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Top 10 Steve Carell movies to watch
Steve Carell possesses one of the most extraordinary and enviable careers in Hollywood, having transitioned seamlessly from comedy to drama and aced both genres. In less than a decade, he has managed to become one of the most flexible and respected actors out there.
Widely known for his portrayal of Michael Scott in the comedy series The Office, the depth of Carell's genius was secondly reflected in subsequent comedies such as Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Despicable Me, thereby establishing himself as a comedy icon. He has also stepped into more dramatic and complicated limelight through performances such as John du Pont in Foxcatcher. Furthermore, in movies such as The Big Short and Beautiful Boy, he managed to prove his range—multi-faced roles infused with a sense of deliberation and subtlety.
Steve Carell has been known to be a versatile, dedicated, and talented actor, blending comedy and genuine emotion that makes him beloved in the entertainment industry. Here are ten of his best films that should definitely be on everybody's radar.
Despicable Me, Beautiful Boy, and other Steve Carell movies to watch
1) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Dive into 1970's San Diego, where the news is just as outrageous as the hair in the rowdy comedy Anchorman. Will Ferrell stars as Ron Burgundy, head news anchor at KVWN Channel 4, where he rules with an iron fist as king of the newsroom. Things get ugly when his bulging ego clashes with a new female reporter, who decides to turn his beloved newsroom inside out.
Adding to the chaos is Steve Carell as Brick Tamland, the clueless weatherman whose bizarre antics and innocent absurdity steal the show. Despite receiving a lukewarm reception upon its release, Anchorman has since cemented its status as a comedy classic, celebrated for its unforgettable one-liners and delightfully over-the-top news segments.
2) The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Another film with nonstop comedy is The 40-Year-Old Virgin, which follows the story of an electronics store manager named Andy Stitzer who has never experienced physical intimacy. Andy's non-existent love life takes a wild turn when his friends discover his secret and attempt to help him lose his virginity.
Originating from a sketch that Steve Carell created with The Second City, this Judd Apatow directorial debut opened to critical and commercial success. Carell's performance in the film is both riotously funny and oddly touching, ensuring his status as a comedy star. The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a charming film that skillfully blends ridiculous humor with genuine emotion, making it a rom-com staple.
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3) Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine is a heartwarming dramedy that depicts an unforgettable journey with the dysfunctional Hoover family. This is a chaotic road trip centered around an endearing girl named Olive, whose goal is to win a children's beauty contest. This ultimate goal is what unites the whole family while her grumpy Uncle Frank (Steve Carell) attempts to make Olive the winner.
Little Miss Sunshine proved to be a massive success at the 2007 Academy Awards, collecting four nominations and two wins: Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Alan Arkin, who played Olive's outrageous grandfather. The film wonderfully explores themes of perseverance and the importance of family. With its blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, Little Miss Sunshine is a gem of a film that teaches valuable lessons to its viewers.
4) Despicable Me (2010)
This charming animated franchise that began with Despicable Me in 2010 introduces Gru, a villain with a master plan to steal the moon. Steve Carell lends his voice to Gru, a character initially defined by his villainy but ultimately softened by the unexpected arrival of three adorable orphan girls.
Released in 2010, Despicable Me became an instant worldwide hit, ruling the box office and securing a widely loved franchise in the process. It's heartily hilarious, bursting with great humor, and features unforgettable characters. The film's slapstick comedy is balanced with touchingly tender moments, showing how even the most unexpected characters can be heroes.
Despicable Me is very much a villain tale, but one that is embedded with the power of love and family in a witty package. Whether it's the cheeky humor of the Minions or the heartfelt story of Gru on his path to becoming a father, this beloved film is the kind of movie that audiences of all ages can identify with.
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5) Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Crazy, Stupid, Love is a hilariously touching depiction of modern relationships, relying on a stellar ensemble cast. Leading the charge is Steve Carell as Cal Weaver, whose seemingly perfect life disintegrates when his wife, played by Julianne Moore, asks for a divorce. Asked to jump back into the dating pool, Cal's venture is marked with hilarious moments that are all too relatable.
Ryan Gosling also stars as Jacob Palmer, a confident player who takes Cal under his wing. This dynamic pair weaves in and out of the myriad of mishaps and victories, leading to a series of hilarious and emotional incidents that mark the film's mix of comedy and drama.
