Not many actors in Hollywood have earned appreciation of Gary Oldman. Since the 1950’s, Oldman has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s police officers, historical leaders or magical prisoners, Oldman has portrayed sevreal 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. The Dark Knight
Batman is a celebrated superhero my brother has always appreciated. Several years ago, I formed relationships with a brother that appreciated the comic-book hero. I vividly remember my brother was a fan of the caped crusader. A comic-book nerd, he would always speak fondly about superheroes that made him feel heard. Shining bright light in darkness, Batman contributed towards his happiness. As someone treasuring bright memories of a brother appreciating the caped crusader, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Following its release in 2008, Gary Oldman’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. In the greatest role of his career, Oldman embodies a committed police commissioner that assists Batman solve crimes in cities that face despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, committed and emotional in the most memorable role of his career. Oldman has always been one of those actors with the rare ability to convey emotions through his powerful voice, and “The Dark Knight” showcased his strengths as a performer. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Despite having a supporting role in the movie, Oldman steals the show. For instance, the ending scene in which Gordon breaks down in tears begging Two-Face to spare the life of his child is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight” Gary Oldman’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. It delivers a heartwarming message about the consequences of terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years after the release of a comic-book film about courageous caped crusaders seeking to rescue cities from clownish villains that are frightening, it’s a bold reminder about an actor whose movies are definitely without a doubt worth absolutely celebrating.
2. Batman Begins
Childhood trauma has shaped my persona. At an early age, my life changed when my family endured a bombing causing damage. Through a miracle, my family managed to achieve survival. However, the aftermath of the incident stayed with me forever. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move on from an incident in which my parents almost died. Few films I’ve seen have depicted the beginnings of trauma as powerfully as “Batman Begins”. Released in 2005, Gary Oldman’s movie introduced Batman on the big-screen. In the most authoritative role of his career, Oldman embodies a commissioner solving crime in a city facing despair. Oldman always has ability to steal the show in a supporting role, and “Batman Begins” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Gordon comforts Bruce Wayne following his parents’ heartbreaking death is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Begins” a classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking beginning of a commemorated franchise about a brave superhero, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a legendary actor whose movies always give audiences dreams to commonly follow.
3. Darkest Hour
Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that has always inspired my grandfather. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. I vividly remember my grandfather was fascinated with a historical figure that changed the world forever. He would often speak fondly about a legendary historical figure that shaped his identity. In 2017, Gary Oldman embodied the prime minister during his darkest hour in the film “Darkest Hour”. In the most transformative role of his career, Oldman embodies the legendary British prime minister that guided his country during a time of despair. Oldman is known for his method acting by transforming into characters, and “The Darkest Hour” showcased him at his finest hour. Not only did Oldman bear a striking resemblance to Winston Churchill, but he captured the historical figure’s larger-than-life personality. For instance, the scene in which Winston Churchill delivers a speech to the House of Commons showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about war that would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards Winston Churchill, it’s a compelling reminder about a commemorated actor whose movies that fulfill expectations haven’t lost abilities to consistently thrill.
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter is a magical series that shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve grown to treasure J.R. Rowling’s literature. The story of the misunderstood boy who lived has always been part of my childhood. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting spells with timeless stories to tell. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and adore all the films that have adapted the source material. However, my favourite film has always been “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. Released in 2004, Gary Oldman’s movie did extraordinary jobs of adapting J.K. Rowling’s third Harry Potter book. In the most magical role of his career, Oldman embodies a prisoner seeking to reunite with his godson facing despair. Oldman has always excelled at playing mysterious characters, and “The Prisoner of Azkaban” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Sirius Black first meets Harry Potter revealing identity to his godson is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Prisoner of Azkaban” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter films, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A beautiful adaptation of a book about wizards that are magical, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies audiences consider extremely special.
5. Mank
Writing is an activity that I’ve always enjoyed doing. As far as I remember, I have always wanted to become a writer. At an early age, I loved to engage with words written on a page. Despite cyberbullying, nothing has stopped me from pursuing passions for writing. As someone that has always enjoyed writing words on blank pages, I adored “Mank”. Released in 2020, Gary Oldman’s movie offered an engaging glimpse at the life of a renowned screenwriter that created “Citizen Kane”. In the most glamorous role of his career, Oldman embodies a real-life alcoholic screenwriter that created a classic film about which audiences care. With “Mank”, Oldman took steps out of his comfort zone by playing a reckless alcoholic. For instance, the scene in which the drunken Mank insults guests at Hearst Castle at a party is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mank” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about danger of alcohol addiction which would resonate with everyone. A captivating tribute towards the commemorated screenwriter that created “Citizen Kane”, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a committed actor that has never lost abilities to make memorable movies that commonly entertain.
6. True Romance
One of the characteristics that makes Gary Oldman an amazing actor is his approach of method acting. Oldman is one of those dedicated actors that fully commits himself to each role by transforming into each unique character. Oldman’s strength for playing commemorated complex characters through method acting is clearly evident in his film “True Romance”. In the most bizarre role of his career, Oldman embodies a psychopathic pimp that engages in a lifestyle of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave Oldman a chance to showcase his aptitude for method acting by playing a quirky character with strange characteristics. As strong as Clarence’s desire to make romance come true, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated movie-star that thrives playing characters through method acting whose films audiences commonly value.
7. Lawless
Prohibition is a painful time in American history when people suffered from alcohol addiction. During the 1930’s, bootlegging gangs fought over alcohol production. These gangs built a lasting legacy by fighting over booze people were drinking. In 2012, Gary Oldman depicted the lawless era in his movie “Lawless”. In the most violent role of his career, Oldman portrayed a gangster seeking to control alcohol production during an era causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong masculine characters with authority. Working alongside Tom Hardy who is also amazing, Oldman honoured a troubled time in American history. A larger-than-life portrait of a disturbing time period when alcohol was lawless, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies which are undeniably flawless.
8. Leon the Professional
Gary Oldman has built a reputation for being an actor that thrives at playing a villain. Oldman has built an image of playing frightening villains with rage that cause damage. Oldman’s strengths for playing professional villains that are menacing is clearly evident in his film “Leon the Professional”. Released in 1994, Gary Oldman’s movie captured a professional killer committing atrocities. In the most villainous role of his career, Oldman embodies an agent seeking to abduct a child facing despair. It’s a scenery-chewing role that gave the actor the chance to showcase his aptitude for playing menacing villains. Despite limited screen time, Oldman steals the show as an unforgettable villain. As powerful as Leon’s desire to become a hitman that’s professional, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose movies audiences consider extremely special.
9. JFK
Few presidents in American history are as beloved today as JFK. During the 1960’s, John F. Kennedy was a powerful politician that guided his country amidst adversities. However, in 1963 the president’s career ended when he was assassinated tragically. In 1991, Gary Oldman honoured the memory of a president that passed away in his film “JFK”. In the most political role of his career, Oldman embodied a politician investigating the murder of a president causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for stealing the show in a supporting role. Despite limited screen-time, Oldman left a strong impression as a politician. Nearly 40 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a crime politicians investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose great movies deserve to be celebrated.
10. The Unborn
Gary Oldman 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 Unborn” falls into the latter category. Released in 2009, David S. Goyer’s horror movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Oldman portrayed a religious preacher seeking to investigate an unborn child evoking fear. Oldman brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Unborn” is a terrible movie, it honoured Oldman’s legacy. As strong as Casey’s desire to fight curses in Nazi Germany, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies in his career which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 