The Top Ten Movies Of 2003

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Sean Penn and Marcia Gay Harden in "Mystic River"
courtesy of Warner Brothers

"The Top Ten Movies of 2003"

Its always fun to look back at the past movie year and pick what you consider the best of the bunch. 2003 held some real dogs and some real delights. Starting at number ten and working my way up, here are my picks for the best of the year.

10 - IDENTITY - This mind-boggling movie came out early in the year and swept me off my feet. John Cusack and a marvelous supporting cast brought every twist and turn to the pretzel of a plot that inhabited this film. What was amazing was that in the end it all made sense.

9 - THE MISSING - Ron Howard showed he has a "beautiful mind" when it comes to directing great movies. This story brought back memories of the John Wayne classic "The Searchers" as it told its tale of a woman dedicated to rescuing her kidnapped daughter. Cate Blanchett is brilliant as the heroine and Tommy Lee Jones matches her performance as the grizzled grandfather who benefits from his Indian knowledge in tracking the girl. Westerns have not been in vogue in the past few years but this one brought the genre back to the fore.

8 - A MIGHTY WIND - The funniest, fun movie of the year. Christopher Guest and company made this salute to the sixties a hootenanny of happiness. With Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara channeling Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, this was a harmonious trip down memory lane. The music was great, the comedy engaging, and the overall effect pure joy.

7 - THE COOLER - Many of you still haven't had a chance to see this unique Las Vegas story. William H Macy, Maria Bello and Alec Baldwin bring to life the story of a sad sack so full of bad luck that he is hired to ruin the luck of other players at a Casino. It is part drama, part comedy, and part love story; and they all add up to the most distinct movie of the year.

6 - ELF - Destined to become a Christmas classic. Will Ferrell is sweet and simply phenomenal as the man who would be an elf. He goes to New York to find his father (James Caan) and ends up teaching the City how to enjoy the season. This movie walks the tight line between cynicism and schmaltz and never makes a false step.

5 - LOVE ACTUALLY - Nine stories are interwoven and each gets its due attention. They are heart-warming and heart breaking, but all are to be enjoyed. Emma Thompson reaches new highs as a dramatic actress and Hugh Grant becomes more loveable than ever as a romantic comedy leading man. But those are only two of a dozen performances that soar.

4 - IN AMERICA - Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical story about a man, his wife, and two daughters who emigrate from Ireland to America to find the streets aren't paved with gold but some hearts are. If this movie doesn't worm its way into your mind and soul then you need a refresher course in humanity.

3 - SEABISCUIT - Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper and Tobey Maguire play the owner, the trainer, and the rider of the most famous racehorse in American history. This movie perfectly captured the excitement of his races and the passion he inspired in all who watched him race. This was one of the most perfect sports movies ever made, and it thrilled even audiences who had never watched a horse race in their lives.

2 - THE STATION AGENT - One of the most carefully crafted movies of the year. This film tells the story of a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) and the impact he has on the people around him. Patricia Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale are his two best friends in the film and they join Dinklage to form a triple threat of entertainment and inspiration. Never has so little been said or done with such huge impact. You probably think you won't like this movie, but you will love it.

1 - MYSTIC RIVER - Clint Eastwood's masterpiece. He directs Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins, Marcia Gay Harden and Laura Linney to movie glory. These actors make Dennis Lehane's dramatic novel come to life on screen in such a way that it is still on your mind months after you have viewed it. There is not one false move, false moment, or false look to this movie. It is pretty close to perfection.

So there they are, the best and brightest of the year that has just ended. If you haven't seen these ten movies then make sure you do. They are all Hollywood at its most creative.

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