Shuvrajit Das Biswas
Woody Harrelson is perhaps not given ample recognition for his diverse acting prowess and his multiple thoroughly enjoyable roles in various popular movies. Harrelson, both as the central or supporting cast always brings a unique element to his films and tv shows. Here is the list of top 15 Woody Harrelson movies and TV shows.
15. 2012
Woody Harrelson plays an apparently mentally unstable radio jockey in this epic disaster film. Harrelson goes over the top with his acting playing a crazy survivalist radio jockey who predicts the doomsday of the earth and explains the causes. While some might say he is crazed, his theories do pan out perhaps making him more sane than those ingratiated in society. From eating slugs to living in a trailer to his maniacal laughter Harrelson has a small role in this film but nonetheless gives us a performance worth mentioning.
14. Now You See Me
Merritt McKinney played by Woody Harrelson in both the films, is a mind reader. McKinney is a part of a group of magicians who pull off daring heists. It is obvious that he is the eldest member of the group but perhaps also the most daring member of the group. Harrelson captures the down and out magician given a second shot at life wonderfully, he delivers the caustic comebacks perfectly and carries himself with an easy charm and arrogance that is to be expected of someone who can apparently read minds. Harrelson’s performance in both films is something to take note as excellent examples of acting prowess.
13. The Thin Red Line
Directed by Terrence Malick this film is not a regular war movie and explores different soldier’s psyches often parodying them to the extreme. One of the soldiers is Sergeant Keck. Keck played by Harrelson. Although the role is very short we remember the scene distinctly for Harrelson’s cockiness. Keck is an overconfident subject and we know how well Harrelson can play cocky characters. However, this sergeant manages to blow his own leg up with his grenade. Harrelson gives a short but delightful performance in this movie.
12. The Hunger Games
Woody Harrelson plays Haymitch Abernathy in this famous movie franchise. He is a resident of District 12 and a former Hunger Games Champion. Harrelson plays this survivalist alcoholic to a degree of brilliance. The character’s defiance to the Capitol is evident and it is later shown that he heads the revolution against the Capitol’s exploitative methods. Haymitch is a supporting character but an essential support for the protagonist Katniss Everdeen. Harrelson shows us his diverse acting skills and brings Abernathy to life in all the films.
11. A Scanner Darkly
Woody Harrelson plays Ernie Luckman in this fantastic film. Directed by Richard Linklater and based on Philip K. Dick’s book, this story is about an undercover cop who tries to bust a drug ring which peddles a dangerous substance called Substance D. The film has a stellar cast including Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. Harrelson plays the role of a paranoid junkie roommate to the undercover cop Bob Arctor (played by Reeves). The paranoia of Luckman and the drug induced disorientation is portrayed brilliantly by Harrelson who gets into his role with an amount of vigor and commitment that we have come to expect from him in his films.
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10. War For the Planet of the Apes
Woody Harrelson plays a remorseless colonel,McCullough in this third installment to the Planet of Apes franchise. A merciless man whose philosophy closely mirrors the Aryan supremacy philosophy, he is bent on exterminating all apes because of a virus they carry that make some humans behave in an ape like manner. His cruelty is magnified because he seems to genuinely believe that he is doing good and he knows and respects no limits because he kills his own men as easily as he kills apes. Harrelson plays the crazed colonel brilliantly which includes taking a defiant stand against the rest of the US military and in an excellent performance shows the tragedy of the colonel’s life when he too is affected by the same virus that he had sworn to eradicate. The larger than life man is reduced to a whimpering creature as he takes his own life filled with self loathing. Harrelson’s recent performance is as strong as it is poignant.
9. Welcome to Sarajevo
Jimmy Flynn played by Woody Harrelson in this film is a minor supporting role and not at all the main focus of the story. However, we cannot help but shortlist this as one of Harrelson’s best performances as he brings an energy into the film that cannot be quantified by on-screen minutes. He shows the dangers and thrills of war journalism. He is a cowboy like addict hooked to the dangers of war. He follows it, and ensures great television. Perhaps he is given to a little lunacy as is a slight underlying motif of a few of Harrelson’s characters. When reported that Sarajevo is the 14th worst crisis in the world according to the charts. Flynn’s flamboyant nature forces him to ask if it is moving up or down in the charts. Harrelson portrays the character of the thrill seeker with ease and wisdom and makes it one of his most memorable performances.
