For nearly 40 years, director Barry Levinson has delivered unique films with a strong emphasis on characters and stories that touch the soul. Beginning as a comedy writer, Levinson soon moved into directing feature films where he crafted great stories that are not the usual Hollywood commercial fare.
Levinson's filmography reads like an eclectic mix of different genres - gangster, political comedy, sports, and even found footage. Despite his diverse oeuvre, the common link between them all is the characters and the writing, which Levinson pays most attention to while his colleagues may focus on the visual aspect. Because of these strengths, many of Levinson's films have gone on to become classics.
Bugsy (1991) - 6.8
Despite the success of Goodfellas the year prior, which reinvented the gangster movie genre, Bugsy took a different route in telling the story of real-life gangster Bugsy Siegel. Warren Beatty plays Siegel, a Hollywood-obsessed gangster who is credited with creating Las Vegas.
Instead of the ultra-violent nature and kinetic pace of other gangster films, Bugsy slows the action down and focuses on the romance between Siegel and his girlfriend Virginia Hill (Annette Bening). The film humanizes the characters and ultimately becomes a tragic love story. For his subdued character-driven direction, Levinson received a Best Director Oscar nomination.
Young Sherlock Holmes ( 1985) - 6.8
After having success, Levinson caught the attention of Steven Spielberg and he hired him hired to direct Young Sherlock Holmes, from a script by Gremlins writer Chris Columbus. The film follows a young Sherlock Holmes who meets John Watson in boarding school and, together, try to solve a mystery. The prequel also tries to explain why Holmes is so cold and alone in this future adventures.
Unfortunately, the film failed at the box office but has since gained a cult following alongside other Spielberg-produced films from the 1980s. Notably, Young Sherlock Holmes contains a scene that features a stained glass window come to life, which is the very first completely CGI effect used in a movie.
Liberty Heights (1999) - 7.0
Barry Levinson has made four films inspired by his life growing up in Baltimore that include Diner, Tin Men, Avalon, and Liberty Heights. The latter takes place in the 1950s and is a semi-autobiographical account of the director's teenage youth.
In the film, Levinson chronicles the Kurtzman family, with the focus being on a controversial interracial relationship between two young teenagers. While not a box-office success, critics praised the moving film for Levinson's direction and his success in capturing the era portrayed.
Wag The Dog (1997) - 7.1
Levinson's Wag The Dog is a fictional political satire that ended up becoming reality. In the film, a political spin doctor (Robert DeNiro) is called in to consult on how to draw media attention away from a sex scandal involving the President. His solution is to hire a famous Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman) to create a fake war to distract from the scandal.
Written by David Mamet, Wag The Dog is a darkly funny satire with Hoffman and DeNiro at the top of their game. Similar to events in the movie, in 1998, the Clinton administration bombed Iraq and many political pundits felt this was done to distract from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Diner (1982) - 7.1
Diner, the first of Levinson's Baltimore tetralogy, as well as being his directorial debut, follows five friends who reunite at their favorite diner right before one of them is about to get married. Instead of a traditional narrative, Diner follows an episodic structure and explores the friends' lives and struggles as they transition into adulthood.
The film starred then up-and-coming actors Mickey Rourke, Daniel Stern, Kevin Bacon, and more. Upon release, critics and audiences lauded Diner for its performances and its relatability. For his work, Levinson received a Best Screenplay Oscar nomination.
Avalon (1990) - 7.2
Levinson's third film is his Baltimore series is another story based on his childhood growing up, this time with a focus on immigrant parents who move to America, start a family, and face problems together in a changing world. The cast included Joan Plowright, Aiden Quinn, and a very young Elijah Wood.
Of his Baltimore set films, Avalon was the most successful critically, earning praise for being melancholy and bittersweet. The film would receive three Oscar nominations, including one for Levinson's screenplay, however, he went home empty-handed.
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) - 7.3
In 1987, Levinson scored one of his biggest hits with Good Morning, Vietnam, starring Robin Williams. The legendary comedian plays Adrian Cronauer, a real-life DJ who becomes popular with troops during the Vietnam War, much to the displeasure of his more stringent superiors.
For the film, Robin Williams gives a tour de force performance that earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Taking little from the real Adrian Cronauer's life, Good Morning, Vietnam acts as an outlet for Williams' comedy, featuring scene after scene of brilliant improvisation. Critics and audiences praised the film and it has since gone down as a classic and one of Levinson's best.
The Natural (1984) - 7.5
Based on Bernard Malamud's classic book, The Natural stars Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, a baseball player who returns to the game sixteen years after being sidelined and, despite being considered too old, becomes a baseball phenomenon.
Despite criticism over Levinson changing the book's ending to be more upbeat, critics and audiences fell in love with The Natural, with many considering it one of the best sports movies of all time. One of Levinson's more visual movies, many audience members fondly recall the breaking-of-the-scoreboard scene accompanied by Randy Newman's iconic musical score.
Sleepers (1996) - 7.6
For Sleepers, Levinson took a dark turn when adapting the novel of the same name. The film concerns four youths sent to a detention center after causing an accident resulting in a man's death. While incarcerated, their innocence is destroyed by an abusive guard. Years later, one boy has grown up to become a lawyer and must help exonerate his friends for the murder of the abusive guard.
The film features a cast of young stars like Brad Pitt and Jason Patric as well as seasoned pros like Robert DeNiro, Duston Hoffman, and Kevin Bacon. Despite the dark subject matter, Levinson crafts a compelling and emotional revenge thriller that features fantastic performances from top talent.
Rain Man (1998) - 8.0
Perhaps Barry Levinson's most highly acclaimed film is Rain Man. The film stars Tom Cruise as Charlie, a hustler who discovers the existence of his autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), who has been bequeathed $3 million by their late father. At first, Charlie attempts to con the money away from Raymond but they end up bonding over the course of a road trip.
Upon release, Rain Man was a critical and commercial hit, with praise directed toward the two lead stars, but especially Hoffman for his virtuoso performance. Levinson's direction is tender and thoughtful, leaving many viewers reaching for the tissues. The film received 8 Oscar Nominations, winning for Best Picture and Director for Levinson.