There are good actors. There are great actors. There are amazing. And then there’s Tom Hanks. I don’t need to say much, we all know who he is. He has wowed us so many times and right now he’s in the middle of an Oscar buzz as his critically acclaimed new film, Captain Phillips, which tells the true story of a merchant mariner who was taken hostage by pirates in the Indian Ocean back in 2009, comes out this Friday.
So why don’t we take a look at some of his best films?
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Hanks plays a guard on Death Row, who becomes affected by one his charges: John Coffey (The late Michael Clarke Duncan), a black man accused of child murder and rape, who has a mysterious gift.
I find it hard to recommend this due to the 3 hour running time and the fact that it ripped my heart out when watching it, but Shawshank director Frank Darabont pulls off something brilliant with this film
Time for a Spielberg film, and this is one of my favourites.
Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo Dicaprio) is an amazing con artist, having conned millions of dollars worth of checks as Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor, all before the age of 16, and Hanks is Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent chasing him.
Another true story, and certainly one that I find very interesting. Spielberg delivers a smart, fun game of cat and mouse with excellent performances both from Dicaprio and Hanks.
Christmas is not Christmas without Big (not in my house anyway!).
Not just an essential Tom Hanks film, but an essential 80s film. After being too short to ride a roller coaster, young Josh makes a wish on fortune telling machine, wishing to be big. When he wakes up the next morning, he finds he has become a grown man (Hanks). Josh finds out the only Zoltar machine left is in New York, and so moves there in order to find it. In the mean time, he finds himself a job at a toy making company (Where he fits right in) and becomes close with co-worker Susan. But how long he before he forgets what he really came for?
This film earned Tom his first Oscar nomination, and deservedly so. Watching him play an utter man child is magnificent to watch, and certainly one of the best performances of his career. But if we’re going to talk best performances, then look no further than...
Oh God, I’m crying already!
Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer who is very good at his job. Whilst spending time with his bosses, one of them notices a mark on his head. It’s then revealed that Andrew suffers from Aids, and this makes his bosses nervous. One day, when preparing for a case, Andrew’s loses his files, and is soon fired. He turns to fellow lawyer Joe (Denzel Washington), who is homophobic, as he believes that his bosses sabotaged his case so that they could fire him because he has Aids. Reluctant at first, Joe defends Andrew in court.
If you ask me, this is his best film. An absolutely amazing piece of cinema, it does everything right, from its gripping plot to its tearful end. Denzel’s performance is superb, but Hanks was Earth-shattering. Honestly, I think this is one of the best performances ever to be put on screen. Hanks is so powerful in the role, including one scene particular in which he translates his favourite opera music, and tears. Just tears. Just a moment of pure cinematic beauty that everyone needs to see.
Did your favourite turn up? If not, let us know down in the comments!
Captain Phillips is released Friday 18th October (UK)
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