My Favourite Ted Levine Films of All-Time

Not many actors have made movies that demand to be seen like Ted Levine. Since the 1990’s, Levine has become an American icon. Whether it’s serial killers, police officers or political leaders, Levine has portrayed many strong characters. Given the number of blockbusters 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 Silence of the Lambs

Serial killers are frightening figures that have always scared me. At an early age, I formed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became victim of psychotic murder. Left emotionally devastated, my family never recovered from murder of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. Few films I’ve seen have captured struggles faced by serial killers that slaughter people like lambs as powerfully as “The Silence of the Lambs”. Released in 1991, Ted Levine’s best movie demonstrated powerful portraits of frightening serial killers. In the greatest role of his career, the actor portrayed a serial killer that commits gruesome murders in a town facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Levine has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Silence of the Lambs”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a psychotic serial killer. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also amazing, Levine created a portrait of serial killers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Buffalo Bill is first introduced luring a woman into his van causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Silence of the Lambs” Ted Levine’s best movie is its universal appeal. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about detectives seeking to investigate cannibalistic serial killers that are frightening, it’s an inspiring reminder about a celebrated actor that has made timeless movies throughout his lasting career which are without a doubt worth appreciating.

2. Shutter Island

Anxiety has shaped my personality. I remember facing pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. As someone haunted by memories of mental illness causing disaster, I adored “Shutter Island”. Released in 2010, Ted Levine’s movie offered a marvellous adaptation of a book about mental institutions. In the most psychotic role of his career, Levine portrayed the warden of a mental institution where inmates face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing psychopathic characters putting lives in grave danger. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Levine created a psychological thriller that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which the prison guard gives Teddy advice making him aware of his mental illness is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Shutter Island” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent portrait of mental illness, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a great actor that has become a beloved icon in the modern entertainment business.

3. The Report

Terrorism has impacted my identity. At an early age, I faced bombings causing damage. In 2003, my family endured bomb blasts that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. An act of terrorism, the bombing was a shock to the system. As someone that witnessed terrorist attacks which were painful to report, I adored “The Report”. Released in 2019, Ted Levine’s movie captured the creation of the torture report following 9/11. In the most political role of his career, Levine portrayed a renowned politician that sought to prepare his nation for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a politician that’s well-known. Working alongside Adam Driver who is also amazing, Levine created a political drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which John becomes aware of the CIA’s torture program causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Report” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about terrorism, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the creation of the CIA’s controversial torture report, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies audiences commonly support.

4. Heat

Bank robbers participating in criminal behaviour always fascinated my brother. I remember my brother 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 a brother that loved seeing bank robbers catching heat, I adored “Heat”. Released in 1995, Ted Levine’s movie captured bank robbers facing tragedy. In the most stressful role of his career, Levine portrayed a police officer seeking to catch bank robbers engaging in crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also amazing, Levine created a bank robbery movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Bosko becomes aware of crimes bank robbers have committed is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Heat” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about bank robberies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of frightening bank robbers catching heat, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies audiences consider treat.

5. The Fast and the Furious

Race car driving is an activity my brother always found appealing. I remember my brother once was a huge fan of great car designers which designed great automobiles facing danger. He grew up to embrace great companies manufacturing powerful cars with the abilities to race. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that adored cars which were fast and furious, I admired “The Fast and the Furious”. Released in 2001, Ted Levine’s movie captured race cars facing adversity. In the most conflicted role of his career, Levine portrayed a race car driver engaging in intense competitions 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 Vin Diesel who is also amazing, Levine created a race car movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Tanner seeks to prepare for a race car competition is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fast and the Furious” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike movies about race car driving, it tackles strong themes that everyone relates to. As strong as Dominic’s love for cars that are furious, it’s a fantastic reminder of a great actor audiences consider precious.

6. American Gangster

Frank Lucas is a legendary gangster that built a lasting legacy in American history. During the 1970’s, Lucas was a notorious gangster that engaged in criminal activities. In 2001, Ted Levine honoured the American gangster in his movie “American Gangster”. In the most conflicted role of his career, the actor portrayed a police sheriff seeking to apprehend a gangster causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Levine created a commemorated gangster movie that’s engaging. As strong as Frank’s desire to become a successful gangster, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career which audiences commonly always treasure.

7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

When it comes to the greatest western books that readers have adored, it’s worth discussing The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Since its publication in 1983, Ron Hansen’s book has become a literary classic. In 2007, Ted Levine honoured the book in his movie “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Levine portrayed a sheriff seeking to apprehend gangsters causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing men in positions of power. Working alongside Casey Affleck who is also amazing, Levine created a western that’s captivating.  As memorable as murders committed by Robert Ford, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has poured his soul into every role whose films audiences have adored.

8. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Few film franchises about dark dinosaurs with a bright spark are as beloved as Jurassic Park. With its compelling characters, captivating action and strong storytelling, the dinosaur franchise has earned a huge following. In 2018, Ted Levine honoured the franchise about a fallen kingdom in his movie “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”. In the most villainous role of his career, Levine portrayed a mercenary seeking to hurt dinosaurs in warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor chances to showcase his talent for playing villains putting lives in danger. Working alongside Chris Pratt who is also amazing, Levine honoured a franchise about dinosaurs that are frightening. A dazzling tribute towards a franchise about dark dinosaurs with a spark, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made timeless movies in his career leaving mark.

9. Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha is a legendary book that is beloved in China. Since its publication in 1997, Arthur Golden’s book has become a literary classic. In 2005, Ted Levine honoured the classic book about geishas facing a dilemma in his movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. In the most scene-stealing role of his career, Levine portrayed an American soldier that has a doomed romantic affair with a geisha causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase romantic flair he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Michelle Yeoh who is also amazing, Levine created a movie about Chinese culture that’s captivating. A captivating adaptation of a celebrated book about geishas in China, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma making memorable movies which are worth watching in Cinema.

10. Wild Wild West

Ted Levine hasn’t always made great movies that demand to be seen. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Wild Wild West” falls into the latter category. Released in 1999, Barry Sonenfeld’s commemorated western was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Levine portrayed a commemorated Texan ranger embarking on an adventure causing despair. Levine brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Wild Wild West” is a bad movie, it honoured Levine’s legacy. As precious as the wild west prairie, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.