20 Movies That Are Flawed Masterpieces

17. Margaret (2011)

The story of Margaret is arguably just as interesting as the movie itself; shot in 2005, the film didn't see the light of day until six years later, in 2011, due to on-going - and seemingly endless - arguments between the director and the studio. The director, Kenneth Lonergan, wanted a three-hour cut of the movie; the studio plainly didn't. Eventually - with the help of Martin Scorsese - a two and a half hour version of Margaret was finally unveiled. And it's this version that you can watch today.

The first thing to know about Margaret - which stars Anna Paquin as the character of the title - is that it is plainly the work of somebody with huge vision, and yet the movie constantly struggles to keep up said vision for a number of reasons. The plot is strange (almost otherworldly), as Margaret attempts to come to terms with a death she inadvertedly - and accidentally - causes at the beginning of the film.

Margaret is too long. That's its biggest flaw, by far. There is a true masterpiece hidden in a much shorter version of the film, perhaps, but the length of the movie brings it down to "flawed masterpiece" level. Still, it remains a vivid, stunning portrait of a troubled teenager attempting to gain control of her life - one that lingers with you long after the credits roll. Side note: Margaret stars both Mark Ruffalo and Matt Damon in supporting roles.