After the appearance of the film “Joker” on the screens, many movie lovers noted the magnificent performance of the actor Joaquin Phoenix. Although those who did not like the tape did not manage to criticize the artist.
After the appearance of the film “Joker” on the screens, many movie lovers noted the magnificent performance of the actor Joaquin Phoenix. Although those who did not like the tape did not manage to criticize the artist. Recall that when preparing the rating of the best roles, we evaluate not the quality of the picture, but how professionally the performer worked. In the worst movie, the master will demonstrate his talent, and in the most famous film of the decade, some artist may not reveal himself.
The latter statement cannot be attributed to Phoenix, who turned 48 on October 29, 2022. His name is rightfully considered a guarantee of a good movie. Even if the picture does not impress you, Joaquin’s acting skills will not leave you indifferent.
Top 10 most successful roles played by Joaquin Phoenix
To Die For (1995)
The key role in this film belongs to the beautiful Nicole Kidman. She plays a girl who will do any meanness to achieve her goal. However, the young, clumsy Joaquin evokes in the viewer a feeling of compassion and tenderness at the same time. The heroine Kidman begins to use him to implement her own dangerous ideas, as a result, the differences between the cunning seductress and the fragile young man become especially noticeable. The Phoenix Hero can’t be mistaken for a helpless man, but as the story unfolds faster and faster, that’s exactly what he looks like.
Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
And again young Joaquin, but with a completely different disposition. A cheeky, adventurous lover of easy prey who will wrap everyone around his finger. The film is set in a German military base at the end of the Cold War. All the worst evils of humanity flourish, and the Phoenix character feels great about using the situation to his advantage. But the story is very sad, there was a place in it not only for the story of debauchery and addiction to drugs.
Sisters Brothers (2018)
An unusual film from the Frenchman Jacques Audiard demanded special characters. The cast has gathered the most interesting – Jake Gyllenhaal and John C. Riley. Joaquin played the role of a frivolous, reckless and at the same time charming young man. This is how Phoenix appeared in a film about brothers who are looking for their own path.
Probably, Joaquin is closer to active movie characters who are in an agitated state when the level of adrenaline goes off scale. After all, he is especially good at insane personalities.
You were never here (2017)
In this tape, the hero of Joaquin is silent and unemotional, but this did not stop him from showing his character. There are similar roles in the filmography of legends – Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson. Phoenix did the same.
The mercenary performs difficult missions to free the kidnapped people, while dealing with the villains. But the task of the disappearance of the girl baffles him.
For this role, Joaquin received a prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far Away (2018)
The roles of disabled people are psychologically complex, they require full dedication and attention from the performer. Not only gestures and speech change, but also facial expressions.
Director Gus Van Sant is a master who will tell a sad story in such a way that the audience will experience the whole palette of feelings – sadness, joy, anger, and delight. Joaquin’s hero tries to overcome physical and moral trauma. He chose his path and is looking for fun in a difficult situation.
Her (2013)
With the development of technology, the romance of artificial intelligence no longer seems like a fantasy story, does it? The hero of Joaquin is in love with a self-learning application that has only a voice (Scarlett Johansson voiced the program, but nonetheless). He is everywhere with his “beloved”, their romance is absolutely real for him. Joyful, romantic-minded Phoenix is a rarity in films, so this unusual tape is worth seeing.
Walk the Line (2005)
Someone will say that there were more suitable applicants to embody the image of Johnny Cash. Phoenix does not have a complete resemblance to the legendary performer. But the excellent performance of songs during filming (Joaquin learned to play the guitar and sang himself) and acting skills – all this made James Mangold’s tape a pearl of world cinema. Phoenix was chosen for this role by Cash himself.
As a result, the actor was nominated for an Oscar, won a Golden Globe and a Grammy.
Gladiator (2000)
It is worth clarifying why this picture was in the rating in a high place. The reason is not in the nominations for prestigious awards for Joaquin.
In wrestling (a staged show where participants realistically demonstrate combat scenes, although the winners are determined before the start), there is a term “heel” (“bad guys”). Positive guys are called “face”, usually the audience supports them and boos the heel.
But as time goes on, the public no longer cheers for the good guys. After all, face is boring, it’s more interesting to be a dashing bad guy. The most interesting heal option is chicken shit heel. This is a really nasty guy. His audiences hate him with all their hearts.
Phoenix in the movie “Gladiator” is an example of such a bad boy. After this picture, it was difficult for many to get rid of the aftertaste.
Joaquin’s character is nasty, obnoxious – who wouldn’t want to be killed off?
Of course, this is not the most difficult role of the Phoenix. But what is important is not the range of acting chips that were involved, but that nasty character, the image of which he perfectly managed to show.
Master (2012)
Some viewers did not quite understand the plot of the film, but highly appreciated Joaquin’s acting. He appeared as a soldier who returned home after the war. The man suffers from a mental disorder. He meets the leader of a religious movement (Hoffman), who begins to test psychological practices on him. The film shows their trip around the states, attracting new followers to the organization.
The tape failed to justify the expense, but received numerous awards. For example, Phoenix won a prize at the Venice Film Festival, was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar.
Joker (2019)
This role was recognized by the audience and critics as a real diamond of Phoenix’s career. The tape was strong and impressive. The picture, based on comics, won the Venice Film Festival award for the first time. Of course, this would not have happened without the amazing work of Joaquin.
There were also viewers who called the film “absolutely standard cinema with hackneyed clichés.” But even they did not express criticism of the Phoenix.
Before him, we saw Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger as the Joker. But Joaquin, as a great actor, managed to show the audience the cult image in a completely different way, using new and interesting techniques.