Jude Law ’s Top Movies

Jude Law, an English Actor, film producer and director, is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Over the course of his career, Jude Law has taken over Hollywood by accepting a broad range of roles. Playing anything from a science fiction paraplegic to a criminal photographer who moonlights as an assassin, Law has done it all. Having two Oscar nominations, it’s safe to say Jude Law is a Hollywood regular. In November, Law’s new film Dom Hemmingway will showcase his acting skills in what is said to be the ‘role of his career’. In anticipation of the new films’ release, we are taking a look at his top 10 movie performances.

Gattaca (1997)

One of Jude’s first recognisable roles was his portrayal of Jerome Morrow, a paraplegic ex-swimmer with perfect DNA. In this futuristic genetically “perfect” society, he sells his identity to Ethan Hawke, an “invalid”, who lacks sufficient genes required to achieve his life-time dreams. Although the acting from all the characters is exceptional, Jude Law manages to steal the show. Law received critical acclaim for his role and was nominated for an Oscar.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Playing a carelessly cruel, overwhelmingly handsome playboy, Jude Law stars in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Critics everywhere raved about his performance stating, “In a starry line up, it’s Jude Law who commands most presence, playing the charmer so well that his absence in the latter half leaves a gaping void.” This role made Law a major star in Hollywood and provided him with his first Oscar Nomination.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

In another sci-fi film, written, directed, and produced by Steven Spielberg, Jude Law plays Gigolo Joe, a male prostitute robot built for pleasure. He becomes a big brother figure to David (Haley Joel Osment), a childlike android uniquely programmed with the ability to love. Despite grossing $230 million, A.I was regarded as a disappointment; however, Jude Laws performance is said to be unforgettable.

Road to Perdition (2002)

Jude Laws performance in Cold Mountain provided him with his second Oscar nomination. The film follows W.P Inman’s desertion from the confederate army and the journey he takes to return back to the love of his life (Nicole Kidman). Cold Mountain was nominated for more than seventy awards, including seven Academy Award nominations and one win.

I Heart Huckabees (2004)

Jude Law explores his dreamy side in his role as Brad Stand in the philosophical comedy, I Heart Huckabees. The film follows Bernard Jaffe (Dustin Hoffman) and Vivian Jaffe (Lily Tomlin), both existential detectives up for hire to investigate the meaning of their clients lives. Law plays a rich, good looking, charming and well liked Huckabee employee. With an A-list cast, a strange story and a lot of humour, I Heart Huckabee is a hilarious comedy that encourages you to think about your life.

Sherlock Homes (2009)

Playing opposite Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law plays the famously reliable friend and sidekick, Dr. John Watson. Robert Downey Jr. is given praise for making the Sherlock Holmes films good, and rightfully so; however, the film would not have been as succesful without Jude Law as Watson by his side. Law is confident, powerful, intelligent and chivalrous, seeming as though he was born for the role. The duo is a match-made in Hollywood heaven as the film produces nonstop laughs. With a third film in the making, Sherlock Holmes has grossed over $518 Million worldwide.

Contagion (2011)

Jude Law stars in the medical thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh. Although the movie’s main villain is the virus itself, Jude Law comes a close second. Law plays Alan Krumwiede, an opportunistic blogger encouraging a wide spread panic only in order to capitalize on it. Although his role seems arbitrary to the movie, Law is amazingly good at playing this terrible character. Contagion is not one of his most recognizable roles only because he played the villain so well the audience actually hated him. And who wants to hate Jude Law!

Side Effects (2013)

Steven Soderbergh and Jude Law team up once again for Side Effects, a psychological thriller. Playing Dr. Jonathan Banks, a psychiatrist watching his life fall apart when a depressed young woman (Rooney Mara) commits a murder that could be linked to a side effect of the medication he prescribed. With many twists and turns in the plot of this film, Laws acting remains consistently remarkable throughout the entire film.

Dom Hemmingway (2013)

Gaining 30lbs in preparation of his role as an ex-con safecracker, Jude Law’s performance in Dom Hemmingway is said to be the performance of his career. Back on the streets of London after 12 years in prison, Law goes to collect what is rightfully his for keeping his mouth shut. Travelling with his best friend (Grant), Dom’s drink and drug-fuelled ego decides to go on a hunt for his long lost daughter.

Dom Hemmingway will be released in cinemas on the 15^th of November.