Amidst the galaxy of stars in Hollywood, some have made their way into the A-list of the industry through distinguishable character acting in a series of films. For some this has been the constant of their careers, despite reaching the upper echelon of Hollywood they remain famous for their supporting performances, while others have done the transition into leading actors successfully. The unluckiest of them, have seen their talents clash with their personal life, thus damaging the possibilities they once had. One such actor is the late Tom Sizemore.
From gritty war films to enigmatic thrillers, Tom Sizemore's filmography in the '90s was a diverse canvas in which he integrated charisma, grit, and emotions. His performances carried a haunting vulnerability that often lurks beneath the surface, such vulnerability made sense as his personal life became very complicated and damaged his reputation in the industry.
After his only Golden Globe nomination for the TV movie Witness Protection, his career struggled because of his drug addiction and ensuing legal troubles. He participated in a series of realities that depicted his fight with methamphetamine and heroin addiction, after which he went on to work on mostly independent films. His most notable role in the past decades was in David Lynch’s masterpiece Twin Peaks: The Return.
He passed away on March 3rd, 2023 after complications with a brain aneurysm. As he left this world, a nuanced and compelling body of work remains. He will be best remembered for his work with some of the most esteemed directors in Hollywood. Working alongside the likes of Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and Oliver Stone, Sizemore showed he could cover different genres and styles. These are the ten best films that counted with his work.
10 Strange Days
Strange Days is a criminally underrated cyberpunk gem. The film is set in the last days of 1999 and follows an ex-cop (Ralph Fiennes) who deals SQUID discs, recordings that allow a user to experience the recorder’s memories. In Kathryn Bigelow's tech-noir thriller, Sizemore plays Max Peltier, a private investigator who is the best friend of Fiennes’ character. Sizemore delivers a portrayal that blurs the line between friend and foe, humanizing a morally questionable character with his nuanced performance.
9 True Romance
In True Romance, Tony Scott's crime film, Sizemore plays a small yet memorable role as Detective Cody Nicholson. While his screen time might not be extensive, Sizemore's charisma and screen presence make an unforgettable impact.
8 Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down is a modern classic filled with tension and action. Ridley Scott’s war film follows the true story of a Black Hawk helicopter that goes down behind enemy lines in the chaotic Battle of Mogadishu in 1992. The film sees Sizemore as Lieutenant Colonel Danny McKnight, his portrayal exemplifies leadership under fire, as he embodies McKnight with grit, bravery, and resolute determination, very much in line with the rest of the cast, which adds to the film's realism and intensity.
7 Blue Steel
Blue Steel follows an NYPD cadet who kills a robber on her first day of duty. In Sizemore’s first collaboration with Kathryn Bigelow, he plays the priorly mentioned criminal. His role is rather small and appears briefly, but sets in motion the course of events that shape up the plot. His convincing depiction demonstrates his capability to shine even in supporting roles.
6 Devil in a Blue Dress
Devil in a Blue Dress is another underrated '90s film. Carl Franklin's neo-noir is an adaptation of the 1990 novel of the same name, which follows an unemployed war veteran (Denzel Washington) who meets a mysterious man (Sizemore) who hires him to investigate the disappearance of a woman. Sizemore’s mysterious intimidating character is performed to perfection and stands its ground opposing Denzel’s might.
5 Natural Born Killers
Oliver Stone’s timeless Natural Born Killers follows the mediatic fascination with a murdering couple as they go on a killing spree through the United States. Sizemore plays Detective Jack Scagnetti, a role that’s both grotesque and strangely captivating. His portrayal of the ruthless, deranged detective is fitting with Stone’s critique of America’s fascination with violence.
4 Born on the Fourth of July
In one of his very first roles, Tom Sizemore briefly appeared in Oliver Stone's Academy-Award-winning war drama Born on the Fourth of July. The film tells the story of Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), a Vietnam War veteran who after becoming paralyzed, becomes an anti-war activist. Sizemore plays a disabled war veteran, who reflects on the pain and disappointment many veterans felt after their actions in the war did not lead to a better life, but rather the opposite.
3 Saving Private Ryan
By the late '90s, Sizemore had already appeared in critically and commercially successful films, which led to one of his better-known roles in Steven Spielberg’s war epic Saving Private Ryan.The film follows a group of soldiers tasked with finding a soldier behind enemy lines and bringing him home.
Sizemore plays second in command Sergeant Mike. He delivers a remarkable performance that embodies loyalty, courage, and human resilience. His character serves as the moral compass of the film, highlighting the camaraderie and humanity amidst the horrors of war. To date, it's one of his greatest performances where he showed he could be as important to a film as superstars like Tom Hanks.
2 Bringing Out the Dead
Bringing Out the Dead holds a special place in Martin Scorsese’s filmography as one of his most original and distinctive, despite it not being as well known as some of his other films. The film follows 48 hours in the life of a burnt-out paramedic (Nicolas Cage) who can’t seem to find a way to leave his job. Sizemore plays an intense paramedic who shares a shift with Cage. His character's bitter cynicism and self-destructive behavior offer a grim look into the world of emergency medical services, with his performance adding up to the already frenetic rhythm of the film.
1 Heat
Heat has only become better with time, and is now regarded as one of the best films of the '90s and all time. Michael Mann’s iconic crime thriller portrays a dangerous cat-and-mouse game played by an LAPD detective (Al Pacino) and a skilled career criminal (Robert DeNiro).
Sizemore plays Michael Cheritto, one of the criminals in the crew led by DeNiro’s character, his performance is as good as the rest of the cast, a small yet compelling part of a great cinematic spectacle. This film stands at the pinnacle of Sizemore’s career, displaying his ability to hold his own amongst an ensemble cast of heavyweights.
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