Bobby Cannavale has played many roles across both film and TV. He made a name for himself on the small screen in shows such as Third Watch, Vinyl, and Mr. Robot, where he had leading roles and received considerable praise and recognition for his work. Of course, he has also turned in great performances in recurring roles on shows like Will & Grace, Boardwalk Empire, and Nurse Jackie.
Between his work on TV, onstage, or in film, it’s the latter that paints a more storied career for Cannavale. Having starred in dozens of movies since the 90s, his face is one you would recognize in hits like Shall We Dance?, Blue Jasmine, Spy, and, most recently, Netflix’s controversial Blonde. Up next, Cannavale is set to appear in Old Dads and Inappropriate Behavior (via Deadline). Until then, here’s a look at his best movies, ranked.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 The Fundamentals of Caring
Netflix
The Fundamentals of Caring was released in 2016 and is a dramatic comedy starring Paul Rudd as a man who decides to quit his job after a family tragedy. He then begins a class in caregiving and takes in a disabled teen as they both embark on a life-changing road trip. Cannavale’s role is very small, however, his performance is crucial in hitting some of the film’s emotional moments. The Fundamentals of Caring is an underrated Netflix film and definitely worth a watch.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Spy
20th Century Studios
Spy is a 2015 film written and directed by Paul Feig. The film focuses on CIA Analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy), who works hand-in-hand with Bradley Fine (Jude Law). When Bradley is seemingly assassinated by Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Susan wrangles her way into her first undercover assignment in the field to help capture Boyanov and avenge Bradley. Cannavale stars as Sergio De Luca, one of Rayna’s potential buyers. It’s time in Spy may be brief, but despite his limited screen time, he proves his capabilities in over-the-top comedy.
6 Blue Jasmine
Sony Pictures Classics
Blue Jasmine follows Cate Blanchett as a New York socialite who tries to adapt to her new, lower-income life with her sister (Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco after her divorce from her husband (Alec Baldwin). Directed by Woody Allen, the film is a masterclass in acting, with every actor turning in career-high performances, particularly Blanchett as the eponymous Jasmine who is still reeling from a recent nervous breakdown. Cannavale steals each scene he’s in as the rough and blunt Chilli.
5 Chef
Open Road Films
Chef is a 2014 movie that follows a chef as he makes the decision to quit his restaurant job after a heated encounter with a critic, and opens up a food truck. The movie stars Jon Favreau, who also wrote and directed the film, as the titular character who makes the change to be happy in his life. Cannavale plays a chef who works alongside him, and although he is supportive of the decision, he chooses not to follow him, staying behind to run the restaurant in his absence. The film teaches valuable life lessons and is well worth watching, especially for the food.
4 Ant-Man
Marvel Studios
Ant-Man is a 2015 MCU movie that stars Paul Rudd as the titular hero, Scott Lang. The movie is very comedic in tone and also displays heart-warming connections between characters. We see Scott display his love and connection for his daughter and family, and how they are the driving force behind his superhero work. Cannavale plays Lang’s ex-wife’s new boyfriend, so the pair have some trouble in their relationship at the beginning. However, by the end of the film, they form an understanding that is heart-warming. Cannavale reprised his role in the sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp.
3 I, Tonya
Neon
I, Tonya is a 2017 biographical drama that tells the story of Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie), a figure skater who was accused of attacking her competitor Nancy Kerrigan before the U.S championship (via TIME). The film centers around the circumstance that led up to the attack, and delves into Tonya’s backstory, including her relationships with those around her, particularly with her abusive mother and boyfriend-turned-husband. Cannavale has a small role as a reporter in the movie, however, it’s a great film that everyone should watch.
2 The Station Agent
Miramax
The Station Agent is a comedic drama that stars Peter Dinklage as a man who is suffering after the tragic death of his friend, moving him into a life of solitude. He finds a friendly, chatty street vendor (Cannavale) and a woman (Patricia Clarkson), who are also going through personal tragedies. The movie received excellent reviews, and, as one of Cannavale’s earliest film roles, proved his remarkable presence on-screen.
1 The Irishman
The Irishman is a movie released on Netflix, directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring an ensemble cast including the likes of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel. The film takes place in the 1950s, and follows crime mobsters and their interactions with a labor union organizer, Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Cannavale holds his own against the legendary cast, and the film is definitely worth watching.
