THIS February Leonardo DiCaprio fans will be holding their breath for THAT long awaited Oscar at the 88th Academy Awards.
With a Golden Globe already in the bag this week for Best Actor (The Revenant), DiCaprio is no doubt hoping for another ceremony where he doesn’t have to pull the Gracious Loser face…
Multiple online petitions have urged members of the Academy to recognise his service to the acting industry including one addressed specifically to US President Obama (really) and there’s been quite a bit of outrage on social media. But as of yet, still no Oscar.
To celebrate his talents, let’s take a look at five of Leo’s most memorable on-screen roles…
5. The Great Gatsby (2013)
It has to be said, this was actually one of Leo’s more underrated roles.
Adapted from the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he plays the complex and enthralling millionaire Jay Gatsby, who is hopelessly in love with a woman he can’t have.
With the help of lavish old-Hollywood visuals, he injects a new life into the character and succeeds in making the audience shed a tear for his ill-fated conundrum.
In fact, I actually preferred the film to the book.
4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Without a doubt, this was one of the best film releases of the 2013. DiCaprio smashed the biographical role of Jordan Belfort with a pulse-racing depiction of the Wall Street villain.
Fans once again saw his diversity as an actor and he was probably one of very few who could give the character the energy it required.
Despite Jordan’s incessant drug taking, criminal behaviour and general madness, by the end of the film we are left with a lasting sense of adrenaline and fascination into the lifestyle that led to his imprisonment. A must-see.
3. Romeo & Juliet (1996)
Who could forget Romeo in Baz Luhrmann’s modern take on this Shakespeare classic?
Pre-bearded Leo was still the fresh-faced crush of every girl in the world and I still can’t manage to watch the end without blubbering.
This contemporary adaption was fresh, theatrical and incredibly exciting. Combined with a brilliant soundtrack and beautifully authentic connection between him and Juliet (Claire Danes), this goes down as one of Leonardo’s best.
2. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)
This is another role that is often overlooked.
Leonardo played the lovable Arnie Grape, a developmentally disabled eighteen year old and younger brother of Gilbert (Johnny Depp).
The story enchanted its audience and received rave reviews from critics.
It was clear even from a young age that Leo had incredible talent, and he managed to give a credible and heart-wrenching performance in this Oscar-nominated film.
1. Shutter Island (2010)
In typical Martin Scorsese style, Shutter Island was a cinematic feast of drama, suspense and intense emotion.
With a disturbing air of unease, it is the story of a US Marshal’s investigation into a murderer on the loose in the grounds of an isolated psychiatric hospital.
What makes this thriller special is Leo’s dual role and the incredible twist at the end (I admit, I had to watch it twice).
He gives an intensely strong performance as Teddy Daniels and delves fearlessly into the role, leaving you questioning everything long after the film ends.
Fingers crossed for Leo at this year’s Academy Awards which will take place on February 28, 2016.