See Li, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
By Geoff Carter
He has been called one of the greatest movie stars of his generation, which he is, but more that, Leonardo DiCaprio is an artist who has chosen to be more than just a pretty face. From his early work, including his spectacular portrayal of the mentally challenged Arnie Grape in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, to Jack Dawson, the dashing romantic lead in Titanic, to his intricate emotional layering of deceit, loyalty, and trust as the undercover detective in The Departed, or to the breezy and glib Frank Abagnale, Jr., in Catch Me if You Can, DiCaprio has chosen projects that stretch his talents as an actor and that are also socially relevant.
After the stupendous success of the Titanic—and then Romeo & Juliet—DiCaprio could have continued playing teen heartthrobs or romantic leads, but instead decided to challenge himself by taking on roles like the ambitious and deranged Howard Hughes in The Aviator, Danny Archer, the opportunistic and ruthless diamond smuggler in Blood Diamond, and Jordan Belfort, the avaricious and ruthless stockbroker in The Wolf of Wall Street. None of these roles necessarily increased his popularity—or his bankability—but DiCaprio seemed to think it more important that he do projects that not only contained artistic merit, but that also had at least a modicum of redeeming social value.
Almost alone amongst the Hollywood elite, he has not appeared in a superhero franchise. Nor has accepted roles in any of the other action franchises; instead, he has chosen projects like Blood Diamond or The Wolf of Wall Street, films with socially significant messages. His commitment to the craft of acting were on display in the harrowing film The Revenant, for which he endured incredible hardships, including crawling inside an animal carcass and eating raw bison parts—and for which he received the Academy Award for Best Actor.
His most recent project, Don’t Look Up, a black comedy that addresses the issue of climate change, echoes his personal commitment to preserving the environment. DiCaprio has donated a substantial sum to help in the “rewilding” of the Galapagos Islands, a project that will help preserve and reintroduce native species on Florena, the main island in the archipelago.
Leonardo DiCaprio is a rare talent. He seems to be able to effortlessly inhabit the characters he portrays while simultaneously creating an indelible connection to his audience. Even his most despicable characters, like Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, are not completely irredeemable human beings. Something very human and very fragile shines through the thick ugly layers of Belfort’s greed and selfishness. If DiCaprio had not portrayed him, he would have appeared as nothing more than just another American psycho.
The Ten Best Films of Leonardo DiCaprio
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?: In this moving film about a dysfunctional small-town family, DiCaprio plays Gilbert’s (Johnny Depp) mentally limited younger brother, Arnie. Since the suicide of his father, Gilbert is left to take care of his morbidly obese mother, Bonnie (Darlene Caters), his two sisters Amy and Ellen (Laura Harrington and Mary Kate Schellhardt, respectively), and his little brother Arnie, who has a predisposition to repeatedly run away and climb the local water tower. Although Arnie is written as an annoyingly hyperactive teen with the mental and emotional capacity of a five-year-old, DiCaprio somehow makes him lovable. He sinks so far into Arnie’s persona that is nearly impossible to separate his character from the actor. This is a truly astounding performance. Notable for John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover’s portrayals of Gilbert’s best friends.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Kevin Tighe, Laura Harrington, John C. Reilly, and Crispin Glover. Written by Peter Hedges. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
Titanic: In this epic blockbuster about the ill-fated ocean liner, DiCaprio portrays an impoverished painter Jack Dawson who “lucks” into a last-minute ticket aboard the ship during a poker game. Once aboard, he runs into Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), a rich and unhappy seventeen-year-old who is being forced into a marriage with Cal Hockley (Billy Zane) to save the family fortune. Rose, upset over the engagement, is attempting to throw herself overboard when Jack intervenes. They become friends and then much more. When the Titanic strikes the iceberg and starts sinking, the two attempt to save themselves. DiCaprio was praised for his performance as the enthusiastically down-to-earth and valiant romantic lead, giving—along with Kate Winslet—the film a strong emotional anchor to the epic production surrounding it. Notable for the excellent supporting cast.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, and Victor Garber. Written and directed by James Cameron.
The Revenant: In this visually stunning epic Western, DiCaprio portrays Hugh Glass, a tracker who, with his son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck), is guiding a trapping party in the wilderness when they are attacked by a tribe of Arikara and forced to flee downriver. While taking them back to the fort, Glass is mauled by a bear. One of the other trappers, Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) convinced Glass is a goner, convinces the other men to leave him. They start to bury Glass—although he is still alive—until Hawk objects. Fitzgerald kills him and leads the party back. Glass survives and through a series of harrowing experiences, makes his way back to exact revenge for his slain son. To film in the wilderness, DiCaprio sunk himself so deeply into the character of Glass that he ate raw fish, bison, and crawled into the carcass of a dead animal. His portrayal of Glass as a desperately injured angel of vengeance is gripping and heart-rending. Also notable for Tom Hardy’s portrayal of the sadistic and misanthropic Fitzgerald.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Forrest Goodluck, Domhnall Gleason, Paul Anderson, and Will Poulter. Screenplay by Mark L. Smith, based on the book by Michael Punke. Directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu.
