Ben Stiller’s latest comedy-drama While We’re Young hit cinemas last week. Sophia Bi counts down her top five favourite films from Hollywood’s favourite comedy actor.
Meet the Parents
One of my most memorable Ben Stiller films has to be the hit American comedy film Meet the Parents. Ben Stiller’s character is called Gaylord “Greg” Focker and he’s a nurse who decides to propose to his girlfriend Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo) and meet her parents for the first time. Also co-starring is Robert De Niro who plays Pam’s father Jack, a retired CIA pfficer who openly criticizes everything Greg does. Despite efforts to impress the family, Greg’s unintentional actions and constant mockery, makes him feel like an outsider. Released in 2000 the film grossed over $160 million in North America and over $330 million worldwide. It won several awards and additional nominations, in which Ben Stiller won two comedy awards for his performance.
Night At The Museum
This fantasy comedy film included a lot of comedy actors such as Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and Ricky Gervais who provide laughter, but the one comedic actor that stood out the most was Ben Stiller. Playing a divorced father who can’t seem to keep a job for more than one week, he applies for a job at the Natural History Museum as a night security guard and discovers an ancient curse that causes the inhabitants of the museum to come to life at night. Released in 2006, this movie grossed $30.8 million and was the highest grossing film worldwide of the trilogy.
Tropic Thunder
One of Ben Stiller’s films which he co-wrote, produced, directed and co-starred in was action comedy film Tropic Thunder. The film revolves around a group of actors who are determined to make a fictional Vietnam War film and are forced to rely on their acting skills to survive when their stranded in the middle of a jungle. Also co-starring is Robert Downey Jr. who received some criticism over his portrayal of the character and Jack Black. Stiller’s choice of film characters, locations, effects and comedic script received positive reviews. Released in 2008, the movie retained number one position for the first three weekends of release and the cast were nominated for several awards after grossing more than $188 million worldwide.
Zoolander
When Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson appeared at Paris Fashion Week in their characters walking down the catwalk to announce a sequel that’s set for release Feburary 2016, I have to admit I was excited. The 2001 comedy film was directed by Ben Stiller and co-starred Owen Wilson, both who play top male fashion models. Stiller’s character is Dereck Zoolander who finds himself being a hostage in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia by corrupt fashion executives. Stiller and Owen have co-starred in many comedy films together and this film shows exactly why they work well together.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
When I first watched this movie I was amazed by the performance of Stiller and the emotions he shows that has you in the moment. Stiller plays Walter Mitty who’s an assets manager at a Life magazine and often wonders off into his own world when he’s in a daydream. Although the movie had less comedy and more of a drama adventure sense to it, Stiller’s lead role still showed us he could act, produce and direct in any genre movie and still perform well. Released in 2013, the film grossed $188,133,322 worldwide and was a moderate box office success.
What are your favourite Ben Stiller films? Agree with our list? Write in the comments below or tweet us
