By all means, acting is the cornerstone of any great film’s success. Sure, it takes everything, from writing and direction, to production, but it takes skilled performers to nail their characters and can elevate a film to new heights of acclaim. Indeed, some of the most outstanding films in history are revered for their remarkable acting. The actors draw viewers in and immerse them in the story.
There’s a lot that goes into creating the most perfectly acted movie. The actors must carefully work off each other from a genuine sense of chemistry on screen. There can’t be one weak or dull performance. Since as early as the silent era, many films have been praised for their all-around stellar acting.These never truly had any cracks in the performances of their entire casts, and even some were awarded heavily by the Academy of Motion Pictures.From Historical Epics to Crime masterpieces, here are the ten most perfectly acted films of all time.
10’Parasite' (2019)
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, Lee Sun-kyun, and Choi Woo-sik
The only South Korean film to ever win Best Picture is acclaimed filmmakerBong Joon Ho’sParasite, a deep, psychological delve into themes of identity crisis and class discrimination. It’s a dark comedy yetwith shocking twistsand thrilling turns that revolves around a poverty-stricken South Korean family as they slowly infiltrate the lives of an upper-class family household.
The cast does a phenomenal job of making their characters seem genuine and understandable.With Joon Ho’s guidance and sharply written dialog, the actors can flex their acting talents, delivering complex and engaging performances that show various emotions.Two notable standouts are the incredible leads,Song Kang-hoandCho Yeo-Jeong, who dominate every scene with their ability to change feelings and expressions seamlessly and at a moment’s notice.Parasiteis an undeniable modern masterpiece, elevated by its stellar acting from a cast at the top of its game.
Greed and class discrimination threatens the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
9’Goodfellas' (1990)
Cast: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco
Perhaps the most celebrated Gangster movie made by the visionary mind of one of the genre’s most recognizable directors,Martin Scorsese,Goodfellasis a bonafide classic that continues to be praised and watched throughout the decades. Starring one of the best acting trio ever brought to screen,Robert De Niro,Joe Pesci, and the lateRay Liotta, it follows them as three aspiring wise guys as they ascend through the criminal underbelly. But eventually, their rise to the top leads to their downfall, leading one man, Henry Hill (Liotta), to turn on his former allies.
Goodfellashas some of the most quotable lines and iconic performances in pop culture history.Scorsese, a director known for encouraging his performers to improvise, lets his actors work off each other and figure out what would fit each scene.They certainly didn’t disappoint, as there was no dull moment or weak delivery. Many scenes are engaging and more memorable than the last. Through their unique chemistry and ability to figure out what worked, the cast delivered powerful performances that helped makeGoodfellasthe revered andrewatchable gangster classic it is today.
Goodfellas
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
8’Ben-Hur' (1959)
Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, and Hugh Griffith
There is one film from the history of motion pictures that will forever define what it means to be an Epic, and that’sWilliam Wyler’sBen-Hur. In his career-defining role, the greatCharlton Hestonplays the vengeful prince, Judah Ben-Hur, as he rises through the Roman hierarchy to seek revenge against the corrupt governor Messala (Stephen Boyd) for his family’s imprisonment.
This large-scale masterpiece is a masterful cinematic achievement, featuring incredible production values, gorgeous cinematography, andsome of the best acting ever shown in a historical drama.Heston commands the screen with his Oscar-winning performance as Ben-Hur. Through his character’s journey, the actor flawlessly displays a vast display of different emotions that feel entirely believable and impactful.Aside from Heston, the supporting cast shows no cracks in their performances, including the reveredHugh Griffith, whose role as the boisterous horse-racing breeder Sheik Ilderim earned him a well-deserved Best Supporting Academy Award.Ben-Huris an overall masterpiece elevated by a list of incredible performers.
