The Perfect Filmography

The greatest 'Film CV' of them all?

My house mates and I were debating, earlier in the year, on a very tricky question on whether or not there's an actor with a clean record, a repertoire without fault, a filmography with no howlers or flops... an actor without a single bad film to his or her name. Off the top of your head, it may seem quite difficult; well, it is. Now, I appreciate that everyone's opinion is different, and that one man's masterpiece is another man's worst nightmare, but I'll try my best to be fair - and i'll even choose my favourite at the end.

To really bugger things up, Ocean's Twelve (and possibly Thirteen) has managed to wipe out some of the modern era's greatest and well known actors (although if you hunted around enough, you could probably find other howlers to accompany it). George Clooney, for example, had his trio of terrible films; Batman & Robin, Spy Kids and the aforementioned, Ocean's Twelve. However, since making Ocean's terrible, he's been arguably the greatest actor of the last seven years, regularly appearing in Oscar nomination lists and even picking up the little gold statue in 2005 for Syriana. It appears Mr. Clooney has a conscience after all...

Then my mind wandered to Leo DiCaprio. He certainly fits the bill, especially considering the last few years of top class performances, but if you cast your mind to the younger, blonder Leo and you'll recall the disappointing second half of to The Beach and the entirety of Titanic (no, that's not a typo). Oh well, another one bites the dust.

However, I managed to scramble a top five together. See what you think...


5. Ryan Gosling



He may have the advantage of being in the relative infancy of his career, but Ryan Gosling is on fire. Last year alone he starred in three superb films of completely different genre with engaging and well acted individual performances. He compliments Steve Carrell brilliantly in the refreshingly funny, Crazy, Stupid, Love. He really takes control of The Ides of March, carrying the film's slick and clever dialogue effortlessly and really showing that he is more than just a pretty face. His potentially career defining role, however, was as the mysterious and dangerous getaway driver in Drive. You get a real sense of his charismatic style through the chemistry between himself and Carey Mulligan, that develops so intensely and tantalisingly throughout the film. 
  

4. Heath Ledger

The tragic loss of such a young and prodigious talent back in 2008 shocked the world of film. Not only because of his enourmous popularity and natural charisma, but because we lost his future works and performances too. His all too short film career really started as when playing the rebellious, mischievous bad boy  in 10 Things I Hate About You. Strong performances in The Patriot, A Knight's Tale and Ned Kelly soon followed, but it wasn't until Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain where Ledger could finally flex his acting muscle... and picking up an Academy Award nomination along the way. However, his chilling portrayal of The Joker was his masterpiece he left to the world and is also the image I leave you with now...


3. Sean Penn

I can only admit to seeing a handful of his films, but from what I have seen, there is few better actors alive today than Sean Penn. His two Academy Awards are testament to such quality; in particular, playing the bereft father engulfed in pain, despair and dark secrets in Mystic River. A gripping and engaging film drama from start to finish, the two central performances by Penn and Robbins are second to none and directed by the brilliant Clint Eastwood (who would've won the Oscar, had it not been for LOTR: ROTK).


2. Denzel Washington

The two time Academy Award winning actor has to be one of the finest actors of our generation. He has consistently made good, solid films, with very few bordering on the 'average' mark (that I have seen at least). There are a few favourites of mine, but nothing can beat his truly remarkable role as the troubled anti-hero John Creasy. His on screen chemistry with a young Dakota Fanning is sensational and his rampant revenge spree is as gripping as it is disturbing. This is a true modern classic.
  

1. Kevin Spacey

Another two time Oscar winner, Kevin Spacey is one of those actors who, simply put, cannot put in a bad performance. He inhabits every role with great enthusiasm and vigour and has given some incredibly memorable performances. His turn as the timid small time con man in The Usual Suspects and as the inept suburban husband having a mid life crisis in American Beauty are brilliantly detailed and carefully acted - the latter being one of my favourite films of all time. Not only is Spacey fantastic, but the ensemble cast really keep up with such a high standard, as well as; a virtually flawless script, a remarkable début direction by Sam Mendes and accompanied by Thomas Newman's moving simplistic score. If you haven't already, you must watch this film.