With a film, television, and stage career spanning several decades, actor Matthew Modine has showcased his talent in a range of roles. From intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, Modine has earned acclaim for his versatility and depth. He won his first award at the Venice Film Festival, sharing the Best Actor award for Robert Altman’s Streamers. In 2023, the Roxy Cinema celebrated Modine in a film retrospective, screening some of his most memorable performances in films such as Cutthroat Island, The Blackout, If… Dog… Rabbit, and Equinox.
Modine, an NYFA board member, has visited the campus many times to share his experiences with students. On Wednesday, March 27th, Modine will be working with Spring 2024 graduating Acting for Film students at NYFA New York on their final monologues.
A Comprehensive Dive Into Matthew Modine’s Filmography
In addition to his iconic roles in classic films such as Full Metal Jacket and Married to the Mob, Matthew Modine has directed a series of movies including If… Dog… Rabbit, I Am What You Imagine, and Matthew Modine’s Ripple Effect. His production credits include The Fuse, Accidental Truth: UFO Revelations, and My Love Affair with Marriage. He recently played Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at London’s Gielgud Theatre.
One of his latest films, Downwind (2023), is a powerful documentary that discusses the lasting impacts of nuclear testing on American soil. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film describes the danger of nuclear testing, which has contributed to the deaths of people living “downwind” of testing sites, in states such as states of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. The documentary is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Ironically, when discussing Matthew Modine’s filmography, the first film on the list tackles the subject matter directly. Image via Roxy Cinema.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Christopher Nolan, known for high-profile films such as Inception, Interstellar, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Dunkirk, stunned audiences with Oppenheimer. The film tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the American theoretical physicist who played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Modine starred as engineer and inventor Vannevar Bush, joining the exceptionally talented cast that includes Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, and Cillian Murphy, as J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film won several Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.
Vision Quest (1985)
In Vision Quest, Modine shines as Louden Swain, a high school wrestler determined to achieve his goal of competing in the state championship. Modine’s portrayal captures Swain’s resilience, determination, and vulnerability as he navigates the challenges of adolescence and pursues his dreams. Through Modine’s performance, viewers are drawn into Swain’s journey of self-discovery, growth, and the pursuit of excellence on and off the wrestling mat. The film’s cast includes Forest Whitaker, Daphne Zuniga, and Ronny Cox.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket, the legendary 1987 war film directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a loose book-to-movie adaptation of the novel “The Short-Timers” by Gustav Hasford. The Oscar-nominated movie is divided into two distinct parts, each depicting a different phase of the Vietnam War experience.
The film, with graphic and deeply emotional scenes, explores themes of dehumanization, the psychological effects of war, the duality of human nature, and the impact of military training. It is renowned for its stark portrayal of the war and its examination of the traumatic effects of combat training. Modine calls the continued appreciation of the 30-year-old film “a rare occurrence.”
“It’s quite extraordinary to have been a part of a film like that, to have had the extraordinary pleasure and honor of working with a director like Stanley Kubrick,” Modine said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Image via Slash Films.
The Short Films of Matthew Modine (2013)
The Short Films of Matthew Modine documents Modine’s history as a short filmmaker. The feature includes various short films from his career, including When I Was A Boy, co-directed with Todd Field, Smoking, written by David Sedaris, Ecce Pirate, To Kill An American, I Think I Thought, and the award-winning Jesus Was A Commie.
“There’s a progression as a filmmaker, stylistically, and strength of cinematic storytelling,” Modine said in an article for Entertainment Weekly regarding the short film feature. “And if there’s something about them, it is about forgiveness and acceptance. That’s the one common thread that runs through each of them.”
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
When discussing Matthew Modine’s filmography, one can’t forget his appearance in the Batman universe. In The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan’s epic conclusion to his Batman trilogy, Matthew Modine portrays Deputy Commissioner Peter Foley. Foley, a loyal and dedicated member of the Gotham City Police Department, initially supports Commissioner Gordon’s efforts to maintain order.
However, as chaos engulfs Gotham, Foley finds himself grappling with moral dilemmas and facing the harsh realities of corruption within the city’s institutions. Modine captures Foley’s internal struggle amidst the escalating conflict. Nolan is one of many incredible directors that Modine has worked with, as well as Robert Altman, Alan Parker, John Sayles, and Oliver Stone. Image via IMDB.
Birdy (1984)
In Birdy, Modine delivers a poignant performance as the titular character. Birdy, a young Vietnam War veteran struggling with severe trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, undergoes a journey of healing and self-discovery. Through Modine’s nuanced acting, audiences experience Birdy’s deep connection to birds and his descent into a world of obsession and escapism. Set in Philadelphia, the film also co-stars the Oscar-winning Nicolas Cage as Al Columbato. The movie won the Grand Prize of the Jury at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.
Modine visited the NYFA campus for an exclusive screening of the 1984 film. The film was followed by a Q&A session with Modine, moderated by NYFA Screenwriting instructor, Eric Conner. During the event, Modine poignantly described his relationship with acting.
“The only moment that an actor can completely control is between ‘action’ and ‘cut’… that’s your moment… Everything else is out of your control. The editing. The distribution. It’s all out of your control. I worked just as hard on the successful films I’ve made as I did on the films that weren’t successful—what’s the lesson? Simple, always do your very best … work really hard and be present and, if you’re lucky, it all comes together.”
Married to the Mob (1988)
In Married to the Mob, directed by Jonathan Demme, Modine plays Mike Downey, an undercover FBI agent tasked with infiltrating the world of organized crime. Modine brings charm and wit to the role, portraying Downey as a charismatic agent caught between his duty and his growing affection for Angela de Marco, played by Michelle Pfeiffer.
His performance adds to the film’s comedic elements while highlighting the complexities of loyalty and love in crime and law enforcement. The film co-stars Alec Baldwin and Dean Stockwell, who was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Image via IMDB.
Cutthroat Island (1995)
In 1995, Modine starred in Cutthroat Island alongside Geena Davis. An adventure swashbuckler film directed by Renny Harlin, the film featured Modine as William Shaw, a con artist and thief. Davis played his opposite as pirate Morgan Adams in search of a buried treasure. The film, a part of the previously mentioned retrospective at the Roxy Cinema, was presented on 35mm film, and preceded by Modine’s award-winning short film, I Am What You Imagine.
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Any Given Sunday features Modine as Dr. Ollie Powers, a team physician for the Miami Sharks football team. Modine brings gravitas and professionalism to the film, portraying Powers as a dedicated medical professional committed to the players’ well-being. His character’s presence adds authenticity to the film’s portrayal of the intense physical and emotional challenges faced by athletes in the high-stakes world of professional football. The film co-stars NYFA Guest Speaker Al Pacino, Oliver Stone, Jaime Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Dennis Quaid.
Matthew Modine in Television
In addition to his roles in film, Modine has an established career in television One of his most iconic roles, of course, is Dr. Martin Brenner (aka Papa) on Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Modine has also appeared in several episodes of the 2019 thriller Sanctuary as Dr. Fisher, Idiotsitter as Dr. J. Lowe, and Proof as Ivan Turing. He also appeared in the popular series Weeds as Sullivan Groff and in The CW series The Bedford Diaries as Professor Jake Macklin. Over the years, Modine has also been on hit TV shows including Law and Order SVU and The West Wing. Image via NME.
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