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7’Amadeus' (1984)
Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, and Roy Dotrice
Undeniably,the greatest movie of 1984isMilos Forman’sAmadeus, a Best Picture-winning period drama that features some of the best acting of the decade. The greatF. Murray AbrahamandTom Hulcestar as two of the most legendary composers in history, Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as they engage in a years-long rivalry that inevitably ends disastrously for both of them.
Amadeusis all-around spectacular with its performances. However, its success stems from the incredible dynamic of its two leads, who expertly bring these musical geniuses to life.Abraham and Hulce were nominated for their work, with the award going to the former for his unique and transformative performance as the jealous Salieri, both in his young and old years. However, aside from the two actors, the supporting roles, while often brief, are unforgettable and sure to leave an impression on viewers.Amadeus is perfect throughout, and its acting will forever be praised as some of the most flawless in history.
The life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporary composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart’s talent and claimed to have murdered him.
6’Ikiru' (1952)
Cast: Takashi Shinmura, Nobuo Kaneko, Miki Odagiri, and Yûnosuko Itô
Much of modern cinema today is influenced by the inspiring works of acclaimed Japanese filmmakerAkira Kurosawa. FromRan,Yojimbo, to his greatest masterpiece,Seven Samurai, he’s left a mark on the entertainment industry that’s truly one of a kind. But when it comes to his most flawlessly acted movie, that would be his 1952 drama classicIkiru(or To Live). It follows a middle-aged civil servant who, after being diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, decides to use the time he has left to build a children’s play park.
Ikiruisa tragic existential lookinto the meaning of life, expertly shown through the heartbreaking performance of its talented lead performer. In the role of a lifetime, Kurosawa regularTakashi Shinmurais a sight to behold as the dying protagonist Kanji Watanabe.His ability to convey so much anguish and other emotions, mainly through his facial expressions, is an incredible achievement, not many other actors other than him could have accomplished.It’s a very thought-provoking, deeply emotional film enhanced by its leading actor and the supporting cast. For these reasons,Ikiruremainsone of the most compelling Japanese moviesin history.
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5’The Godfather' (1972)
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and James Caan
Regarding excellently acted movies, it’s no surprise thatFrancis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfatherwould appear, but it’s not the only one from this trilogy that will make this list. It sees legendary actorMarlon Brandoas the respected Don Vito Corleone, the head of the prosperous Corleone crime organization, who must lead his family through turmoil when the other Mob families in New York start dealing in the drug trade.
Many fans and critics consider it to be one of the greatest movies of all time; it certainly lives up to its acclaim with its flawless direction,immaculate screenplay, and incredible performances.The Godfatherhas some of the most competent, highly skilled actors of the period coming together to deliver the most revered performances of their careers.Al Pacino,Robert Duvall, and evenJames Caanplay their roles to perfection, and outside them and Brando (who rightfully earned his second Best Actor win), the rest of the cast does phenomenal work with what they’re given.The Godfatherwill undoubtedly be praised for its acting for many years to come.
The Godfather
Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
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4’The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
Cast: Jodie Foster, Athony Hopkins, Anthony Heald, and Ted Levine
The history of the horror genre has only one film ever to win the prestigious award for Best Picture:The Silence of the Lambs. Considered by critics and horror lovers to be one of the most compelling andthrilling horror films in history, it’s a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that follows a young FBI trainee as she asks a convicted serial killer to advise in her case to track down an unhinged murderer before he slays his next victim.
The Silence of the Lambsis a masterpiece recognized for its superb performances. Aside from winning Best Picture and Screenplay, the Academy bestowed its lead stars,Sir Anthony HopkinsandJodie Foster, Best Actor awards for their groundbreaking roles as the terrifying Dr. Hannibal Lecter and the determined Agent Clarice Starling.The pair’s on-screen chemistry is one of the best in cinema, as they perfectly play off each other’s strengths to give their best performances.But aside from the two, the acting of the rest of the cast is all-around remarkable.The Silence of the Lambshas changed the way how people view horror. Now, these films can be seen as more compelling masterpieces, all thanks to this one and its superior acting.
