Steve Buscemi names his four favourite movies
Steve Buscemi is one of the most recognisable and talented character actors in modern cinema, rising to prominence for his role as Mr Pink in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, various collaborations with the Coen brothers, and his television roles in Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos.
His career began on stage at various no wave clubs in New York, where he was a regular live performer, most notably as a part of a comedy skit duo with Mark Boone Junior. After several minor TV and film roles, Buscemi starred in Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train and the Coen brothers’ Miller’s Crossing. Then came the iconic role in Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, which put him on the map.
While he might not be an Oscar winner or known as a leading man, he’s still undoubtedly a household name and clearly had a deep love for cinema. So when tasked by Letterboxd to pick his four favourite movies, he had a bit of difficulty. “Wow, that’s hard,” he claimed before naming 15 films, all of which are absolute bonafide classics, as you can imagine.
It’s best to start with his most obvious picks and the reason the actor goes 11 films over the limit, which can be summed up in a name: John Cassavetes. Buscemi is known to be partial to Mr Cassavetes, and so he breaks the rules and names Cassavetes’ entire filmography as director. “I’m just gonna say John Cassavetes. I’m putting all of his films as one. Gena Rowlands. She’s my favourite,” he cheekily explained.
Buscemi’s admiration for Cassavetes comes as no surprise, given the filmmaker’s roots as an actor and his emphasis on character-driven storytelling. Cassavetes’ films are often celebrated as much, if not more, for their powerful performances—frequently featuring his wife, Gena Rowlands—as for their distinctive filmmaking style. His work was groundbreaking in the realm of independent cinema, solidifying his reputation as an actor’s director.
Next comes a nod to Fat City by John Huston, delivered with an eyebrow raise that practically asks, “If you know it?”. This 1972 sports drama about an ageing boxer finding a rival reignited Huston’s career after a series of box office failures. Though it might not be as well-known among younger audiences today, its inclusion highlights the breadth and depth of Buscemi’s appreciation for cinema.
Next up is a film frequently named by actors and directors as an inspiration, Dog Day Afternoon. The 1975 biographical crime drama follows the true heist story of John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile, who attempted to rob a bank to pay for Wojtowicz’s life partner’s gender reassignment surgery. Starring Al Pacino, it’s easy to see why many actors, including Buscemi, love the film. Especially considering Buscemi’s familiarity with a heist film.
Last but not least, Buscemi named It’s A Wonderful Life as his fourth – or rather 15th – favourite. “It might be silly, but I’m gonna go with It’s a Wonderful Life,” he said. But really, it’s not silly at all.
The film is often named one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, but you’d be forgiven for naming it as your favourite. It’s heartwarming, tells a moral tale and criticises the idea of the American dream. It also features a career-defining performance from James Stewart. It’s also another ‘oldie’ for the list, so clearly, Buscemi has a soft spot for classic cinema.
