Tom Hiddleston names his four favourite movies: “It’s inspired me so many times”
Tom Hiddleston has truly seen it all, beginning his career with legendary auteur Joanna Hogg and eventually becoming the face of Marvel, credits that not many actors can boast.
From his portrayal of Loki to his work with Woody Allen, Jim Jarmusch and Steven Spielberg, the actor has done just about everything under the sun when it comes to the world of Hollywood, whether it be working with horses, puppets or A-list celebrities.
But while his filmography is very commercial, the actor discussed his favourite movies that perhaps show him in a different light, listing niche indie directors and Golden Hollywood hits that have influenced his career and love for the medium.
There are some films that defy the passage of time and only increase in popularity as they grow older, a phenomenon that applies to the success of Heat, Michael Mann’s glorious criminal epic. Following the cat and mouse chase between a master thief and a detective, it’s one of those cult classic watches that remains timeless to this day, with knockout action sequences and performances that make it an easy thrill for anyone who watches it.
Hiddleston was quick to jump on the hype bandwagon, saying, “I love it for a lot of reasons. It’s Michael Mann at the peak of his powers. It’s Al Pacino and Robert de Niro at the peak of their powers. Maybe the great cinema performance from Val Kilmer. The reason I love Heat so much is the detail and precision and care in every aspect of the filmmaking from Michael Mann is exquisite”.
Next up, Hiddleston listed a favourite that may come as a surprise to some people, describing the work of the great Italian director Paolo Sorrentino and his 2013 film The Great Beauty. It’s a beautifully existentialist and life-affirming film about how wealth can corrupt us and distract us from the true purpose of life.
Discussing the film, the actor said: “The Great Beauty really surprised me. It’s got an extraordinary performance at the centre of it. But there is also extraordinary wisdom in it. Yet a picture with so much wisdom in it, it’s incredibly dynamic”. It’s a moving story that will rejuvenate your lust for life and reconnect you with what truly matters, leaving you in awe of the life you lead.
There aren’t many people who couldn’t be cheered up by the wonders of Gene Kelly and his 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain, with the stunning costumes, choreography and central romance simply sweeping you off your feet. Hiddelston shared similar feelings, saying, “I think Singin in the Rain is eternal. I think when the world is run by machines, the machines will look back and wonder how on earth they made Singin in the Rain. Gene Kelly singing in the actual rain is a piece of eternal footage. I think that footage will never die”.
It remains as one of the most infamous film scenes of all time, with the sight of Kelly kicking his feet and splashing in puddles while giddy with love being one of the most wonderful things to have ever come from Hollywood. You just can’t beat it.
And lastly, Hiddleston described a film that is heralded as a favourite by many, describing his lasting love for The Shawshank Redemption. “I have thought about that film and how it’s inspired me so many times. It made a big dent in my heart and soul when I was young. It’s a meditation on friendship and on the freedom of the human spirit. I can remember almost every frame of it. It’s quite astonishing”.
