This is a list of three of my favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movies. It’s not an extensive list, but these are the first movies that come to mind when thinking of one of my favorite actors. I’ve always felt that Leonardo DiCaprio’s acting has been overshadowed and he’s an underrated actor, at least to the public, although he has had some favorable reviews and has been nominated for awards.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? : This was DiCaprio’s third movie. He had worked in television before, and did This Boy’s Life and probably went unnoticed in Poison Ivy. I used to watch Growing Pains, so I was aware of him, but What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? was the first time I fully became aware of his Leonardo DiCaprio’s acting talent. I first decided to watch the movie because of another favorite actor, Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp is a brilliant and versatile actor, but I believe this movie really belongs to DiCaprio in a supporting role as Depp’s mentally handicapped brother.
It’s been said that some people believed that DiCaprio was mentally handicapped in real life and were amazed that the director could get the performance out of him. I can believe this, because his performance is almost flawless. He never breaks out of character, even when the scene isn’t focused on him. What’s more, he’s not self conscious in his performance. I’m squeamish about watching actors play mentally handicapped, because they always seem embarrassing. Not DiCaprio. He’s also more than his limitations. The character of Arnie Grape is equally lovable and frustrating. Also, the chemistry he has with Depp’s character is one of the highlights of the movie. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and rightly so.
The Man in the Iron Mask: This was the first movie Leonardo DiCaprio made after the blockbuster Titanic. As I recall, it didn’t get very good reviews, but it is one of my favorites, and contains one of my favorite performances of his. To be fair, the movie is somewhat uneven. Casting actors of different nationalities (British, Irish, French, and American) to play French, and all using their own accents can take a person out of the story. Also, DiCaprio had the difficult task of playing twins – King Louis XIV and his brother Philippe. The performance I enjoy is him as Philippe. He’s not really convincing as the arrogant king. As Philippe, he brings a vulnerability that makes it easy for me to ignore the American accent.
The Aviator: Leonardo DiCaprio plays Howard Hughes. He doesn’t look anything like the famed movie maker and aviator, but that’s a minor quibble. A larger one is that I have a difficult time believing that he was old enough to play Howard Hughes. But, aside from that, I thought it was a good performance. DiCaprio is convincing as he portrays Hughes succumbing to his obsessive compulsive disorder. He’s also very good in the scene where he testifies before the Senate. The movie itself changes some details and glosses or ignores some of Hughes’ unattractive personality traits, so it isn’t really good as an accurate portrayal. As entertainment, however, it is a movie I have watched more than once.
These are my three favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movies. Honorable mentions go to Catch Me if You Can and Marvin’s Room.
