that they continue to inhabit them for as long as they are being filmed. Such practices are bound to take a psychological toll on a performer, and perhaps, this is why the actor is so choosy about his roles. Then again, this only drives his devotion further and he delivers one great performance after another. The best role of his career, yet, has been the character of Rayon, a transgender woman with HIV. He jumped head-first into it and is so convincing that you easily forget that the role is being “played” by someone. He is not Jared Leto anymore. He is Rayon.

22. Brad Pitt (‘The Tree of Life’, 2011)

Terrence Malick is known for making films that walk philosophical grounds while delving into nature’s connection with humanity. Theyoften exhibit a spiritual aura, and if we were to pick just one film that could be the truest definition of his work, nothing would be better than ‘The Tree of Life’. It follows the story of a man, while the birth and life of the universe focus on the existential queries of humanity. The film has the likes of Jessica Chastain and Sean Penn in the supporting roles, but it is Brad Pitt who shines the brightest here. Certainly, one of the best roles of his career, Pitt says a million things through his expressions, while speaking only scarcely.

21. Adéle Exarchopoulos (‘Blue Is the Warmest Colour’, 2013)

Love and sexuality are explored in Abdellatif Kechiche’s romance-drama, ‘Blue is the Warmest Colour’. Adéle Exarchopoulos plays the role of a