GE Consumer Credit Wins Major Toy Retailer Sina Partners With Qihoo Polypore CrashesRobert Yaniz Jr More Articles Joseph Gordon-Levitt has definitely matured as an actor on the NBC 3rd Rock from the Sun since his days. Indeed the actor has emerged as one of this generation’s most multi-talented performers with an impressive career ranging from mainstream studio fare (including films by directors such as Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan) to acclaimed indie films such as Mysterious Skin. With Gordon-Levitt set to appear in the last few months of this year in a pair of high-profile films (The Walk The Night Before) now is the right time to reflect on his best roles so far. Here are five must-see movies listed in order of release on his resume.
1. Brick
3/3.1133 (2005)The lovestruck Tom Hansen, whose tumultuous relationship and subsequent breakup with the lovely Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) serves as the focal point of this romantic comedy series, performs in a role that many men can relate to Gordon-Levitt. The Marc Webb-directed film represents more than just a pure love story as a microcosm of the dating world typically spanning from the highs of new love to the pulse that accompanies a painful break with your loved one. The entire production depends on the charisma and relatability of Gordon-Levitt and it is still one of his best roles. 3.
50/50 (2011)
3/3.1135 Cancer is a topic rarely delicately dealt with as it is here. As a young man afflicted with the disease Gordon-Levitt captures his character’s inner struggle and how the illness impacts the various aspects of his personal life. Seth Rogen provides ample support as his loyal friend and director Jonathan Levine succeeds in making a film that serves as perhaps the most realistic portrayal of a cancer battle ever to hit the big screen, including the perfect balance of humor and tragedy in the movie. It is an underrated movie which deserves much more coverage. 4.
Looper (2012)
3/3.1136 For this time-travel adventure story that has the actor basically portraying a young version of co-star Bruce Willis, Gordon-Levitt reunites with Rian Johnson. Using some subtle prothetics and his impressive ability to mimic Willis’s signature performance style, Gordon-Levitt delivers an onscreen turn that transcends imitation and elevates the volatile script into one of the best sci-fi films in recent memory. In addition, with Emily Blunt he creates dynamite chemistry and the film’s innovative approach to the overused time travel plot device is outstanding. 5.
Don Jon (2013)
3/3.1137 With Don Jon Gordon-Levitt making his screenwriting and directing debut and producing one of the most convincing leading characters of his career as a young man trying to find out love and desire. On a thematic level, the film is really about how men and women perceive the dating world and the expectations that society sets for romance for every gender. Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore have strong supporting roles as two women in Jon’s life but Don Jon is simply a platform behind the camera for Gordon-Levitt’s bright future.
Honorable mentions:
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Lookout (2007) Hesher (2010) Inception (2010) The Dark Knight Rises (2012) @CrookedTableThe lovestruck Tom Hansen, whose tumultuous relationship and subsequent breakup with the lovely Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) serves as the focal point of this romantic comedy series, performs in a role that many men can relate to Gordon-Levitt. The Marc Webb-directed film represents more than just a pure love story as a microcosm of the dating world typically spanning from the highs of new love to the pulse that accompanies a painful break with your loved one. The entire production depends on the charisma and relatability of Gordon-Levitt and it is still one of his best roles. 3.
50/50 (2011)
3/3.1135 Cancer is a topic rarely delicately dealt with as it is here. As a young man afflicted with the disease Gordon-Levitt captures his character’s inner struggle and how the illness impacts the various aspects of his personal life. Seth Rogen provides ample support as his loyal friend and director Jonathan Levine succeeds in making a film that serves as perhaps the most realistic portrayal of a cancer battle ever to hit the big screen, including the perfect balance of humor and tragedy in the movie. It is an underrated movie which deserves much more coverage. 4.
Looper (2012)
3/3.1136 For this time-travel adventure story that has the actor basically portraying a young version of co-star Bruce Willis, Gordon-Levitt reunites with Rian Johnson. Using some subtle prothetics and his impressive ability to mimic Willis’s signature performance style, Gordon-Levitt delivers an onscreen turn that transcends imitation and elevates the volatile script into one of the best sci-fi films in recent memory. In addition, with Emily Blunt he creates dynamite chemistry and the film’s innovative approach to the overused time travel plot device is outstanding. 5.
Don Jon (2013)
3/3.1137 With Don Jon Gordon-Levitt making his screenwriting and directing debut and producing one of the most convincing leading characters of his career as a young man trying to find out love and desire. On a thematic level, the film is really about how men and women perceive the dating world and the expectations that society sets for romance for every gender. Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore have strong supporting roles as two women in Jon’s life but Don Jon is simply a platform behind the camera for Gordon-Levitt’s bright future.
Honorable mentions:
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Lookout (2007) Hesher (2010) Inception (2010) The Dark Knight Rises (2012) @CrookedTable