A leading man in every way imaginable, Matt Damon is a boundless actor, never conforming to a specific role or genre. He’s an action star, dramatic actor, and a comedic goofball all rolled up into one remarkable career.
Sounds like somebody has a man crush, huh?!
But, look through his film credits and I dare you to find at least five of his films you haven’t enjoyed over the years. You won’t. It’s an impossible task. Now, back as Jason Bourne in, you guessed it, Jason Bourne, I’m going to prove to you just how protean he is with characters we will always cherish in cinema.
And speaking of Bourne….
JASON BOURNE
(The Bourne Franchise)
Starting with the most obvious, the Bourne installments will go down as one of, if not the best, action franchises in movie history. With the addition of the masterful Paul Greengrass taking the reigns from The Bourne Supremacy on, Bourne has become a career-crowning role for Damon.
A dangerous human weapon with no memories of who he is or what he’s become, these stylishly clever actioners always keep your head spinning in the most thrilling way. Each time Damon steps back in to his most iconic role, he’s relentless with rigid determination pumping through his veins. He was born to play Bourne.
MARK WATNEY
(The Martian)
Damon delivers a rousing, charismatic performance in an intelligently fascinating sci-fi film that’s thrilling while not afraid to let out some laughter. Ridley Scott captivates behind the camera and undeniably understands Watney is his story, thus he finds one hell of a storyteller in Damon. In this unvarnished, optimistic journey about going home, The Martian splendidly plays to all of his strengths: confident, sarcastic, smart, and witty.
Very few actors can stand alone on the big screen, holding your attention, and make you yearn for what they have in store for you next. As Mark Watney, Damon is one of those rarities.
MARK WHITACRE
(The Informant!)
Damon plays another Mark, but this one actually exists; and, once again, raises the bar by adding humor and sympathy to him. Mark Whitacre appears so innocent and blind to things around him, seeming so positive about any situation he finds himself in. Laughs burst in his cluelessness and mishandling of his problems, ultimately turning in to a tragic downfall.
Never has Damon played a character like this and he pulls it off gloriously. He plunges right in to it—the hair, the mustache, the weight gain— all part of his transformation into Whitacre. You’ll find no sight of Jason Bourne here.
COLIN SULLIVAN
(The Departed)
When you’re being paired up with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson in a gritty mafia film, it might seem a little challenging to hold your own. Never is it an issue for Damon as Colin Sullivan, a mole within the Boston police working for the ruthless Frank Costello.
Rarely do you see Damon portraying a guy who is fighting for the wrong side; but he’s effortlessly sly and Martin Scorsese envisioned it before we got the chance to witness it. Sullivan is street smart, knowing what to say and how to say it without ever raising suspicion. That’s talent folks.
WILL HUNTING
(Good Will Hunting)
In Gus Van Sant’s impassioned psychological drama, Damon delivers a powerhouse performance as Will Hunting, a working class guy struggling to unlock his creative genius. In its extraordinarily provoking, personable moments, the bond between Will and Sean (the sensational Robin Williams in his Oscar winning role) is a force to be reckoned with.
Serious credit must be given to Williams who, without a doubt, elevates Damon in his breakout role, giving us a glimpse in to what kind of impressive versatile actor he would become.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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