Jim Broadbent's 15 Best Movies Ranked

Veteran actor Jim Broadbent He has been acting in films since the 70s and his presence alone is enough to inspire confidence in any film in which he appears. Born in Lincolnshire, Broadbent began his career on the stage, as many English actors tend to do, before moving on to Hollywood or, more often, the British television industry. After a few years on stage, Broadbent landed his first credited film roles in 1978, with Baal's life story and The scream. After these small introductions, the offers for Broadbent kept coming.

Only a few years have passed without a Jim Broadbent film and many with multiple performances. Broadbent specializes in gentle characters, but he can get dark when he wants. The smile lines on your face may darken and your softly skeptical voice may turn accusatory. He has a wide range for a man who seemingly plays similar characters. Broadbent won the only Oscar he was nominated for and the rest of his filmography, while unnoticed by most awards ceremonies, is filled with incredible performances.

15

Little Voice (1998)

Jim Broadbent plays Mr.

Little Voice is a British musical starring Jane Horrocks, Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent. The film follows Laura Hoff (Horrocks), a reclusive girl who people call “Little Voice” or “LV” for her shyness and calm voice. When LV's miraculous voice is discovered, she is taken to a club owned by Mr. Boo (Broadbent), a kind gentleman looking for a new lounge singer. Broadbent is at his most charming here and turns what could be a sinister character into someone warm and inspiring.

14

Harry Potter (2009, 2011)

Jim Broadbent plays Horace Slughorn

Jim Broadbent joined the Harry Potter universe in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princereturning to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. He plays Professor Horace Slughorn, the status-obsessed but ultimately good Potions professor of Harry's sixth year. He is also one of the few seemingly admirable Slytherins. One of the secret weapons of the success of Harry Potter films was the casting of talented British actors in important rolesand Broadbent brings all his theatrical skills to just a few scenes, making it a memorable late period Harry Potter character.

13

The United Damned (2009)

Jim Broadbent plays Sam Longson

In The United DamnedBased on the 2006 novel by David Peace, Michael Sheen stars as a fictionalized version of Brian Clough, the ill-fated football manager of the 1974 Leeds United football team. Jim Broadbent co-stars as Sam Longson, the chairman of the Derby football team , who Clough managed before moving on to Leeds United. Anxious about his team's prospects, Longson still wants to do what's best for his players, even if it means losing. It's a classic Broadbent performance and he skillfully portrays all the frustration that comes with trying to lead a team with an intractable coach.

12

Gangs of New York (2002)

Jim Broadbent plays Boss Tweed

New York Gangs is Martin Scorsese's confusing but underrated film about the beginnings of New York City and the formation of the gang culture that would come to obsess the director, as shown in his filmography. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis and John C. Reilly, Jim Broadbent manages to stand out as Boss Tweed, the corrupt mayor of New York City. Broadbent is smarmy and funny, and his hostile interactions with everyone are some of the film's highlights.

11

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Jim Broadbent plays Harold Zidler

Baz Luhrmann Moulin Rouge! is a somewhat controversial film, with some seeing it as a triumphant postmodern musical and others criticizing its excesses and extravagance. The film follows Christian (Ewan McGregor), a Scottish poet who falls in love with Moulin Rouge star, cabaret actress and courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Jim Broadbent co-stars as Harold Zidler, the owner of the Moulin Rouge. Unscrupulous and conniving, Broadbent still plays the character with a kind heart and allows him to stand out enough to give the character an extra dimension.

10

Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Jim Broadbent plays Mr.

Nicholas Nickleby is one of many adaptations of Charles Dickens' famous novel, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nicklebythis one stars Charlie Hunnam in one of his most memorable roles. Jim Broadbent co-stars as Wackford Squeers, a sinister and abusive man who runs his boarding school like a prison. Broadbent rarely takes part in these types of unpleasant roles, but when he does, it shows how much range he has. as an actor. It's a funny performance, with his charm still in full force, but he turns it into something abrasive for a deliciously sinful performance.

9

The Iron Lady (2011)

Jim Broadbent plays Denis Thatcher

Although Meryl Streep is legitimately the main takeaway from The Iron Lady With his incredible performance as the titular PM, Margaret Thatcher, Jim Broadbent puts on a fantastic show as her husband, Denis Thatcher. The film follows Margaret's life from her youth until her final years, when she began to experience symptoms of dementia. Denis primarily appears in the film as a spirit, but Broadbent is as much a part of the story as anyone with his sad but somehow still joyful performance. It's Streep at the top of her game, but Broadbent is there with her every step of the way.

