My Favourite Chris Cooper Films of All-Time

Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Chris Cooper. Since the 1990’s, Cooper has become an American icon. Whether it’s frustrated screenwriters, depressed fathers or horse trainers, Cooper has portrayed several strong characters. Given the 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. Adaptation

Writer’s block is a painful process causing stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the world than when ideas don’t immediately spring to a writer’s mind. Personally speaking, writer’s block has impacted my ability writing movie reviews effectively. I have experienced trouble putting pen to paper demonstrating interesting ideas as a writer. There are times when I’ve struggled engaging being unable to put words on a page. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the frustration of writer’s block as powerfully as “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Chris Cooper’s best movie captured screenwriters facing writer’s block in Hollywood. In the greatest role of his career, Cooper portrayed a renowned author that suffers from severe writer’s block causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Cooper has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in period dramas. With “Adaptation”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone playing an orchid thief. Working alongside Nicolas Cage who is also outstanding, Cooper created a portrait of writer’s block that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which John Laroche becomes aware that Charlie has been spying on him during sex causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” Chris Cooper’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Hollywood screenwriters, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about writer’s block causing lives of screenwriters to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made movies which audiences appreciate.

2. American Beauty

Depression is a grim emotion that has shaped my identity. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I couldn’t find a stable job causing sorrow. Struggling to find a life purpose, I questioned if I would ever be able to achieve the big goals that I was pursuing. Depression became a big barrier that prevented me from finding great job satisfaction. As someone that has often struggled to find the beauty in my life, I adored “American Beauty”. Released in 1999, Chris Cooper’s movie captured depressed faced by dysfunctional families. In the most complex role of his career, Cooper portrayed a homophobic father that struggles to raise a broken family facing despair. It’s a great role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing anxiety-ridden characters under intense pressure. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is also outstanding, Cooper created a portrait of broken families that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Colonel Frank throws a grim temper tantrum when he becomes aware that his son Ricky has been messing around in his house is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “American Beauty” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about the value of finding beauty in life which would resonate with everyone. As strong as beauty sought by Lester Burnham, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actor with wisdom that has manufactured timeless movies achieving stardom.

3. Little Women

Little Women is a legendary book about women that earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember my mother adored a classic book about women that she considered a legendary piece of literature. Fond of Jo March, she would always speak fondly about a book that gave her dreams to follow. In 2019, Chris Cooper honoured the iconic book about strong women in his movie “Little Women”. In the most compassionate role of his career, Cooper portrayed an aristocratic father struggling to care for a household facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong men in positions of power. Working alongside Saoirse Ronan who is also amazing, Cooper honoured a book about women that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Laurence becomes aware that Beth suffers from terminal illness causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about bonds between siblings which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a legendary book about strong women, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with dedication towards his craft whose movies deserve appreciation.

4. Seabiscuit

Seabiscuit is a legendary race horse that my grandfather always loved dearly. I remember my grandfather grew up to treasure a legendary race horse in grave danger. Fond of horse racing, my grandfather always loved discussing a legendary race horse he found inspiring. He would always embrace a horse that competed in a tense race. In 2003, Chris Cooper honoured the iconic horse in his movie “Seabiscuit”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Cooper portrayed a horse trainer seeking to prepare his animal for victories in competitions. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also amazing, Cooper honoured a legendary horse that people admire. For instance, the scene in which Tom Smith first meets Seabiscuit becoming aware of the horse’s short temper is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Seabiscuit” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about race horses, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone. As strong as Seabiscuit’s desire to win the race, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured great movies in his career audiences embrace.

5. The Town

Bank robbers participating in criminal behaviour always fascinated my father. I remember my father was intrigued by frightening bank robbers facing danger. He would marvel at ways bank robbers got away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. As someone treasuring memories of a father that adored bank robbers invading a town, I admired “The Town”. Released in 2010, Chris Cooper’s movie captured criminals committing bank robberies. In the most cynical role of his career, Cooper portrayed the aging convict father of a bank robber facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Ben Affleck who is also amazing, Cooper created a crime drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Stephen gives his son valuable advice on how to prepare for his bank robbery is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Town” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about consequences faced by criminals which would resonate with everyone. A terrific portrait of criminals committing robberies in a small town, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies audiences crown.

6. Syriana

The Middle East is a country that has shaped my identity. I recall with nostalgia joyous memories of growing up in Saudi Arabia. As someone treasuring joyous memories of Saudi Arabia, I adored “Syriana”. Released in 2005, Chris Cooper’s movie honoured Middle Eastern countries. In the most solemn role of his career, Cooper portrayed the CEO of an oil company facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a CEO that’s well-known. Working alongside George Clooney who is also outstanding, Cooper created a strong portrait of the Middle East which is compelling. A magnificent portrait of a country that’s misunderstood, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies throughout his career that are treasured in Hollywood.

7. Lone Star

Chris Cooper has always excelled at playing anxious characters under pressure. Cooper has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Cooper’s strength for playing emotional characters as a star is clearly evident in his movie “Lone Star”. Released in 1996, John Sayles’ movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most conflicted role of his career, Cooper portrayed a sheriff seeking to resolve murders in a town facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional men under pressure. Working alongside Matthew McConaughey who is also outstanding, Cooper created a western that’s compelling. As memorable as murders Sheriff Deeds has investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making great movies that deserve to be appreciated.

8. The Bourne Identity

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about spies finding their identity, it’s worth discussing The Bourne Identity. Since its 1980 publication, Robert Ludlum’s book has earned recognition. In 2002, Chris Cooper honoured the legendary book about spies in his movie “The Bourne Identity”. In the most villainous role of his career, Cooper portrayed a menacing FBI agent seeking to apprehend a spy that is on the run causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for playing menacing villains he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Brian Cox who is also outstanding, Cooper honoured a classic spy franchise that’s engaging. As strong as Jason Bourne’s desire to become a spy, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that has produced movies in his career which satisfy.

9. A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

Few television personalities in American history are as beloved as Fred Rogers. An iconic television host, Rogers made timeless shows that captivated the public. In 2019, Chris Cooper honoured the iconic television host in Hollywood in his movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood”. In the most tragic role of his career, Cooper portrayed an estranged father struggling to repair broken bonds with his son causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Cooper honoured a television personality that’s inspiring. Nearly 50 years after Fred Rogers became a beloved icon in America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma manufacturing engaging movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Chris Cooper 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, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” falls into the latter category. Released in 2014, Marc Webb’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Cooper portrayed a businessman seeking to defeat Spider-Man causing despair. Cooper brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Cooper’s legacy. As strong as webs Spider-Man loves weaving, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing captivating movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for filmmaking.