Few movie-stars in Hollywood have achieved appreciation of Morgan Freeman. Following stardom in the 1980’s, Freeman has become an icon. Whether it’s prisoners, detectives or political figures, Freeman has portrayed several characters. Given number of movies Freeman has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest films produced by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
Hope is something that I’ve often found hard finding in my life. As far as I can remember, I’ve never been a hopeful person. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began to fail crucial classes in my high school that caused sorrow. During a dark time when I found it very hard to cope, friendships became a source of hope. Few films I have ever seen have captured how hope can allow people to achieve redemption in their life as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Released in 1994, Morgan Freeman’s best movie captured the lives of prisoners that seek hope in a gloomy prison. In the greatest role of his career, Freeman portrayed an inmate facing wrongful conviction in a dark prison causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Freeman has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with charming nature. With “The Shawshank Redemption”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing the prisoner of a mental institution. Working alongside Tim Robbins who is also amazing, Freeman created a prison drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Red first meets Any Dufresne in prison becoming aware of his talents is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” Morgan Freeman’s best movie is its universal message. It delivers a bold message about hope that will resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a classic film about inmates debating whether they should get busy living or get busy dying forming strong relationships in a scary prison, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor making films deserving celebration.
2. Unforgiven
Over the past decade, the western genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud spectacle, wooden characters and outdated themes, most westerns have often become a chore to sit through. A bygone genre, westerns have over time faded from popularity in the modern era. However, “Unforgiven” stands out as an exception. Released in 1992, Morgan Freeman’s Oscar-winning movie revived a bygone genre through casting a great actor with charisma. In his first ever western role, Morgan Freeman embodies a black gunslinger that’s driven to achieve a goal that experiences an excruciating emotional toll. It’s a subtle role that gives Freeman an opportunity to showcase strong emotions through his expressions rather than words. Freeman communicates the pain felt by a black gunslinger in the Wild West through strong expressions. Working alongside Clint Eastwood who is also amazing, Freeman created a western that’s compelling. For instance, Freeman’s use of expressions is evident in the whipping scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Ned experiences a whipping that has a negative impact on his well-being. Freeman skillfully uses strong expressions to capture the emotions of a black gunslinger that struggles to find a sense of home in the Wild West. A bold tribute to an unforgiven genre that has lost popularity in the modern era, it’s an uplifting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies have become iconic modern-day Cinema.
3. Se7en
Serial killers are fascinating figures that have often made for memorable movies. Ever since Hannibal Lecter stunned police into silence, movies about serial killers committing violence have earned a huge audience. Few movies ever made about serial killers have left an impression on me as strong as “Se7en”. Released in 1995, David Fincher’s iconic film painted an unforgettable portrait of serial killers in a murder investigation. In the most methodical role of his career, Morgan Freeman embodied a dedicated detective seeking to apprehend a serial killer evoking fear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly committed in his darkest role. It isn’t easy to portray the pessimistic point-of-view of a detective solving murders, but Freeman succeeds tremendously. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also excellent, Freeman embodies a detective with a pessimistic outlook on the world. For instance, the scene where Freeman discovers with a shocked reaction the contents of a terrifying box is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s illustrious career. A powerful portrait of detectives seeking to investigate commemorated murders seven deadly sins killers have committed, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated playing characters that are commonly extremely conflicted.
4. Million Dollar Baby
One of the main qualities that makes Morgan Freeman an outstanding actor is his iconic voice. Freeman has always been an actor with a powerful voice that he has used to create compelling characters. His rich baritone voice has created fascinating characters whose reflections on life are compelling. Freeman’s voice-over narration has become the main highlight of several movies he has made. Freeman’s strength for using his larger-than-life voice to create characters with rich personality is clearly evident in his film “Million Dollar Baby”. In the role for which he won a long overdue Oscar, Freeman captures the compassionate personality of a boxing trainer. It’s a supporting role that arguably isn’t the centre piece of the film with limited screen time, but Freeman steals the show. Freeman uses his authoritative voice to create a compelling character reflecting on the profession of boxing. Whether it’s Eddie meaningful reflections on the depressing nature of his profession or his compassionate support for female boxers, Freeman effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the tensions faced by a boxing trainer. A magnificent portrait of million dollar baby boxers seeking victory, it’s a marvellous reminder of a movie-star that thrives using his commanding voice to create larger-than-life characters in unforgettable movies with undeniable personality.
