Make the Case: 5 Essential Samuel L. Jackson Films

Thanks to the screen persona he has cultivated over the past three decades, Samuel L. Jackson has an enviable position, from a working actor’s perspective. He will probably never have to look for gigs for the rest of his life. That screen persona involves a steely gaze, a commanding voice, and lots and lots (and lots) of swear words. Jackson has said that the swearing is a device that helps him manage a stutter. Even so, there is something quite beautiful about the way that man phrases “Motherfucker.” Honestly, Jackson’s way of speaking in general has the ability to instantly get your attention. For that reason, his characters are often used to generate exposition for plot of characters.

However, it’s important to appreciate Jackson’s talents as an actor by going beyond that screen persona. There are some great characters and performances within his trademarks, but it’s more fun to also consider the characters that emphasize his considerable range as an actor. Jackson might be a popular choice for certain types of characters, but there is no question that he can do almost anything. Take a look at his filmography. When you get past stuff like Snakes on a Plane or The Other Guys, there are a number of interesting, strange, tragic, and decidedly complex characters to consider.

The great thing about Samuel L. Jackson is an actor is two-fold. He’s not going to stop playing those Nick Fury types anytime soon. At the same time, he’s not going to stop surprising people either. He enjoys the perks of being a character actor, and yet he is one of the most instantly recognizable faces (and voices) on the planet.

Unless, of course, you mistake him for Laurence Fishburne.

Provided you’re not quite that stupid (or unconsciously racist), focusing on Jackson’s work thus far can be a weird, fun ride. It hasn’t been boring. The only challenge is limiting yourself to just five films.

Through Quentin Tarantino alone, you’ve already given up four out of five choices.

1. Jungle Fever (1991)

A lot of people point to Pulp Fiction as Jackson’s breakout performance. However, if you want to be more accurate, you really have to go back a few more years. Jungle Fever isn’t Spike Lee’s most popular film, but there is no denying the quality of the performances throughout. If the film is remembered for anything today, it’s for Samuel L. Jackson’s scene-stealing turn as “Gator” Purify. At that point, Jackson had been working in film/television/theater for over twenty years. You can find numerous examples of an actor who was capable of being memorable, even with just a handful of lines. Jungle Fever and Gator represents that moment in which Jackson is finally given a character of decent substance. He makes the most of the opportunity, avoiding every drug addict cliché in the book along the way.

 

2. Pulp Fiction (1994)

It’s pretty much impossible to make a list of the best Samuel L. Jackson movies of all time, and not include this film. It’s also hard to really appreciate how important and successful this movie was, over twenty years beyond its initial release. The film is nearly overwhelmed with the wide assortment of trademarks in characters, music, cinematography, and dialogue that we now expect from a Quentin Tarantino film. Choosing just one great element over all the others is difficult. If you absolutely have to do this, Jackson as Jules Winnfield is a fine choice. Beyond the fact that Jules is effortlessly badass, his spiritual awakening is one of the most intriguing developments in the movie. In many cases, it’s not impossible to imagine other actors playing the characters in Pulp Fiction. With Jackson, it’s impossible to envision anyone else.

 

3. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Jackson and Bruce Willis have worked well together on a couple of occasions. Their two most significant collaborations would be Die Hard with a Vengeance, and then Unbreakable a few years later. Both are worth your time. However, for sheer entertainment value, this third entry in the Die Hard franchise is perhaps the better of the two. Although the first Die Hard remains the best installment, With a Vengeance hits the pavement as a close second. In fact, I know at least a few people who count the third film as their favorite.

Regardless, one of the trademarks of the Die Hard franchise is pairing Willis’ John McClane with a (usually) reluctant partner. The combination of Willis and Jackson in With a Vengeance is easily the best of the bunch. Jackson and Willis provide flawless comic foil for one another, as the movie flies swiftly and impressively through one enduring disaster after another. Jackson’s Zeus Carver can certainly think of things he would rather do, than run around New York City with a cranky, violent supercop. However, he’s stuck with McClane for the foreseeable future. He has no choice but to make the best of it. His character’s chemistry with McClane creates one of the best aspects to one of the best action movies of the 1990s.

 

4. The Sunset Limited (2011)

I’m sure to catch a side glance or ten for including this semi-obscure HBO film on a list of essential Samuel L. Jackson films, but hear me out.

Jackson’s voice is instantly recognizable. He is the kind of actor who can take absolutely horrible, feeble lines in a script, and give them a singular, profound sense of authority. There is a certain pleasure in just listening to Jackson talk. The Sunset Limited banks on this, casting Jackson as one of the only two characters who populate the entire story. Taken from a Cormac McCarthy play, The Sunset Limited pits Jackson’s Black against Tommy Lee Jones’ White (these are the character’s names). The battle is essentially between belief and apathy. Love and hate. Hope and despair. Jackson’s character assumes the former of these things, with Jones taking the contrary position. For about ninety minutes, these two men sit in a room, throwing perspective back and forth, like some kind of conversational tennis match. Jones (who also directed this) is another actor who can bring life to lifeless words. However, with The Sunset Limited, we’re talking about an impressive, wide-reaching conversation from one of the best novelists living today. This script endeavors to express and suggest a great deal. To accomplish all of that, it has to rely on two actors who are capable of remaining compelling, with nothing more than the words, as well as their ability to maintain our interest with those words.

Not surprisingly, Jackson and Jones deliver on keeping us engaged. The Sunset Limited is an enormous challenge for any actor. Jackson is absolutely riveting, as he meets this challenge from start to finish.

 

5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

At this point, it’s hard to imagine anyone will ever be able to play Nick Fury as Jackson has. The character has become an essential component to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To date, Jackson’s Fury has logged more appearances in MCU films than anyone else. As the man responsible for bringing The Avengers together, there is no question that even when it’s a cameo appearance, Fury is a significant part of this new cinematic universe. Jackson has been stellar in every appearance, but Captain America: The Winter Soldier is perhaps his best turn thus far. It is this film that presents Fury as the world-weary soldier he has continued to be for perhaps much too long. There is also some compelling exploration of the relationship he has with Captain America.

Jackson was 66 at the time of The Winter Soldier’s release. At an age in which a lot of guys assume softer roles, he continues to be a credible action star. Even more impressive, he remains someone who can still stand out amongst a billionaire tech genius, a super soldier, a god, and other larger-than-life figures. He might be a straightforward spy, but he’s our favorite. The Winter Soldier puts him in considerably more danger than usual. The result of that is realizing that if Marvel Studios/Disney ever decides to permanently bring Fury in from the cold, people are going to be pissed. That’s because we like Fury as a character. It’s also because when Samuel L. Jackson is part of a cast, there’s a good chance that he’s going to be memorable.