Bradley Cooper has been a driving force on the big screen for years, and with 64 Actor credits, it’s pretty hard not to love at least some of his work. Not only has Cooper made a name for himself, but he also loves to dive into different movie genres and attack different roles. One of the most versatile actors of our time, Cooper slays pretty much anything he’s in, but alas, there must be at least a few that divide fans.
From Guardians of the Galaxy to Valentine’s Day to American Sniper (these are a few shout outs), Bradley is a Hollywood giant. Here are 5 of his best roles, and of course, 5 that didn’t quite make the cut.
WORST: Brian Gilcrest, Aloha (2015)
While this movie has a stacked cast (Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, etc etc), this film definitely falls short, and none of these stellar actors could save their characters. Brian Gilcrest is a military contractor who arrives in Hawaii, where he reconnects with a past flame, but is simultaneously falling in love with his assigned Air Force employee. Honestly, Bradley probably gave it his all in this one, but there wasn’t much to love about his character. If we’re being BRUTALLY honest, there was actually a lot to hate about this role (see the scene where he is literally a main player in the entire operation his new boo is trying to protest, and, he keeps it a secret). Yikes.
BEST: Alex Dmitri, Hit & Run (2012)
While this movie is by no means the most redeeming or sentimental film on the big screen, we cannot help but applaud every actor in this one for playing the hell out of their assigned role. This movie follows a former getaway driver (Dax Shepard), who risks his life in Witness Protection to help his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) move to LA.
They are chased by an old friend from his past, Alex Dmitri, who feels extremely upset that this friend has betrayed him. With dreadlocks and huge yellow sunglasses, Bradley’s character is cringy and hilarious, but honestly kind of brilliant?
WORST: Adam Jones, Burnt (2015)
This movie follows a chef who has destroyed his career through drugs and unconventional behavior, but who has returned to London to redeem himself. This movie is honestly pretty lackluster, and as much as we’re loving fancy-chef Bradley, this character falls pretty flat. This typical internal journey has some pretty deep baggage, but this film never took off, and Bradley’s career is definitely no better off for it.
BEST: Richie DiMaso, American Hustle (2013)
This film is another beautifully stacked cast and even includes Bradley’s screen-sweetheart, Jennifer Lawrence. This Oscar-nominated film follows a conman (Christian Bale) and his partner (Amy Adams) as they are forced to work for an FBI Agent (Cooper), who leads them into an underworld of crime, powerbrokers, and the mafia.
This film is filled with drama, crime, and some incredible acting. Prepare yourself for a mentally unstable and unpredictable (but rich and beautiful) Jennifer Lawrence, and impeccable and dynamic performances by Cooper and his fellow stars. “Everyone hustles to survive” in this brilliant film.
WORST: Ben, He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
This romantic comedy is your typical intertwining of multiple story arcs, including a married couple, three female co-workers looking for a man, and a young couple struggling with the direction of their relationship. Bradley Cooper, the married man, spends the entire movie flirting with Scarlett Johansson and insisting that he cannot cheat on his wife. We get it, she’s hot, but really? This cliche and eye-roll-inducing movie is just another stab at marriage and relationships, and this wonderful cast couldn’t even add a few dynamics to their flat characters.
BEST: Phil, The Hangover (2009)
Again, this film isn’t exactly up for any Academy Awards, but this comedy classic cannot go unnoticed, and we all (maybe hate to) admit that we love every bit of its ridiculousness. While Bradley is brilliant as playing the serious and disturbed FBI Agent, he’s honestly just as amazing playing this immature high school teacher as he scours Las Vegas for his missing drunk friend.
We appreciate his versatility, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good Cooper-Galifianakis bantering?
WORST: Steve, All About Steve (2009)
While Cooper clearly plays the leading man in this one, this romantic comedy only scored a 4.8/10 on IMDb, and definitely divided fans. Sandra Bullock plays a crossword puzzler for a newspaper, and convinced that Steve (a CNN cameraman), is her true love, follows him all over the country in hopes to convince him they’re meant to be. Yeah, we get that this already sounds cringy, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Even Cooper and Bullock couldn’t save this train-wreck.
BEST: Jack, A Star Is Born (2018)
This film is definitely not the typical fill for a Bradley Cooper fan, that is, if you get a huge kick out of Hit & Run and The Hangover. However, this Oscar-nominated movie is nothing short of brilliance. To everyone’s surprise, Bradley Cooper announced this film as the director and the lead character who plays a famous singer.
Alongside Lady Gaga, this film is full of drama, beautiful music, adorable romance, and tragedy. We all took a step back and applauded Bradley for this one, and honestly, we’re now convinced he can do anything. We’re far from the shallows now, my friend.
WORST: Neil Walker, Joy (2015)
This Oscar nominee was an incredible film, and we don’t disapprove of Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar nominee for Best Actress. However, this movie also divided fans, especially in terms of Bradley Cooper’s role as Neil. Our favorite duo didn’t exactly disappoint, but this kind-of-patriarchal lack-luster movie didn’t exactly do wonders for our main man. This movie is definitely different, and we’re not suggesting you don’t watch it, but don’t expect a ton of Cooper glamour. Also, prepare yourself for some pretty impressive mop selling.
BEST: Pat Solitano, Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper strike again in this film (clearly, they’re meant to be). This romantic comedy-drama follows Pat, who is struggling with bipolar disorder, after he moves back to his parents’ house after spending time in a mental institution after a violent episode with his wife’s affair. Pat meets Tiffany (Lawrence), who struggles with mental health issues of her own. The two make a deal to do each other a favor, all the while dealing with their budding romance and mental health challenges.
This film includes some football, some dancing, and a powerful performance by this stellar duo. With 8 Oscar nominations, this film doesn’t disappoint. Cooper is astonishing, even as he jogs around the neighborhood in a garbage bag and throws frustrating books through an upstairs window (we hated that Hemingway book, too, Pat).