Also starring Emma Stone and Kevin Bacon, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy gem, touching on moments of love, loss, and redemption. Great writing, unforgettable performances, and humor are perfectly balanced with real emotion in this film, making it perfect for anyone who appreciates well-told stories about the messy, beautiful nature of relationships.
6) The Way, Way Back (2013)
A heartwarming coming-of-age story that chronicles both the awkwardness and anxieties of adolescence, The Way, Way Back features a top-notch cast. Its main character is a 14-year-old boy, Duncan, played with wide-eyed sincerity by Liam James, struggling to reconcile with the separation of his parents. To add insult to injury, his mother (Toni Collette) takes him to a summer cottage to spend time with her obnoxious boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell).
Trent is like any villain in a coming-of-age movie—slick, rich, sharp-talking, and completely contemptuous of Duncan. However, Duncan wanders into Water Wizz, the local water park, and finds a kindred spirit in its motormouthed-yet-wounded operator, Owen (Sam Rockwell), who befriends and mentors the boy. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, The Way, Way Back features a beautiful mix of humor, heart, and great performances that is bound to melt the hearts of its viewers.
7) Foxcatcher (2014)
Dark, gripping, and based on a deeply disturbing true story, Foxcatcher is a dramatic tale of the dark corners of obsession and greed. Steve Carell gives a career-best performance as John du Pont, the eccentric, wealthy heir to the du Pont family fortune with an interest in Olympic wrestling.
Carell's performance as a deeply troubled person desperate for recognition is praiseworthy and goosebumps-inducing. As he becomes patron to a pair of brothers with the promise of glory and financial backing, he is revealed to be a manipulative psychological tormentor.
Foxcatcher is directed by Bennett Miller and was released to great critical acclaim, especially regarding its performances. Stepping away from the realm of comedy, Steve Carell's work in the film won him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Despite all its critical success, the movie failed at the box office but still holds up as a masterful tale of deceit and ambition.
8) The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short is a thrilling and thoughtful film that unravels the series of complex events preceding the 2008 financial crisis. Based on the best-selling book by Michael Lewis, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, the film expertly presents arcane economic concepts with enjoyable, accessible storytelling that mixes sardonic humor with piercing social commentary.
Steve Carell plays Mark Baum, the angry and determined investor who, along with a band of other financial outsiders, realizes the system is going to collapse. Carell's performance adds depth and intensity, representing Baum's inner turmoil and relentless drive. Directed by Adam McKay, The Big Short also breaks the fourth wall with various celebs in cameo roles discussing complicated financial workings.
The film received critical acclaim and achieved commercial success due to its sharp writing and intense performances. It also managed to snag the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, so this film should definitely be on your watch list.
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9) Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Battle of the Sexes is an engaging biographical sports drama that follows the iconic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Steve Carell plays Bobby Riggs, a tennis player who, driven by both chauvinism and the taste for publicity, takes on the formidable Billie Jean King in a match he hopes will become a television spectacle that proves male superiority in sports.
Battle of the Sexes, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, was positively reviewed for its respectful presentation of both the characters and the period. To add to that, the powerhouse onscreen cast of Emma Stone and Steve Carell amassed Golden Globe nominations. Despite being a box office dud, Battle of the Sexes is an inspiring testament to Billie Jean King's vitality and the importance her career played in regard to gender equality in sports.
10) Beautiful Boy (2018)
Beautiful Boy, directed by Felix van Groeningen in his first English-language feature, is a moving drama about the gut-wrenching complexities of addiction and the strain it puts on parent-child bonds. It is based on the memoirs of New York Times writer David Sheff and his son, Nic Sheff.
Steve Carell stars as David, a father trying to come to terms with his son Nic's (Timothée Chalamet) harrowing battle with crystal meth addiction. Carell truly shines in his role, somehow managing to manifest David's agonizing desperation and relentless hope for a positive outcome. Beautiful Boy refuses to shy away from the terrifying truth of addiction: how it affects not just the addicted but those around them as well. It is, at its core, an unwavering tale of a parent's love when it seems as if all is lost to their child's life of destruction.
Beautiful Boy serves as a heart-touching tale of the unbreakable bond between a father and his son, as well as a testament to a struggle with addiction and an unyielding hope for recovery.
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Steve Carell has made his mark on Hollywood, proving his merit as more than a simple comedic actor. He has skillfully illustrated that comedy can go deep and penetrate other aspects of the film industry. His talent and versatility have made him one of the most respected actors of his generation. So, if you are a Steve Carell fan, these movies should definitely be on your watchlist.
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