Paul Giamatti made his silver screen debut in the 1989 American horror film ‘I, Madman’ directed by Tibor Takács. Following his debut, he went on to star in films like ‘Past Midnight’ (1991), ‘Singles’ (1992), ‘Mighty Aphrodite’ (1995), ‘Before and After’ (1996), ‘Private Parts’ (1997), ‘Private Parts’ (1997), ‘The Truman Show’ (1998), and ‘Dr. Dolittle’ (1998). In 1998, he starred as ‘Sergeant William Hill’ in the American epic war film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg. The film saw universal acclaim upon release and came to be regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It was a major box office success and grossed over $485 million on a budget of $70 million. He was next seen in films such as ‘The Negotiator’ (1998), ‘Man on the Moon’ (1999), ‘Big Momma's House’ (2000), ‘Storytelling’ (2001), ‘Planet of the Apes’ (2001), ‘Big Fat Liar’ (2002), ‘American Splendor’ (2003), ‘Paycheck’ (2003), ‘Sideways’ (2004), and ‘Robots’ (2005). Giamatti received an ‘Academy Award’ nomination for his portrayal of ‘Joe Gould’ in the 2005 American biographical sports drama film ‘Cinderella Man’ directed by Ron Howard. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics and currently holds an 88% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes. He next starred in films like ‘Asterix and the Vikings’ (2006), ‘The Illusionist’ (2006), ‘The Ant Bully’ (2006), ‘The Nanny Diaries’ (2007), ‘Fred Claus’ (2007), ‘Pretty Bird’ (2008), ‘Duplicity’ (2009), and ‘The Last Station’ (2009).
In 2010, he played the role of ‘Barney Panofsky’ in the Richard J. Lewis-directed Canadian comedy-drama film ‘Barney's Version.’ The film opened to a positive reception and received a 78% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes. Giamatti also won the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for his performance in the film. He continued to star in films like ‘Ironclad’ (2011), ‘The Ides of March’ (2011), ‘Rock of Ages’ (2012), ‘Cosmopolis’ (2012), ‘Turbo’ (2013), ‘Romeo & Juliet’ (2013), ‘12 Years a Slave’ (2013), ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ (2013), ‘River of Fundament’ (2014), and ‘Madame Bovary’ (2014). He portrayed ‘Dr. Eugene Landy’ in the 2014 American biographical drama film ‘Love & Mercy’ directed by Bill Pohlad. The film holds an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He was next seen in films like ‘Straight Outta Compton’ (2015), ‘April and the Extraordinary World’ (2016), ‘Morgan’ (2016), ‘I Think We're Alone Now’ (2018), ‘The Catcher Was a Spy’ (2018), ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ (2021), and ‘A Mouthful of Air’ (2021). He last appeared in the 2022 two-part American documentary film ‘Benjamin Franklin’ directed by Ken Burns.
After three of the Ryan brothers are killed in combat, Captain John Miller receives orders to find the last sibling, paratrooper James Francis Ryan, who is fighting somewhere in Normandy, and bring him back to his mother. Without knowing if he is still alive, Miller leads eight men behind enemy lines in a heroic show of courage.
Truman Burbank leads a simple life in the seaside town of Seahaven Island when he realises that his life is actually the subject of a television show broadcasted round the clock and all the people around him are actors. The island itself is a huge set with thousands of hidden cameras.
The movie is adapted from the memoirs of Solomon Northup, an Afro-American violinist who lived freely in New York in 1841 when two conmen kidnapped and sold him into slavery. For twelve years, he is forced to work in plantations and bear the abusive behaviour of his masters. His hope for release comes when he meets Canadian abolitionist Bass.
Miles is a divorced teacher, an oenophile and struggling writer whose manuscript is under consideration. Jack is a faded actor who is getting married and wants one last fling. The two, just a week before marriage, set out on a road trip in wine country, meet Maya and Stephanie and arrange a double date. However, trouble begin when Miles reveals that Jack is about to be married.
This biographical film depicts the rags-to-riches story of boxer James J. Braddock who was forced to give up boxing and take a menial job to survive after fracturing his hand amidst the Great Depression. However, given another opportunity, he stages a major comeback and becomes a symbol of hope by claiming the Heavyweight Championship title.
