Don Cheadle’s Annual Comedy Ritual and His Most Influential Films
Don Cheadle reveals the one comedy he returns to every year, alongside the powerful dramas that have shaped his outlook on life and acting.
Don Cheadle, known for his roles in acclaimed productions, has built a career on films that invite repeated viewing. While audiences may associate him with the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, his personal favourites extend well beyond these blockbusters. When asked about the films he holds dearest, Cheadle offered a list that blends overlooked gems with celebrated classics, each leaving a distinct mark on his perspective.
Hidden Masterpieces and Lasting Impressions
Among the selections that have resonated with Cheadle is the 1986 Argentine science fiction drama, Man Facing Southeast. The story centres on a psychiatric patient who claims to be an extraterrestrial, prompting a meditation on society’s treatment of outsiders. Cheadle reflects,
“It’s a great meditation on how we treat and mistreat ‘the other’. A magical, thought-provoking film that I saw at a time in my life when I was questioning a lot of things about the nature of humanity and how we react when we come up against the unknown and unknowable.”
The film’s contemplative tone clearly struck a chord with him during a formative period.
He also singles out City of God, released in 2002, and Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic Dr Strangelove. The latter, in particular, earns high praise for its lead performance. Cheadle remarks,
“Another perfect film showcasing the brilliance of the one and only, never-to-be-seen-again talents of Peter Sellers. What a beast. Kubrick actually wanted him to play another character. I can only imagine what he would have done with that.”
The admiration for Sellers’ versatility and Kubrick’s vision is evident in his words.
The Comedy He Can’t Resist
Despite a clear appreciation for weighty drama, there is one film Cheadle returns to with unwavering regularity: the original The In-Laws from 1979. He is quick to clarify that he does not mean the later remake.
“It makes me pee with laughter,”
he confesses, crediting the chemistry between Peter Falk and Alan Arkin for the film’s enduring appeal. Their dynamic, he notes, is the heart of this farcical adventure, which follows a dentist and a supposed CIA operative as they stumble through a series of increasingly absurd escapades on the eve of their children’s wedding.
Directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Andrew Bergman, the film also features Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault, Penny Peyser, Arlene Golonka, and Michael Lembeck. Critics at the time were quick to praise the comedic brilliance of the main cast, a sharp contrast to the 2003 remake, which Cheadle dismisses as a misstep best forgotten.
Formative Dramas and Enduring Lessons
Rounding out his list is Sounder, a 1972 drama that left a lasting impression on Cheadle during his youth. He describes it as
“Another film that I saw at an impressionable time in my life that served for me as a beautiful testament to the power of love in the face of absolute injustice and oppression.”
The film’s message of resilience and compassion in the face of adversity clearly resonated with him.
Though Cheadle is not typically associated with comedic roles—aside from the occasional witty line in ensemble heist or superhero films—his selection of favourites reveals a taste for both the profound and the playful. As with many actors, his list is a blend of the serious and the silly, a reminder that even those drawn to drama can find joy in a well-crafted comedy.