Brad Pitt has had a truly diverse, yet impressive, acting career. The gifted performer has garnered three acting-category Oscar Nominations already, and a win is certainly in his future. In order to recognize Pitt's fine work once again in this summer's blockbuster World War Z, I decided to use June's "Movie List of the Month" to take a look the top 5 onscreen performances throughout his illustrious career.
*** View May's Movie List of the Month HERE
Honorable Mention: Se7en, Snatch, Inglourious Basterds and Twelve Monkeys.
The Top 5 Brad Pitt Performances
#5. Burn After Reading (2008)
Definitely a lesser-known film for the megastar, the Coen brothers' Burn After Reading places Pitt in the dopey health nut role and it's never been captured so well. The supporting turn was a fine onscreen showing for Pitt and it clearly illustrated his profound versatility.
#4. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Pitt showed a different side of his acting abilities in 2007 as the outlaw Jesse James. While the character-driven western crawls past the two and a half hour mark, it's Pitt who shines as the most memorable. Despite co-star Casey Affleck getting all of the awards season recognition, Pitt continued to dazzle audiences in this under-appreciated role.
#3. Moneyball (2011)
After receiving an Oscar Nomination for his leading role in the 2011 hit Moneyball (and deservedly so), many loyal fans were clamoring for this to be "the one". However, Jean Dujardin claimed the victory for his silent role in The Artist and Pitt still remains statue-less. Although he never got the win for his portrayal of Oakland Athletics' GM Billy Beane, his transcending performance will certainly be remembered.
#2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
While I anticipated that 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button wouldn't be the type of movie I'd enjoy, I put off watching the film for a long time. Yet, thanks in large part to Brad Pitt's unbelievable and towering performance, the lengthy tale surprisingly ended up as one of my favorite films of the year. Pitt stars as the title character whose rare life is examined as he physically ages backward from birth to death. It's truly an astonishing and eye-opening piece of work.
#1. Fight Club (1999)
It pains me to feel so cliche by selecting Pitt's role as Tyler Durden in Fight Club as the best performance of his career, but I'm going to do it anyway. The 1999 release was such a groundbreaking film that helped spawn my love for movies and Pitt's supporting effort played a huge part in the success of Fight Club. Brad Pitt gives an elevated and memorable performance that will live on forever as one of the greats.
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