The film is based on the real story of FBI agent Joe Pistone who goes undercover as Donnie Brasco to spy on mob life in New York and befriends gangster Lefty Ruggiero. However, his prolonged absence breaks apart his marriage, the mafia begins to suspect a mole in the gang, and he becomes attached to his friend Lefty.
Set in Vienna, 1889, The Illusionist is a romantic mystery movie that follows the story of magician Eisenheim the Illusionist. Hunted by Chief Inspector Walter Uhl, he uses his skills to save his own and Duchess Sophie von Teschen’s lives from the tyrant Crown Prince Leopold.
After promising his daughters to make a movie on their favorite book, Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers, Walt Disney unsuccessfully attempts to obtain its movie rights for two decades. However, an overprotective Travers is determined not to let him bastardize her widely-loved creation, until she runs into financial problems and risks losing her house.
The biographical drama tells the story of American comedy legend Andy Kaufman. The movie celebrates Kaufman’s unparalleled talent and enigmatic journey and from a small-time performer to landing the series Taxi, to creating the character of Tony Clifton, to his kayfabe feud with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, until his untimely death from lung cancer.
Love and Mercy is a biographical drama film, revolving around the life of Brian Wilson, co-founder and leader of the rock band The Beach Boys. The film mainly focuses on the days when he struggled with his mental illness.
This comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen also stars him in the lead as a successful writer named Harry Block. It follows Block on his way to receive an honorary degree from the university which once threw him out. Accompanying him on the drive are a prostitute, a friend and his son.
In an elaborate conspiracy, expert hostage negotiator, Lieutenant Danny Roman, is framed for the murder of his friend who had confided in him that members of their own unit were embezzling money from the department's disability fund. In order to clear his name, he takes the suspect, investigator Terence Niebaum, hostage to gain time to unearth the truth.
Mighty Aphrodite is a fantasy comedy film, which tells the story of Lenny and Amanda who adopt a child, who turns out to be a genius. Assuming his biological parents to be brilliant as well, they seek out the child’s birth mother. However, they are astonished when they find out that his biological mother is a porn star and a prostitute.
Win Win is a 2011 sports drama film revolving around a struggling lawyer, who decides to take advantage of his elderly client, who is a wrestling coach. However, the former’s life changes, when his client’s grandson arrives.
American Splendor is a comedy drama film, which tells the story of Harvey Pekar, who works as a file clerk at a local hospital. After meeting an art and music enthusiast, he gets inspired to write his own brand of comic book series.
Famed novelist Leo Tolstoy gets into an argument with his wife over the rights to Tolstoy’s literary legacy. His wife believes that he should bequeath them to her, but Tolstoy’s chief disciple believes that the rights should belong to the people of Russia.
An adaptation of Beau Willimon's 2008 play Farragut North, the film The Ides of March tells the story of Stephen Meyers, a young man who is the junior campaign manager for Governor Mike Morris, a candidate in the Democratic presidential primary.
This comedy drama film revolves around the life of the politically incorrect, impulsive and fearless Barney Panofsky, his relationships and marriages with multiple women, and how he raises his children.
Adapted from Howard Stern’s autobiographical book, the film follows the life and career of the radio star. After a difficult childhood, Stern studies communications with dreams of becoming a radio disc-jockey. In Washington, he forms a successful work-partnership with Robin Quivers, and also grabs attention of radio-fans with his trademark outrageous style, which soon leads him to his top position at New York’s WNBC.
This drama film tells two different stories about anger, depression and frustration issues among the youths of today.
Orson Welles tries to stage a musical titled ‘The Cradle Will Rock’, which is about a labor strike, but he receives pressure from an establishment who feels that it will cause unrest.
This comedy drama road film revolves around several people, who are unknown to each other, but the only thing common between them is their passion for karaoke. When they learn about a karaoke competition, they make their way to it, to sing and hopefully connect with the audience.
A romantic comedy set in the Seattle of the grunge music era, the film follows interrelated stories of a group of young adults in their 20s, living in the same apartment building. The singles, who are in search of love and success, are at an interesting phase of their lives where each individual's relationship takes an intriguing turn.
Shoot 'Em Up follows carrot-crunching gunman Mr. Smith who saves a baby from assassins. He then teams up with prostitute Donna Quintano, to keep the baby Oliver safe from head assassin Hertz and others while uncovering a plot by Senator Rutledge, who plans to use the baby’s bone marrow.
