The greatest acting performances by lead actors in the past 30 years

Joe Cianciotto. It’s always a matter of debate when it comes to the best performances on film. Some have been quite memorable because of their power; others were stunning despite being low-key. However, one thing has to be said for a performance to be at the very least, called good – it has to make audiences believe that what the actor is doing is beyond acting, and almost too real. On that note, here are three of the greatest acting performances by lead actors in the past 30 years. Nicolas Cage in 'Leaving Las Vegas': If people take the time to really understand “Leaving Las Vegas,” they’ll see that it’s probably one of the saddest films out there. Even the romantic aspect of the film takes a back seat to the loneliness at its core. And that loneliness is epitomized by Nicolas Cage’s hyper-realistic portrayal of a man with an uncontrollable determination to drink himself to death, even after finding true happiness. Joe Cianciotto. Sean Penn in 'I Am Sam': Many great actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro have portrayed characters with mental disorders to perfection. Sean Penn, however, plays his role beyond what anyone could have expected. As a single father who suffers from mental retardation, Penn touches everyone’s hearts the way, no one has before. Joe Cianciotto.

Joaquin Phoenix in 'Joker': There were so many layers to Arthur Fleck, which Joaquin Phoenix pulled off. Fleck’s descent into madness was terrifying, sad, and, most of all, believable. Phoenix, always the committed actor, gives the greatest performance in a career filled with great performances. Joe Cianciotto.