#BirthdaySpecial: June-born actors and their best performances

As part of our continued series, #BirthdaySpecial, we celebrate the works of actors born this month. Among them, a performance that has reigned in our hearts since its release is Sonakshi Sinha's portrayal of Fareedan in Netflix’s Heeramandi: A Diamond Bazaar. The other works listed here are by celebrated icons such as Chris Evans, Natalie Portman, Morgan Freeman, and Liam Neeson to name a few. Below, we've rounded up some of their best films and why you should watch them.

Morgan Freeman - June 1

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

This comedy-drama features Freeman as Hoke Colburn, a wise and charming chauffeur to a Jewish widow, Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), who is initially arrogant and nasty. However, over the next 20 years, Werthan develops a strong bond with her African-American driver. With the film highlighting their good and bad days, it’s hard not to appreciate the remarkable acting on display. Freeman's body language does all the talking, giving viewers a story that portrays the actor at his best, making him one of Hollywood's most dependable actors and earning him a second Oscar nomination.

Invictus (2009)

This biographical sports drama by Clint Eastwood is based on the 2008 John Carlin book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation. It explores the political, economic, and cultural landscape in post-apartheid South Africa during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Although not the main lead of the film, Freeman delivers an inspiring performance as South Africa’s first Black president, Nelson Mandela. The scene where Mandela dons a jersey and hands the trophy to South Africa captain Francois Pienaar, (Matt Damon) is perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the film. It captures Mandela's determination and resilience in uniting a nation, something Freeman emotes effortlessly.

Sonakshi Sinha - June 2

Lootera (2013)

Based on O Henry’s The Last Leaf, this period romance is often considered to be Sinha’s best work to date. The Vikram Motwane film sees the actor play the daughter of a Bengali zamindar who is heartbroken over a conman (Ranveer Singh), which causes her health to deteriorate. Sinha’s character undergoes a remarkable physical and emotional transformation, going from a happy and poised girl in love to someone fighting for her life.

Ittefaq (2017)

Inspired by the 1969 Yash Chopra film by the same name, this 2017 murder mystery weaves a dark tale with an unexpected twist. Sinha stars as Maya, a housewife accused of murdering her husband, while Siddharth Malhotra plays an NRI author also accused of killing Maya’s husband and his own wife. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, an honest CBI officer grappling with a case that has two conflicting narratives. This was a gripping thriller and Sinha impressively portrays a woman losing her mind while maintaining the mystery about her motives right until the very end. Was she the killer? Find out for yourself.

Mark Wahlberg - June 5

Boogie Nights (1997)

Mark Wahlberg gave us a glimpse of his acting prowess in one of his earliest, and inarguably, his best performances, in this Paul Anderson-directed film. The movie explores the porn industry in LA’s San Fernando Valley during the '70s and '80s. Wahlberg essays the role of Eddie Adams, a high school dropout who rose to fame as porn star Dirk Diggler. He brilliantly nailed both Dirk's bold on-camera persona and Eddie's shy off-camera insecurity.

The Fighter (2010)

Even though he didn’t win an Oscar like his co-stars Melissa Leo and Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg remained the heart and soul of this film. Portraying the role of American lightweight fighter, Micky Ward, the actor spent four intense years preparing for the role, to get the body of a boxer and perform his own stunts more authentically. Clearly, his hard work paid off as he manages to capture Ward fighting both in the ring and outside, navigating his family drama. The scenes where his character finally stands up for himself is when you realise that he isn’t just a boxer but a mentally strong man, too.

Liam Neeson - June 7

Schindler's List (1993)

None of Neeson’s other performances will ever top this masterpiece by Steven Spielberg. He plays Oskar Schindler, a clever businessman who moves to Kraków during World War II. Initially focused on profit, Schindler opens a factory and hires Jewish labourers, which deems profitable. However, when the Nazis begin to exterminate the Jews, his mindset changes and he decides to protect as many lives as he can by designating them as essential workers for his factory; he saved 1,100 innocent Jewish people. The final scene where he breaks down and says, “I could have saved more...I didn't do enough,” will haunt you for a very long time. The film, a blend of horror and heroism, earned Spielberg seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Director, with Neeson receiving his sole Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Taken (2008)

This is without a doubt one of the sleekest action films ever and if you haven’t seen this yet, add it to your watchlist immediately. Neeson stars as retired CIA agent, Bryan Mills whose life turns upside down after his teenage daughter gets kidnapped on a trip to Paris. He then embarks on a mission to find her. This performance made him an all-out action hero, and his dialogue, “I will find you and I will kill you” has received an iconic status.

Sonam Kapoor - June 9

Khoobsurat (2014)

Sonam Kapoor plays a cheerful but clumsy physiotherapist to king Shekhar of Sambhalgarh in this Disney creation. Watching her match up to the no-nonsense matriarch played by Ratna Pathak Shah was a delightful clash of different personalities. But the best part about her performance was her chemistry with the prince played by the dreamy Fawad Khan. Unlike Kapoor’s peppy character Milli, Khan as Vikram was a well-mannered but reserved man. If you’re looking for a light-hearted watch with adorable characters and a heartwarming storyline, this is the film for you. It’s also a good excuse to stare at Fawad Khan endlessly.

Neerja (2016)

This movie, based on a real-life hero, is Kapoor’s most impressive performance to date. She essays the role of Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant who sacrificed her life to save passengers on the hijacked airplane, Pan Am 73. Kapoor beautifully captured the intensity and turmoil that Bhanot felt, leaving the audience emotional yet captivated. Her striking resemblance to Bhanot only made her performance more authentic. Kapoor was lauded for her emotional depth and sincerity, and the way she captured Bhanot's courage and strength. She won a host of accolades and awards for her performance, too

Natalie Portman - June 9

Black Swan (2010)

Portman dedicated months of extensive dance training to prepare for this role and it ultimately paid off and earned her an Academy Award for Best Actor. She stars as Nina Sayers, a gifted ballerina who lands the lead in a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. While she reaches the pinnacle of success, the after-effects of Sayers' newly achieved fame see her spiral into darkness and depression. It is so much more than a movie about dance; it is a dark tale that sheds light on mental health, eating and anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive behaviour. And Portman, as the face of it all, delivers her career’s best.

Jackie (2016)

This political biopic saw Portman play First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, another rather demanding role. The film records the days before and after the assassination of President John F Kennedy, showcasing how she deals with the tragedy and political repercussions amidst the grief and trauma. The film also highlights how she, along with being the First Lady, was also the mother to two children who lost her father and consoled them in their vacation home. This gut-wrenching performance shows the audience how to develop the courage to move on compellingly.

Image credit: Communique

Also read: Birthday Special: June-born actors and their best movies to watch this month

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