Paul Rudd, an actor most famous for his role as Marvel’s Ant-Man, has been in the business and sharing his gift for drama and comedy since the early 1990s.
After his breakout role in the 1995 smart comedy Clueless with other breakout star Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd has steadily become one of this generation’s most dependable performers, his fearless approach to getting laughs mixed with his boyish good looks making him a double threat when it comes to casting. With his new film Ant-Man and Wasp set to his theaters, we decided to comb through Netflix and give you five must-see movies that show off why he’s the best.
MUTE
Release 2018 Director Duncan Jones
This is not quite the movie it really ought to be, a curiously laid back sci-fi thriller that lacks the momentum needed to be anything all that significant, and while there are some very cool things happening, the best part is easily Rudd who stars as Cactus Bill, a black market surgeon. The story stars Alexander Skarsgård as a mute bartender in 2035 looking for love and understanding and throws a lot of Blade Runner aesthetics in the good intentions but is just far too bland to work as intended. However, leave it to Rudd to score the most points, creating and delivering a highly-memorable character that shows just how impressive his presence is, even in a movie that doesn’t get it right.
The Fundamentals of Caring
Release 2016 Director Rob Burnett
Taking a fairly worn trope of a person with special needs who meets a caregiver who changes everything, here Rudd plays Ben Benjamin, a retired writer needing a job. After taking a course on being a home caregiver, he ends up with 18-year-old Trevor (Craig Roberts), who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Naturally, he’s a bit of a challenge but physically and emotionally with a sarcastic and abrasive personality. The story revolves around a road trip that will help Trevor connect with his fascination with roadside attractions, eventually meeting runaway Dot (Selena Gomez), whom Trevor soon develops a crush on. A tonally up and down experience, it’s Rudd who keeps this well worth checking out, his ability to juggle the gut punches and laughs the best reason to give this a watch.
The 40-Year-Old-Virgin
Released 2005 Director Judd Apatow
Still not quite a household name, Rudd plays David, an employee at a home electronics store who is still reeling from a break-up with a girl two years before. The story centers on Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell), a man who has never had sex and pretty much has given up on ever doing so, until his pals at the store gather their forces and commit to getting the 40-year-old laid. He soon meets the lovely Trish (Catherine Keener) and sparks strike, but is it enough to break the drought? Rudd is the compassionate one, who takes to the emotional nurturing of Andy and delivers big, with cohort Seth Rogan creating one the defining comedy bits in movies of the past era in a moment playing video games. “You know how I know your gay?”
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Released 2008 Director Nicholas Stoller
Okay, so he’s not really in this one very much, but boy does he have some impact playing a loopy surfer dude/instructor in Hawaii who is just living life on the waves. Focused on television music composer Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), who just got dumped by TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), the story is set in Hawaii as poor Peter hopes to get over his ex, only to have her show up with her new beau in the suite next door. Trying to figure out who to move forward and keep his dignity, Peter meets a host of characters who all pitch in, including Kunu (Rudd), who offers plenty of sage advice even if it seems whacky from the spaced out beach bum. “The less you do, the more do.”
I Love You, Man
Released 2009 Director John Hamburg
Easily one of the best movies in Rudd’s long filmography, here he is the star, playing Peter Klaven, a Los Angeles real estate agent who pops the question to his girlfriend Zooey Rice (Rashida Jones), only to realize he has no guy friends to invite to the wedding or be his Best Man. After some awkward attempts at making new connections, he soon meets carefree investor Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), and the two hit it off right from the start. This is a comedy at heart but in truth, is a much more character-driven story with a lot of punch, with Rudd delivering big in given Peter an amazing sense of authenticity. Not at all what you think, this bromance comedy is not a raucous party movie but a sentimental film that makes for a must see, with Rudd proving he’s the guy that makes magic happen.