Unfortunately, one of the icons of American cinema was forced to end his acting career prematurely. In 2022, Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that significantly impacts the ability to communicate and understand language.
Later in 2023, Willis’ family announced that he was also facing a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
In homage to his extraordinary career, we highlight some of Bruce Willis’ most notable works in film.
Bruce Willis: the 10 best films
The first film in the “Die Hard” series is a classic of action cinema. In it, Bruce Willis made his mark on pop culture by playing John McClane, a hero who stands out for his fallibility and vulnerability, characteristics that distinguish him from typical action movie protagonists.
The plot takes place during the Christmas season, following police detective John McClane as he single-handedly takes on a terrorist group that invades an office building in Los Angeles.
The film is directed by cult favorite John McTiernan (“Predator”) and features a standout performance from Alan Rickman as the villain.
In this acclaimed thriller from M. Night Shyamalan, Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist. His patient is a boy (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to see and talk to dead people.
In one of the most surprising twists in cinematic history, “The Sixth Sense” was nominated for six Oscars. The cast also includes Toni Collette.
One of Bruce Willis’ first works in theaters was this romantic comedy directed by the prestigious director Blake Edwards. The film was panned by American critics upon its release, however it was a box office success.
In the plot, a workaholic yuppie (Willis) needs company for an important business dinner with his employers. His brother sets him up on a blind date with a beautiful woman (Kim Basinger). However, he loses control every time he drinks alcohol.
Another film from the collaboration of Shyamalan and Willis, “Unbreakable”, was well received by specialized critics. With a superhero theme, Time listed it as one of the ten best films of all time.
In the plot, security guard David Dunn (Willis) survives a fatal train crash completely unharmed. However, he begins to grapple with this discovery intensely when he meets Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a mysterious comic book collector who has an illness that leaves his body weakened.
Bruce Willis has a leading role and gives an excellent performance in this popular comedy-drama. Based on a novel by Richard Russo, “The Good Will Hunting” is directed by Robert Benton (“Kramer vs. Kramer”).
The film stars Paul Newman, who plays a headstrong sixty-year-old whose life is transformed when his son arrives in his quiet town, bringing his grandson with him.
The cast also includes Jessica Tandy and Melanie Griffith. Well received by critics, the film received two Oscar nominations.
Based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., “On the Edge of Madness” is an acid comedy directed by cult director Alan Rudolph (“Lonely Hearts”). The film was a critical and box office failure upon its release, but later received recognition from prominent film critics such as Luc Moullet.
Bruce Willis stars in the production as a respected and successful car dealership owner on the verge of a nervous breakdown, bordering on suicide.
The cast also includes Albert Finney, Nick Nolte, Barbara Hershey, Glenne Headly, Lukas Haas and Omar Epps.
Quentin Tarantino’s acclaimed film, “Pulp Fiction” features a non-linear narrative that follows several characters involved in the underworld of crime and violence. Bruce Willis stars in one of the stories, playing Butch Coolidge, a boxer who wins a boxing match that he was supposed to lose.
The film also stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames and Uma Thurman. “Pulp Fiction” is one of the most influential films in American cinema. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the award for best original screenplay at the 67th Academy Awards.
Science fiction directed by Terry Gilliam, “Twelve Monkeys” is an adaptation of the French short film “La Jetée”, by Chris Marker.
In the plot, a prisoner from a dystopian future (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus. However, he is sent years earlier than expected.
In addition to Willis, the protagonist of the production, the cast includes Brad Pitt and Madeleine Stowe.
The disaster film “Armageddon” was a box office success and is one of the most popular Bruce Willis films with a large international audience.
The film follows a group of oil workers led by Harry S. Stamper (Willis), sent by NASA to destroy a giant asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
Directed by Michael Bay (franchise “The Rock”, “Transformers”), the film features a stellar cast: Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson, Will Patton, Peter Stormare, William Fichtner, Robert Duvall, Michael Clarke Duncan, Keith David and Steve Buscemi.
Bruce Willis stars in this crime comedy alongside Damon Wayans and Michael Kyle of “Me, the Boss and the Kids.” The film is directed by Tony Scott (“Top Gun”) and written by Shane Black (“Lethal Weapon”).
In the plot, a private investigator (Willis) teams up with an American football star at a controversial moment in his career (Wayans). They investigate a political conspiracy that also involves the world of sport.
The Ten Best Movies Starring Bruce Willis appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