5. Invictus
Few political leaders from Africa are as celebrated as Nelson Mandela. As the final president of South Africa, Mandela became a symbol of hope for his country. With his larger-than-life persona, leadership and commanding authority, Mandela played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of his country. In 2009, Morgan Freeman did an extraordinary job of portraying the South African president in his film “Invictus”. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of an iconic president that forever changed African history, but Freeman pulls it off successfully. In his first ever biopic role, Freeman transforms into a powerful African president that was driven to accomplish his goal. Not only does Freeman bear a striking physical resemblance to the president, but he captures his sense of authority. It’s a larger-than-life role that gives Freeman an opportunity to showcase his abilities to captivate audiences through his powerful presence. Freeman has always been an actor with a commanding presence, and here he uses that skill beautifully to capture Nelson Mandela’s sense of authority. A touching tribute to a larger-than-life president that guided his African nation in the right direction, it’s a tremendous reminder of an actor that has built a strong reputation for playing inspirational figures whose commemorated movies are definitely a cause for tremendous celebration.
6. Amistad
Slavery is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has shied away from a dark time in American history. In an industry avoiding a subject matter that is flawed, it’s worth praising “Amistad”. Released in 1997, Morgan Freeman movie offered a powerful portrait of slavery. In the most historical role of his career, Freeman portrayed a dedicated abolitionist seeking to rescue slaves facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor who is also outstanding, Freeman created a portrait of slavery that’s compelling. A heartbreaking depiction of realities faced by individuals in the slave trade, it’s a heartfelt reminder of an actor that has played bold characters in movies that are extremely well-made.
7. The Dark Knight
Few superheroes in the world have achieved a fan following as massive as Batman. Following introduction during the 1940’s, Batman has appeared in several memorable movies. I adore all the Batman movies but “The Dark Knight” remains my favourite film in the franchise. In the comic-book sequel, Morgan Freeman embodied the larger-than-life personality of a technical genius designing gadgets that are precious. As Lucius Fox, Freeman plays a pivotal role in the movie designing gadgetry for Batman. Although it’s only a supporting role, Freeman steals nearly every scene he’s in as the technical genius driven to achieve his goal. A dazzling tribute towards a dark comic-book hero that fights crime at night, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing larger-than-life characters with technological insight in movies that commonly excite.
8. Gone Baby Gone
Child abduction is a painful problem causing families to face trauma in America. The mere thought of losing a child is any parent’s worst nightmare. Despite child abduction cases experiencing a rise, movies rarely ever depict an issue that’s hard to realize. Few films I’ve seen have captured the dilemma faced by parents when children are suddenly gone as powerfully as “Gone Baby Gone”. In his first ever police officer role, Freeman embodies a cop with a strong goal to save children facing an emotional toll. Freeman brings a sense of authority to a cop driven at any cost to rescue children from abduction. A powerful portrait of despair faced by parents when children suddenly disappear, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that created an extraordinary career playing compelling characters in movies about which audiences commonly care.
9. Glory
Morgan Freeman is one of those actors that excels at playing leaders. Through his larger-than-life presence, Freeman has always thrived at playing inspirational leaders that people value. Freeman’s aptitude for playing leaders that guide their countries towards glory is clearly evident in his film “Glory”. Released in 1989, Edward Zwick’s Oscar-winning movie found the actor playing an authoritative army commander. Whether he’s delivering an inspirational speech to soldiers or issuing orders, Freeman uses his powerful voice to create a powerful army commander. A glorious portrait of courageous African-American soldiers which fought in a civil war that was dangerous, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a movie-star that thrives at portraying righteous leaders whose timeless movies audiences will forever consider extremely precious.
10. The Poison Rose
Morgan Freeman hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Poison Rose” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, George Gallo’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Freeman portrayed a dedicated detective seeking to resolve a murder mystery causing despair. Freeman brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “The Poison Rose” is a bad movie, it honoured Freeman’s legacy. As memorable as crimes Phillips seeks to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate making movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking I commonly appreciate.
The Film Buff 