Reversal of Fortune
The leading performances of Reversal of Fortune are what have earned it a place among the all-time greats, but none stand taller than Jeremy Irons’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Claus von Bülow, which keeps the audience guessing and almost rooting against the narrative at every turn while staying fully hooked into how it’ll all play out.
I, Tonya
Bolstered by a message that goes beyond the negative effects of sex, drugs, and rock and roll and by a leading cast that collectively give some of the best performances of their careers, I, Tonya is elevated above the typical biopic fare to be a film that fully deserves a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is a triumph of a biographical documentary thanks first and foremost to Michael J. Fox himself who carries the film on the shoulders of his own persona to a place of greatness.
The Eternal Memory
The intricate work done by Maite Alberti to weave together three potentially independent themes and stories into a single narrative revolving around this one couple in The Eternal Memory makes it an impressive documentary and one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
BlackBerry
Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton shine as the leads in BlackBerry, giving contrasting performances that elevate its historic tale to levels of dramedy excellence, earning the film a place among the greats.
The Straight Story
The Straight Story features an excellent combination of execution from actor and director with Farnsworth’s grounding performance allowing Lynch’s surrealist sensibilities to shine and vice versa, giving audiences a tale that’s equal parts relatable and thought-provoking, earning a place of greatness.
Walk the Line
With Johnny Cash’s music underpinning the whole thing, Walk the Line shines among 21st century biopics thanks to its director’s (and subject’s) willingness to air out all the dirty laundry and thanks to the unforgettable performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in the leading roles.
Out of Africa
The leading performances of its central love triangle help Out of Africa overcome some narrative slowness, giving the audience a trio of complex characters to dwell on and examine, earning it a place among the greats.
Erin Brockovich
As a vehicle for Julia Roberts’s leading performance, Erin Brockovich shines, shaping every bit of itself toward cementing its leading lady’s place in history (both the real Brockovich and Roberts for her performance), more than earning itself a place among the Greatest Films of All Time in the process.
The Theory of Everything
Two stellar leading performances make what could otherwise be a paint-by-numbers biopic combined with an okay example of a period romantic drama into a showcase of acting capabilities and moving performances in The Theory of Everything, saving its place among the greats.
Hacksaw Ridge
Led by Andrew Garfield, populated by Gibson’s directorial vision, and ultimately driven by Doss’s own convictions in favor of peace and pacifism, Hacksaw Ridge undeniably earns its place among biopics, World War II films, and, ultimately, the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Beaches of Agnès
The Beaches of Agnès provides a wholistic look back at the filmmaker’s life and work, offering the audience a look inside the head of one of the most prolific and unique filmmakers in history, earning itself a spot among the greats in the process.
Mirror
Mirror’s glorious cinematography and disjointed sense of regret brings out a more impactful final message that others rarely think as badly about us as we do about ourselves, doing the work of a true artistic film in pleasing both the senses and the soul, earning a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Wild Child
The three leads of The Wild Child bring a deep level of emotion and humanity to the pages of research and history that bring the story to life in a way that will resonate with audiences as Truffaut so often accomplishes.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures elevates itself above its peers of overly sweet portrayals of the victories of the Civil Rights era with three powerful and memorable performances from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, whose portrayal of these noteworthy women from history earns this film a place of greatness.
Boys Don’t Cry
Strong performances from Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny that give voice to the film’s critiques of toxic masculinity and patriarchy make Boys Don’t Cry more than a film about the tragic life of a trans man and elevate it to a place of greatness.
Born on the Fourth of July
Born on the Fourth of July features a masterclass performance from Tom Cruise in the leading role that ties the film together, allowing it to present its thoughts on veterans and the military industrial complex to the audience in a compelling way that earns the film a place of greatness.
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Searching for Bobby Fischer offers viewers a direct critique of the pressures parents place on their gifted children, showcasing in a poignant way the positive and negative impact that parental interactions can have on their children, setting itself apart from similar sports films and earning a spot of greatness.
Life Itself
Life Itself beautifully captures the story of legendary film critic Roger Ebert, using his life and death to showcase what it is that makes all of us want to keep on living, particularly at the movies, but in the other aspects of life too, earning it a spot among the greats.