To celebrate the release of Frank earlier this year, I have decided to concoct a Michael Fassbender top 10.
Michael Fassbender has been my favourite actor for a long time now, and I look forward to any project he is involved with.
Nominated for 3 BAFTA’s, 2 Golden Globes and an Oscar, Fassbender’s films range from mainstream science-fiction / fantasy epics to stripped down, low budget character dramas.
No matter what the role, Michael Fassbender always brings a unique and brilliant presence to the screen adding depth to more mainstream projects, and in some cases single-handedly carries an entire film.
I have arranged this top 10 based on Fassbenders performances as apposed to the film as a whole, although, I am a big fan of every film on this list, and would recommend them all.
10. 1: Life on the Limit
Year: 2013
Role: Himself (narrator)
An offbeat selection to kick off the list. Not strictly an acting role, however, this film is a personal preference that I would definitely champion. After 2010’s Senna and 2013’s Rush I became briefly obsessed with Formula 1 racing.
After doing some reading up on the history of the sport and enjoying a number of BBC documentaries and films, I was highly anticipating the release of 1: Life on the Limit.
I find the insight into the drivers psyche fascinating, and Michael Fassbender’s flawless narration compliments this engaging film superbly.
9. X-men: Days of Future Past
Year: 2014
Role: Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
Bryan Singer’s welcomed return to the X-Men franchise was the second prequel installment and second outing of Fassbender’s Magneto.
Bringing his own weight and gravitas to the character Ian McKellen had spent fourteen years fine-tuning, Fassbender is occasionally sidelined by Hugh Jackman’s iconinc Wolverine, however shines as the classic anti-hero.
Balancing comedic banter with high-octane fantasy action, the film masterfully juggles the themes whilst simultaneously juggling time frames and character screen time.
8. X-Men: First Class
Year: 2011
Role: Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
An origins tale of Magneto and Professor X’s friendship and political duality, showcases all of Fassbenders finest characteristics. E.g. a brooding intensity and the ability to appear charming and collected, with an undercurrent of uncontrollable rage and forcefulness laying deep within the character.
This film is higher on the list than it’s ‘bigger’ sequel, as, not only did I prefer it, but it gives the actors more time to develop the characters and gives a more thorough insight into their personalities.
Michael Fassbender particularly excels in the role, and appears to take the character more seriously than the film requires. Take for example the scene, where Magneto is getting to grips with his powers and trying to hone them under Xavier’s guidance. There is some serious ACTING going on in that scene. In a very good way.
7. A Dangerous Method
Year: 2011
Role: Carl Jung
Part of, what I refer to as, David Cronenberg’s ‘Viggo Mortensen Triology’ (A History of Violence, Eastern Promises and A Dangerous Method) Michael Fassbender more than holds his own in the leading role.
Adapted from a 2002 stage play and based on a true story, Fassbender and Mortensen play two psychologists Jung and Freud, who have a turbulent professional relationship which is exacerbated by a mutual love interest played by Keira Knightly.
His portrayal of the troubled psychiatrist was a masterclass in character acting as Jung was propelled through a journey of dark psychoanalysis, bondage and academic feuds.
6. Inglorious Basterds
Year: 2009
Role: Lieutenant Archie Hicox
My first proper exposure to the genius that is Michael Fassbender. I had previously seen him in 300 but it wasn’t until Tarantino’s pseudo World War 2 Epic that I really got a sense of his screen presence.
With no real knowledge of who he was or his previous work, I thought his segment of the film was by far the best installment. The sequence in the basement bar, was one of Tarantino’s best works and Fassbender carried the whole thing.
If you consider acting ability, imagine being Irish, acting as an Englishman who is posing as a German. Not only posing as a German, but impressively communicating German with a hint of doubt in your regional Germanic accent, which is used as a plot device.
Lets see Brad Pitt do that.
5. Prometheus
Year: 2012
Role: David
Ridley Scott’s hugely underrated first installment of the Alien prequels. With an absolutely stellar ensemble cast featuring Noomi Repace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Sean Harris and of course Michael Fassbender, I thought was a fantastically innovative and thought provoking sci-fi blockbuster.
Fassbender’s David is the ships butler. An artificial intelligence unit designed to be indistinguishable from humans. The character is marvelously crafted and the classic existential sci-fi themes of paranoia, questioning identity and whether robots have thoughts or feelings are all addressed whilst Fassbender is again requested to appear vacant and charming, whilst a potential dark, evil agenda may be underlying.
4. Hunger
Year: 2008
Role: Bobby Sands
Evidently Michael Fassbender has an incredibly fruitful working relationship with artist turned director Steve McQueen. Starring in all three of McQueen’s acclaimed feature length films, their first collaboration was on Hunger. The factual tale of Bobby Sands and the IRA hunger strike of 1981.
Fassbender’s physical degeneration is something to behold, as well as his ruthless portrayal of Sands. Featuring a scene that McQueen films as a 17 minute shot, of a conversation between Michael Fassbender and Liam Cunningham. The scene has become iconic in modern cinema.
3. Shame
Year: 2011
Role: Brandon Sullivan
Fassbender was McQueen’s first and only choice for the leading role in this dark drama.
Despite being a film about sexual addiction, the movie is completely
anti-erotic and treats the addiction as seriously as any other. Fassbender’s complex character lives in a lonely world built around routine and self degradation.
His life is complicated further with the arrival of his troubled sister, played by Carey Mulligan, who turns up unannounced and forces him to confront his addiction.
Similarly to Hunger, Shame, demands an extremely physical performance from Michael Fassbender as well as an engaging emotional collapse, resulting in a finale of bizarre and tortured sexual exploration.
2. Twelve Years a Slave
Year: 2013
Role: Edwin Epps
Definitely Fassbender’s most unlikable screen character. Edwin Epps is the epitome of unpredictable, unsympathetic, derranged cruelty.
Part of the supporting ensemble from the Oscar winning Twelve Years a Slave, Michael Fassbender’s Oscar nominated performance is the most powerful of his career.
1. Frank
Year: 2014
Role: Frank
My favourite film of the year so far. Frank is a movie loosely based on a Northern English comedian, played as an American by a German / Irish actor, fictitiously portrayed as the lead singer and driving force behind an avant-garde art band with an unpronounceable band name. Naturally it didn’t have mainstream release.
Shown wearing the novelty Frank head for 99% of the run time, it’s pretty mind blowing how Michael Fassbender is able to generate such heart and warmth towards the character. You are engrossed with Frank and are made to laugh and empathise with him throughout the whole film.
Also the song I Love you More performed by Fassbender in the film immediately resonated with me, in the same way Radiohead’s Creep did all those years ago. Powerful stuff.
Well, that was my list. If it is not proof enough that Michael Fassbender is the greatest actor of this generation, I would love to know of anyone else who is capable of portraying such a wide range of emotions…. without the use of their face.
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