Not many actors attract audiences to the Cinema like Alfred Molina. Since the 1960’s, Molina has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s treasure seekers, drug dealers or comic-book villains, Molina 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. Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that inspired my teacher. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that was a huge fan of the web-swinging superhero. A comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a superhero making him feel heard. He would acknowledge a legendary hero whose great powers came with responsibilities impacting identity. His classroom was always decorated with posters of a superhero he appreciated. In 2004, Alfred Molina celebrated the superhero my teacher grew up to value in his movie “Spider-Man 2”. In the most villainous role of his career, Molina portrayed a scientist turning to life of crime causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. Molina has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Spider-Man 2”, however, the actor took a step out of hs comfort zone playing a comic-book villain. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also amazing, Molina honoured a superhero with powers of web-swinging. For instance, the scene in which Otto Octavius experiences fusion accidents in a bad experiment gone wrong leading his wife to be killed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man 2” Alfred Molina’s best movie is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most Spider-Man movies targeted towards comic-book fans only, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It manages to turn Spider-Man into an extraordinary hero with flaws whom anyone can relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking blockbuster about a superhero whose great powers come with great responsibilities that are challenging, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor whose movies are worth celebrating.
2. Boogie Nights
Pornographic actors are controversial figures that always fascinated my father. My father always admired adult actors putting their lives in danger. He always praised bravery of adult actors that starred in provocative movies. As someone treasuring memories of a father fascinated with adult actors facing fights, I adored “Boogie Nights”. Released in 1997, Alfred Molina’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the adult film industry. In the most comical role of his career, Molina portrayed a drug-dealer that becomes involved in the lives of pornographic actors facing despair. It’s a provocative role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a drug-dealer in L.A. that’s well-known. Working alongside Mark Wahlberg who is also outstanding, Molina created a portrait of the adult industry that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rahad Jackson becomes aware that the adult actors are attempt to scam him causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Boogie Nights” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the adult film industry targeted to a small audience, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A bold portrait of hardships that adult actors face, it’s a great reminder of an actor that has made movies that audiences embrace.
3. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones is an iconic character that always inspired my grandpa. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of the whip-smart hero. I remember spending time with a grandfather that regarded Jones to be a national treasure. Through his lifelong love of Indiana Jones, my grandpa inspired my passion for Cinema. In 1981, Alfred Molina honoured the whip-smart hero with a spark in his movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”. In the most adventurous role of his career, Molina portrayed an archaeologist seeking treasure that’s rare. Molina has always had an aptitude for playing heroic characters with a love for adventure, and “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Harrison Ford who is also outstanding, Molina honoured an iconic character that’s adored. For instance, the scene in which Satipo guides Indiana Jones towards treasure that’s rare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Raiders of the Lost Ark” a commemorated film is its universal appeal. Unlike most Indiana Jones movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. As precious as the lost ark, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with a bright spark that has made memorable movies leaving a lasting mark.
4. Magnolia
It’s always challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a low when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the loss of a housekeeper that died. As someone haunted by loss of a loved one causing trauma, I adored “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Alfred Molina’s movie captured individuals impacted by loss in America. In the most volatile role of his career, Molina portrayed a gangster facing despair. Molina has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in a supporting role, and “Magnolia” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside John C. Reilly who is also outstanding, Molina created a portrait of loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Solomon Solomon scolds the quiz kid about not performing well on the show causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which resonates with everyone. A powerful portrait of people in Los Angeles affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies attract audiences to the Cinema.
5. Promising Young Woman
Feminist women with strong personalities have always inspired me. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a girl in school that sought to become a feminist hero. She always held strong views against sexual assault which she considered a form of abuse. As someone treasuring fond memories of a girl that sought to become a promising young woman, I adored “Promising Young Woman”. Released in 2020, Alfred Molina’s movie captured strong women taking a stand against sexual assault. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Molina portrayed a guilt-ridden lawyer that becomes involved in sexual assault causing despair. It’s a sensitive role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also amazing, Molina created a portrait of sexual assault that’s compelling. Ultimately, what makes “Promising Young Woman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual assault which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of sexual assault causing lives of promising young women to deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable films which audiences appreciate.
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6. Love is Strange
Alfred Molina has always excelled at playing conflicted characters that face trauma. Molina has built an image of being an actor that thrives playing characters facing damage. Molina’s strength for playing characters facing strange situations is evident in his movie “Love is Strange”. Released in 2014, Ira Sachs’ movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Molina portrayed a middle-aged queer man facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for playing disturbed characters. Working alongside John Lithgow who is also amazing, Molina created a homosexual romance that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of the heavy burden queer lovers bear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an illustrious career making movies about which audiences care.
7. The Hoax
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a hoax, it’s worth discussing The Hoax. Since its publication in 1981, Clifford Irving’s book has become a literary classic. In 2006, Alfred Molina honoured the classic book about a hoax in his movie “The Hoax”. In the most intellectual role of his career, Molina portrayed an intelligent researcher that discovers a devastating hoax causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a mysterious character with ambiguous intentions. Working alongside Richard Gere who is also amazing, Molina honoured a classic book about hoaxes that are frightening. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about hoaxes that are controversial, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has manufactured great movies which audiences consider special.
8. Frida
Few artists from Mexico possessed the charisma of Frida. A renowned Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo became an artist people treasure. During the 1930’s, Kahlo created gorgeous paintings. Her paintings are considered timeless works of art today. In 2002, Alfred Molina honoured the iconic painter in his movie “Frida”. In the most artistic role of his career, Molina portrayed the husband of a painter facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing the spouse of a painter that’s well-known. Working alongside Salma Hayek who is also amazing, Molina honoured Frida’s commemorated legacy. As precious as Frida’s art, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to impart great wisdom manufacturing memorable movies that always touch the heart.
9. An Education
Age gap romance is a tricky subject to depict in movies. Hollywood has avoided telling stories of romance between young women and older men. In an industry ignoring relationships that face destruction, its worth praising “An Education”. Released in 2009, Alfred Molina’s movie depicted a compelling age gap romance. In the most provocative role of his career, Molina portrayed a father witnessing his daughter having an age gap affair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a provocative character. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also amazing, Molina created an age gap romance that’s compelling. A dazzling depiction of age gap romantic relationships that experience a decline, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make movies that shine.
10. The Da Vinci Code
Alfred Molina hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, others have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Da Vince Code” falls into the latter category. Released in 2006, Ron Howard’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Molina portrayed a conflicted priest facing despair. Molina brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Da Vinci Code” is a flawed movie, it honoured Molina’s commemorated legacy. As precious as the Da Vinci Code, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has always followed his dreams by manufacturing memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for filmmaking which I have been bestowed.
The Film Buff 