The Aviator: In this biopic about reclusive millionaire and aviation designer Howard Hughes, DiCaprio—in the titular role—navigates Hughes’ triumphs as a movie director and aviation pioneer as well as his romantic encounters with Hollywood legends Katherine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale) while struggling with chronic OCD. After a series of mishaps including a plane crash, Hughes struggles to control his germaphobia, but slowly descends into a paranoid state of delusion. Blanchett’s uncanny portrayal of Katherine Hepburn is simply stunning and earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Notable for director Martin Scorsese creates a beautiful recreation of the opulence of Hollywood’s golden age.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Gwen Stefani, and Willem Defoe. Written by John Logan. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
The Departed: In this psychologically crime drama, DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, a Massachusetts State Police officer who accepts a deep undercover assignment infiltrating the Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) crime family. He becomes aware that a mole in the department Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon)—who is also aware of Billy’s presence—is in touch with Costello, and so the two play a deadly game of cat and mouse, trying to uncover each other’s identities. As the two cops circle each other, simultaneously hiding and seeking the other’s identity, the plot builds into a shattering climax. DiCaprio’s Costigan is a man navigating a minefield of mistrust and violence. His almost incomprehensibly high levels of fear and stress, while evident on DiCaprio’s face, are just far enough under the surface to make his subterfuge believable. As played by DiCaprio, he is man balancing the thin line between the choices of truth or survival. Notable for its great supporting cast.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, and Vera Farmiga. Written by William Monahan. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Catch Me if You Can: In this biopic of infamous con man and forger Frank Abagnale, Jr. (DiCaprio), a teen who successfully impersonated a high-school teacher, an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, always drew the ire of the FBI for his penchant—and talent—for cashing forged checks. Ferociously intelligent, audacious, and mischievous, Abagnale leads FBI agent Hanratty (Tom Hanks) down blind alleys, into dead ends, and through the wringer before he is finally—and inevitably apprehended. DiCaprio’s performance as the wily con man conveys Abagnale’s charm, outrageousness, and finally, his own bewilderment at his successful masquerades. As his relationship with Hanratty morphs from needling into respect, and finally, friendship, we realize Abagnale is merely a kid looking for approval. Notable for some beautiful comic touches, especially when the FBI crashes an engagement party.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Garner. Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson from the book by Frank Abagnale, Jr., with Stan Redding. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
The Wolf of Wall Street: In this disquieting biopic of rapacious and corrupt Wall Street broker Jordan Belfort, the narrative follows his horrifying–and disgusting—antics during the rise of one of the audacious criminals of Wall Street. While bringing his company, Stratton Oakmont, to prominence by scamming thousands of victims, Belfort engaged in chronically excessive drug use, providing prostitutes to reward his sales staff, and engaging in other incredible depravities. As Donny Azoff, his right-hand man, Jonah Hill is a remarkable mix of enthusiasm and gluttony. DiCaprio’s portrayal of Belfort toes a fine line between the man’s dynamic ingenuity and his ruthless greed. He is profane and excessive to the point of absurdity—and into the realm of the disgusting. In short, he is a loathsome human being, but his charisma is undeniable. DiCaprio manages to make the man likable even as the audience has to turn away. Notable for Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Naomi Lapaglia.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Matthey McConaughey, Jon Favreau, and Rob Reiner. Screenplay by Terence Winter from The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort.
Blood Diamond: In this international thriller, diamond smuggler and mercenary Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) happens upon a former mine worker Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) who has a discovered and hidden a monstrously valuable diamond. When Archer suggests that he guide them to the stone, Vandy insists that they first try to recover his son who has been kidnapped and turned into a child soldier by RUF revolutionary forces. During their trek to find the stone, the two men meet up with journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), who is doing an expose on the “blood diamond” trade which results in the deaths of hundreds of innocent workers. When they reach their destination, the two men have to fight not only for the diamond but also for their own lives. As Archer, DiCaprio strikes a balance between a man determined to make his fortune and a friend who must decide how to do the right thing. Notable for Djimon Hounsou’s remarkable performance and for the electric chemistry between Connelly and DiCaprio.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Arnold Vosloo, Kagiso Kuypers, and Michael Sheen. Written by Charles Leavitt. Directed by Edward Zwick.
Don’t Look Up: In this black comedy, DiCaprio plays Dr. Randall Mindy, who with PhD candidate Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), discovers a comet that is on a collision course with Earth. They inform Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan), the head on Planetary Defense Coordination Office, who in turn, informs President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep) who unenthusiastically promises to look into the matter. They unsuccessfully try to inform the media, who trivialize the crisis, and finally succeed in persuading the president to institute a diversion mission, which is aborted at the last minute by Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) a billionaire tech CEO, who has other designs on the comet. As the clock winds down, further warnings by Mindy and Dibiasky fall upon deaf ears until the inevitable happens. DiCaprio’s portrayal of the shy scientist who becomes seduced by the media limelight is believable and stirring. Notable for the remarkable supporting cast, especially Rylance’s hilarious portrayal of Isherwell.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Timothee Chamalet, Meryl Streep, Rob Morgan, Cate Blanchett, and Mark Rylance. Written and directed by Adam McKay.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: In this Quentin Tarantino alternate fantasy, fading Hollywood star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) is afraid his career is going down the toilet. When fab couple Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate move in next door, he hopes to befriend them in order to revive his flagging career. Dalton’s best friend, stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) happens to pick up a young hippie named “Pussycat” and drives her to the Spahn Ranch where members of the Manson family happen to be staying. A few months later, Booth and Dalton are having a few drinks when members of the Manson family arrive on their way to Sharon Tate’s home to murder everyone there, but—in one of Tarantino’s history-bending plot twists—they happen to run into Booth first. DiCaprio’s depiction of a star at the bottom looking up, especially when talking to an eight-year-old co-star is outstanding. Notable for Pitts’ Oscar-winning performance, (and the party scene at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy mansion).
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margo Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Damian Lewis, and many more. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Honorable Mention
Romeo and Juliet
Django Unchained
Celebrity
Shutter Island
Revolution Road
Wonderful reviews, Geoff.
Thanks, Neal. It was hard to pick the top ten. He has so many good ones.