Matt Damon is one of the most recognizable actors of the last thirty years and he’s started in some incredible, must-sees films.
While you’ll have your own ideas about which of his films you like most, I’ve picked out four that you absolutely have to see and explained why they’re so good.
Read on to find out if your favorite Matt Damon film makes the cut.
Rounders
Rounders sees Damon excel as an aspiring poker player, in a film that offers up both the highs and lows of one of the most popular card games on the planet.
You simply have to see Rounders because it’s probably the greatest film made about poker.
The reason for this is that it tenderly and faithfully shows what goes into playing poker, from hand reading to bluffing – anyone who enjoys poker will spot plenty of action that reminds them of games they’ve played.
And if you enjoy what you see then you might want to try playing poker yourself. You can find some great poker resources at OnlineCasinos.co.uk, from summaries of the top variants to strategies that you can use when you’re playing games.
Good Will Hunting
Damon plays the title role in this tender film about a troubled young man of near unparalleled genius.
You need to add this to your watch list because the interplay between Damon and Robin Williams is sensational, with the dialogue between the two something to behold.
Good Will Hunting is the moment Damon demonstrates that he’s more than simply a brilliant actor – he’s also an excellent scriptwriter, one good enough to win an Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay.
Another writer that shines on Good Will Hunting is Elliott Smith. Smith shows his songwriting chops by providing the music for the film, with his contribution so well-received that he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song – Miss Misery.
Dogma
Dogma puts Damon firmly into the religious territory – he plays Loki, the angel of death who was kicked out of heaven and banned from ever returning.
Kevin Smith handles the directing and is stewardship delivers the laughs you’d expect – something aided by a stellar cast that includes Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, Jason Lee, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, and Ben Affleck alongside Damon.
What’s most surprising about Dogma is that it’s not only a genuinely funny take on Christianity, it’s one that’s much more informed about and sensitive to its topic than you’d expect from Smith.
However, despite Smith’s treatment of the subject matter, Dogma didn’t avoid controversy – this review from The Guardian explains that it caused Catholic protests, something that probably delighted Smith.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller that’s wriggly, sexy, and (at various points) extremely unsettling. Damon stars as Tom Ripley, a “suave, agreeable and utterly amoral” serial killer.
This is easily one of Damon’s finest performances, as offers up an entirely convincing portrayal of a man who will do whatever it takes to get the results he wants.
But it’s not only Damon who excels in The Talented Mr. Ripley – Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow both deliver excellent performances, making it an extremely well-rounded film that you must see.
And if once you’ve seen the film, you can fill your boots by checking out Purple Noon – it’s inspired by the book on which The Talented Mr. Ripley is based.
Recommended reading: Matt Damon Upcoming Movies List, Trailer & Release Date
Rounders, Good Will Hunting, Dogma, and The Talented Mr. Ripley are four very different films, but they all share two key details – they’re outstanding and they feature a brilliant performance from Matt Damon.
If you’ve not seen them then I implore you to correct that now. And if you have seen them then I recommend you revisit them today.
