10 Brilliant Performances Trapped In Terrible Recent Movies

Last year's Harriet Tubman biopic is practically the definition of Oscar bait: a well-meaning yet soullessly bland film about an important subject.

Between Kasi Lemmons' totally flat direction worthy of a basic cable TV special, the patronisingly simplistic script, and Terence Blanchard's hilariously over-egged musical score, Harriet is a far cry from the awards-worthy historical drama most were hoping for.

And yet, Cynthia Erivo's performance as Tubman is quite exemplary all things considered.

Though her eventual Best Actress Oscar nomination raised more than a few eyebrows, there's no doubting that, with a stronger film surrounding her, she absolutely would've been entirely worthy.

As it stands, Erivo absolutely gives it her all and slinks effortlessly into the role, yet the totally beige, generic biopic formula consistently undermined her otherwise remarkable work.