10 Richard Gere movies that prove he’s more than just a pretty face

Richard Gere is an American actor who achieved success by starring in movies like Days of Heaven and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. The actor found fame by starring in American Gigolo that pressed upon him the stamp of a handsome leading man who can take on romantic roles. However, the actor has also proves his diversity by starring in more heavy movies like Primal Fear, Chicago, Arbitrage, and others. Some of his classics include Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, and An Officer and a Gentleman. Here are 10 of his best movies that prove that Richard Gere has immense acting prowess.

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Time out of Mind, Primal Fear, and other movies featuring Richard Gere

1. Arbitrage

Directed by Nicholas Jarecki and starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, and others, this crime drama movie is about a New York City hedge fund manager, Robert Miller (Gere). The film focusses on the personal and professional problems that he gets into as he nears retirement. Richard Gere lends an air if urgency and tension to the thriller as his character Miller, has committed financial fraud and must now cover up and settle things to avoid being arrested. The movie is stylish and evenly paced and Gere slips into the role seamlessly. The movie is thrilling and has an efficient number of twists and turns as Gere’s miller tries to save himself from troubles. The actor is the highlight of the movie and he emotes his characters’ complexities well. Gere proves that he can showcase his prowess in acting even after all the years and he got a Golden Globe nomination for this one.

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2. Primal Fear

Starring Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney, and others, this legal mystery and crime thriller is directed by Gregory Hoblit and is based on the novel of the same name by William Diehl. The movie was a critical and commercial success and focusses on a Chicago based high-handed defense attorney, Martin Vail (Gere), who takes on a case where an Archbishop is found murdered and a 19-year-old altar boy is accused of the crime. Vail decides to defend the boy, who is prone to amnesia and stutters. The movie has plenty of twists and turns and is a solid legal drama that is rarely seen on screen nowadays. Richard Gere proves that he not just made for romantic movies and embodies the role of the suave and arrogant lawyer with ease. He also portrays the moral ambiguities of his character while also feeling sympathetic towards his client and showing a hint of sympathy. The movie has suspense, intrigue, and a classic ending and is therefore one of Gere’s most popular movies.

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3. Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Directed by Richard Brooks who also wrote the film, this crime drama is based on the novel of the same name by Judith Rossner and is inspired by the real-life murder of a New York City schoolteacher Roseann Quinn. The movie features Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, William Atherton, and others. The movie was a raging success among viewers and critics and focusses on the life of a young schoolteacher, Theresa Dunn (Diane Keaton), who is trying to find freedom after being repressed at home. Richard Gere plays the role of Tony, who is one of the men whom Theresa has an affair with. The movie was Gere’s debut film and the actor impressively steals every scene he is in, even if he is in a supporting role along with an ensemble cast. The actor possesses vitality and takes on the toxic nature of his character as he plays an Italian American who becomes increasingly brutal.

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4. Time out of Mind

Starring Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Steve Buscemi, and others, this drama movie is directed by Oren Moverman and focusses on the mild but confused George (Gere), who lives in New York City and gets into all sorts of trouble as he is mentally ill and homeless. The movie is poignant and Richard Gere sheds his glamorous image to play a gritty and somber character who heartbreakingly rambles around the chaos of the city and tries to reconnect with his daughter while also searching for a place to say. The movie also introduces another homeless man, played by Ben Vereen, who becomes friends with Gere’s character George and tries to uplift him. The movie proves that Gere has the acting chops to portray an emotionally heavy character and emote all the complexities of a troubled man. The movie is one of the actor’s underrated films and showcases his bare acting power.

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5. An Officer and a Gentleman

Directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger, and others, this romantic drama movie is about Zack Mayo (Gere), a US Navy Aviation Officer Candidate who is training in the Aviation school. The film focusses on his life as he falls for a woman named Paula (Winger) while also coming into conflict with the strict Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (Louis Gossett), who is training his class. The movie was a smash hit with the viewers and critics and Richard Gere is in his element as he plays a dashing officer in a romantic drama. The actor is known for the romantic genre and therefore, Gere is in his prime in the movie. The film has lots of drama and is a dedicated look into the life of an upcoming officer who wants to balance work and love. One of Gere’s classic movies, the film has a feel-good feeling and the actor gives a stellar performance.

