Ranking Colin Farrell's 10 Best Movie Performances

Nearly 23 years later, Farrell’s breakthrough leading role remains the part most closely resembling his public persona. In Joel Schumacher’s underrated Vietnam movie, he plays Private Roland Bozz, a feisty young man drafted into a war he doesn’t support and willing to do whatever’s necessary to get out of it.

Here just 24 years old, he brings all the swagger and brooding discontent that the role needs. Bozz is a difficult man to manage, but a great one to have on your side. He opposes the war, but he cares about the people around him. He makes it his mission to get those who need help out of service; despite his open disregard for the rules, he’s a leader.

His empathy stretches even to those who he makes enemies of, including a fellow recruit who actively tries to kill him. Bozz recognises that the man is emotionally damaged, and attempts to remove him from combat, rather than exacting revenge.

It’s a fantastical film, like much of Schumacher’s work, but Farrell makes the most of the part, putting in a measured and human performance amid the craziness.