After beginning his career in an episode of Sex and the City in 1999, Bradley Cooper has steadily risen to become one of the finest and most accomplished actors of his generation. To date, Cooper has earned three Oscar nominations for his remarkable performances in Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, and A Star is Born, respectively. A fourth nomination is not out of the realm of possibility when his new film, Maestro, opens in December 2023.
In preparation for the release of Maestro, in which Cooper stars as famed musical composer Leonard Bernstein, it only seems fitting to reflect on the actor’s most acclaimed movies to date. Whether playing the lead in an elevated biopic or a supporting player in a superhero blockbuster, Cooper knows how to choose projects well and always delivers a solid performance. As such, it’s time to see how Rotten Tomatoes qualifies Cooper’s impressive filmography.
10 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. (2017) – 85%
After playing the role of Rocket the wise-cracking Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, Cooper reprised the role in the 2017 follow-up film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The popular James Gunn MCU outing concerns Star-Lord struggling to reconcile his relationship with his father, the Ego the Living Planet. As Star-Lord deals with existential family drama, the Guardians are under threat of disbanding.
Marked by Gunn’s irreverent sense of humor, Guardians 2 drew critical praise for its breathtaking visual FX, an eye-popping assortment of colors, and arguably the best soundtrack of any MCU movie to date. While Rocket gets much more of an emotional story arc in Vol. 3, Cooper continued to prove his deft comedic timing and ability to bring an animated character to life through voice acting.
9 Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – 85%
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Infinity War finds the titular Marvel heroes taking on their biggest foe of all, Thanos the Mad Titan (Josh Brolin in one of his best action movies). The plot concerns Thanos out to collect all six Infinity Stones, which will grant him the power to bend reality and wipe out his enemies. Cooper reprises his role of Rocket in a glorified cameo along with Star-Lord and The Guardians of the Galaxy.
With massive dramatic stakes that altered the course of the entire MCU, Infinity War managed to feel even more urgent and intense than its predecessor. The way in which the Russos brothers were able to converge multiple heroes from their standalone movies and tie them into one overarching narrative is a common refrain among Rotten Tomatoes critics. The only quality that garnered more praise was Josh Brolin’s intimidating turn as Thanos, a truly terrifying MCU villain for the ages.
8 Maestro (2023) – 88%
Although it doesn’t open theatrically until December 20, 2023, the early returns for Maestro suggest it’s an instant Awards contender. Written, directed, starring, and produced by Cooper, Maestro tells the life story of legendary music composer Leonard Bernstein, with emphasis on his romance with Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Shot in stunning black and white photography, the prestige picture may finally earn Cooper an Oscar statuette.
Beyond the powerhouse performances and palpable chemistry shared by Cooper and Mulligan, Maestro has been hailed for its stylish impressionistic cinematography, unforgettable musical score, and unconventional biopic storytelling. Following his outstanding work on A Star a Born, Cooper once again proves his superior directorial aplomb in a passion project where music is just as important as the dialogue. Perhaps most telling, Maestro sidesteps genre cliches to rank as an original biography about a true genius.
7 A Star Is Born (2018) – 90%
Speaking of A Star is Born, Cooper co-wrote, directed, and starred in a classic Hollywood story that has been made several times before. Cooper stars as Jackson Maine, a fading alcoholic country-western music star who puts his faith and creative trust in Ally (Lada Gaga in her best movie performance), a waitress with incredible singing talents. As Jack’s career dips and Ally’s skyrockets, the two must balance professional success and failure with their own romantic involvement.
An honest and earnest affair marked by towering performances and an electric screen rapport between Cooper and Gaga, A Star is Born is a heartfelt romantic drama that received universal love from critics. The musical renditions are emotionally moving and the central love story is genuinely romantic. Cooper not only proves that he can direct movies with the best in Hollywood, but also that he can fully disappear into a role by changing his appearance and altering the lilt of his voice.
6 Licorice Pizza (2021) – 90%
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is a dreamy and nostalgic romantic comedy that takes place in 1973’s Los Angeles. The story revolves around Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman), a young enterprising go-getter who falls in love with Alana Kane (Alana Haim), a much cooler older girl who plays hard to get. Cooper steals the show in a brief appearance as Jon Peters, loosely based on the real-life Hollywood producer.