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6. American Gigolo

Starring Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Hector Elizondo, and others, this neo-noir crime drama is directed and written by Paul Schrader and focusses on an elite male escort living in Los Angeles, Julian Kay (Gere), who only entertains upper-class women. However, his life of luxury and easy turns around when he finds himself in the midst of a murder case, of whom, he is the prime suspect. The movie is one of the foremost movies in Richard Gere’s filmography and is the movie that established him as the leading man in Hollywood and made him a sex symbol. The movie is stylish from start to the end and Gere easily slips into the role. The actor’s wardrobe in the movie was a hit with the viewers after the film released and Gere embodies the cool panache of his character Julian. But Gere also perfectly portrays the urgency of Julian when he is trying to clear his name. This one is a Richard Gere classic.

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7. The Cotton Club

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on a book of the same name by James Haskins, this musical crime drama features Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Nicolas Cage, and others. The movie is set in the 1930s around the titular Harlem Jazz Club where a jazz musician named Dixie Dwyer (Gere), saves the life of a mobster called Dutch Schultz (James Remar). The kingpin decides to put him under his wings but trouble begins when Dixie begins to fall for Dutch’s girlfriend. While the movie received mixed reviews, it did fare well with the critics. The movie has style and is an underrated Coppola movie. It has a bevy of enigmatic stars in the cast and Richard Gere holds his own well among them. The actor proves that he can stand out among an ensemble as well. Gere is seen in a different avatar in the movie and portrays the charm, humbleness, and action, that is required of his character at different moments.

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8. Pretty Woman

Starring Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, and others, this romantic comedy movie is a classic and was a smash hit with the viewers and critics when it was released. Not only did it catapult Julia Roberts to international fame, but it also solidified the romantic and handsome charisma that Richard Gere is known for. Directed by Gary Marshall, the film has a far-fetched yet simple premise. It revolves around a kind escort Vivian Ward (Roberts), who becomes a muse for the wealthy businessman Edward Lewis (Gere). Over a period of one week, the two fall for each other and must decide the future of their relationship. The film is lighthearted with some moments of drama and is a quintessential romantic movie. Gere once again proves that he effortless for portraying handsome characters in romantic movies. But, he also takes on some of the emotional conflicted parts of his character as well and delivers a memorable performance as the legendary Edward Lewis. Another classic Richard Gere movie.

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9. Chicago

Directed by Rob Marshall and based on the 1975 stage musical by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, which was in turn, based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, this musical black comedy and crime movie is set in Chicago during the Jazz Age and features Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and others. The film is about two women on death row in 1920s, Roxie Hart (Zellweger), and Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones), who want to create ruckus and gain fame so that they can stay away from the gallows. Richard Gere plays the role of a lawyer, Billy Flynn, who is a charming character. The film was a critical and commercial hit and Gere’s portrayal even won him a Golden Globe award. The film is morbidly funny and Gere proves that he can diversify his acting talents and take on musicals as well. The actor does a stellar job at playing the lawyer and his portrayal won him critical approval.

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10. Days of Heaven

Starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Linda Manz, and others, this romantic period drama movie is written and directed by Terrence Malick and is set in 1916. The film is about two lovers, Bill (Gere) and Abby (Adams), who work for a wealthy grain farmer in Texas Panhandle and harvest crops for him. Things turn when Bill persuades Abby to get into a sham marriage with the dying farmer so that she can inherit his wealth. This creates a series of events that cause mayhem and destroy the lives of everyone who is involved. The film did not fare well with the viewers but was positively reviews by the critics, who especially loved its cinematography. The film is one of the earliest movies in Richard Gere’s filmography and the actor proves early on that he has the capability to portray a leading man in movies. The film is now considered a classic.