3. Todd Anderson - Dead Poets Society
Unquestionably Hawke's breakout role, his work here as a 19-year-old proves wise beyond his years, playing Todd Anderson, a student at a New England boarding school who, like most young men his age, isn't quite sure what he wants out of life. Driven by a superb Robin Williams as the forthright English teacher who becomes their inspiration, a quietly compelling performance is teased out of Hawke, perfectly timid in its depiction of unsure youth on the brink of adulthood. One of the most memorable scenes occurs when Todd fails to complete a writing assignment, and so Williams' character teaches him about the power of expression in a moving scene. The film is dripping with gravitas, and much of the reason for that is because of Hawke's exceptional turn here; though he didn't earn the same honours as Robin Williams (an Oscar nomination), the film would not have succeeded without his sensitive portrayal.