Leonardo DiCaprio has graced the bedroom walls of many a teenage girl over the years as his blonde hair and blue eyes made him the perfect pin-up.
But in recent years the actor has left his pretty boy days behind him as a string of movies, mainly with martin Scorsese, has shown that he is a real become a real acting heavyweight.
- What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
The performance that made everyone sit up and take note was What's Eating Gilbert Grape back in 1993 when he took on the role of Arnie Grape in the Lasse Hallstrom directed movie.
The film saw him team up with Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis. Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, a place where nothing much happens. The only times the police got something to do is when Gilbert's autistic brother Arnie tries to climb up on the watertower nearby.
Taking care of Arnie is mostly Gilbert's task which can be pretty demanding, at least while you are working at the local grocery store.
Then one day Becky and her grandmother passes through Endora getting trouble with the car. Gilbert falls in love with Becky, but gets problems when he tries to find time for his own private life.
The movie was met well by the critics when it was released and DiCaprio went on to pick up a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his performance.
- Gangs of New York
It was 2002 that brought about the change in direction for the actor with his role as Amsterdam Vallon in Gangs of New York in 2002, his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese saw him leave all the pretty boy tags behind him.
1863. America was born in the streets. In this movie, we see Amsterdam Vallon returning to the Five Points of America to seek vengeance against the psychotic gangland kingpin Bill the Butcher who murdered his father years ago.
With an eager pickpocket by his side and a whole new army, Vallon fights his way to seek vengeance on the Butcher and restore peace in the area.
The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for ten Academy Awards including Best Picture, but there was no nomination for DiCaprio's performance but it was the start of a great partnership.
- The Aviator
DiCaprio teamed up with Scorsese again in 2004 when he took on the role of Howard Huges in The Aviator, which also starred Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale.
The movie charts the early years of famous tycoon, Howard Hughes (1905-1976), whose eclectic career spanned across everything from oil, for which he cared little, to film, casinos, and aviation--as he turned millions of dollars into billions.
The movie was both a critical and commercial success and DiCaprio's central performance was a powerhouse piece of work from the actor.
The movie went on to pick up eleven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio. However he missed out on the gong as it went to Jamie Fox, however he did pick up the Golden Globe.
- Blood Diamond
The character of Danny Archer was next for DiCaprio in 2006 as he teamed up with director Edward Zwick for Blood Diamond, which also starred Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou.
Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer - an ex mercenary from Zimbabwe - and Solomon Vandy - a Mende fisherman.
Both men are African, but their histories as different as any can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives.
While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon - who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields - has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone.
With the help of Maddy Bowen, an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
Once again critical success came the way of the actor as he picked up another Oscar nomination for his central performance, but he missed out once again as Forest Whitaker walked away with the award.
- The Departed
That same year he reunited with his old pal Martin Scorsese for their most successful collaboration the fast paced, action packed The Departed.
Other performances of DiCaprio's that are well worth a watch include Romeo & Juliet, Revolutionary Road, The Basketball Diaries and a little movie called Titanic, you may have heard of it!
The movie brought together an all star cast of DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Ray Winstone and Martin Sheen.
Set in South Boston the state police force is waging war on organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Costello (Nicholson).
While Billy is quickly gaining Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan (Damon), a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the police department as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit.
Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated.
But when it becomes clear to both the gangsters and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy -- and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself.
The movie went on to pick up Best Picture at the Oscars and Scorsese, at long last, got his hands on a Best Director gong.
Inception is released 16th July.
Femalefirst Helen Earnshaw
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