This article contains references to sexual assault and murder
Mark Ruffalo might not have a solo Hulk movie yet, but he can boast of playing the character the most times. The award-winning actor once again reprised the role of the Avenger in the Disney+ series, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, marking the 9th MCU project he has been a part of.
Even though Ruffalo is best known for playing Hulk, most of his best work has come in other projects, with many on Reddit praising the three-time Academy award nominee for these brilliant performances.
The Kids Are Alright (2010)
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Redditor The Kids Are Alright.” The movie revolves around an LGBTQ+ couple who decide to have a child via sperm donor (who is played by Ruffalo).
Given that it didn't really get a lot of upvotes, it's fair to say that this wasn't exactly a performance Ruffalo was particularly ed for. However, for those who did see it, there were a few people who said that he did help elevate the drama in the movie, and that it was kind of refreshing to see him play a more complex and flawed role.
What Doesn’t Kill You (2008)
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Redditor rishi_sambora simply states, “He made a great impression in What Doesn’t Kill You.” In it, Ruffalo plays Brian, who together with his childhood friend, Paulie, s a local gang in order to make ends meet.
The crime drama doesn’t complicate itself as it’s all about choices and consequences. By choosing to involve himself in crime, Brian’s marriage begins crumbling and so does the only meaningful friendship he has ever had. Instead of adopting the all-action formula that crime dramas are known for, What Doesn’t Kill You blends grounded performances with gun fights.
Foxcatcher (2014)
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After getting hired by a multimillionaire to train young wrestlers, Dave Schultz (Ruffalo) gets murdered under mysterious circumstances. This Redditor says “Everyone was raving about Carrell but for me, Ruffalo steals the show in that one.”
Both Carrell and Ruffalo received Oscar nominations for their performances so the issue regarding who gave the better performance is debatable. Overall, multiple ingredients qualify the Universal Pictures project as one of the best movies about underrated sports. Apart from the brilliant performances, wrestling moves are perfectly executed too, with fans of the genre even getting to enjoy cameos from favorites.
Just Like Heaven (2006)
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Kenabanlangi writes, “I liked him since I saw Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon.” In the movie, David (Ruffalo), a landscape architect tries to bond with the spirit of the previous tenant of a new apartment he has moved into.
The level of creativity in the rom-com is remarkable. Instead of going the traditional route where two people meet, fall in love, and have a happy ending, Just Like Heaven makes things even better by making the courtship process between a man and a spirit. And though there are a few disappointments, it doesn’t end up being all in vain since the woman recovers from her coma and actually falls in love with David.
Thanks For Sharing (2013)
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A deleted states that Ruffalo is “amazing in Thanks For Sharing.” In it, the actor plays Adam, a man trying to recover from sexual addiction.
The movie does a perfect job of showing just how tough addiction can be for people. As hard as he tries, Adam finds himself relapsing, something that affects his ability to form meaningful relationships. And after all the challenges, comes a triumph for him. While it's not one of his well-known movies, it might be one that intrigues audiences if they want to see Ruffalo's emotional depth.
Infinity Polar Bear (2014)
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For JusItToWill, they feel that “while it wasn't the most amazing movie, Ruffalo was incredible” in Infinity Polar Bear. In the movie, Ruffalo plays a father named Cam who is trying his best to raise his two daughters after their mother moves out to go to college; the audience also learns that Ruffalo's Cam has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and lost his job after he had episode at work.
By covering many heavy themes at once, the movie does carry a lot of weight, but is still enjoyable because of the meaningful relationships the audience sees unfolding on screen. From mental health to parenthood to divorce to career growth, plenty is examined. And given the endless difficulties, audiences are left with no choice but to shed tears.
Zodiac (2007)
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Zodiac.” In it, a mysterious serial killer starts taunting law enforcement officers after committing a series of murders. Ruffalo plays Inspector Dave Toschi.
The unique thing about Zodiac is that it’s one of the movies where the villain is never seen. As competent as Dave and his fellow officers are, they keep chasing shadows and never quite catch the actual figure. But the hunt is truly an entertaining one. The star-studded nature adds to the awesomeness too. Apart from Ruffalo, audiences get to enjoy brilliant performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr.
Spotlight (2015)
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Spotlight. One of the best movies in 2015 and he was good in it.” In the movie, Ruffalo plays Michael, an investigative journalist digging into cases of sexual assaults by Catholic priests.
Winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards (with Ruffalo also nominated in the Best ing Actor category), Spotlight is certainly one of the most memorable pictures. Not only did it raise awareness to the importance of morality, but it was also one that condemned hypocrisy too.
Begin Again (2013)
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A singer is discovered by a record label owner (Rufallo) who helps her produce an album. About the movie, TrustMeImnothere says, “I really liked it. It's a lot of fun, especially Mark Ruffalo.”
The movie’s strengths lie in the choice of music as well as the cinematography. Various beautiful locations around New York City are visited in an effort to trigger creativity in the singer and create a beautiful album. That one of the songs was nominated for “Best Original Song” is not only further proof of the musical’s overall brilliance but also an additional reason why it should be considered one of the best musicals of the 2010s.
Dark Waters (2019)
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Attorney Robert Bilott (Ruffalo) digs into pollution claims involving a major corporation. About his performance in the movie, Brodin_fortifies writes, “You really felt his stress and desperation which resulted in his character’s physical illness.”
Given the relentless manner in which Robert pursues those responsible, he easily makes a case for himself as one of the best ever movie lawyers. Bribery attempts and threats don’t bother him. He also gives a masterclass on how to win cases, as he ends up with a $671 million settlement for the victims.
