Top 10 Jim Broadbent Performances

Considering half of the British acting community made an appearance in the worldwide phenomenon, it was only a matter of time before Broadbent made it to the Wizarding World. Cast as the new Potions Master in “The Half-Blood Prince”, Broadbent’s light and jovial role as Slughorn helps to offset the film’s otherwise dark tone. I think we’d all certainly prefer to learn how to tell the difference between boomslang skin and eye of newt from him, rather than Professor Snape.

Broadbent is no stranger to voice acting, having contributed his vocals to films such as “The Magic Roundabout” and “Arthur Christmas”. But for this TV movie adaptation of the graphic novel “The Snowman” by author Raymond Briggs, his performance is a far cry from his cartoonish roles in those films. A sweet and stated love story between a milkman and a maid in early 20th century London, “Ethel & Ernest” shows that big dreams and grand gestures aren’t what makes a great romance.

Mary Norton’s classic story of a tiny family living off “borrowing” from the house’s owners has been adapted to the screen many times, but most notable is the 1997 Hollywood adaptation. Amongst a star-studded cast including John Goodman, Hugh Laurie and a young Tom Felton, Broadbent plays patriarch of the little family, Pod Clock. Partnered with his wife Homily, played by Celia Imrie, his role as the strict but loving father feels like it was almost tailor-made to Broadbent’s natural charm.

Broadbent has worked with famed British director Mike Leigh on a number of occasions, but their first collaboration is still often seen as their best. In the 1990 dramedy, Broadbent takes on the role of Andy, a professional cook and sweet but bumbling father to troubled twin daughters. Leigh’s film all have very naturalistic direction to them, which helps make Broadbent’s portrayal of a typical English father seem all the more authentic. Who can’t claim that their dad never bought a bunch of junk and attempted to fix it up?

Jim Broadbent has taken on a few historical figures in his career, and in “Longford” he takes centre stage as the titular politician. Detailing his relationship with Moors Murders perpetrators, Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, the Tom Hooper-directed TV film features a fantastic cast including Samantha Morton and Andy Serkis, but Broadbent’s lead performance as Lord Longford remains the most engaging. Capturing the essence of the controversial politico, Broadbent was rewarded for his efforts with both BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.

They say behind every great man is a supportive woman, but Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis certainly put a spin on that wisdom. Playing the spouse to Meryl Streep as Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Broadbent spends much of his performance as a ghost in Margaret’s increasingly unstable mind. However, that doesn’t mean the actor lets the Queen of the Oscars steal the entire show, complimenting her award-winning performance with his own undeniable talents.

Many often see Jim Broadbent as a serious actor, but he has taken on more than his fair share of humorous roles. In the second entry of the Cornetto Trilogy, Broadbent plays the Chief of Police in the sleepy village of Sandford, who isn’t all as he seems. Even in his some of his darker moments, the actor keeps up his approachable appeal, which only enhances the ridiculousness of the film as it kicks into full action gear. Broadbent may not be the best choice for a villain in a serious blockbuster, but in a mick take of one, he is more than qualified.

Though he only made three on-screen appearances in the popular British sitcom, Broadbent and his disgraced police inspector character left a big impact on the programme. A corrupt and sly figure, nobody liked Slater, not even his fellow police officers. Constantly trying to get back at Del Boy for being shunned in their school days, he always manages to get his comeuppance for his actions. And even with few appearances he is one of the sitcom's most memorable characters.

In this glittering jukebox musical from Baz Luhrman, Broadbent gets to show off his melodic side as the extravagant owner of the titular cabaret house. Not to be overshadowed in a gargantuan cast led by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, Broadbent’s Zidler gets in on some of the film’s most memorable musical sequences, as well as being one of the movie’s most visually memorable characters. Even in a film as bright and gaudy as “Moulin Rouge!”, you can’t overshadow Broadbent.

Though he shares the role of Iris Murdoch’s husband with Hugh Bonneville, it’s Broadbent’s half of the John Bayley character that shines brightest. Portraying the twilight years of the the Irish novelist, who struggled with Alzheimer’s disease, Broadbent and Judi Dench make for a sweet but tragic couple in the face of adversity. Dench and Kate Winslet may have been nominated for their performances, but Broadbent came up victorious at that year’s Academy Awards and took home his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Broadbent for the win.