Laurence Fishburne has matured into a multi-talented actor who can handle any dramatic role an attribution to his decades worth of experience and labor. Throughout his career, Fishburne has brought depth and a powerful presence to complex characters appearing in military dramas, science-fiction movies, and socially oriented narrative films. With an impactful emotional resonance and a heavy delivery, Fishburne has made each role his very own, be it Morpheus in The Matrix, the morally compromised agent in Deep Cover, or the realistic parental figure in Boyz n the Hood.
As an actor, his work has been a blend of sensitive expression and authoritative strength, which has had a profound effect on audiences. Fishburne's difficult and instructive roles made him a legendary figure who shaped the history of film.
We are going to cover 10 unforgettable Laurence Fishburne films that prove his range is unmatched.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
10. Contagion (2011)
In Contagion (2011), Laurence Fishburne plays Dr. Ellis Cheever. Fans of Laurence have seen Cheever as a capable, astute, and aggressive leader who bears his heavy load with grace. Far from his fiancée in Chicago, he spends his time at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. His task is to combat the MEV-1 virus. The MEV-1 virus is viewed as a hazardous pathogen capable of causing a deadly epidemic comparable to the black plague.
In a scene, Dr. Ellis says,
"We're working very hard to find out where this virus came from. To treat it and to vaccinate against it if we can. We don't know all of that yet, we just don't know."
In Contagion, viewers witness Cheever overcome administrative challenges on a national and international level. In addition to managing the quarantine and treatment of the novel MEV-1 virus, Dr. Cheever also contended with political controversies and governmental red tape.
9. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Laurence Fishburne's role as Bill Foster (a.k.a Goliath) in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) is a testament to his diverse acting skills and range. In this superhero movie from Marvel production, he plays the role of a quantum physicist and Hank Pym's old co-worker. He is symbolic of a grounded scholarly approach to innovation & research, a shift from active fieldwork.
In a scene where Foster talks about his last effort with Hank, he states,
"I was partners with Hank on a project called Goliath."
Hank responds with,
"Excuse me? You were my partner?"
Bill's conflicting relationship with Hank is reminiscent of well-known rivalries within the research space. The audience was enthralled by Fishborne's acting and it enhanced the emotional impact of Ant-Man and the Wasp.
8. Deep Cover (1992)
From a medical thriller to action and adventure, in Deep Cover (1992), Fishburne takes a turn to tackle a crime thriller.
In this film, Fishburne plays Russell Stevens Jr. He goes undercover as a DEA agent named John Hull, who infiltrates a potent Los Angeles cocaine gang headed by David Jaso (played by Jeff Goldblum). While an undercover agent, he says,
"We took eleven million in drug profits out of the van. The money doesn't know where it comes from, but I do. If I keep it, I'm a criminal. If I give it to the government, I'm a fool."
Rusell confronts moral conundrums and the fuzziness when it comes to boundaries between punishment and crime as he digs deeper into the drug circuit. He is forced to choose between duty and law, each alternative undermining his integrity.
7. What's Love Got to Do With It (1993)
In What's Love Got to Do With It (1993), Laurence Fishburne plays Ike Turner, the abusive husband of Tina Turner (played by Angela Bassett). According to IMDb, Laurence Fishburne declined the role five times and only decided to change his mind after finding out that Angela Bassett had been cast as Tina Turner. Rotten Tomatoes has rated this movie at 97%.
During the legal divorce scene in the courtroom, Ike Turner says,
"$750,000 she's gonna cost me. What I got left, I got... I got... I got... I got some clothes, I got some jewelry. Uh, the rest I got tied up in investments. I ain't got nothing else,"
and then puts on his sunglasses in the courtroom.
In the role of Ike, Laurence's acting, especially in this scene, is palpable; the viewer can feel his desperation and hunger for dominance. In how he chooses to deliver his lines, in a disjointed speaking pattern, we see Ike as dispondent as well as rebellious – being able to express conceit and his eroding hold on power over Tina.