8

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Jim Broadbent plays Inspector Frank Butterman

The second film in Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy Hot fuzz stars Simon Pegg as police sergeant Nicholas Angel, who has recently been “promoted” from London to a remote English village where everything seems perfectly legal. Beneath the idyllic smiles and bushes is a murderous conspiracy that Angel uncovers. Jim Broadbent co-stars as Police Inspector Frank Butterman, head of the local department. His goofy, careless attitude hides some secrets and when Broadbent arrives, the actor shows how he can act as formidable as he does harmless.

7

The feeling of an ending (2017)

Jim Broadbent plays Tony Webster

The meaning of an end is a mystery drama based on the book of the same name by Julian Barnes. Jim Broadbent stars as Anthony “Tony” Webster, an elderly camera store owner who receives a diary from a girlfriend from his youth. Thus begins a journey into the past where ideas of memory and reality are juxtaposed to show how difficult it can be to discover the “truth”. While the film may be a little light, Broadbent's performance is anything but. It's his portrayal of Tony that keeps The meaning of an end to fly away.

6

Another Year (2010)

Jim Broadbent plays Tom

Another year portrays the year in the life of an elderly couple, Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri Hepple (Ruth Sheen). Unlike their friends, the Hepples remained firmly in love from a young age. Over the course of a year, the Hepples experience the different forms of love and regret that their friends and family go through, all while remaining united. It's a gently sweet film that doesn't hide the saddest parts of loneliness and life. Broadbent fully realizes Tom, making him seem like a real person even when he's just silently listening.

5

And when did you last see your father? (2007)

Jim Broadbent plays Arthur Morrison

Based on the 1993 memoir of the same name by Blake Morrison And when did you last see your father?sometimes referred to as When did you last see your father?stars Colin Firth as Blake and Jim Broadbent as his titular father, Arthur. Arthur proves to be a complicated man throughout the film, at times someone to respect, and at other times pathetic with his womanizing and neglect. It's a moving performance from Broadbent, who plays the older gentleman as a man who accepts the fact that he may have made some mistakes, but those mistakes don't make him.

4

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Jim Broadbent plays W.S. Gilbert

In Upside downJim Broadbent stars as playwright W. S. Gilbert and Allan Corduner co-stars as composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, the legendary theatrical partnership of the Victorian era. Talented but headstrong creative duo have 15 months to present The Mikado. The intricacies of theater production are shown alongside the reluctant friendship that develops between the two men. Broadbent was perfectly cast to champion the witty script and its wizened intelligence, as early as 1999, makes it clear that even its bluntest moments are grounded in careful reflection.

3

The Duke (2022)

Jim Broadbent plays Kempton Bunton

The Duke gives an account of the 1961 robbery of the Portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Francisco de Goya, and stars Jim Broadbent as Kempton Bunton, the 60-year-old man accused of the robbery. This unlikely true story is driven by Broadbent's performance as the charming but lonely Bunton, whose robbery seems to be more a response to the frustrations of his daily life than a desire for a work of art. It's a funny, moving film that allows Broadbent to be playful and mischievous, but still makes room for a deep sadness at the center.

2

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023)

Jim Broadbent plays Harold Fry

Jim Broadbent stars as the titular character in Harold Fry's unlikely pilgrimagea 2023 drama based on the 2012 novel by Rachel Joyce. Harold Fry is a retired man who goes on a walking trip to find an old dying friend. Along the way, he repairs his marriage and inspires those he meets with his selflessness and kindness. Broadbent is at the center of every moment of the film, and It barely looks like he's acting, instead he inhabits the man Harold Fry. Emotional and beautiful, it is a film about love and regret, masterfully told by Broadbent.

1

Iris (2001)

Jim Broadbent plays John Bayley

The biographical drama Iris follows novelist Iris Murdoch (Judi Dench) and her strained relationship with her husband, John Bayley (Jim Broadbent). The film covers two periods of their relationship. In their early years, Iris was an extroverted adventurer and John was a shy scholar. As they grew older, however, Iris developed Alzheimer's disease, requiring John to take on more responsibilities. Broadbent won an Oscar for his powerful, multicolored performance. He is strong and weak. Kind and nasty. It's all sides of the Jim Broadbent experience.