While loose on plot, the rich characterizations in Licorice Pizza go a long way in enchanting viewers. Critically, the movie was lauded for Anderson’s playful direction and deft ability to recreate a very specific time and place relating to his own childhood. The awkward teen romance forged between Gary and Alana is recognizably authentic and very easy to relate to, making Licorice Pizza an endearing snapshot of a bygone era.
5 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) – 91%
While it’s yet to be added to his Rotten Tomatoes page, Cooper made a pleasantly surprising cameo in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The story itself concerns Edgin, a charismatic thief who leads a group of specialists on an epic quest to find a valuable relic that can be used to revive Edgin’s deceased wife. Cooper shows up as Marlamin, a helper who assists Egin on his journey.
Somewhat surprisingly, Dungeons & Dragons gained universal acclaim for its undeniably funny moments, well-drawn characters, and a central conflict that allows each one to contribute to the triumphant teamwork just like in the real-life dice game. However, the heartfelt emotional core of the ending is what resonated most among critics and general moviegoers. The script is intelligently written and pays off with an unpredictable ending that tugs at the heartstrings.
4 Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – 92%
Adapted by David O. Russell from the Matthew Quick book, Silver Linings Playbook is an uplifting character study anchored by heavy-hitting performances. The story tracks Pat Solitano (Cooper), a man with manic depression reeling over his wife’s infidelity. When Pat moves in with his parents from the hospital, he meets Tiffany, a kindred spirit with her own messy baggage. As they grow closer, the two form a tender romance as they train for an impending dance competition.
A vivid character portrait full of wonderful supporting players, unforeseen story twists, and an Oscar-winning performance by Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook is a great movie by every conceivable measure. It tackles a difficult subject with honor and sensitivity, has something important to say about mental illness, and never shies away from its deeply flawed yet lovable characters. Including Lawrence’s victory, the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
3 American Hustle (2013) – 92%
One year after Silver Linings Playbook, Cooper reunited with O. Russell for American Hustle. The amusing dark crime comedy follows sleazy conman Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who is coerced into working with shady FBI Agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper). Meanwhile, New Jersey Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) tries to play both sides against each other from the middle.
American Hustle was nominated for 10 Academy Awards yet walked away empty-handed. Even so, the movie drew critical praise for the hilariously committed, Oscar-nominated performances, with Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams both highlighted for their excellent characterizations. The madcap energy that O. Russell uses to thrust the narrative drive of the story forward was also hailed as an example of his vivacious direction. Best of all, O. Russell managed to take a true story of the FBI Abscam scandal in the ’70s and make it feel stranger than fiction.
2 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – 92%
James Gunn injected infectious new energy into the MCU in 2014 with the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The plot involves the titular band of intergalactic superheroes who steal a mystical orb from outer space. As a result, the terrifying villain Ronan the Accuser comes looking for the orb and sets his violent sights on the Guardian leader, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). Cooper voices the role of Rocket, the anthropomorphic raccoon and skilled bounty hunter.
Much like its acclaimed sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy was received well by critics and general MCU fans alike. Gunn’s ability to translate the subversive and uproarious humor from the Marvel comics was praised most. Additionally, the tonal shift from the overly serious superhero template of most movies to the fun, zany, upbeat tenor of Guardians is what separates the movie from the oversaturated superhero market.
1 Avengers: Endgame (2019) – 94%
Following the breathless cliffhanger that concluded Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame did the unthinkable. The landmark blockbuster took a decade’s worth of MCU storylines and standalone characters and converged them into one wholly satisfying conclusion with ultra-dramatic fan service. The way in which the Russo brothers managed to bring the powerful MCU villain Thanos to justice following his epic reign of terror is second to none. Again, Cooper reprises his role as Rocket the raucous raccoon.
Aside from pulling various strands into one riveting storyline, Endgame was extolled for its exciting big-scale battles, eye-bugging visual FX, completed character arcs, and the heartfelt sacrifices made by many of the heroes. In the end, the gut punch of watching iconic Marvel heroes finish their decades-long run proved that superhero movies can be just as dramatic and emotional as any other type of movie.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
