Worst To Best: Brad Pitt

The Tree Of Life (2011)

The Film: Terrence Malick’s triumphant magnum opus, a dreamy, unconventional drama that follows a family living in 1950s Texas.

Rad Brad: Though Malick’s approach means Pitt barely gets to hold a full conversation, he lets his facial expressions do much of the talking – he’s all soulful eyes and tensed jaw.

Burn After Reading (2008)

The Film: Rip-roaring comedy from the Coen brothers, in which two gym employees – including Chad (Pitt) – end up in the possession of top secret discs containing the memoirs of a CIA agent.

Rad Brad: Completely off-the-wall and with a ‘do that almost rivals Johnny Suede’s, Pitt plays dumb brilliantly – and that shock wardrobe scene’s a killer.

Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002)

The Film: George Clooney directs this slick biographical crime comedy, which follows Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell), a game show host who’s rumoured to also have worked as a hitman.

Rad Brad: Sharing a cameo scene with Matt Damon, Pitt’s on top comedy form – it’s like a mini Ocean’s reunion. Except not.

A River Runs Through It (1992)

The Film: Montana brothers Norman (Craig Sheffer) and Paul (Pitt) share a love of fly fishing but that’s where the similarities end – the former’s studious and sensible, while the latter’s rebellious and passionate.

Rad Brad: Pitt’s turn in this drama is often referred to as his big break; his impressively naturalistic turn helped him net more lead roles. It’s praise well-deserved.

Legends Of The Fall (1994)

The Film: Epic historical drama following three brothers and their father through World War I into the 1930s. Pitt plays one of the brothers, while Anthony Hopkins is the father.

Rad Brad: Balancing strength with vulnerability, Pitt is a rough charmer as thoughtful as he is prone to wild behaviour. Thrillingly unpredictable.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

The Film: Ridley Scott’s dusty road movie in which the titular twosome (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) take to the road after shooting a man.

Rad Brad: Responsible for many a cinema swoon, Pitt flashes those abs during a steamy sex scene with Geena Davis, but also impresses during his scenes in a police station as a loud-mouthed tease.

Sleepers (1996)

The Film: A group of men who were brutalised at a detention centre a decade ago set out to get revenge in Barry Levinson’s crime drama.

Rad Brad: Though it’s a small role, Pitt really shines as Michael Sullivan, not least during a powerful subway scene with Minnie Driver.

Babel (2006)

The Film: Oscar-winning drama from director Alejandro González Iñárritu. An American couple holidaying in Morocco form the crux of a film that follows four storylines all connected by a gun.

Rad Brad: Playing a live-wire who’s frustrated by his wife’s behaviour, Pitt brings the emotion – even if we know almost nothing about the character, this is a tight, taut performance.

Interview With The Vampire (1994)

The Film: Based on Anne Rice’s popular novel, Neil Jordan’s lavish adaptation stars Tom Cruise as vampire Lestat, who creates himself a companion in Louis (Pitt).

Rad Brad: Move over R-Pattz. Pitt gets past the fangs and the funky contacts and brings surprising humanity to his troubled vampire.

Snatch (2000)

The Film: Guy Ritchie follows up Lock, Stock with another London-set crime thriller, in which boxing man Turkish (Jason Statham) gets caught up in the plans of gangster Black Top (Alan Ford).

Rad Brad: Pitt’s back getting his fists out a year after Fight Club , cranking up the charisma as an Irish gypsy with a comedy accent.