20 Underrated Movies You Have To See
Some underappreciated gems waiting for your next movie night...
Sometimes we need a break from the constant stream of big blockbusters and major franchises coming our way. It's nice to sit down every now and again to a film which isn't usually spoken about when discussing "great" or even "good" movies; the kind of films that went under people's radar, or a film sporting some solid performances from actors who people love but may have missed in a random western from the mid-noughties.
Looking passed the Citizen Kane's, the Vertigo's and the Shawshank Redemption's, there are plenty of films which never quite reached audiences the way many bonafide classics and fan favourites have in the past.
The following list takes a broad look at some of cinema's most underappreciated or simply under-seen pictures, from bizarre psychological dramas to fun and enjoyable comedies, from crime thrillers to stunning animations.
Not every film on the list will suit your tastes, but the entries nonetheless cover a wide spectrum of genre and tone, so hopefully there is something in here for everyone, be you looking for a slow-burning mystery, a family friendly adventure, or a leave-your-brain at the door pop-corn flick.
20. One Hour Photo
When you have a career as long, lauded and varied as the late, great Robin Williams, it's safe to say that some part of your work is going to be missed or overlooked entirely. For Williams, that film is the masterful and wonderfully twisted One Hour Photo.
Directed by Mark Romanek and featuring Williams in his most daring and unconventional role, One Hour Photo was released in 2002 to positive reviews and moderate box office success. Afterwards, it slipped slightly from public view, probably due to the fact that audiences were more interested in lighter Williams performances.
But that's exactly what people are missing out on. Williams stars as Seymour Parrish, a photo developer at a department store who becomes increasingly obsessed with a family who frequents his counter. What unfolds from there is a story of a lonely and broken man who finds his image of the perfect family shattered by a hidden secret.
And Williams, as ever, is a revelation, emotionally driven, adequately creepy and thoughtful. Paired with Romanek's careful direction and his own thrilling script, One Hour Photo is not a film you want to miss.