Top ten Performances - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

With the release of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's latest film 50/50, I decided to take a look back at his finest performances by way of his best films and a certain TV show that kickstarted his ascent to stardom. He has recently appeared in a number of very successful films, but has been working hard for some years developing his talents in a number of eclectic projects that should not be missed. So without further ado, here we go, Mr Levitt's top ten performances:

10. Ten Things I hate about You

Whilst it is not a film I would probably return to in a hurry, Ten Things I hate about you was still an enjoyable watch, and although it is far from Levitt's finest performance, it certainly highlights his potential as an actor and placed him securely on the route to a successful career in Hollywood. His youthful good looks and natural charm worked wonders in this modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew but without detracting from Levitt's acting, there is no denying that this was and always will be Ledger's film.

9. The Lookout
This flawed thriller has clearly been inspired by Memento, and whilst not wholly satisfying, it is still a great flick that showcases Levitt's ability to tackle difficult roles, here playing an amnesiac who inadvertently becomes involved with criminals. Forced to take a job as a bank janitor following a car accident that put his promising future on hold, Chris Platt, played by Levitt, is one of the key participants in a heist on his own workplace and is forced to make a number of life-changing decisions when things go horribly wrong. A solid performance from Levitt certainly lifts what could have otherwise been a run of the mill heist movie.

8. Stop-Loss

Once again it is down to Levitt's acting ability to turn what could have been an average drama into a captivating film. He plays Tommy Burgess, the friend of a Veteran soldier who is ordered to return back to the field, and delivers a fantastic performance that drives the entire film, outshining both Channing Tatum and Ryan Phillipe, as we see the devastating effects the Iraq war had on the people who took part.

7. Inception
Now we're getting to the good stuff! Inception is a mind-blowing film that needs to be seen for numerous reasons; its spectacular visual effects, an incredibly original storyline and you've guessed it, Mr Levitt himself. He is part of an elite team led by Dicaprio's Cobb who invade peoples dreams in order to steal valuable secrets from their subconscious and as Cobb's right hand man he inevitably gets into a lot of scrapes. Never have I seen Levitt play a character with such style and vigour, and although he has had on screen brawls in the past, nothing can compare with the insane stunt-laden fist fight that takes part in a revolving corridor. This was the proof that Levitt could finally compete with the big boys in Hollywood and I imagine that his role in Inception is one of the main reasons why he is in such high demand at the moment. Christopher Nolan, you absolute legend.

6. (500) Days of Summer
Romantic Comedies are not my cup of tea but (500) days of summer was a very welcome surprise with its non-linear structure breathing new life into a stale genre. Reuniting Levitt and Deschanel for their second screen appearance since Manic back in 2001 was a stroke of genius as the chemistry between the two adds gravitas to the compelling story, which performed remarkably well at the box office. Whilst Levitt already had a legion of female fans, his appearance in (500) days of Summer placed his posters on the walls of young ladies everywhere, Joseph Gordon-Levitt the heart throb had arrived.

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