Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the biggest cinema stars who has gone from pin-up to major Hollywood heavyweight.
He returns this week with The Wolf of Wall Street, which is his fifth collaboration with director Martin Scorsese.
- What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1994)
What's Eating Gilbert Grape remains one of my favourite DiCaprio performances, as Peter Hedges novel was adapted for the big screen.
This was one of DiCaprio's early film performances, as he took on the role of Arnie Grape, a character that did face some mental challenges.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape looks at the ups, downs and challenges of family life, and is driven forward by terrific central performances from DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.
DiCaprio is simply wonderful in the role of Arnie, and it was a performance that really grabbed everyone's attention.
The young DiCaprio went on to pick his first nominations at the Oscars and The Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor.
- Titanic (1998)
Hard to believe, but Titanic celebrated its fifteenth anniversary last year... but is still remains the movie that truly made DiCaprio a star.
DiCaprio took on the role of Jack Dawson, a poor artist who falls in love with an aristocrat during the fateful maiden voyage of Titanic.
DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have such rich chemistry that they really do make this central love story work so beautifully.
I know that Titanic is not as complex a role as we have seen him tackle in recent years, but it really did show that he could also be a blockbuster leading man.
The movie was a monster success at the box office as it smashed through the $1 billion barrier. It has now grossed over $2 billion and is the second most successful film of all time.
- Catch Me If You Can (2003)
Catch Me If You Can is one of DiCaprio's performances that is not talked about as much as it should be, as it is a gem of a movie.
The film was based on the memoir by Frank Abagnale Jr, and was brought to the big screen by director Steven Spielberg.
DiCaprio took on the role of Abagnale Jr, a man who wants to stay one-step ahead of the law as he cons his way through life.
Catch Me If You Can is a fun cat and mouse film, but DiCaprio really does get under this skin of this character and takes him to places that perhaps you were not expecting.
The movie proved to be a critical and commercial success as DiCaprio showed that he really was a big box office draw.
- The Aviator (2005)
In 2005, DiCaprio reunited with Martin Scorsese for their second film together... The Aviator remains some of his most accomplished work as an actor.
The Aviator was a biopic that looked at the early year of director and aviator Howard Hughes, played by DiCaprio.
It is a truly masterful performance from the actor as he brought get depth to this fascinating public figure.
Couple that with Scorsese engaging filmmaking style and you have a biopic movie that is not to be missed if you are a fan of this genre.
The Aviator secured DiCaprio his first Best Actor Oscar nomination - however, he lost out to Jamie Foxx for Ray.
- The Departed (2006)
DiCaprio teamed up with Scorsese once again in 2006 for The Departed - which was an American take on Infernal Affairs.
DiCaprio plays undercover cop Billy Costigan, who has infiltrated an Irish gang to uncover the identity of the mole they have placed in the police force.
Scorsese has always made great crime movies, and The Departed is an absolute gem - it really is a beautifully crafted film.
It is another stand out performance from DiCaprio as he really carries the emotional weight of the film.
He is a man who is losing himself in this identity that he has assumed, and must stop himself disappearing for good.
The Departed won the Best Picture Oscar. DiCaprio was not nominated for Best Actor; the Academy favoured his performance in Blood Diamond.
- Blood Diamond (2007)
Blood Diamond was the movie that saw DiCaprio pick up his second Best Actor Oscar nomination.
Directed by Ed Zwick, the movie followed a South African mercenary and a Mende fisherman find their fates forever intertwined as they embark on a quest to obtain a rare and highly coveted pink diamond.
DiCaprio is on fine form in Blood Diamond, as he delivers an incredibly tense performance from start to finish.
This is a thought provoking movie, but Zwick mixes the message with drama and plenty of action to keep it engaging from start to finish.
DiCaprio found himself up again Forest Whitaker, Ryan Gosling, Peter O’Toole, and Will Smith for the Best Actor Oscar, and lost out to Whitaker.
- Inception (2010)
Inception is one of the best films to hit the big screen in recent years, as DiCaprio teamed up with director Christopher Nolan for the first time.
From beginning to end, Inception is innovative as well as thrilling as the twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat.
DiCaprio takes on the role of Dom Cobb, a man who can project himself into your unconscious to steal your ideas... or plant them.
Again, it is another very tense performance from DiCaprio as he is a man who is trying to keep his subconscious under control.
It was great to see DiCaprio back in a big event movie, and this was a film that was a real box office smash.
Other worthy performances include The Basketball Diaries, Django Unchained and Romeo + Juliet.
The Wolf of Wall Street is released 17th January.
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