Ethan Hawke is a celebrated actor, writer and director, and also the father of Maya Hawke. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards, both for acting and writing. Working in genres such as drama, romantic comedy and horror, he has had an incredibly diverse career spanning from small budget indie films to major studio productions. Hawke’s first movie Explorers, in which he co-starred with River Phoenix. A few years later, his big break came through his role as Todd Anderson in Dead Poets Associationwhich also featured Robin Williams and Robert Sean Leonard.
More recently, Hawke has starred in such projects as Boyhoodwhich earned him an Oscar nomination, Marvel’s Moon Knightand The black telephone, based on a story by Stephen King’s son Joe Hill. Lately, Hawke has discussed how he feels he is approaching the end of his career. Talking to the Independent, he said: “I only have a limited number of films left.” As the possibility approaches that he decides to retire, now is the perfect time to reminisce about his back catalog. So, here are the nine best movies Ethan Hawke made in the 90s.
9/9 Search and destroy
In ninth place we have Search and destroy, a film about middle-aged Martin Mirkhein, a down-on-his-luck businessman. With a failed business and a failed marriage, he decides to film a successful self-help book. Hawke plays Roger, a smaller role, along with fellow cast members Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, and Martin Scorsese. The film is a satire that doesn’t seem to accomplish much of what it sets out to do, ending aimlessly due to its poor direction.
8/9 water country
water country depicts the story of an English teacher in Pittsburgh who recounts his experiences of World War II to a class of students. It’s directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal — yes, Jake and Maggie’s dad — and stars Jeremy Irons, Lena Headey, and Hawke. We get an unflinching view of a troubled past, and while it may not be entirely successful, the ambition of this adaptation is commendable in its own right. The performances in this movie are excellent and worth watching, even if it’s not a perfect movie.
7/9 Mysterious date
One of Hawke’s first 1990s films, Mysterious date follows his character Tom as he takes his neighbor’s house sitter, played by Teri Polo, on a date. Tom’s plans go horribly wrong when he is mistaken for his brother and harassed because of it. Things quickly start to get out of hand with this case of mistaken identity. The plot is messy and the movie is a bit rambunctious, but that doesn’t stop it from being incredibly fun. If you’re looking for a wild, campy ride, this is the movie for you.
6/9 The Newton Boys
Directed by Richard Linklater, this film marks the second collaboration between him and Hawke. The Newton Boys is the story of a group of brothers who became bank robbers in the 1920s to escape the poverty in which they grew up. The plot seems to promise action and violence, but this film focuses more on sibling relationships and historical detail, as you would expect from a Linklater production. There really is a lot of attention to detail here that invites you into the world of the film.
5/9 Reality bites
One of Hawke’s most famous 90s roles, Reality bites revolves around a group of young college graduates, with Winona Ryder playing a documentary filmmaker. The film’s lofty promise to make a definitive statement about Gen X’s experiences got in the way of audiences enjoying its charm. As Ben Stiller’s first directorial effort, it’s confidently crafted and well put together. Truly, the film is more enduring and relatable to anyone lost in life, no matter what generation they are, than the claim claimed.
4/9 Great expectations
This version of Great expectations is a modernized and Americanized adaptation directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Here we have Hawke as Finn and Gwyneth Paltrow as Estella, with Robert De Niro, Hank Azaria and Anne Bancroft rounding out the cast. Charles Dickens’ original story can be adapted endlessly, and this take is a new variation. With stunning visuals and a solid cast creating a tangible world for these characters to exist in, the movie delivers a timely update to a timeless story.
3/9 Gattaca
In a rare sci-fi turn from Hawke, Gattaca tells the story of a man considered genetically inferior, who works his way into the Gattaca space program. The film is a compelling discussion of genetic engineering and eugenics, driven by excellence. Speak against News week, Hawke said the film was right about “our overwhelming desire as a community and society to put people into labels.” The characters are well drawn and not forced into the backseat in favor of action or plot, as can happen in spectacle-driven action or sci-fi films.
2/9 slog
slog is a playful, low-budget film about an unemployed man who is literally struggling. It’s relatively unstructured and chatty, which gives the feeling that it could have been improvised, despite being the exact opposite. There are conversations about spirituality, morality and romance that ring true and stay with you after watching. While it couldn’t be less polished, the film has such a strong charm that any “mistakes” can be easily forgiven. If you like rambling, thoughtful and funny movies, you can’t go wrong with this one.
1/9 Before sunrise
First up comes Hawke’s first collaboration with Linklater: the undeniable classic, Before sunrise. Julie Delpy stars alongside Hawke as we follow the two through Vienna as they talk. The simplicity of the premise makes for an elegant and gripping story. It manages to be highly engaging without having any real plot beyond conversation. Hawke and Delpy have such charming screen presences that audiences fall for them the way they fall for each other. Before sunrise is one of the most romantic films of all time and is unbeatable as Hawke’s best film of the 90s.