Paul Giamatti has appeared in dozens of movies over his career. He is perhaps best known for starring in movies like American Splendor. However, he also has supporting roles in highly-rated movies. He appears in Saving Private Ryan, what some call the greatest war movie ever made.
Other celebrated Giamatti films showcase him as the protagonist. Fans have taken to Rotten Tomatoes to rate the best movies in which Paul Giamatti lends his acting talents.
Love & Mercy (89%)
The story of the Beach Boys' founder Brian Wilson is told in Love & Mercy. The biopic stars Paul Dano and John Cusack as Wilson at different stages of his life. The mid-2010s drama showcases Wilson's story of fame, love, and struggles with mental health.
Paul Giamatti plays Wilson's therapist Dr. Eugene Landy. The movie switches between Wilson's past and his time working with Landy in the 1980s and how their relationship affects his marriage. Fans might say his and Cusack's chemistry helps boost the film's value.
The Little Prince (93%)
The Little Prince brings a famous children's story from the World War Two era to life on screen. The French tale is told with computer and stop-motion animation and a large ensemble cast of actors including Jeff Bridges and Rachel McAdams.
Some fans call The Little Prince one of Rachel McAdams' best movies. Giamatti voices The Academy Teacher, one of the film's antagonists. Fans of the movie perhaps say it is a well-crafted telling of a classic story.
Saving Private Ryan (93%)
It's hard to say that Saving Private Ryan isn't one of the most famous war movies of the 1990s. The Steven Speilberg-directed movie covers the invasion of Normandy during World War Two. Its raw portrayal of wartime and spirited performances earned it several accolades upon its release.
Paul Giamatti plays Sergeant William Hill. He is a supporting character. Devotees of the movie might say it holds up and has earned its reputation as one of the most iconic movies of the last few decades. Giamatti fans might say his smaller role helps enrich the film.
Private Life (93%)
Private Life is a dramedy from the late 2010s. It features the story of a New York City couple, Rachel Biegler and Richard Grimes. They are trying to have a child. The film follows them as they go through the challenges of adoption, in vitro fertilization, and artificial insemination.
Paul Giamatti stars as Richard alongside Kathryn Hahn as Rachel. Fans of the movie perhaps say Giamatti shows both his comedic prowess and his ability to drive a story as a protagonist in Private Life.
Win Win (94%)
Tom McCarthy presents a sports dramedy with Win Win. It follows Mike Flaherty, a stressed lawyer. He is also a high school wrestling coach. He finds himself mentoring a runaway after it is revealed he is a natural at the sport.
Giamatti plays Mike, and stars as one of the film's main characters. Fans of the movie perhaps say it provides a new spin on a familiar story, and that Giamatti helps make the film shine.
American Splendor (94%)
American Splendor tells a true story. It is unique in that it showcases its main character and the real person in which he is based, among others. It covers the true story of Harvey Pekar, a cult comic book writer, and the unfolding of his career.
Giamatti plays Pekar, who also appears in the movie as himself. Fans of American Splendor might say it is one of the more unique biographical dramas, adding real-life interviews and animated vignettes to the fictionalized telling of Pekar's story. Fans of Giamatti might say he transforms seamlessly into Pekar.
The Truman Show (95%)
Some fans call Truman Burbank Jim Carrey's best dramatic role. The Truman Show showcases Truman in a world in which he unknowingly stars in his own 24-hour reality show since birth. The story unfolds as Truman starts to realize that his life isn't what it seems.
Paul Giamatti has a supporting role in The Truman Show. He plays one of the engineers in Truman's world, Simeon, who works in the main control room. Fans perhaps remember his character as one of the more sympathetic technicians of Truman's world, contrasting Ed Harris' Christof.
12 Years A Slave (95%)
A harrowing narrative is presented in 12 Years a Slave. Some fans call 12 Years a Slave one of director Steve McQueen's best movies. It tells the true story of a free African-American man who is captured and enslaved during the mid-1800s. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as the protagonist, Solomon Northup.
Paul Giamatti plays Theophilus Freeman, a slave trader. Viewers might say Giamatti is impressive in his depiction of the deplorable character, highlighting the horrors that the story puts on display. Others might say his performance is on par with the demanding roles of the movie.
Sideways (97%)
It is hard to deny that Sideways is one of Paul Giamatti's standout films. It comes from director Alexander Payne in a memorable dramedy. It tells the story of a struggling writer and wine enthusiast who takes his friend on a tour of California wine country to celebrate his upcoming marriage.
Giamatti stars as Miles Raymond, the troubled protagonist writer. Fans of the movie might say it is perhaps both Payne and Giamatti's best achievement. Others devotees may say the story is both funny, touching, and heart-breaking and couldn't have been done without Giamatti.
April And The Extraordinary World (97%)
April and the Extraordinary World is Paul Giamatti's highest-rated movie on the Tomatometer. It is an animated French-language film. It presents a dystopian adventure story set in the past showcasing the adventures of protagonist April Franklin.
The film is originally voiced in French. However, Paul Giamatti lends his voice to the English dub version as Gaspar Pizoni. Fans of the movie might say it presents a unique story filled with excitement.