Peter Parker is busy fighting petty criminals and despite his feelings for Gwen Stacy, decides to end their relationship to keep his promise to her late father. His friend Harry inherits his father's company Oscorp, as well as a genetic disease that eventually turns him into the Green Goblin, while the mysterious Electro emerges to threaten the city.
Jake Vig, a professional grifter, chooses a wrong mark in last scam that backfires; which lands him in trouble with mob-boss King. To repay his money, Jake must pull off the most difficult con involving Morgan Price, banker in cohort with organized crime. As Jake gets set, Special Agent Gunther Butan revives his hunt for Jake, making things near impossible for him.
The second installment of The Hangover trilogy, the film tells the story of four friends, Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug, who visit Thailand, for Stu’s wedding. Stu plans for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, but nothing goes as planned, which leads to a hangover, with no memory of their previous night.
Parkland is a historical drama film which recounts the chaotic events that occurred at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital, after US President John F Kennedy is assassinated on 22nd November 1963.
Paul is an actor who becomes quite attached to the characters that he portrays. Therefore he finds it trouble disassociating himself from the character after the scene is done. He soon discovers an office where he can put his soul in storage. However, it seems to him that being soulless doesn’t help him or his marriage. Therefore, he returns to the office and borrows the soul of a Russian poet. This helps him improve his acting, but eventually he finds himself in deep sorrow.
Sabrina Fairchild, the Larabee family chauffeur's daughter, loves David, the younger Larrabee son. Linus, his older brother, has business interests in David's marriage to a billionaire. In a bid to save it, Linus diverts Sabrina's affections to himself and ends up falling in love with her.
A new drug is able to give out-of-body experiences to its users, but it has one drawback: some people return no longer human. Meanwhile, an otherworldly invasion of the Earth is also underway and it is up to two college drop-outs to save humanity.
This action drama film takes us to thirteenth-century England. It revolves around a small band of dedicated Knights Templar who try to defend Rochester Castle against the forces of King John, who is known for his tyranny.
Annie Braddock, a just-graduated New Jersey girl, gets hired as nanny by wealthy Manhattan family, the X’s. She soon discovers that it’s not easy working for the dysfunctional family, manage her bratty charge Grayer and still maintain her sanity. Knowing that the previous nanny was fired for dating; can she possibly think about the neighborhood guy who is showing interest in her?
Duplicity is a romantic crime comedy film, which revolves around two ex-government agents who are now working as industrial spies for rival companies. They both try to be at the top of their game, when one of their companies try to launch a major product.
San Andreas revolves around a 9.1 magnitude earthquake caused by the San Andreas Fault that devastates Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ray Gaines, an L.A.F.D. rescue pilot must travel through the devastated cities to bring his wife and daughter to safety while trying to survive the destruction and another 9.6 magnitude earthquake.
In this fantasy drama, a water nymph – Story – is discovered in the swimming pool of an apartment complex by the building superintendent, Cleveland Heep. She is in this world for a purpose after which she has to return to the Blue World. However, an evil wolf creature, scrunt, is after her and it is now up to Heep and a group of other apartment people to ensure her safe return.
This musical comedy film revolves around two friends, Sherrie, a small-town girl and Drew, a city boy, who try to pursue their dreams of becoming famous musicians. With each other’s help, they are able to navigate through the challenges of the music industry.
Julianne Potter realizes her love for best friend Michael O’Neal only after learning that he is marrying Kimberly Wallace in four days. She decides to confide in Michael, but unable to do so, tries her best to break their wedding. However, Julianne is appointed maid of honor and Kimberly turns out to be an impeccable lady, which makes her task more complicated.
Morgan is a science fiction horror thriller film which tells the story of Morgan, a human hybrid being worked on by a research company. However, the scientists soon come to know that she has a vicious side as well. But before she can be contained, she kills the researchers and makes her escape.
While searching for his co-worker chimpanzee, astronaut Leo Davidson accidentally travels through vast space and time to reach a planet ruled by talking apes that treat primitive humans as slaves. Supported by the sympathetic chimpanzee Ari, he rallies a small group of human rebels against the ape army of human-hating General Thade and his associate Colonel Attar.
Romeo and Juliet meet by chance and fall for one another, despite the fact that their families are enemies. However, this romance leads to a chain of events which might change the fate and the lives of both families forever.
