Not many actors have built a legacy as powerful as Adrien Brody. Since the 1990’s, Brody has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s Jewish Holocaust survivors, hotel managers or psychotic villagers, Brody 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 an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Pianist
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a great professor that had bold knowledge about genocide damage. Several years ago, I was taught about the sad genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a grim ghetto. He would always take pride in teaching students in his classes about a gruesome genocide in which his people died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured a genocide in which terror would persist as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Adrien Brody’s best movie captured the life of a Jewish pianist that survived WWII. In the greatest role of his career, Brody portrayed a real-life Jewish pianist that survived warfare which caused despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Brody has spent most of his career playing heroes in action movies. With “The Pianist”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone playing a heartbreaking survivor of the Holocaust. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range that he hadn’t shown before in his career. For instance, the scene in which Spzilmann is separated from his parents becoming aware that his life is in frightening danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” Adrien Brody’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 90 years following a frightening mass genocide in which innocent civilians died, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor that has always taken great pride manufacturing memorable movies leaving audiences satisfied.
2. The Brutalist
Immigration is a painful process that causes stress. Several years ago, my life forever changed when my family immigrated to Toronto. The decision to immigrate forced me to separate from beloved companions that I had grown to appreciate. As someone impacted by the heartbreak of a homeland that I missed, I adored “The Brutalist”. Released in 2024, Adrien Brody’s Oscar-winning movie captured a Jewish immigrant surviving in WWII. In the most emotional role of his career, Brody portrayed a Jewish immigrant seeking to pursue architecture in a city causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing Jewish men under pressure. Working alongside Felicity Jones who is also amazing, Brody created a portrait of immigration that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lazlo first immigrates to the United States becoming aware of the country’s nature is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Brutalist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of the immigration process, it’s a groundbreaking reminder of a great actor making captivating movies achieving success.
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Hotel managers are figures that always fascinated my mother. I remember my mother was once interested in the lives of hotel managers seeking to manage apartments under pressure. She would often love observing the way managers controlled a hotel. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that adored the functioning of a hotel, I admired “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. Released in 2014, Adrien Brody’s movie captured the life of a hotel manager facing tragedy. In the most comical role of his career, Brody portrayed a hotel manager seeking to prepare for a meeting 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 Ralph Fiennes who is also amazing, Brody created a movie about hotels that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dmitri becomes aware that his painting has been stolen causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Grand Budapest Hotel” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the hotel Gustave seeks to manage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies deliver a meaningful message.
4. King Kong
King Kong is a frightening ape that my grandfather always found inspiring. I remember a grandfather that adored a monstrous ape putting lives of people in grave danger. He would always gape in awe at the sight of a monstrous ape. A huge fan of King Kong, he would always speak fondly about a monster that he felt could do no wrong. In 2005, Adrien Brody honoured the long-lasting legacy of the ape in his movie “King Kong”. In the most anxious role of his career, Brody portrayed a screenwriter seeking to prevent an ape catastrophe 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 Naomi Watts who is also amazing, Brody created a disaster movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Jack becomes aware that Ann has been abducted by an ape causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “King Kong” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most monster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A magnificent tribute towards a frightening ape that’s monstrous, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a world-famous actor that has made movies which audiences consider to be precious.
5. The Village
The woods have always terrified me. At an early age, I developed a fear of woods that caused damage. My family lived in a small neighbourhood next to the woods. I had a nerve-wracking feeling that there were creatures in the woods. My fear of the woods I never had courage to enter began when I saw “The Village”. Released in 2004, Adrien Brody’s horror movie depicted woods causing catastrophe. In the most frightening role of his career, Brody portrayed a mentally handicapped villager experiencing fear of woods causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for horror movies he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Judy Greer who is also amazing, Brody created a horror movie that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Noah stabs Lucius causing his family to face despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Village” a great horror movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most M. Night Shyamalan movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a message about terrorism which resonates with everyone. As powerful as creatures villagers fear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an impressive career.
6. The Thin Red Line
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their over-the top action, lacklustre storytelling and poor acting, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost its abilities to shine, it’s worth praising “The Thin Red Line”. Released in 1998, Adrien Brody’s movie offered a powerful portrait of war. In the most heroic role of his career, Brody portrayed a brave soldier participating in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also amazing, Brody created a war movie that’s captivating. As strong as Welsh’s desire to become a successful soldier, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences treasure.
7. Midnight in Paris
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Woody Allen. With their witty dialogue, compelling characters and strong storytelling, Allen’s movies have earned a fan following. Allen has always had a great eye for casting actors. In 2011, Allen showcased his strength as a filmmaker when he cast Adrien Brody in his movie “Midnight in Paris”. In the most poetic role of his career, Brody portrayed a renowned painter facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary painter that’s well-known. Working alongside Rachel McAdams who is also amazing, Brody created a beautiful tribute to Paris. As precious as walks that are taken by writers in Paris, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor that has become an icon in the entertainment business.
8. Detachment
Adrien Brody has always excelled at playing emotional characters facing adversity. Brody has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Brody’s strength for playing emotional heroes facing detachment is clearly evident in his movie “Detachment”. Released in 2011, Tony Kaye’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most tragic role of his career, Brody portrayed a high school teacher experiencing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional men under pressure. Working alongside Marcia Gay Harden who is also amazing, Brody created a drama that’s engaging. As strong as Henry’s desire to educate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies throughout his career which audiences appreciate.
9. The Darjeeling Limited
India is a misunderstood country rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to capture the beauty of a country that is misunderstood. In an industry where India is often misrepresented, it’s worth praising “The Darjeeling Limited”. Released in 2007, Adrien Brody’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Indian tourism. In the most eccentric role of his career, Brody portrayed an American tourist facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing eccentric characters that engage in strange behaviour. Working alongside Owen Wilson who is also amazing, Brody created a portrait of India that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of India, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma that has made movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.
10. High School
Adrien Brody hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “High School” falls into the latter category. Released in 2010, John Stahlberg Jr.’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a teenage suffering from severe drug addiction causing despair. Brody brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “High School” is a bad movie, it honoured Brody’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Psycho Ed’s drug addiction, it’s a dazzling reminder of commemorated actor with strong dedication that has made unforgettable movies throughout his career which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 