Top 10 Woody Harrelson Movies

Perhaps not too kind fate left a certain imprint on the stage role and work of the American actor, director and playwright. The father is a recidivist, he early abandoned his three children to be raised by a single mother.

From school, studying in a theater studio, Woody, along with a college diploma, received a certificate of a professional actor. He performed in the theater, and became known to the general public for his role as a shirt-guy in the popular game television series Merry Company. Almost at the same time, he began acting in films.

Let’s take a look at ten widescreen films that could be considered milestones in Harrelson’s film career:

10 Cowboys do it this way | 1994

One of the early roles (1994) was the image of a dashing cowboy in an almost classic western. The hero of Harrelson all his life was engaged in the fact that, together with his bosom friend, he amused the unpretentious audience at the village “cowboy shows”.

But one day the comrades have to go to New York to rescue a friend. A big city is not at all like the Texas plain. There are other people, other orders, a different rhythm of life.

Cowboy ingenuity and the habit of not retreating in the face of difficulties will help overcome any slingshot. And, of course, the natural charm of “simple guys” will play an important role.

9. Born Killers | 1994

The widest fame and real stellar fame brought Woody Harrelson collaboration with Oliver Stone. All in the same 1994, Woody had a chance to play the main role in the film Natural Born Killers.

The script seems to be written right under Harrelson. His hero (Mickey Knox) ​​does not know fear, shame and conscience. With the same wild girlfriend, they sow death and destruction along the way of their “entertaining journey”.

No special morals, not a very intelligible plot. But this is Oliver Stone, and the film gets six nominations, two awards, and brings Harrelson fame and credibility in Hollywood.

8. People vs. Larry Flynt | 1996

An unscrupulous entrepreneur, adventurer, journalist and producer Larry Flynt (played by Woody Harrelson in 1996) earns his millions by any, even the most dubious deeds.

But society is not homogeneous. There are stubborn guardians of public morality who are trying to force Flint to give up “shameful” activities by their standards – the organization of strip bars and the publication of porn magazines. Litigation can lead to shootings.

The protagonist of the drama, played brilliantly by Woody, is not a “bad” person at all. He just wants to live by his own rules. This seems to be becoming the theme of Harrelson’s roles and his traditional on-screen image.

7. Country of hills and valleys | 1998

Filmed in 1998, the drama is a classic western. The traditional and repeatedly “run-in” genre gives Harrelson literally in one breath to play the familiar role of a narrow-minded, but kind shirt-guy.

The setting and plot are very similar to “It’s the way it is with cowboys.” Even though bosom cowboy friends face injustice in their native land.

Be that as it may, the award to the director and the prize “discovery of the year” to Woody’s on-screen partner (Billy Crudal), who has just begun to settle in Hollywood.

6. Trans-Siberian Express | 2007

Filmed in 2008, the film received very mixed reviews and reactions from viewers. Opinions were divided from “a complete failure” to “finally removed the truth of life.” According to the plot, it was planned to show all the diversity of nature and the versatility of lifestyles in the vast expanse of Russia: from China to Moscow.

Harrelson got the main role – a slightly naive, but not stupid Christian missionary. Together with his wife, they will have to admire a lot, marvel at a lot, and learn something on a long road through a completely unfamiliar country.

It’s funny that the film caused the most positive ratings from Russian viewers. Even the fact that most of the filming of “Siberia” took place in the winter Baltic did not hurt.

5. Welcome to Zombieland | 2009

In 2009, Woody Harrelson starred in a hilarious zombie thriller with pleasure. Paired with a young but already experienced Jesse Eisenberg, Woody managed to create an atmosphere of a daring crazy girl, tightly tied to common sense.

When everything is going on around, literally, the devil knows what, the few people who are lucky enough to remain in a conditionally normal form can only accept the “rules of the game” and firmly adhere to their own principles.

Eisenberg’s hero, as an anchor to keep his sanity, came up with “rules with bonuses and penalty points.” For the hero Harrelson, the saving straw was the love for a certain type of cookie. Together they are a super-team to destroy zombies and save beautiful girls!

4. Seven psychopaths | 2012

Another “black comedy” in which Woody took part in 2012 was Seven Psychopaths. Film director Martin McDonagh apparently found in Harrelson a person close to him in spirit and outlook on life. The Irish screenwriter and playwright offered the actor not the most important, but the bright role of a completely outrageous gangster.

Obviously, the decision was made under the influence of Harrelson’s success in Natural Born Killers. The director originally wanted Mickey Rourke to play the role. But Mickey had significant difficulties with alcohol and drugs. After several ugly scenes, Rourke and McDonagh finally quarreled.

By inviting Harrelson, the director did not lose at all, which was confirmed by the excellent box office and many awards. And Mickey Rourke still appears on the screen. Cheerful actor and director in one of the key scenes used a gravestone, on which is written in large: “Mickey”.

3. The Hunger Games | 2012

An epic about the life and exploits of the brave girl Katniss Everdeen. Preparing for the filming of the first film of the future saga, director Gary Ross took a long time to choose the role of the Mentor (Hamitch Abernathy). But, nevertheless, he preferred the rather dry “criminal” Woody Harrelson to the dense jovial John Reilly.

The choice turned out to be literally “to the point”. Harrelson is not the first time to play as a fun-loving ingenuous guys and paranoid killers. In the proposed plot, there was a place for both hypostases of the actor. And in 2012, the picture reached a stunning success at the box office.

2. Illusion of deception | 2013 – 2016

Having received an invitation to shoot a feature film in the same year, 2012, Woody Harrelson readily agreed, as he had already successfully worked in an on-screen duo with Jesse Eisenberg. The script promised a tempting role as a fun magician and promised difficult shooting.

In preparation for the role, Woody seriously mastered the skills of a manipulative psychologist. The master of this genre is able, by the smallest, purely reflex reactions, to “guess the thoughts” of the subject and unobtrusively control his behavior. The actor admits that it was a very interesting life experience.

1. Three billboards on the borders of Ebbing | in 2017

In 2017, Woody Harrelson starred again in the film directed and directed by Martin McDonagh. Already knowing the character and “handwriting” of Woody, the director offered Harrelson a rather complex, albeit unremarkable, at first glance, the role of an “honest sheriff.”

In a small town, everyone knows each other literally from the cradle. It is impossible to remain indifferent when trouble happens to your old friend (and maybe even a relative). But the law is the law, and you have to perform the service – regardless of personal feelings, public opinion and the direct offense of people you know well.

It doesn’t matter if you are right, whether they are right – somehow you need to be able to curb feelings and fulfill your duty. Well, if the law interferes with justice – maybe the law is not quite right?