The Singing Detective (2003)
The trailer said, "starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Downey Jr." In The Singing Detective, RDJ is Dan Dark, in two different worlds - one is real, one isn't.
Dark is in hospital with arthritis and a gross skin disease. In his imagination, he's part of a detective thriller, and surrounded by lots of lovely ladies.
Charm Factor: As his diseased bedridden self, he's not much of a looker.
But Detective Dark is pretty suave, and has some pretty smooth lines - example: "When you're dealing with the devil praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."
Gothika (2003)
Gothika , or Halle Berry's 2-hour-long panic attack wasn't our favourite film of 2003. But, characteristically, RDJ brought a little ray of sunshine to the darkness, redeeming the scene every now and then.
He plays Dr Graham, a psychiatrist at a prison for the criminally insane, where Halle Berry is incarcerated.
Berry's got to convince him she's not mad. Which is difficult when you look and sound very, very mad.
Charm Factor: The script didn't really allow for a great deal of twinkle eyes, but he manages to shoe-horn it in, somehow.
What a pro.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
The role: Harry Lockhart introduces himself at a party as retired, claiming, “I invented dice when I was a kid.”
The film is a noirish dark comedy-thriller, through which Lockhart stumbles, gauche and hapless, somehow managing to survive on sheer dumb luck.
Charm Factor: His charm levels fluctuate throughout the film. He’s incredibly charming in the majority of it - particularly in certain voice-over interjections.
He’s not so charming when he’s just had his finger chopped off in a door-slamming incident.
Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)
George Clooney's critically acclaimed film about the Communist witch-hunts of the '50s focused on the world of broadcast journalism, and the media's responsibility as a voice for the people.
Downey Jr. plays Jo Wershba, who is secretly married to a co-worker at CBS (which was forbidden at the time).
The sub-plot offers a welcome moment of warmth to a tough film.
Charm Factor: He spends much of the movie being stressed out. It's a tense film. However, is relationship with his wife Shirley wonderfully affectionate, and there's charm in that.
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
The stunning visuals of A Scanner Darkly set it apart from other films of 2006.
James Barris, Downey Jr.'s character, is a druggy who's unknowingly living with Keanu Reeves' undercover narcotics cop.
He some lovely hats, too. Our favourite is the beret.
Charm Factor: He's incredibly charismatic as Barris, and the the animation slavered over the top of the digital footage doesn't impede on his charming capabilities.
Thank goodness .
Zodiac (2007)
Featuring some rather graphic murder scenes, Zodiac follows the infamous San Fransisco serial killer case with direction from David Fincher.
Paul Avery, RDJ's character, is a reporter working for the San Fransisco Chronicle, who covers the case.
He's also an alcoholic, and his drinking starts to get in the way of his job.
Charm Factor: Call us crazy, but there is something inescapably charming about the way he bullies the shit out of Jake Gyllenhaal's character. Thumbs up.
Charlie Bartlett (2007)
Charlie Bartlett is a kid who's kicked out of his public school (British public) and sent to a public school (American public).
When he doesn't fit in, he sets up his own psychiatric ward in the toilets.
Robert Downey Jr. is his world-weary principle, whose laid-back attitude towards schooling means that the scheme goes undetected for ages.
Charm Factor: He's pretty much the head teacher everyone wishes they'd had. 9/10 on the charm scale.
Iron Man (2008)
Tony Stark is exceedingly rich, as CIO of the family business - weapons manufacture.
After a stint in Afghanistan, and a horrific accident, Stark decides to decides to dedicate his efforts to developing armour, not weapons. In doing so he creates a flying suit!
Charm Factor: This is pretty much RBJ's most charming performance of all time. You want to climb into the screen to give him a hug for being so brilliant.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Kirk Lazarus, a renowned actor, undergoes "pigment orientation surgery" in order to look the part in his latest role as a black sergeant. Oh dear.
If that wasn't enough, he also insists on talking in the African American accent of his character, even when the camera's stopped rolling. It would be offensive if the joke wasn't undeniably on Kirk.
Charm Factor: Well, he's unbelievably funny. The Academy though so, too, even gave him an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.
The Soloist (2009)
It's out this weekend, and sees RDJ in serious mode as real-life journalist Steve Lopez.
Lopez comes across Nathaniel (Jamie Foxx), a musical prodigy who's become homeless and schizophrenic.
It layers on the sentiment pretty thick, and isn't much of a laugh.
Charm Factor: Robert's good at playing reporters - from the world-weary to the ruthless shark - and every single one of them could charm the pants off the Pope. Lopez is no exception.
