Not many actors have made movies that inspire awe like Ben Whishaw. Since the 2000’s, Whishaw has become a British icon. Whether it’s doomed lovers, poetic writers or technology inventors, Whishaw 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. Skyfall
James Bond is a legendary spy that my father always loved dearly. I vividly remember forming strong bonds with a father that appreciated the iconic character. He would love discussing a goldeneye spy falling from the sky with no time to die. Drawn towards James Bond, he would love discussing spies of whom he was extremely fond. Through his strong love for James Bond, my father gave me admiration for movies about a spy that I’ve grown to value. In 2012, Ben Whishaw honoured the iconic spy facing a fall from the sky in his movie “Skyfall”. In the greatest role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a smart technology inventor seeking to assist Bond prepare for warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Whishaw has spent most of his career playing romantic heroes in commemorated period dramas. With “Skyfall”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever Bond movie. Working alongside Daniel Craig who is also outstanding, Whishaw honoured a commemorated spy that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Q is first introduced seeking to prepare commemorated gadgets for James Bond is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Skyfall” Ben Whishaw’s best movie is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most Bond movies, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of James Bond to appreciate it. Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a legendary spy that experiences a skyfall, it’s a spectacular reminder of a great actor that hasn’t lost strong abilities to enthral by making movies that are easy to recall.
2. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my mother. I remember a mother that adored the author’s literature. She had great expectations from an author she grew up to appreciate. In 2019, Ben Whishaw honoured the author whose stories have appealed in his movie “The Persona History of David Copperfield”. In the most villainous role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a money-minded clerk committing crimes causing despair. Whishaw has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Personal History of David Copperfield”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Uriah has a tense fight with David after he becomes aware of his crimes causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about an impoverished orphan, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with dedication towards his craft that has made movies which are worthy of tremendous celebration.
3. Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins is a magical nanny that I’ve always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. Dedicated to performing every chore, she was a person that my family had grown to adore. I would love spending every day with a nanny that was practically perfect in every way. In 2018, Ben Whishaw did an extraordinary job of honouring the magical nanny in her movie “Mary Poppins Returns”. In the most musical role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a financially unstable banker struggling to care for a family facing despair. With “Mary Poppins Returns”, the actor showcased rare musical talent for singing melodies he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Emily Blunt who is also outstanding, Whishaw honoured an iconic nanny that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Michael sings a melody mourning the loss of his wife Kate causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mary Poppins Returns” one of Whishaw’s best movies is its universal appeal. Unlike the original 1964 movie, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A magical tribute to a nanny that’s practically perfect in every way, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor manufacturing movies that deserve to be celebrated absolutely unquestionably today.
4. The Danish Girl
Transgenderism has impacted my cousin’s identity. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that was secretly a transgender. Fond of wearing women’s colorful attire, he was a person that my family would always admire. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that sought to become a girl, I adored “The Danish Girl”. Released in 2015, Ben Whishaw’s movie honoured a real-life transgender artist. In the most provocative role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a queer gentleman that falls in love with a transgender artist causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a queer artist that’s well-known. Working alongside Eddie Redmayne who is also amazing, Whishaw honoured a transgender artist in history. For instance, the scene in which Henrik becomes aware that Lili is a transgender is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Danish Girl” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about transgender people, it tackles strong themes that everyone can relate to. A touching tribute towards a transgender artist that transformed his gender, it’s a bold reminder about a one-of-a-kind actor whose memorable movies audiences treasure.
5. Bright Star
Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about the art of filmmaking. Despite facing relentless cyberbullying, nothing in the world has stopped me from pursuing my passion for writing. As someone that has always sought to become a writer reaching a high bar, I adored “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Ben Whishaw’s movie captured the life of a legendary poet in English history. In the most poetic role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a legendary poet that falls in love in a doomed romantic affair. Whishaw has always had an aptitude for playing characters under intense pressure, and “Bright Star” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Abbie Cornish who is also outstanding, Whishaw created a portrait of a poet that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Keats becomes aware that Mr. Brown has sent a valentine to Fanny causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about terminal illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making movies which audiences commonly appreciate.
6. Paddington
When it comes to the most beloved characters in British literature, it’s worth discussing the Paddington Bear. Since his creation in 1958, Michael Bond’s commemorated bear has been loved by children. In 2014, Ben Whishaw honoured the bear with affection in his movie “Paddington”. In the most family-friendly role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a colourful talking bear about whom a family comes to care. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating strong motion-capture characters through his powerful voice. Working alongside Sally Hawkins who is also outstanding, Whishaw honours an iconic bear children find inspiring. A powerful tribute towards a talking bear that’s adorable, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced memorable movies that audiences consider to be extremely special.
7. No Time to Die
It isn’t easy to bring a beloved spy franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start on a high note but end with a whimper. However, “No Time to Die” is an exception. Released in 2021, Ben Whishaw’s movie brought the James Bond franchise towards a satisfying conclusion. In the most emotional role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a tech engineer embarking on a final mission 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 Daniel Craig who is also outstanding, Whishaw created a Bond movie that’s captivating. A spectacular tribute towards a spy with no time to die, it’s a sensational reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which have never lost abilities to commonly satisfy.
8. The Lobster
Ben Whishaw has always excelled at playing emotional characters with a flaw. Whishaw has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters facing damage. Whishaw’s strength for playing characters under intense pressure is clearly evident in his movie “The Lobster”. Released in 2015, Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Whishaw portrayed an eccentric guest staying at a strange hotel where residents face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strengths for playing tormented characters. Working alongside John C. Reilly who is also amazing, Whishaw created a dark comedy that’s engaging. As powerful as the Hotel, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that made memorable movies which commonly excel.
9. Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas is a legendary science-fiction book that has built a legacy that’s precious. Since its publication in 2004, David Mitchell’s groundbreaking book has become literature readers adore. In 2012, Ben Whishaw honoured the iconic book in his most “Cloud Atlas”. In the most demanding role of his career, Whishaw portrayed multiple characters in a universe facing despair. It’s a tricky role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his ability for playing multiple characters in one movie. Working alongside Jim Broadbent who is also amazing, Whishaw honoured a commemorated sci-fi book about galaxies that’s inspiring. A spectacular adaptation of a beloved sci-fi book about artifacts that terrify, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which haven’t lost abilities to tremendously satisfy.
10. Bad Behaviour
Ben Whishaw hasn’t always made great movies that inspire awe. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Bad Behaviour” falls into the latter category. Released in 2023, Alice Englert’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Whishaw portrayed a spiritual leader engaging in bad behaviour causing despair. Whishaw brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Bad Behaviour” is a bad movie, it honoured Whishaw’s enduring legacy. As strong as Elon’s desire to behave badly, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a British actor that has built a commemorated legacy making unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 