The Greatest Trick

One of my annual traditions is to select what I feel to be the 10 best films of the year. 2005 has been solid although nothing released in the last twelve months is likely to end up in my all-time-favourites list (with the potential exception of King Kong). Exactly what constitutes a Simon Dillon “all-time-favourite” is a discussion for another time.

So what have I omitted? For a start, Tim Burton’s take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was good, but competition for space was too strong to allow it. Batman Begins and War of the Worlds were both first-rate blockbusters, but there were two other blockbusters I preferred. The Descent forfeits a place for its silly and gory mid-section, despite a chilling first hour and a stunningly disturbing finale. Neither did I include the deliciously demented Night Watch, another horror/fantasy tale that whilst hugely appealing to the likes of me, will have limited appeal elsewhere. Finally, although Cinderella Man was good, a certain other boxing film was better.

There are also a good half a dozen or so key films that – shockingly – I have not yet seen, including Sideways, The Machinist, Friday Night Lights and Downfall. I suspect any of these could well have ousted one or more of my final selection, but I won’t know until I get round to watching them. In the meantime, without further ado, here are my ten best films of 2005 from those I have seen, in no particular order of merit:

The Aviator – Leonardo Dicaprio gives his finest performance to date in this biopic of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. Martin Scorsese’s best film since Goodfellas.

Hotel Rwanda – Not in the same league as Schindler’s List, but nevertheless an essential, riveting and powerful story of the difference one man made during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Ray – Jamie Foxx’s stunning performance is actually not the main reason to see this terrific biopic of music legend Ray Charles. Director Taylor Hackford deserves most of the credit.

Revenge of the Sith – Easily the best of the Star Wars prequels, and a devastating tragedy in its own right.

Crash – Fascinating and multi-layered look at racism in Los Angeles.

Lord of War – Savage and tragic satire on the arms trade with a stand-out performance from Nicholas Cage.

Million Dollar Baby – Despite the film’s abhorrent stance on euthanasia, I cannot overlook Clint Eastwood’s recent masterpiece as it is such brilliant filmmaking.

The Constant Gardener – Slow-burning, but riveting thriller featuring one of Ralph Fiennes best performances.

King Kong – Peter Jackson’s overblown, overlong, self-indulgent but magnificent remake of the 1933 classic.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – How could I not include this? I still prefer the short films, but this is my contender for best family film of the year.

Happy Christmas!

Simon Dillon, December 2005.