8. Indecent Proposal
A film that most people remember for Demi Moore’s acting, it nonetheless has a stellar cast all around including Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson. Harrelson plays the role of David, a man very much in love with his wife played by Demi Moore. After they lose a lot of money in Vegas they are approached by Gage, an eccentric millionaire played by Redford. They are offered a sum of million dollars to let Demi spend the night with Gage. David grapples with the dilemma but ultimately agrees to it. However, as the movie goes on we see David trying to grasp with the consequences of this action but his insecurity leads to an unraveling of their marriage. He hits rock bottom but there is salvation at the end of the film for him because they realize their love for each other and Demi goes back to Harrelson’s character. He plays the role with intensity and poignancy that is sure to bring tears to our eyes as the love forsaken husband who has to see his beloved walk out of his life.
7. The People Vs Larry Flynt
This biopic stars Woody Harrelson as Larry Flynt, the man who started Hustler magazine. Harrelson brings all the complexities and eccentricities of the character to life. His indignation and pain is evident in the scenes where he loses his wife or is shot after exiting a courthouse. Larry is anti establishment and Harrelson captures the rebel in Flynt perfectly – from wearing the American flag as a diaper to throwing an orange at a judge, he delivers a powerful performance that remains etched in our minds long after the movie is over.
6. No Country For Old Men
Woody Harrelson plays Carson Wells in this Coen brothers’ film. A chilling portrayal of a mercenary, Wells is perhaps the most remarkable character in the movie after Anton Chigurh. The only thing about Wells’ character is that his driving motive is evident. He works for money plain and simple. However, his casual attitude to violence and his philosophies of the world are remarkably similar to Anton’s. Harrelson plays this ex Vietnam war colonel with a chilling accuracy and to be remembered in a film that has a performance like Javier Bardem’s Chigurh is no small feat.
5. Natural Born Killers
Woody Harrelson plays the role of Mickey Knox in this Tarantino written and Oliver Stone directed film. Harrelson plays a complete psychopathic killer which is to some extent the reason for his being cast as Charlie Costello in Seven Psychopaths. Mickey Knox who was based on a real life serial killer is adept with guns, knives and is also comfortable with bare handed murders. Harrelson delivers a chilling performance as a killer devoid of empathy and someone to whom killing is second nature. This is definitely one of his best performances till date and proves why he should be treated with the utmost respect for his acting prowess.
4. Seven Psychopaths
Woody Harrelson is psychopath number three, or Charlie Costello in this crime comedy film which is one of the finest in this genre. He plays an unstable, trigger happy gangster who is obsessed with the safety of his dog. Harrelson plays edgy characters well, and this gangster’s eccentricities shine through the stellar performance of Harrelson. Seven Psychopaths is an excellent film to watch, a film with an impressive cast and fantastic performance and yet Harrelson still manages to stand out among his distinguished co actors.
3. Rampart
Woody Harrelson plays Dave Brown a LAPD veteran. While the film itself is only moderate, Brown’s character and its devolvement throughout the film is captured brilliantly by Harrelson. He portrays estrangement from his ex wives, his tendency to quick violence and his knowledge of the case laws to a fine degree of precision in this film. A movie that lacks much vitality, is held together by the stellar performance delivered by Woody Harrelson.
2. The Messenger
Harrelson plays Captain Tony Stone, a recovering alcoholic who is partnered with a decorated soldier to deliver news of fallen army people to their families before the news and media channels reach them. While the film itself seems to reiterate the same point in different ways about the futility of the loss of life, and does not deal much with character development, Harrelson plays the role of a recovering alcoholic with some panache. He shifts from his usually part comic roles to a much more serious part, where he retains some of his saltiness in his character but shows Captain Stone to have a soft center.
1. True Detective
Woody Harrelson plays Martin ‘Marty’ Hart, the partner to the enigmatic nihilist Rust Cohle as they investigate a series of murders in Louisiana. Harrelson’s character plays a brilliant foil to Rust’s pessimistic outlook and nihilist philosophy. Hart’s grounded police procedural approach to crime is contrasted with Rust’s cerebral approach and Harrelson is just as important to True Detective’s first season as Matthew McConaughey is. He adds an undertone of balance and grounded aspect to the show which might otherwise have devolved into Rust’s madness. The character of Hart is not without the flaws either and his infidelities and family issues spill over into work and Harrelson does a brilliant job of bringing this character to life in front of us. This is what sets apart Hart from the rest of Harrelson’s roles, and makes it one of the finest acting performances he has delivered.
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