6. John Wick 2 (2017)
In John Wick 2 (2017), Laurence Fishburne plays Bowery King. He is a strong leader of The Soup Kitchen, a covert intelligence organization in New York City that poses as a homeless shelter. Viewers see how King has a clandestine network of spies and soldiers who are viewed as the weakest people in society. In a scene, Bowery King said to the Adjudicator,
"Oh, my dear. Tell me, do you know what the Bowery is, Adjudicator? Do you know what happens when I wave my hand?"
Fishburne conveys a subdued dread in this scenario. His statement exposes his extensive underground influence, and it shocks the audience. He reveals that power is often invisible, and in this case, it is the wide network that dominates the society's periphery rather than prestige.
5. Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Fishburne plays Furious Styles in Boyz n the Hood (1991), who displays self-discipline and principled morals as the father of Tre. Furious teaches about gentrification and systemic racial discrimination through a community lesson, which he delivers through a billboard positioned in the neighborhood. He is able to educate the characters and the spectators as a result of his controlled and enthusiastic delivery.
In addition, the scene mentioned above struck a deep chord within audiences because it was one of the few times an African-American father was shown to be involved and intellectual while caring for his child.
The way Fishburne delivered his dialogue supplied the film with its ethical core. Through explanations of personal accountability and recognition of systemic injustice, it becomes a pivotal scene in both the film and Black cinematic history.
4. The Matrix (1999)
In The Matrix (1999), Laurence Fishburne plays the character of Morpheus. The intelligent computer programs known as "Agents," who monitor and guard the Matrix, believe that Morpheus is a terrorist. Tank remarks that Morpheus is such an outstanding leader and a powerful teacher to many people, especially most of his crew. Tank states,
"Morpheus was a father to them, as well as a leader"
In this film, Thomas A. Anderson is a hacker tracked down by Morpheus and known to the world as Neo. The secret only belongs to him. Morpheous provides him with a choice; There are two tablets: blue and red. The blue tablet protects him, while the red pill unlocks reality.
3. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Fishburne plays Tyrone "Mr. Clean" Miller in Apocalypse Now (1979), who falsifies his age to join the Vietnam War service at 17 years old. Mr. Clean meets his demise while dancing to The Rolling Stones' music on a river patrol boat right after having a jovial exchange with his crew members.
The violent specter of death during war that severed his exuberant youth seized the hearts of viewers because it vividly depicted wartime innocence lost. Fishburne left a strong impression with his vivacious portrayal of Mr. Clean and characterized how the war terminated a whole generation by the needless deaths of teenagers who were born naturally.
2. The Tuskegee Airmen
In The Tuskegee Airmen (1995), Laurence Fishburne plays Hannibal Lee. The viewers see that Lee encounters racial prejudice while undergoing military training. Despite the obvious hostility, he remains composed and demonstrates calm fortitude. His poignant speech on fighting for respect and his nation significantly affected the audience. During a conversation with Benjamin O Davis, Lee says,
"I haven't gotten much sleep, sir."
The struggle experienced by the Tuskegee Airmen, who need to prove their value beyond flying, is captured by Fishburne's focus and unflinching resolve in this moment. This moment strikes a chord because it emphasizes their tenacity in the face of institutionalized discrimination. The scene highlights the emotional impact of their legacy as the Tuskegee Airmen and motivates the viewers with their bravery.
1. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
In Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), Fishburne plays Vinnie, who teaches chess tactics of speed chess to a young Josh Waitzkin in Washington Square Park. Vinnie insists that Josh only make his move after he sees it during their frantic blitz match. The pivotal scene embodies the battle existing between natural street intuition and traditional chess strategy.
Audiences felt deeply touched by Vinnie's intense passion and harsh guidance because they understood that genius could arise from unorthodox sources. The film demonstrated through Fishburne's performance that a child's successful development is primarily dependent on their natural skills and emotional senses.
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Laurence Fishburne has contributed significantly to the Hollywood film business over the years. He has been nominated for Academy Awards and has won several other accolades, such as an Emmy and a Tony Award, making him the first Black actor to lead films from a triple threat category. Fishburne received widespread recognition for his ability to play detectable characters with a multi-faceted psychology and profound emotional depth.
Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience, ranging from big blockbuster productions to independent films to thought-provoking serious portrayals. Fishburne has created a legacy that continues to affect individuals of many generations, as well as Hollywood, through his varied body of work and his position as a producer and mentor.
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