10 forgotten Hollywood masterpieces definitely worth seeing

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Sometimes it seems that all good films have been reviewed more than a dozen times and there will be no discoveries. We recommend that our readers turn to the classics of world cinema and watch unfairly forgotten films. They can rightfully be called Hollywood classics. These masterpieces are timeless and timeless. They were filmed in the last century, but they can impress even the most sophisticated viewers with a fascinating plot, the skill of the director and, of course, talented acting.

Women, 1939, directed by George Cukor

The film is about women, and no man appears on the screen for the entire 133 minutes. The whole story of intrigue, investigation and gossip begins in one of the best beauty salons in New York. This film stars the best actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood: Norma Shearer and Joan Fontaine, Joan Crawford and Paulette Goddard, Rosalind Russell and Virginia Weidler.

Bigger Than Life, 1956, director Nicholas Ray

A dramatic story about a school teacher who, during treatment, began to take, on the recommendation of doctors, a new medicine that changed the protagonist and his whole life. The once exemplary family man, caring husband and father, under the influence of medicine, turns into a real tyrant and psychopath. The film is based on a medical article by Burton Rouche published in 1955.

Jacks of One, 1961, directed by Marlon Brando

An extraordinary exciting western directed by one of the most talented actors of the 20th century. This picture was the debut of Marlon Brando as a director and therefore deserves the closest attention. However, even at the time of its release on the screens, the picture caused very controversial assessments from both critics and viewers.

Cold Eyes, 1969, directed by Haskell Wexler

The director managed in his film in the most unthinkable way to combine the real events of 1968 and the fictional love drama that develops against the backdrop of the Democratic Convention held in Chicago and mass protests against the Vietnam War.

Friends of Eddie Coyle, 1973, directed by Peter Yates

The film is based on the novel of the same name by an employee of the Massachusetts prosecutor's office, George W. Higgins, which became the writer's debut and was published in 1970. The film is called one of the best crime dramas of the 1970s, celebrating the intricate plot and brilliant work of Robert Mitchum, who played the main role.

The Murder of a Chinese Bookie, 1976, directed by John Cassavetes

The director's unconventional approach is felt from the very first shots. The genius of independent cinema makes the viewer feel all the drama of the situation in which the protagonist finds himself, immerse himself in his problems, and only then go all the way with him, trying to find a solution to the problem. Two years after the premiere, the film was re-edited by the director, who left 108 minutes instead of 138. Thus, John Cassavetes reacted to the accusations of the tape being drawn out.

Secret Honor, 1984, directed by Robert Altman

This is a film in which only one actor, Philip Baker Hall, plays, and all the action takes place in one room. The picture includes one day in the life of US President Richard Nixon, who stayed at home on the eve of his resignation. He records his speech on a tape recorder, while he is intoxicated, and holds a loaded pistol in his hands.

Golden Youth, 1990, directed by Whit Stillman

One of the funniest American films, which is distinguished by subtle humor, lightness and some kind of transparency. Despite the seriousness of the topics covered, Whit Stillman's picture turned out to be very sincere and not boring. For most of the actors, filming in the film was the debut. In the future, they did not play any more major roles, but they managed to fully convey the spirit of the time and say about the main thing in simple language.

Welcome to the Dollhouse 1995, directed by Todd Solondz

In this film, tragedy is so closely intertwined with comedy that the viewer does not always understand whether he should laugh or cry at one time or another. But at the same time, the story of a teenage girl is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. The moral and social issues that are discussed in the film can be a real shock for someone.

Die for the Name, 1995, directed by Gus Van Sant

Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck play in such a way that it is simply impossible not to admire their talent. A very unusual picture, where most of the screen time is interviewed. Nevertheless, this does not make the film lengthy, on the contrary, each scene is very organically integrated into the general outline.

Harvard University has recommended 725 films of various genres and directions for compulsory viewing for its students applying for a PhD in film studies. We invite our readers to get acquainted with domestic paintings from this list.