleeson who is also amazing, Hollander created a time travel romance that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Harry gives Tim advice for his first date is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “About Time” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most time travel movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrayal of time travel causing romance to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies throughout his career which audiences consider special.
6. Breathe
When it comes to the most inspiring figures that fought disabilities in British history, it’s worth discussing Robin Cavendish. Years ago, Cavendish was a British icon that faced sorrow he was diagnosed with polio. In 2017, Tom Hollander honoured the icon that was determined to breathe in his movie “Breathe”. In the most challenging role of his career, Hollander portrayed a pair of twins seeking to care for a relative facing despair. It’s a technically complicated role that required the actor to portray two characters at once but he succeeded immensely. Working alongside Andrew Garfield who is also amazing, Hollander honoured Cavendish’s legacy. Nearly 70 years after Robin Cavendish fought a deadly disease causing his body to perish, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has managed to accomplish great feats in movies audiences cherish.
7. Bird Box
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a terrifying box, it’s worth discussing Bird Box. Since its publication in 2014, Josh Malerman’s book has become a literary classic. In 2018, Tom Hollander honoured the iconic book about a box in his movie “Bird Box”. In the most frightening role of his career, Hollander portrayed a helpless man seeking to survive an apocalypse causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase aptitude for horror he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Sandra Bullock who is also outstanding, Hollander created a commemorated horror movie that’s captivating. As strong as Malorie’s desire to survive shutting her eyes, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured great movies throughout his impressive career which audiences prize.
8. Gosford Park
Housekeepers are powerful figures that shape families. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. As someone treasuring fond memories of a bright housekeeper with a spark, I appreciated “Gosford Park”. Released in 2001, Tom Hollander’s movie depicted housekeepers in a murder mystery. In the most mysterious role of his career, Hollander portrayed a housekeeper that becomes victim of a murder mystery causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Maggie Smith who is also amazing, Hollander created a murder mystery that’s engaging. As precious as Gosford Park, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with a bright spark that has left lasting mark.
9. In the Loop
Tom Hollander has often excelled at playing emotional characters under intense pressure. Hollander has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Hollander’s strengths for playing emotional heroes stuck in a loop is clearly evident in his movie “In the Loop”. In the most conflicted role of his career, Hollander portrayed a spy embarking on a dangerous mission causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing anxious characters under pressure. Working alongside Peter Capaldi who is also outstanding, Hollander created an espionage drama that’s engaging. As strong as Simon’s desire to become a spy, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies throughout his impressive career which always satisfy.
10. Tulip Fever
Tom Hollander hasn’t always made great movies that audiences treasure. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Tulip Fever” falls into the latter category. Released in 2017, Justin Chadwick’s period drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Hollander portrayed a commemorated painter seeking to prepare art causing despair. Hollander brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Tulip Fever” is a bad movie, it honoured Hollander’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Sophia’s desire to discover her identity, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 