Looking through his filmography, Leonardo DiCaprio’s career is an astonishing one. He has come a very long way from teen heartthrob and overwhelming stardom from Titanic to growing in to each role, becoming wiser on what he professionally wants to be remembered for. The filmmakers he surrounds himself with are a wet dream for any movie lover – directors such as Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg. Legends of their craft, he realizes in order to become the best, you have to work with the best. Its paid off tremendously. He’s only taking on more daring, stirring roles as he enters his 40’s.
So it’s only fitting we take a look at the characters he has made us love, fear, and even laugh at on occasion. Here are the top unforgettable roles of a lifetime that only one man can take credit for:
HOWARD HUGHES
(The Aviator)
DiCaprio captures the man, the myth, the legend of Howard Hughes, an eccentric, perfectionist billionaire whose fall from grace in to reclusive madness is astounding. The Aviator isn’t one of my favorite Scorsese nor DiCaprio films, yet Leo’s portrayal of the ultra smart aviator and director is a marvel to watch. How he transcends in to the paranoia and obsessiveness, letting it consume him from the inside out, may make you question your own sanity.
JORDAN BELFORT
(The Wolf of Wall Street)
If ever there was a film where DiCaprio is truly out of his comfort zone, it’s this one. Mostly because of the physical humor he displays, revealing a range we never knew he had or would dare to attempt on-screen. His latest pairing with Scorsese is outrageously obscene yet infectious, and DiCaprio fearlessly unleashes hell as Belfort. He is as sleazy as they come, but the charisma and energy injected by DiCaprio is pure dynamite. Ultimately, you almost don’t want him to get caught. That’s the power of his talent. This is where he should’ve become an Oscar winner.
TEDDY DANIELS
(Shutter Island)
Scorsese and DiCaprio are at it again. By launching us into a whirlwind of an eerie, gripping atmosphere and peril, this brilliantly crafted, intricate film will haunt you long after the credits roll. Playing a federal marshal sent to investigate a missing woman inside a mental hospital, DiCaprio delivers arguably his most inscrutable, agonizing role to date. Daniels is there for reasons unannounced to him and the audience. As the mystery surrounding the island begins to uncoil, pain and heartache show its hideous face, soon ripping out of Daniels.
CALVIN CANDIE
(Django Unchained)
There’s absolutely no way I can leave out the first (and perhaps only) time in cinematic history that Leo plays the villain. What a deadly combination: Tarantino and DiCaprio. As the ruthless, vile plantation owner, there’s a hungry wrathfulness that’s unshackled in all its glory. Just take in the dinner scene where he shatters the glass, blood dripping from his hand. In the end, I see Samuel L. Jackson’s Stephen as the most despicable guy in the room, but DiCaprio’s charmingly ferocious sociopath behests that room and everyone in it.
HUGH GLASS
(The Revenant)
DiCaprio’s intense dedication is miraculous in this extraordinary cinematic experience that’s unhampered & punishable, yet worth every drop of blood. Incredibly gorgeous filmmaking about a vengeful tale out on the beastly, unforgiving American Frontier, he spawns a mortally uncompromising, nearly wordless performance. His presence is commanding with a character that’s undoubtedly committed in the most ardent, somatic way.
With all of that said, there’s a real chance this year he may finally get what he’s been deprived of his entire career: An Oscar. I bet you can’t help but root for him on Oscar night now, huh?! I don’t blame you one bit. If or when he wins, it will assuredly be well-deserved.
At long last, he’ll be the King of the World!
Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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