15 Most Underrated Movies Of The Decade (So Far)

10. Cemetery Junction

There's few better writing duos working today than Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Both has seen success separately, sure, but neither's worked as well as when they're together and firing on all cylinders. The Office stands as greatest sitcom of the 21st Century and Extras, with its eerily prophetic guest stars, was equally fun. Life's too short to bother with Life's Too Short, but one unfunny slip-up is forgivable.

What's often forgotten in amongst their (mostly) stellar TV work is Cemetery Junction, to date the only film the pair's directed (Gervais also lent his hand to The Invention Of Lying, but, again, life's too short). A real anomaly in their work, Junction is an earnest coming-of-age drama with none of the cynicism that punctuates Gervais' persona. In fact, it's hardly even a comedy; whereas in The Office was only ever twenty seconds away from the next Brent-ism, here the drama takes prominence.

This clearly comes from how autobiographical it is; 9-5 office work and the struggle for fame were well observed, but the desire to get out of a dead-end lifestyle is something you can tell struck a chord with the two comedians. And while it leads to something less off-kilter than some may like, it's that clear personal connection that makes Cemetery Junction such a joy. For all its shortcomings, the film serves as a perfect microcosm for that period in life where everything's in front of you, yet you don't know quite what you want.