Taking a Look at Morgan Freeman's Best Roles as He Defies His Age and Continues to Deliver Marvelous Performances

One can often tell that an actor is aging by measuring the dip in their performances, but the same cannot be said for Morgan Freeman. Aged 80 and active since 1964, he is a perfectionist. He is recognized by his distinctive voice, which frequently makes him a preferable choice for narration. He is set to receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2018 after being nominated for the fifth time.

He puts in a great deal of effort into his work and understands each character he plays. Over the years, he has starred in well known films and has mesmerized everyone with his flawless acting, even in supporting roles. Furthermore, he is consistent with it. He was nominated five times for The Academy Awards and six times for The Golden Globe Awards, winning both once. Let's have a look at some of his best played roles that he is admired worldwide for.

The Shawshank Redemption

This film, directed by Frank Darabont, is arguably one of the best movies of all time, and Freeman's authoritative presence and demeanor went a long way in making it so. His character 'Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding' was so well acted that the movie left us in tears.

"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."

He was the only friend of Andy Dufresne at Shawshank. After being paroled, he struggles to adapt to life outside prison and fears he never will. But he doesn't succumb to his fears like Brooks, the librarian. He remembered his promise to Andy, and when they meet again at Zihuatanejo our hearts are lifted.

Million Dollar Baby

The film won the Academy Award for the Best Picture and Freeman was awarded the Academy Award for the Best Supporting Actor for this film in 2005. He played the role of 'Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris', a gym assistant and former boxer. He is the one who encourages Maggie to continue with boxing and prods Frankie to coach her.

"If there's magic in boxing, it's the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It's the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you."

Although in a supporting role, Freeman's dedication to acting could be clearly seen through his well-portrayed role. It's no wonder he won a well deserved Oscar.

Se7en

David Fincher's thriller starred some phenomenal actors like Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman. In this movie, Freeman played the role of William Somerset, a retiring detective who partnered with a recently transferred detective, David Mills, to take down a serial killer.

"I didn't say I was different or better. I'm not. Hell, I sympathize; I sympathize completely. Apathy is the solution. I mean, it's easier to lose yourself in drugs than it is to cope with life. It's easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It's easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work."

The last few scenes of the movie were inexplicably terrifying. Especially when John Doe revealed to Mills that he killed his pregnant wife out of envy. Somerset opened the box, and in horror, tried to convince Mills not to kill Doe. But the revelation was too much for Mills and he shot him six times, thus completing Doe's seventh murder.

Now You See Me

An American heist thriller film finds Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley, a former magician who tries to help the police to catch a group of four magicians. He is framed by the magicians at the end and sent to jail thereafter. However, in the sequel, we find that Thaddeus was actually a member of The Eye.

"Seeing is believing, but is it truth? Depends on your point-of-view. Are you listening, horsemen? When you emerge, and you will, I will be there... waiting. Because mark my words, you will get what's coming to you... in ways you can't expect... but very much deserved. Because one thing I believe in is an eye for an eye. "

Although Freeman is in limited scenes in the two movies, his acting was influential. But most importantly, it was his voice which stole the limelight.