Celebrating Liam Neeson
I became the “Certified Liam Neeson Girlie” at the age of 13 when I watched Taken (2008) for the first time. I then re-certified myself at the age of 27 when I had my son and named him Liam after him. And for a lesbian, it is quite wild that my favourite actor of all time is none other than Liam Neeson.
I have always found a sense of comfort in him. An extremely insane statement to make about someone whose career has been marked for action movies, kicking ass, and killing people onscreen. But the truth is that Neeson became a soothing energy in my life because his movies made me feel at ease. Action is my favourite genre, so it helped that his filmography (mostly) from Taken onward was full of those movies.
Neeson has delivered some of the best action films we have seen throughout several decades. His commitment to the genre has been incredible, going as far as performing the majority of his stunts even well into his 70s. That is the kind of dedication one enjoys from an actor when following their career and diving deep into their filmography.
So, now that he is adding another year to his life and considering stepping away from action movies, you might want to take a look at some of his best and most memorable roles.
Schindler’s List (1993)
"I could have gotten more out. I could have gotten more..."
In 1994, Neeson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture. Even though the award went to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia (1993), Neeson’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. To this day, Oskar Schindler is one of his better-known roles. Many agree that Neeson should have received the award for his performance. He hasn’t received another nomination since, but one can’t forget the work he did.
If you don’t know what the movie is about, Schindler's List tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a Polish industrialist who realizes the dangers of Nazi Germany's advance. He becomes concerned for his workers and finds a way to save as many lives as he can while concentration camps continue to grow.
Schindler’s List wasn’t the first Liam Neeson movie I watched. I actually watched it about ten years ago when I decided to dive into his entire filmography. It is the kind of movie that will tug at your heartstrings and evoke every emotion possible. His performance in the movie is at the top of his career.
Before and After (1996)
"The truth doesn't always make things right."
If every Hollywood actor’s dream is to perform alongside Meryl Streep, Neeson got his dream in 1996 with the movie Before and After. The pair’s chemistry is off the charts, even while the marriage they are portraying goes through one of the most challenging obstacles a couple could face. But the actors understood each other and their craft, delivering heartbreaking and heartwarming (an odd combination for sure) performances throughout the film.
Before and After tells the story of two parents who receive the news that their son is being accused of murdering his girlfriend. Without knowing the whole truth, the father cleans the car and hides what he believes to be evidence to keep his son safe. Then comes the dilemma of whether they’re supposed to protect their son or do what’s right.
Both Neeson and Streep deliver incredible performances in a movie that isn’t usually talked about. But if you’re looking for some drama to fill your day, this is the perfect movie for that. The acting and the storyline will not disappoint.
Love Actually (2003)
"We need Kate and we need Leo, and we need them now."
Love Actually is the kind of movie you can watch on Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any day of the year. While it is undoubtedly a Christmas-themed rom-com, it is the kind of movie that you could press play on during a rainy day to cheer you up. With a plethora of actors and storylines, there is something for every viewer.
Granted, Love Actually hasn’t aged well. It is the kind of movie that has jokes that feel old and inappropriate, and storylines that might not resonate with the public nowadays. Nevertheless, there is a timeless feel to it that still makes it a rom-com classic. It is well worth watching.
Neeson’s character is Daniel, a widowed father who is doing his very best to raise his son. As they navigate reality without the woman who brought them together, the father helps his son express his feelings for one of his classmates, learning along the way that love comes in all forms. It is one of the few storylines that remain heartwarming and lovable even these many years later.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
"Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia."
When I was little, I was obsessed with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The story of the siblings finding a whole new world inside a wardrobe was mesmerizing for someone who didn’t feel like she fit in this world, and books created the perfect escape. The world of Narnia had been brought to life so perfectly that it was impossible not to want to rewatch it and take in every single detail.
As I got older and did my work to become a Certified Liam Neeson Girlie, I discovered he was the voice behind the famous lion Aslan. It made perfect sense to me that it was he who had given voice to such a regal and important character. His voice gave life to Aslan in a way that not many could have done so.
Now that the movie is about to be remade, it is hard for me to picture (or hear) someone else as Aslan. It is the kind of iconic character from my childhood that I wouldn’t want anyone to change or ruin. However, the rumours that Meryl Streep might be voicing Aslan do make the punch a little less painful.
Taken (2008)
“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”
Taken was the movie that started it all. I believe I’m not the only one who can say that. While Neeson had an already established career by the time the movie premiered, many more fans became aware of his work after his performance. The movie became an iconic staple of the action genre, and Neeson’s famous words became a very popular quote.
As a former CIA agent, Bryan Mills has a particular set of skills that have helped him find his daughter after she is kidnapped in France by a sex trafficking ring. He becomes a nightmare for everyone involved, kicking ass, and killing as many people as necessary until he can save his daughter and bring her home.
While Taken is absolutely not the kind of movie that should become someone’s comfort movie, it absolutely is my comfort movie. Maybe because it’s the movie that started it all. The movie that pushed me to submerge in a Neeson-filled world. The movie that allowed me to fall in love with the action genre. And the movie that inevitably led to my Liam receiving that very special name.
Honorable mentions: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Batman Begins (2005), A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014), Honest Thief (2020), and Made in Italy (2020).
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