Few actors in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Woody Harrelson. Since the 1990’s, Harrelson has become an icon. Whether it’s natural born killers, gamekeepers or terminally ill police officers, Harrelson has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
It’s always challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing my family to face sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, she became the victim of a gruesome murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. Outraged by the injustice of the crime committed, I wondered why my housemaid’s death was a case that police never investigated. Few movies I’ve ever seen have captured loss causing families to face tragedy as powerfully as “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. Ever since its release in 2017, Woody Harrelson’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. In the greatest role of his career, Harrelson embodies a terminally ill police officer facing injustice in a town that’s a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Harrelson has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through delivering monologues, and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Frances McDormand who is also amazing, Harrelson created a portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Chief Willoughby pens a suicide note explaining the sad reason for his death causing his police team to face despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Woody Harrelson’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about vengeful women building billboards to protest deaths of daughter that are upsetting, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor whose commemorated movies are worth celebrating.
2. No Country for Old Men
Westerns are a commemorated genre of movies that my grandfather has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved movies about brave gunslingers with courage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that loved the western genre. He would always speak fondly about good, bad and ugly gunslingers that shaped his identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that loved westerns about old men, I adored “No Country for Old Men”. Released in 2007, Woody Harrelson’s Oscar-winning movie reinvented the western genre. In the most western role of his career, Harrelson embodies a Texan sheriff embarking on a journey to catch a serial killer causing despair. With “No Country for Old Men”, Harrelson used his accent to create a Texan sheriff that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Carson Wells is confronted by Anton Chigurh in his hotel room causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “No Country for Old Men” a western masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a thought-provoking message about aging which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as murders that Anton Chigurh has committed, it’s a captivating reminder about a great actor whose iconic movies deserve to be appreciated.
3. The Glass Castle
Fathers are strong figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have admired my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. His wisdom inspired me to pursue film criticism. As someone treasuring a father that’s inspirational, I adored “The Glass Castle”. Released in 2017, Woody Harrelson’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved memoir about fathers that are inspirational. In the most complex role of his career, Harrelson embodies a strict father facing a burden to bear. With “The Glass Castle”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a complicated father. Working alongside Brie Larson who is also amazing, Harrelson created a dysfunctional family that’s compelling. For instance, the scene which Rex tries to teach his daughter how to swim causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Glass Castle” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about families that are painful, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced movies audiences consider special.
4. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is a fantastic book series that my cousin has grown to treasure. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that loved a book series he considered to be iconic literature. A huge fan of Katniss Everdeen, he always spoke fondly about a book series that became a pivotal part of his routine. In 2012, Woody Harrelson celebrated the beloved book series about games in his film “The Hunger Games”. In the most competitive role of his career, Harrelson embodies an alcoholic mentor guiding teenagers in competitions causing despair. Harrelson is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing strong mentor figures, and “The Hunger Games” showcased his strengths as a performer. As Haymitch, the actor did a great job of portraying a strong literary character. For instance, the scene in which Haymitch is first introduced giving valuable advice to Katniss about getting people to like her in the games showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a bold message about competition which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Katniss’ desire to succeed in a tense game, it’s a bold reminder about an actor whose iconic films have achieved fame.
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
The Planet of the Apes is a powerful franchise my teacher has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that loved a franchise about apes with courage. As courageous as Caesar, he was a strong leader that was driven to ensure students had a bright future. He would frequently love to discuss a franchise about apes that shaped his identity. In 2017, Woody Harrelson honoured the beloved franchise about apes in his movie “War for the Planet of the Apes”. In the most villainous role of his career, Harrelson embodies a treacherous army leader that’s determined to eradicate apes facing despair. With “War for the Planet of the Apes”, Harrelson showcased a villainous side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which the Colonel has a one-on-one confrontation with Caesar causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “War for the Planet of the Apes” a great POTA movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about animal abuse which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic farewell to a series about apes facing a war, it’s a riveting reminder of a star that has made timeless movies which have raised the bar.
6. The Edge of Seventeen
Adolescence has shaped my identity. I remember fond memories of being a teenager. At the age of seventeen, I was bullied by peers which were mean. As someone treasuring memories of being the age of seventeen, I adored “The Edge of Seventeen”. Released in 2016, Woody Harrelson’s movie offered an engaging depiction of adolescence. In the most authoritative role of his career, Harrelson embodies an inspiring teacher that guides teen girls facing despair. Harrelson has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “The Edge of Seventeen”, however, he showcased an aptitude for humour audiences hadn’t seen before. A spectacular portrait of the tension faced by teen girls at the age of seventeen, it’s a sensational reminder of an actor whose timeless movies deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
7. The Messenger
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their loud battle sequences, cartoonish characters and lacklustre storytelling, war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has faced disaster, it’s worth praising “The Messenger”. Released in 2009, Woody Harrelson’s movie captured soldiers facing warfare. In the most tragic role of his career, Harrelson embodies a war veteran facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Ben Foster who is also excellent, Harrelson honoured soldiers with commitment. A powerful portrait of soldiers facing warfare causing despair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built an illustrious career making movies about which audiences care.
8. Natural Born Killers
Woody Harrelson is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing psychotic characters. Harrelson has built an image for playing psychopathic killers facing emotional damage. Harrelson’s strength for playing psychotic killers is clearly evident in his movie “Natural Born Killers”. Released in 1994, Harrelson’s movie captured serial killer couples committing murder. In the most psychotic role of his career, Harrelson embodies a notorious serial killer committing murders causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his flair for playing psychotic characters. Working alongside Juliette Lewis who is amazing, Harrelson created a killer that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of serial killers that are psychotic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actor that built a legacy which is iconic.
9. The People vs. Larry Flynt
When it comes to the most controversial porn creators in American history, it’s worth discussing Larry Flynt. During the 1970’s, Flynt created the magazine the Hustler which changed the pornographic industry. Flynt’s controversial magazine caused him to face lawsuits that were painful. In 1996, Woody Harrelson embodied the controversial publisher with a hint of madness in his movie “The People vs. Larry Flynt”. In the most provocative role of his career, Harrelson embodies a porn creator that faced a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a provocative side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Harrelson showcased bravery tackling a controversial subject. As strong as magazines Larry Fynt seeks to publish, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies audiences cherish.
10. 2012
Woody Harrelson hasn’t always made great movies earning appreciation. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “2012” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2009, Roland Emmerich’s movie was a disaster. In the most wooden role of his career, Harrelson embodies a lunatic warning people about the end of the world causing despair. Harrelson brought energy to the role proving to be the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “2012” is a disastrous disaster movie, it honours Woody Harrelson’s iconic legacy. As strong as Jackson’s desire to survive a doomsday, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to play strong characters whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking today.
The Film Buff 