Not many actors have achieved appreciation of Edward Norton. Since the 1990’s, Norton has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s fight club founders, theatre performers or Nazi prisoners, Norton has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies that he has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Fight Club
Anxiety has shaped my personality. As far as I remember, I have always been an anxious person under intense pressure. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced painful pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with tense pressure posed by studies, I faced nervous breakdowns impacting my mental health adversely. Few films I’ve ever seen have depicted mental illness that causes people to create a club as powerfully as “Fight Club”. The first rule of fight club is that you do not talk about fight club. However, it’s impossible for me not to discuss a movie that impacted my life deeply. Ever since its release in 1999, Edward Norton’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. In the greatest role of his career, Norton embodies an insomniac that forms secretive fight clubs causing despair. Norton has always had an aptitude for creating eccentric characters through voice-over narration, and “Fight Club” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Norton creates a complex character with mental illness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which the Narrator experiences a nervous breakdown beating himself up in his boss’s office causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” Edward Norton’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of mental health which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic film about mentally unstable men that form fight clubs to battle personal demons hidden in plain sight, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actor that has built a bright career making bold movies which have achieved the spotlight.
2. Primal Fear
Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my cousin loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia heartwarming memories of a cousin admiring the courtroom genre. I remember he once had dreams to become a famous lawyer. My cousin grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men would face a courtroom case. As someone treasuring a cousin that loved a genre about lawyers facing fear, I adored “Primal Fear”. Released in 1996, Edward Norton’s movie captured lawyers fighting courtroom cases involving fear. In the most psychotic role of his career, Norton embodies an altar boy with mental illness that becomes the suspect of a case causing despair. With “Primal Fear”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a suspect of murder. Norton used stuttering in speech to create a character with split personality. Working alongside Richard Gere who is also amazing, Norton created a courtroom drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Aaron assaults lawyers in court after changing identities causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Primal Fear” a courtroom classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Vail’s desire to win the courtroom case, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing characters that face mental illness in movies that audiences embrace.
3. Birdman
Broadway actors have figures that fascinated my father today. I remember a father that was fascinated with lives of actors in theatre. He would marvel at the way theatre actors created a memorable stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Edward Norton’s Oscar-winning movie captured theatre performers. In the most theatrical role of his career, Norton embodied a stage performer mounting a play that becomes a burden to bear. Norton has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions through dramatic monologues, and “Birdman” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Michael Keaton who is also amazing, Norton created a theatre performer that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Mike fights with Riggan in his underwear causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about fame which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of barriers faced by Broadway actors staging a play, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Crime suspects have impacted my family. Several years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they discovered their housekeeper was a thief. I remember he treated my grandparents in a generous manner. My grandparents were shocked to find that he was a thief. As someone haunted by a housekeeper in a mystery, I adored “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”. Released in 2022, Edward Norton’s movie offered an engaging murder mystery. In the most comical role of his career, Norton embodies a businessman facing a mystery causing despair. Norton has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”, however, the actor showcased aptitude for comedy. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also amazing, Norton created a suspect that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Miles reveals he is the killer causing despair is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Glass Onion” a great mystery is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the Glass Onion estate, it’s a breatthaking reminder of an actor that has made movies which audiences appreciate.
5. American History X
Nazis engaging in criminal behaviour have always fascinated my teacher. In college, I formed strong bonds with a professor that had knowledge about Nazis causing damage. He took pride teaching students about the genocide. As someone treasuring a teacher fascinated by Nazis causing wrecks, I adored “American History X”. Released in 1998, Edward Norton’s movie depicted the life of a Neo-nazi. In the most controversial role of his career, Norton embodies a Neo-nazi seeking a way out of a lifestyle causing despair. It’s a challenging role that required the actor to transform into a member of a hated society, but Norton succeeded. Norton showcased bravery as an actor by taking on the controversial role of a Neo-nazi. For instance, the scene in which Derek delivers a passionate speech to his group of Neo-nazis to rob a store causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “American History X” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about genocide which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of factors causing Neo-nazis to commit atrocities, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing characters with complex personalities in memorable movies.
6. 25th Hour
9/11 is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often ignored an issue that’s misunderstood. A painful incident, 9/11 is seldom depicted in entertainment. In an industry that has rarely captured 9/11 with power, it’s worth praising “25th Hour”. Released in 2002, Edward Norton’s movie captured terrorism. In the most tragic role of his career, Norton embodies a man struggling to move on from terrorist attacks causing despair. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is also amazing, Norton honoured the legacy of 9/11. A heartbreaking portrait of the harrowing aftermath of 9/11, it’s a heartfelt reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies deserving celebration.
7. The Painted Veil
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about a veil, it’s worth discussing The Painted Veil. Since its publication in 1925, Somerset Maugham’s book has become a classic. In 2006, Edward Norton honoured the book about a veil in his movie “The Painted Veil”. In the most romantic role of his career, Norton embodies a writer that discovers his wife is having an affair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase a soft side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Norton showcased a flair for romance he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Naomi Watts who is also amazing, Norton celebrated legendary literature. A powerful adaptation of a profound book about a painted veil, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with endless appeal that has made timeless movies about which audiences strongly feel.
8. Moonrise Kingdom
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Wes Anderson. With their quirky characters, sharp sense of humour and compelling storytelling, Anderson’s movies have earned a huge fan following. In 2016, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker achieving stardom when he cast Edward Norton in his movie “Moonrise Kingdom”. In the most quirky role of his career, Norton embodies the leader of a boy scout that strives to take care of children facing despair. It’s a strange role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a unique character. Norton showcased a sharp sense of humour he hadn’t shown in his career before. As precious as the Moonrise Kingdom, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor that has achieved stardom by making memorable movies offering escapism.
9. The Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a legendary comic-book hero that I’ve always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a lifelong love for an angry hero with tendencies to burst into rage. As someone that has always loved a hulking hero that’s incredible, I appreciated “The Incredible Hulk”. Released in 2008, Edward Norton’s comic-book movie honoured a hero that’s constantly angry. In the most adventurous role of his career, Norton embodies a hero with rage that becomes a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing characters with short temper. Working alongside Liv Tyler who is also amazing, Norton honoured a legendary character. An incredible tribute towards an intense hero with rage, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with courage that always made memorable movies with a strong message.
10. The Bourne Legacy
Edward Norton hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Bourne Legacy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Tony Gilroy’s movie was a disaster that failed to honour an iconic character. In the most shallow role of his career, Norton embodies an agent seeking to catch a spy causing despair. Norton brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “The Bourne Legacy” is a disastrous movie, it showcases Norton’s enduring legacy. As strong as Jason Bourne’s legacy, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his ability to captivate whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 