It may have taken a slog across the treacherous terrain of Middle-earth for him to break into
the mainstream, but what a way to do it.
Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’ll be counting down the top 10 performances by
actor Martin Freeman.
For this this list, we’re looking at the most entertaining, impactful and significant
roles by British actor Martin Freeman, from both film and TV, but we’re not including
small roles or cameos.
Isn’t that right Martin?
Rom coms are often littered with complex love triangles and intertwined stories - and “Love
Actually” is no different.
However, the relationship between John and Judy is hardly what you’d call average.
Posing as body doubles for sex scenes, they instantly hit it off, engaging in friendly
chit chat whilst in the act.
Although totally comfortable with each other naked, they struggle to break the awkward
romantic tension when clothed.
Freeman is as charming and awkward as ever, and his nervy mannerisms suit
the position, perfectly.
This film delivers a surprisingly insightful look at the balance between dreams and reality.
Freeman plays a musician, who with his glory days behind him, has reverted to writing throwaway
jingles.
Underwhelmed with his career - and his failing marriage - he becomes obsessed with a woman
he has been dreaming about, and tries to discover new ways to sleep for as long as possible.
This leading performance strips away some of the self-deprecating comedy Freeman’s
known for, and instead gives us a true-to-life, genuinely touching character who’s unhappy
with the way his life’s turned out.
To
the frustration of organising a children’s play next, and Freeman’s role as a bitter,
underachieving primary school teacher.
A former wannabe actor and all-out hater of Christmas, Mr Maddens is tasked with putting
together a Nativity play in order to compete against
a rival school.
Here, Freeman hangs up his usually sprightly boots to play a somewhat miserable, uptight
cynic, but to hilarious ends.
It may only be a family comedy, but he nails it.
And let’s be honest, you can totally see him as a teacher.
To a hidden gem next and Martin’s part in a sketch show written by the likes of David
Mitchell, Robert Webb, Richard Ayoade and Ricky Gervais.
Appearing in numerous skits where he plays the likes of a paranoid bloke who thinks people
are always judging him, an unimpressed James Bond and a douchebag builder, this early gig
gave the actor an opportunity to stretch his legs and refine his awkward, but bang on comic
timing.
Some of the series’ best sketches are all down to Freeman.
People can change a lot after school, but some stay exactly the same.
“The World’s End” sees a group of mates return to their hometown for what turns out
to be an out of this world pub crawl.
Freeman is front and centre in the mismatched rabble, playing the successful, but slightly
out of touch, Bluetooth-headset sporting Oliver.
The sensible, suit-and-tie persona is right up Freeman’s street, and similar to his
role in “Nativity!”, he pulls off the boring, goody two shoes part eerily well.
To
another extra-terrestrial outing and Freeman’s incredibly British take on surviving space
- whilst wearing a dressing gown.
As always, Freeman excels at playing the everyman, and when he winds up on an alien spacecraft
with otherworldly beings, he does what any of us would do - he panics.
Bouncing off an awesome supporting cast, including Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel and Mos Def,
it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role.
For many of us, this was our first Freeman fix.
A witty, likeable sales rep who’s too insecure to actually explore his own potential, Tim's
probably the most relatable character in the show.
The character’s real charm comes in his will-they-won't-they relationship with receptionist
Dawn.
Clearly infatuated but too self-conscious to ever do anything about it, it’s a classic
office romance.
Framed by the show's mockumentary format, the whole thing is exceptionally cringe, but
realistic too.
And Freeman cracks his fair share of jokes as well.
To
an 'unexpected journey’ with an unlikely hero, as Freeman plays hobbit adventurer Bilbo
Baggins in this “Lord of the Rings” prequel trilogy.
Another average guy, sort of, who has greatest thrust upon him, Bilbo is initially recruited
by Gandalf as a burglar.
The three films ultimately act as a coming of age for the young, well 50-year-old, Bilbo,
as he gains courage, learns how to fight and becomes fixated with a certain golden ring.
And Freeman plays it effortlessly, with his trademark aloofness helping to define the
tone of the trilogy.
Coming in at a close second is Freeman’s critically-acclaimed role in the first series
of “Fargo”, a TV adaptation based on the Coen Brothers’ 1996 film.
Lester is a weedy, down on his luck insurance salesman with a verbally-abusive wife, but
when a deadly drifter breezes through town, everything changes.
Unanimously praised for his performance, and earning a Primetime Emmy nomination, his character
morphs throughout the series, ultimately becoming a bit of an antihero.
And get a load of the accent.
To the part Freeman was seemingly born to play - right hand man to the world famous
Sherlock Holmes - in this highly-praised BBC Show.
Alongside the self-proclaimed “high-functioning sociopath”, it’s vital for ex-army doctor
Watson to be the composed voice of reason, playing devil’s advocate to Holmes’ usually
wild ideas.
And Freeman plays the straight-arrow flawlessly, nervously chiming in at the first sight of
one of Holmes’ unpredictable methods.
Allowing us to approach each case through the eyes of a normal person, Watson brings
a sense of order to their wild adventures.