TOAaron Eckhart is one of those capable actors not just to transform into a motorcyclist or a ruthless hitman, but to transform controversial characters like a smoke seller or a cruel male into fascinating personalities. His secret? never show the effort of acting. «I have a saying: “if you sweat, you’re doing it wrong”. And the goal is to do it effortlessly. I never sweat.” Neverthelessat 58 years old and despite hugely popular roles such as Two Faces in The Dark Knight by Nolan, Hollywood seems to have not yet welcomed him into the ranks of famous stars. One reason is perhaps to be found in a not always happy choice of his works, among Oscar-winning films such as Erin Brockovich to not-so-memorable thrillers. While waiting to see it again at the cinema in the drama Deep Water alongside Ben KingsleyHere you are a thoughtful review of the most significant titles in his filmography.
Aaron Eckhart films: all the titles, the latest, the best
Aaron Eckhart all films, Sully (2016)
For Eckart, be directed by Clint Eastwood it was realizing my life’s dream. In many interviews he talked about the first time he met the great director. «He was surrounded by Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I approached Clint, who didn’t know me at all, and said, “sir, I hope to work with you one day.” He looked at me and said: ‘Yes, we’ll see what happens’.”
The film tells the true story of the hero pilot, Sully (Tom Hanks). In 2009, an airliner taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York is forced to ditch in the Hudson River due to a collision with a flock of birds which knocked out both engines. The dangerous maneuver, however, manages to save all the passengers. Eckart is Jeff Skiles, the protagonist’s perfect sidekick. «I turned a toad into a prince! Tom isn’t a toad, but that’s the supporting actor’s job.”
Eastwood and Eckhart on the set of “Sully.” (Warner Bros)
Aaron Eckhart latest film, Cia – a man in the crosshairs (2024)
This non-essential film directed by Roel Reiné (Halo) It’s an 80’s style action and espionage story. HHowever, it has the undoubted merit of showing Aaron in the unusual role of a villain ready to get on the side of the good guys, that of hitman Evan Shaw (serving the CIA for over 20 years). When his daughter Kacey, who works for British intelligence, reveals to him that the division he receives instructions from has long since been dismantled. He will have to find out why he murdered the wrong people and, above all, who the mysterious instigator is. Also starring Tim Roth (The hyenas).
CIA – the man in the crosshairs. (Saban Films)
Aaron Eckhart horror film, Incarnate – you won’t be able to hide (2016)
A variation of theExorcist for this horror film by Brad Peyton in which Eckart drives away the evil one with the strength of his mind alone. Dr. Seth Ember, left paralyzed after a mysterious accident, has a gift. He manages to enter the unconscious of people possessed by the devil to exorcise them. When the Vatican asks him for help to free a teenager, he discovers that within him dwells the same damned spirit that caused the death of his wife and son many years earlier. Eckart’s excellent performance does not save the film from an excess of clichés.
Aaron Eckhart film list: Thank you for smoking (2005)
Eckart gains international attention with his role as Nick, skilled lobbyist of the large tobacco companies. His precious gift is the oratory art, capable of convincing anyone, even cigarette detractors, that smoking isn’t that bad after all. «Michael Jordan plays football. Charles Manson kills people. I speak. Everyone has a talent.”
After one success after another, his world collapses due to his relationship with a journalist (Katie Holmes) who betrays him by writing a negative article about him. He takes his revenge by taking the side of another controversial industry, that of cell phones. Of this memorable role he said: «The fundamental thing in creating a character like Nick is that you can’t help but like him. If you do so, you do the public a disservice. You have to love your character.”
Katie Holmes and Aaron Eckhart in “Thank you for smoking”. (Lucky Red)
Aaron Eckhart film psychology, In the Society of Men (1997)
Aaron Eckart was so impactful and believable as the cynical and amoral Chad to make him a lucid archetype of the successful yuppie. He said that, after the release of the film, some women on the street they wanted to slap him. Directed by Neil LaBute, it is a drama halfway between a psychological novel and an anthropology treatise.
The extroverted Chad and the more inhibited Howard (Matt Malloy) are two classic wealthy, career managers. Partly out of boredom, partly out of challenge, they organize a plan against a secretary ordinary and affected by deafness. They bet on court her, go to bed with her and then abandon her in a brutal way. Things won’t go as planned and Howard will discover at his expense that the victim of his Machiavellian colleague’s ambition will be him.
“In the society of men”. (Getty Images)
Movie Aaron Eckhart Morgan Freeman, The Dark Knight (2008)
His presence in Nolan’s first masterpiece dedicated to Batmanthe comic book hero, it’s memorable. A double proof as Harvey Dentdistrict attorney on the good side and then the psychopath Two-Face. An interpretation so perfect that it doesn’t disappear even in front of Heath Ledger’s excellent Joker. To get into character, Eckart explained that he was inspired by John F. Kennedy for the part of the idealistic politician and charismatic. For the dark side, he admitted: «I’m interested in coupons who take the wrong path.”
“The Dark Knight”. (Ipa Agency)
Thriller films, Black Dhalia (2006)
Brian De Palma directs a noir-tinged thriller inspired by a news story of 1947. Cops and former boxers Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) they investigate the mysterious death of starlet Betty Ann Short (Mia Kirshner). Nicknamed Black Dhalialed a life that wasn’t exactly mirrored.
A case as complicated as their private lives: Lee is attracted to the beautiful Kay (Scarlett Johansson) and Bleichert to the provocative Madeleine (Hilary Swank), daughter of one of the most important men in the city. Eckhart explained that he was once again fascinated by a complex and self-destructive character, as dark as the tone and atmosphere of the film.
“Black Dhalia”. (Lucky Red)
Action movies, Erin Brockovich (2000)
Even though it gave him the greatest notorietyis also the film that most it complicated his career. «After having shot a film like Erin Brockovich, you find yourself under pressure. There are agents who tell you that if you do this, this and that, you could be and have it all.” Directed by Steven Soderberghtells the true story of a thirty-year-old former beauty queenunemployed, single mother of 3 children, who finds work in a law firm.
When begins to investigate the numerous cases of cancer patients in the town of Hinkley, he discovers that the cause is water pollution due to the negligence of a large company. Eckhart, unrecognizable with beard and bandana is Georgemotorcyclist and neighbor with whom the protagonist falls in love.
Erin Brockovich. (Getty Images)
Upcoming films, Deepwater (2026)
It is the title with which Eckhart has just returned to the cinema, alongside Ben Kingsley. It’s about an electrifying disaster movie. When an international flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to land in the middle of the ocean, the few survivors are surrounded by sharks. The protagonists are Rich the plane’s commander (Kingsley) and his first officer (Eckart, again in the role of a pilot).
While waiting to see it soon in Italy, American critics have anticipated that it’s the usual film about bad marine predators. “The The problem with “Deep Water” isn’t that it’s a bad movie (which it is), but that it’s annoyingly familiar and lacks a single element of interest that makes it original.».