Madame Bovary is a romantic drama film which tells the story of a young girl named Emma Bovary, who impulsively marries a young doctor in order to get away from her father’s pig farm. However, over time, she gets bored of with her husband and her marriage, and she begins to seek excitement outside the bonds of marriage.
Santa Claus’s elder brother, Fred, ends up in jail for stealing. Santa agrees to bail him out on a condition that he will come to the North Pole and help him make toys for Christmas.
Dennis is able to get out of prison on parole after serving four years for a theft. He learns that his wife Theresa told his daughter that he has passed away. Regardless, he wants to buy his daughter the piano that she wants. Therefore, he takes up a job of selling Christmas trees, hoping that his daughter can finally receive the gift she has always wanted.
In this family comedy, 14-year-old Jason Shephard, a pathological liar, is determined to get Marty Wolf, a cunning Hollywood producer, to confess that his latest blockbuster movie is based on a story he stole from Jason.
Special agent Malcolm Turner, an expert at disguise, is assigned to nab an escaped bank-robber. The criminal is expected to meet his ex-girlfriend Sherry who may have a part of the loot. Sherry is about to visit her long-separated granny in Georgia. So, with disguise tricks, Malcolm turns into oversized, belligerent Southern Granny Big Momma, and carries his role to perfection.
The film tells the story of a 28-year old billionaire asset manager, whose day devolves into his destruction, as he faces marital woes, health problems as well as financial crisis.
Patrick Smash is a young boy who is suffering from uncontrollable flatulence. Thankfully, his best friend not only lacks a sense of smell, but he also finds out a way to harness Patrick’s power to win an unpowered flight competition and also to help NASA in an important rescue mission.
Celestine is a young mouse living in the underground world of rodents. She soon forms an unlikely friendship with a bear named Ernest.
The Little Prince is an animated fantasy film, which revolves around a little girl, who is taken by her neighbor, the Aviator, to a magical world, the world of the Little Prince.
Rodney Copperbottom is an aspiring inventor in a world full of sentient robots. He idolizes Bigweld, a famous inventor whose Bigweld Industries makes spare parts. Unfortunately, in Bigweld’s absence, the new owner Phineas T. Ratchet has stopped making spare parts in favor of expensive upgrades. Rodney must find a way to contact Bigweld and stop Rachet.
Theo is a garden snail who calls himself Turbo and dreams of becoming the greatest racer in the world. When a freak accident infuses his DNA with nitrous oxide, he gains super speed. Now Turbo enters the famed Indianapolis 500 to fulfill his destiny but a villainous racer Gagné stands in his way.
The Congress is a science fiction drama film which tells the story of an aging actress, who agrees to preserve her digital likeness for a studio so that it might be used in any future films. However, the consequences of her decision begin to affect her in unexpected ways.
A group of Vikings raid a small village named Gaul, and kidnaps the nephew of the chief. The chief decides to take the help of Asterix and Obelix and asks them to bring back his nephew. However, things get complicated as the nephew has started having feelings for the daughter of the Viking chief.
The Ant Bully is an animated adventure comedy film, which tells the story of Lucas who is being bullied a boy bigger than him. Lucas takes out his frustration on an innocent colony of ants, flooding it with his water gun. Things take a turn when he is magically shrunken down to the size of an insect.
A mechanic joins forces with a robot to save the galaxy from an evil scientist.
Reverse-engineer Michael Jennings is routinely hired to break-up rival company’s technology, after which he has his short-term memory erased. After completing a 3-year job with promises of millions, he is left without money and the authorities are chasing him for treason and murder. He has only limited time and few apparently unrelated items to solve the mystery of his erased 3 years.
Before and After is a crime drama mystery film which tells the story Carolyn and Ben, a married couple, whose lives take an ugly turn when their son Jacob become the prime suspect in a murder case. Ben wants to protect their son at any cost, but Carolyn is intent on learning whether her son is guilty or not.
Dr. Doolittle, a noted surgeon, hits his head on the windshield while swerving his car to avoid running over a dog. It triggers in him a long dormant gift, enabling him to understand what animals and birds are saying and communicate with them. Although initially skeptical, he finally learns to appreciate his gifts and starts treating both animals and humans.
Paul Giamatti Awards
| Barney's Version | Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical | 2011 |
| John Adams | Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television | 2009 |
| John Adams | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | 2008 |
