10 Underrated Films From The Last 5 Years That Flew Way Under The Radar

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 98%

Box Office: $47 thousand

Following in the footsteps of so-called abortion rom-com Obvious Child and the similarly quirky Frances Ha, Appropriate Behaviour was another interesting film in a recent cluster detailing the plight of twenty-something women living in Brooklyn. This time around, the woman is a bi-sexual attempting to hide her orientation from her strict Persian family, an issue that has driven a wedge between her and her ex-girlfriend.

Directing yourself in a film is no walk in the park, though Desiree Akhavan displays the flair and comfort of a much more experienced filmmaker (both behind and in front of the camera). The writer/director/star’s raw and deeply personal portrayal of Shirin is what makes this movie great, with Akhavan managing to find humour as well as despair in the character’s situation.

Many critics drew comparisons with Woody Allen’s Annie Hall in their reviews of Appropriate Behaviour, though unlike the neurotic Annie, Shirin is not a well-meaning protagonist, but a flawed, inconsiderate one that is prone to periods of delusion and bouts of jealously. Yet, Akhavan’s light-hearted approach and dry humour make it impossible to hate her.

If you find NY hipster culture insufferable, then maybe this isn’t for you, but if you can stomach the odd pretentious art gallery as a backdrop and have a soft-spot for your 20s, then you’ll find Appropriate Behaviour a rewarding watch.