Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Owen Wilson. Since the 1990’s, Wilson has become an American icon. Whether it’s renowned writers, political leaders or disaster survivors, Wilson 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 appreciated.
1. Midnight in Paris
Paris is a beautiful city that my father always loved dearly. I remember my father once acknowledged a larger-than-life French city that changed his life forever. Drawn towards streets of Paris, he would love to discuss an iconic city that he often considered to be precious. He would always love to plan trips to a great city in France with which he created long-lasting relationships. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big beauty of Paris at midnight as powerfully as “Midnight in Paris”. Released in 2011, Owen Wilson’s best movie captured the life of a bold writer that roams the dark streets of Paris at midnight. In the greatest role of his career, Wilson portrayed a creative writer searching for inspiration in a city facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Wilson has spent most of his career playing comical characters in goofy comedies. With “Midnight in Paris”, however, the actor showcased rare emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Marion Cotillard who is also amazing, Wilson created a portrait of Paris that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Gil first becomes aware of the presence of Ernest Hemingway when he roams the streets of Paris causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight in Paris” Owen Wilson’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about Paris, it tackles strong themes that everyone can relate to. Nearly 15 years after the release of a film about writers in the streets of Paris at midnight, it’s a bold reminder of a bright actor achieving spotlight.
2. The Royal Tenenbaums
Dysfunctional families shaped my friend’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a friend that grew up in a broken family facing emotional damage. He would often complain about the broken nature of his family which caused him a great deal of pain. As someone treasuring memories of a friend that faced broken family homes, I adored “The Royal Tenenbaums”. Released in 2001, Owen Wilson’s movie captured a dysfunctional family facing adversity. In the most comical role of his career, Wilson portrayed a renowned writer that forms a friendship with a dysfunctional family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing comical characters with a sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Gene Hackman who is also outstanding, Wilson created a family drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Eli becomes aware that Royal suffers from terminal illness causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Royal Tenenbaums” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of dysfunctional families that deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor making great movies throughout his impressive career audiences appreciate.
3. Night at the Museum
Museums are a setting that my cousin always found interesting. I recall fond memories of a cousin that loved visiting museums celebrating histories. He would always embrace museums as a special place where history was possible to face. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that loved visiting a museum, I adored “Night at the Museum”. Released in 2008, Owen Wilson’s comedy captured artifacts coming to life in a magical museum causing catastrophe. In the most magical role of his career, Wilson portrayed an artifact figure that comes to life in a museum causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing quirky characters with a sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Ben Stiller who is also amazing, Wilson created a museum comedy that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Jedediah comes to life being awakened in the museum causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Night at the Museum” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about museums, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A magical portrait of a museum, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making great movies achieving tremendous stardom.
4. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Hotel managers are figures that always fascinated my mother. I remember my mother was once interested in the lives of hotel managers seeking to manage apartments under pressure. She would often love observing the way managers controlled a hotel. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that adored the functioning of a hotel, I admired “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. Released in 2014, Owen Wilson’s movie captured the life of a hotel manager facing tragedy. In the most quirky role of his career, Wilson portrayed a compassionate manager seeking to care for a hotel facing 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 Ralph Fiennes who is also outstanding, Wilson created a hotel movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Chuck becomes aware that his hotel is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Grand Budapest Hotel” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most Wes Anderson movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as the hotel Gustave seeks to manage, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies deliver a meaningful message.
5. Armageddon
Disaster movies are a genre of film that always impressed my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that adored movies about disasters causing trauma. He would often enjoy watching movies about disaster in the theatre. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that adored disaster movies with affection, I appreciated “Armageddon”. Released in 1998, Owen Wilson’s movie offered a powerful portrait of armageddon disasters causing catastrophe. In the most conflicted role of his career, Wilson portrayed an astronaut that experiences armageddon disasters causing despair. It’s a movie that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotionally disturbed characters under intense pressure. Working alongside Bruce Willis who is also amazing, Wilson created a disaster movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Oscar becomes aware that the world is ending causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Armageddon” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most disaster movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling depiction of a frightening armageddon disaster that’s dangerous, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies that audiences consider extremely precious.
6. Cars
Race cars are machines that my cousin grew up to embrace. I remember my cousin was once fascinated with race cars putting the lives of drivers in grave danger. In 2006, Owen Wilson captured the enduring appeal of race cars in his movie “Cars”. In the most colourful role of his career, Wilson portrayed a race car seeking to prepare for intense competitions causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase talent for creating compelling animated characters through his voice. Working alongside Bonnie Hunt who is also amazing, Wilson created an animated movie about cars that’s captivating. As strong as races conquered by Lightning McQueen, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his long-lasting career that definitely demand to be absolutely seen.
7. Inherent Vice
Drug addiction is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has shied away from substance abuse due towards its issues. In an industry avoiding addressing drug addiction that comes with a painful price, it’s worth praising “Inherent Vice”. Released in 2014, Owen Wilson’s movie offered a powerful portrait of drug addiction in 1970’s Los Angeles. In the most reckless role of his career, Wilson portrayed a drug addicted detective that faces despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase dramatic range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix who is also outstanding, Wilson created a drug addiction drama that’s captivating. A powerful portrait of drug addiction in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making great movies that deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.
8. Wedding Crashers
Owen Wilson has often excelled at playing comical heroes facing tension. Wilson has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing comical characters with a sharp sense of humour. Wilson’s strength for playing comedic characters is clearly evident in his movie “Wedding Crashers”. Released in 2005, David Dobkin’s comedy showcased the actor at his best. In the most hilarious role of his career, the actor portrayed a groom gatecrashing a wedding ceremony causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sharp sense of humour. Working alongside Vince Vaughn who is also outstanding, Wilson created a comedy that’s captivating. A wonderful portrait of a wedding, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has manufactured captivating movies which are definitely worth absolutely celebrating.
9. Wonder
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about disabilities causing disaster, it’s worth discussing Wonder. Since its publication in 2012, R.J. Palacio’s book has become a literary classic. In 2017, Owen Wilson honoured the beloved literature about disabilities in his movie “Wonder”. In the most wonderful role of his career, Wilson portrayed a compassionate father struggling to care for a facially deformed son facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase a soft side to himself that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Julia Roberts who is also outstanding, Wilson created a disability drama that’s captivating. A wonderful adaptation of a beloved book about facial deformities that are painful, it’s a powerful reminder of a remarkable actor that has made movies audiences consider extremely special.
10. Marmaduke
Owen Wilson 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, “Marmaduke” falls into the latter category. Released in 2010, Tom Dey’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Wilson portrayed a rebellious dog causing owners to face despair. Wilson brought his usual sharp sense of humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Marmaduke” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Wilson’s enduring legacy. As strong as Marmaduke’s desire for acceptance, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with a larger-than-life presence that has manufactured movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of film criticism giving my life greater guidance.
The Film Buff 