It has been twenty years since Jamie Bell first stole hearts and minds as the titular ballet dancer in Billy Elliot (2000). It was an iconic role and one that, arguably, he will be best remembered for. However, in the years since Bell has appeared in a wide number of films; Hollywood blockbusters and indie dramas alike.
As his career has progressed Bell has rarely appeared as a lead, instead, becoming part of an ensemble or a supporting character in someone else's story. It's a decision that is beginning to make Bell look like a character actor; happy to take on smaller but more diverse roles.
10 The Adventures of Tintin (2011) - 74%
This iconic Belgian comic series is full of adventures, mysteries, and action to rival even Indiana Jones and it always deserved a big-screen counterpart. It was great for fans of the series when Spielberg chose to direct, even better when he chose to make it in motion capture. It keeps one foot firmly in the real world with excellent performances, while allowing to add a cartoonish element that made the comics so appealing. Bell is great as Tintin, managing to bring depth to an otherwise plainly stoic character, no easy feat.
9 Skin (2018) - 76%
In a tonally very different film, Bell plays Bryan Widner a real-life white supremacist, who was once on the FBI's Most Wanted list. The story sees Bell's neo-nazi go from a place of hate to one of understanding and empathy, forcing him to turn his back completely on his old-life. As far as this type of redemption story goes the high watermark remains at American History X. However, there is something more interesting in Bell's character, who has white supremacy tattoos all over his face and body; he's never fully able to escape who he used to be.
8 Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 (2013) - 76%
A highly controversial film and an early example of Bell's willingness to take smaller roles in riskier projects. Directed by the notorious Lars Von Trier the film presents itself as a character study of sex addiction. In reality, it's a meditation on free speech, while trying to find shades of grey in morally ambiguous characters. Bell plays one of these characters; a sexually dominant man the protagonist eventually turns to. It's a small role but highly memorable; Bell is convincingly menacing while remaining personally elusive.
7 Nicholas Nickleby (2002) - 78%
Fresh from his role in Billy Elliot, Bell followed the film with another deeply sympathetic part in this Charles Dickens adaptation. Nicholas Nickleby is a classic Dickensian rags-to-riches life story and Bell plays Smike, a foil to Charlie Hunnam's Nicholas.
Smike is a slightly tragic younger character who is faced with a lot of abuse. While there are many Dickens adaptations, many more are forgettable. This proves an exception to the rule and a great example of Bell's instinct for diverse roles.
6 Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017) - 80%
An underrated and underseen adaptation of real memoir, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is a heartbreaking romance. Bell plays Peter Turner a British actor who begins a relationship with an older (and fading) Hollywood actress. The film is often bittersweet as it reflects on two people who met at the wrong time in their lives, who find themselves in places they don't really belong. Bell is excellent as Turner bringing realism to a part that could have been overly saccharine, or even overshadowed by co-star Annette Benning's Gloria.
5 Jane Eyre (2011) - 84%
A classic English period drama, Jane Eyre follows a young woman as she is employed by the gruff and elusive Mr. Rochester to work in his estate. The novel has been adapted many times, but this version from True Detective's Cary Joji Fukunaga has more of an edge to it.
It creates a very eerie atmosphere at parts and makes the motivations for many characters more ambiguous. Particularly Bell as St. John Rivers, an alternate love interest for Jane; a pious man, who may seem like a more sensible choice for a husband, but who has several hidden agendas.
4 King Kong (2005) - 84%
Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong is loud, long, and full of fun. Bell plays Jimmy, a cabin boy aboard the ship that takes Ann Darrow and the film crew to Skull Island. This marks Bell's first big Hollywood endeavor and, cast in a smaller role, shows how well he does as part of an ensemble. He is notably the youngest member of the cast and brings innocence and youthful energy to the uber-masculine nature of the ship's crew and arguably makes him one of the most memorable characters.
3 Billy Elliot (2000) - 85%
The story of the young miner's son who becomes a ballet dancer is enduring popular; inspiring a musical and, twenty years later, the film is as inspiring and heartbreaking as ever. This is Bell's first performance and he truly carries the film. Set against the backdrop of Northern England during the miner strikes, Billy remains funny and light-hearted despite the chaos around him. The film is wonderful for many reasons, but a particular highlight is the dance sequences that rage against his town, his father and the whole government all at once.
2 Rocketman (2019) - 89%
Rocketman is a modern movie musical masterpiece. While it is Taron Egerton's excellent performance as Elton John that (deservedly) gets all the praise, the film wouldn't work without Jamie Bell. Bell has a supporting role as Bernie Taupin, John's long-time collaborator.
When John is going through depression and rehabilitation, it is Bell as Taupin who injects the film with revitalizing energy. While it is Egerton's film Bell makes his presence invaluable despite not being on the poster.
1 Snowpiercer (2013) - 94%
Bong-Joon Ho's Snowpiercer is fast becoming a modern classic. The story of rebellion on a train is so well contained and full of action and fun it's nearly impossible not to like. Bell is again part of the ensemble, playing second fiddle to rebel leader Curtis. It is great that Bell can still capitalize on his youthful appearance, but he makes a great impact as the young voice of the rebellion. While he has an ultimately tragic arch, Bell provides an emotional weight and an important lesson to the film as a whole.
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