The Silence of the Lambs
A young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.
3’A Streetcar Named Desire' (1951)
Cast: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, and Kim Hunter
The great playwrightTennesse Williamshas crafted stories that have captured the fascination of countless audiences. While most of his plays are now legendary,A Streetcar Named Desireis often considered his masterpiece, which was later brought to the big screen in 1951. It tells the story of a troubled woman from an aristocratic background as she moves into her sister’s home in the French Quarter of New Orleans. There, she struggles with a slowly deteriorating grip on reality and her sister’s abrasive husband.
The film adaptation ofA Streetcar Named Desireperhaps has one of the most talented acting casts ever shown in cinema. Two-time Academy Award winnerVivien Leigh, Best Supporting ActorsKarl MaldenandKim Hunter, and the future Best Actor winnerMarlon Brandoall give flawless performances that continue to be praised and studied throughout history. It is no surprise that Brando’s acting has become a standout in the film, ashis groundbreaking use of method acting was instrumental in popularizingthe unique style of acting, which is still often used by many actors today.A Streetcar Named Desireis a landmark film recognized for its acting brilliance. There truly is not one single weak performance.
A Streetcar Named Desire
In this adaptation of Tennessee Williams' classic play, a fading Southern belle, Blanche DuBois, moves in with her sister Stella and her brutish brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. As tensions rise, Blanche’s fragile mental state deteriorates, leading to a tragic confrontation. This 1995 version captures the intense emotions and complex characters of the original.
2'12 Angry Men' (1957)
Cast: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, and Joseph Sweeney
Sidney Lument’s 1957 Courtroom Drama12 Angry Menis a cinematic masterpiece. It is an essential classic that anyone who calls themselves a movie buffshould see at least once. Perfectly shot, flawlessly written, and above all, powerfully acted, it’s a gripping story about 12 nameless jurors assigned to a murder case where they must decide the fate of a young boy facing the death penalty for allegedly murdering his father.
All twelve actors playing the jurors are spectacular in their own ways, and they all play their characters to perfection and let the audience get a feel for their personalities and motives.However, the best standouts areHenry Fondaas Juror #8 andLee J. Cobbas Juror #3, who both excel in their roles as the leaders of the guilty and not guilty parties.12 Angry Mensucceeds due to its performances. There’s no weak link or line that seems out of place. It truly is marvelous.
12 Angry Men
Twelve jurors are confined to a deliberation room during a sweltering summer, tasked with deciding the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murder. Initially appearing as a straightforward case, the proceedings take a dramatic turn as one dissenting juror begins to challenge the evidence. The intense narrative explores the complexities of justice and human nature as each juror confronts their own biases and the dynamics of group decision-making.
1’The Godfather Part II' (1974)
Cast: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and Robert De Niro
Francis Ford Coppala’s continuation of theGodfathertrilogy,The Godfather Part II, takes the top spot as the most perfectly acted movie of all time.This enduring classic continues the story of Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he works closer to moving his family from organized crime. But after a failed assassination attempt and suspicions of a traitor within his inner circle start to plague his mind, his next actions soon turn him into a man he never hoped to become.
The Godfather Part IIboasts one of the most impressive lists of actors ever: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall,Diane Keaton,John Cazale,Talia Shire, and Robert De Niro.These are A-list stars at the absolute peak of their game, turning in one immaculate performance after another.It’s all made more perfect thanks to Pacino’s heartbreaking portrayal of the main character, Michael, whose once-in-a-lifetime performance is truly striking. Even without speaking, he’s able to convey everything his character is thinking and about to do, all through the power of his eyes, body, and facial expressions. It’s truly perfect acting at it’s finest, andcertainly the best of his entire career.The Godfather Part IIis a masterpiece in large part due to its acting. From start to finish, it draws viewers in and never ceases to impress them.
The Godfather Part II
The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.
