Jason Reitman is an acclaimed filmmaker who has tackled what seems like every genre possible in cinema. Though his directorial debut Thank You for Smoking garnered critical and commercial success, it was effectively his sophomore effort Juno that cemented his status as one of the industry’s top directors. Since then, Reitman has continued to develop his skills by working on different films in multiple genres.
Most recently, Reitman followed in the footsteps of his father, acclaimed director Ivan Reitman (who passed away earlier this year), directing Ghostbusters: Afterlife, continuing the franchise that the elder Reitman started. Though he revealed to Den of Geek that the idea of directing a Ghostbusters movie was intimidating, Afterlife proved to be a commercial hit, per Forbes, taking in $204.4 million at the worldwide box office. Reitman’s career trajectory is impressive, and as we await news about his next endeavor, let’s look at his best movies, ranked.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Labor Day
Paramount Pictures
Labor Day stars Kate Winslet as Adele, who lives with her son Henry (Gattlin Griffith) in their suburban house. A man named Frank (Josh Brolin) is on the run from the police and takes them both as hostages, invading their home and declaring that he must stay there until he escapes the trouble that he has gotten himself into. The film is adapted from the novel by Joyce Maynard, and the plot develops as Frank begins to win over Adele and their relationship becomes more intense and complicated. The film showcases the cast’s brilliant talent, especially those of Winslet.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 The Front Runner
Columbia Pictures
The Front Runner stars Hugh Jackman in the leading role as Gary Hart, a senator who was running for President when his campaign was ruined by allegations of an affair. The film is based on the true story that received much media attention, and Jackman does a good job of embodying the role. The film has a lot of subplots and is quite busy in content, which can sometimes distract from the main focus; however, it’s a strong depiction of a scandalous story, which makes for an enjoyable viewing experience.
5 Tully
Bron Studios / Right of Way Films
Tully is a film that features Charlize Theron as Marlo, a mother of three who is struggling with parenthood and all the demands that are expected of her. Her husband is played by Ron Livingston, and he is characterized as unhelpful, leaving all of the parenting responsibility up to Marlo. She decides to hire a nanny, Tully (played by Mackenzie Davis), with whom she forms a strong relationship. We are offered a glimpse into the reality of how challenging motherhood can be. Theron excels in this role, and she brings life to the character in a way that only she can, being vulnerable and relatable, highlighting the tougher sides of life in a way that does not feel out of touch or pretentious.
4 Thank You for Smoking
Room 9 Entertainment / ContentFilm
One of the most unique films on the list is Thank You for Smoking, which centers on the character Nick Naylor, played by Aaron Eckhart. He is a lobbyist for Big Tobacco and constantly defends the tobacco industry, bulldozing over any opposition and insisting that tobacco is a good thing. The film is consistently absurd and cleverly demonstrates all that is ugly in modern society in one extremely unlikable character. The style of the film is different to any other in Reitman’s repertoire and is worth a watch for those who enjoy a more obscure type of film.
3 Young Adult
Mandate Pictures
Young Adult is one of the more painful films on the list, and again stars Theron as a character who is experiencing a huge amount of turmoil. This time, she plays an author named Mavis, who is also an alcoholic and who decides to go back to her hometown in Minnesota in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend. Her ex is played by Patrick Wilson, and he is now married with kids and in a completely different situation to the one she remembers and is fixating on. The film is deeply uncomfortable to watch, and Theron perfectly captures the ugliness and desperation that can accompany when a person spirals in life. It’s well worth a watch and an example of the genius of Reitman.
2 Up in the Air
One of the most successful films on the list is Up in the Air, which features a leading performance by George Clooney that received widespread acclaim. He plays a character named Ryan Bingham, whose job is to fire people, and the work has an effect on his mental well-being. He becomes caught up in the same situation himself, when Anna Kendrick’s character delivers the news to him that he will be losing his own job, giving him a feeling of what the many people he has fired over the years have felt. The film highlights the dark cycles that characters find themselves in, and is a strong point in Reitman’s career.
1 Juno
Mandate Pictures / Mr. Mudd
One of the most instantly recognizable films is Reitman’s Juno, which stars Elliot Page in the titular role. Juno is a teenager whose life is turned upside down after an unplanned pregnancy, seeking out a family who would be suitable to adopt the child. Page develops the character in a relatable way, and the complexity of the situation, along with the sweetness of the character, makes a particularly unique character. Michael Cera plays Paulie, who is the father of the baby, and he also brings a charmingly awkward performance. The film is unlike anything else out there, and captures joy mixed with sadness in a way only Reitman can.
