Sam Mendes is an incredibly gifted and skilled director that is the talk of the movie industry right now thanks to the amazing movie, 1917. The one-shot film wowed audiences and is rightfully in many conversations for this awards season.
However, while the recent venture into World War One is deserved of its recognition, that isn't the only incredible film that he has been part of. Throughout his career, Mendes has built up a very solid library of movies that he has created. He has created incredible one-off movies, such as 1917, among other classics, while also playing a part in classic franchises such as James Bond. Here are his 10 greatest movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Spectre (63%)
We kickstart the list with Spectre, which was actually Sam Mendes' second stint in control of the James Bond franchise. He continued the plot from where things finished in Skyfall and picked up the action even further, with an incredible one-shot opening scene that was heavily praised.
Critics praised this movie for being "darker and more realistic" in comparison to other Bond films. However, it wasn't an overwhelmingly positive response as other critics claimed it "falls well short of the mark" and that it needs to "change the formula."
Things We Lost In The Fire (65%)
Things We Lost In The Fire is all about grief and loss, and how to deal with that. After Audrey Burke loses her husband in a violent act, she begins to form a relationship with his best friend, Jerry. He just happens to be addicted to drugs and has destroyed his life up to this point.
Despite the pairing being incredibly odd for both of them, they quickly find out that they're able to piece their lives back together with support from the other. It's a beautiful yet tragic movie and shows how people deal with loss and addiction all in one emotional swoop.
The Kite Runner (85%)
The Kite Runner was an adaptation of the incredibly popular book of the same name, created by Khaled Hosseini. The story takes place in the final days of Afghanistan's monarchy and tells a tale of fathers and sons. Set during a kite flying tournament, an unspeakable act changes the nature of Amir and his father forever.
Amir constantly then seeks redemption, returning to his war-torn native land to find peace. For many fans of the novel, this movie didn't quite hit the tone they'd been hoping for, with one critic claiming it was "possibly the most disappointing film of 2007."
Revolutionary Road (67%)
Bringing Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet back together for Revolutionary Road got the film off to a perfect start before it even began. Telling the tale of a young couple whose once-perfect relationship begins to deteriorate as they search for independence.
They eventually become what they fought hard to not be, a typical suburban family full of abandoned dreams. However, April hatches a plan to head for Paris in order to escape everything they have, which leads to huge conflict and two stunning individual performances.
Away We Go (68%)
Away We Go was another great movie by Sam Mendes, that may have sometimes been slightly uneven, but was incredibly heartfelt. Following the journey of an expectant couple as they travel the U.S. looking for the perfect place to start their family.
Throughout the journey, they find fresh connections and meet up with old friends to try and find their perfect home. It's a movie that might not have the most gripping plot, but it certainly is easy to connect with and find relatable, which is why so many viewers enjoyed it.
Road To Perdition (81%)
Any movie that has a cast boasting the likes of Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, and Paul Newman is always likely to be a hit. In that respect, Road To Perdition had a lot of pressure to live up to, and it certainly did that. Critics praise Sam Mendes for his work in this one, claiming it was "crisply edited" and "arty."
The movie focuses on a hitman for an Irish gang during the Depression-era, who is uncompromising in his work. However, he is equally devoted to being a family man and when those two worlds collide, it opens up a whole can of worms.
American Beauty (87%)
American Beauty may have sadly been tainted due to the situation involving Kevin Spacey's personal antics, but this film has remained a classic. In this film, Lester Burnham becomes intrigued and obsessed by a young girl named Angela, who happens to be friends with his daughter.
It leads him to make some major changes in his life in a movie that is simply beautifully put together. Critics heavily praised this film, claiming it is an "endlessly rewatchable black comedy," while labelling it "engrossing," "breathtakingly original," and "powerful."
1917 (89%)
Sam Mendes' most recent movie, 1917, has proven to be a huge hit amongst both audiences and critics alike. Taking inspiration from war stories told to him by his Grandfather, Mendes pieced together a story involving two soldiers crossing no-mans land during WW1 to stop the British Army falling into a trap.
Featuring an incredible mix of young, upcoming actors and well-established names, 1917 drags you into the heart of the action and makes you feel every single emotion along the way. With the entire movie being just one-shot, it was a huge risk by Mendes, but it was one that more than paid off for him.
Starter For 10 (90%)
Starter For 10 may not be the best-known movie on this list, but it is one of the most impressive, as the Rotten Tomatoes rating proves. This is a spirited coming-of-age movie that is incredibly charming and witty, even though it does have darker moments.
It's a romantic comedy but it doesn't fall into the typical traps that many in the genre do. With an amazing cast featuring some huge Hollywood names in the early stages of their career, the film was praised by critics for being "charming" and a "Pure feel-good romantic."
Skyfall (92%)
Sam Mendes took the reigns for a James Bond movie and he absolutely knocked it out of the park. There is always a major pressure whenever anybody takes charge of a 007 film, and he certainly made the most of that, taking on Daniel Craig's third stint as the British spy.
Continuing the story that had been in place from the previous two movies, Skyfall brought in a lot of Bond's history, with a very detailed storyline and plenty of action. Critics praised the movie for being "ambitious," with one claiming that it is the "best Craig Bond picture."