Dom Hemingway
Jude Law is back on the big screen this week as he leads an all-star cast in Dom Hemmingway; a movie that is already being called one of the actor’s best performances.
Law is one of the most versatile actors who has moved from drama, blockbusters, war films and comedies. And to celebrate Law’s return we take a look at the top six movies of the actor’s career so far.
- Closer
In 2005, Jude Law teamed up with Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Natalie Portman in the Mike Nichols directed film. Based on the play by Patrick Marber, the movie followed the relationships of two couples: relationships that become complicated when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.
Closer is a complex movie about relationships and betrayal and is really brought to life but the four very different central characters. Law, Roberts, Owen and Portman deliver fantastic performances as they really get under the skin of these characters.
Closer is a witty study of relationships that also looks at the themes of lust and sex as well as loneliness with a fascinating and complex script.
This movie is very much an ensemble piece with all four major stars truly shining in their respective roles.
- Sherlock Holmes
Over the years, we have seen many versions of the Sherlock Holmes hit the big and small screen, with an array of actors takes on the roles of Holmes and Dr Watson.
In 2009, Law teamed up with Robert Downey Jr for the first time to bring director Guy Ritchie’s vision to life in a new version of the popular sleuth and his sidekick.
Law took on the role of Watson in the film and he and Downey Jr have become one of the best film double acts in recent years. And it is this central buddy relationship that really does push this movie forward as Law and Downey Jr have a fantastic chemistry.
The straight as an arrow and serious Dr Watson, is the perfect pal for the slightly eccentric and over the top Holmes - together they can solve just about every mystery.
Law and Downey Jr reprised their roles in 2011 for Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows and a third movie is believed to be in the pipeline.
- Road To Perdition
Road To Perdition is one of the Jude Law performances that quite often is overlooked as he delivers a menacing and creepy turn.
The gangster movie was directed by Sam Mendes, and saw Law take on the role of Maguire: a contract killer who is given the task of tracking down and killing central Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks).
Maguire is a man who likes to photograph the dead and the dying and Law really brings all of the eccentricities of this character to bear.
Road To Perdition is a beautiful looking movie with some excellent performances from the likes of Hanks and Paul Newman; but it is Law’s supporting role that will really stick in your mind.
- Gattaca
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 lifetime dreams.
Although the acting from all the characters is exceptional, Jude Law manages to steal the show. Law received critical acclaim for his role as he starred alongside Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.
- The Talented Mr Ripley
Another of Jude Law’s great early performances came in the form of The Talented Mr Ripley as he teamed up with Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The movie was a big screen adaptation of the novel by Patricia Highsmith and saw Anthony Minghella in the director’s chair.
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.
- Cold Mountain
Law’s second Oscar nomination came in 2003 as he starred in Cold Mountain; a movie that saw him reunite with director Anthony Minghella once again.,
The movie was based on the novel of the same name by Charles Frazier and saw him star alongside Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.
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 (Kidman).
Cold Mountain was a sweeping epic that depicted that hardship and horror of war and this sees Law deliver a gritty and very powerful performance as a solider caught in the middle of it.
Law picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance and the movie was a big sleeper hit; it went on to gross twice its budget.
Other great Jude Law performances includes Side Effects, Contagion and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
Dom Hemmingway is released 15th November.
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