Fans Name Overrated And Underrated Movie Performances
For every great star in the sky, there’s a shining example of acting brilliance being done somewhere in Hollywood. Most of them will either go ignored or become wildly underappreciated. However, there’s an equal number of terrible or all-right characters. There are also roles out there some people think are the end-all-be-all of motion picture performances. Some of these actors will go on to win Oscars for questionable decisions. Others will be performing for a whole lifetime and only their most devoted fans will be able to appreciate what the rest of the world is missing out on. Get ready to make some tough decisions!
We’re looking at the most overrated and underrated movie performances to ever appear on the silver screen.
OVERRATED: Meryl Streep, Into The Woods
We’re going to say something controversial. Not everything Meryl Streep is in is worthy of an Oscar or worldwide adoration. Yes, she’s one of the most talented actors of all time. However, this doesn’t mean every single frame of film she’s in can’t be topped or critiqued. A prime example is her performance as The Witch in the film adaptation of Into The Woods and she was… fine.
She didn’t do a bad job. She can hold a note. She’s funny and dramatic. She did her job and delivered a great performance. It’s not to say it was Oscar-worthy. We’re not even sure if it was nomination-worthy. Either way, she deserves it for all the other amazing roles she’s delivered without receiving the flowers she’s due.
UNDERRATED: Michael B. Jordan, Fruitvale Station
Fruitvale Stations isn’t only a chilling and dramatic piece of cinematic art. It’s also an important movie everyone should watch. Not only does it try to explain what happened before a deadly murder, but it features some actors shining so brightly it can be hard to stare for too long. We’re not sure if it’s the name or it’s a coincidence, but people named Michael Jordan are simply great at their jobs.
Michael D. Jordan’s portrayal of the young Oscar Grant is nothing short of heartbreaking. Jordan almost made the film feel like a shockingly well-lit documentary. This in itself, makes it all the more gut-wrenching. His subtle nuances and the way he delivered his lines should’ve added an Oscar for himself to the film’s already large list of awards.
OVERRATED: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
The Blind Side is an excellent movie. It’s not only because it’s based on a true story. It has a lot to do with being a great story and a wonderfully produced film. Sandra Bullock gave a solid performance! Except, she didn’t really do much more than act like herself with a slightly Southern flair. While she definitely performed as the film’s caring and passionate lead, this performance itself isn’t enough to be declared a winner.
Leah kind of lacks the peaks and valleys in her performance when compared to the journey through Michael’s story. If anything, she’s the supporting anchor in the whole film. She’s needed, but shouldn’t be considered the lead people keep claiming she is.
UNDERRATED: Ben Mendelsohn, The Place Beyond The Pines
You’d think in a motorcycle-filled bank-robbing movie, acting subtle wouldn’t be the way to go. For Ben Mendelsohn, this turned out to be his ticket to greatness. As Luke’s right-hand man, and employer, in life and crime, Mendelsohn’s Robin van der Hook wasn’t afraid of a fight. He’d been racing around the block for years and knew a thing or two about cashing out with a big score.
Even though he’s considered a supporting character, Mendelsohn did more than act as a background character. He’s an integral part of the story and no one else could’ve played him. He helped create a movie that fits into multiple genres, entertained millions, and added another jewel to his crown of acting success.
OVERRATED: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Sometimes, it seems like awards are offered to actors for having a really great run of films. Back in 2014, she was riding high and conquering Hollywood with one great performance after another. Even when she wasn’t at her best, her movies seemed to be doing well. This doesn’t mean every character was as incredible as the critics claimed they were.
As the microwave oven-hating Rosalyn Rosenfeld, Jennifer Lawrence delivered dramatic and comedic performances that were hard to distinguish from one another. She was a big reason why American Hustle was so great. However, it may have been because she allowed everyone else to shine in the scenes she shared with her co-stars.
UNDERRATED: Tye Sheridan, Mud
Mud dragged everyone through a touching drama packed with enough action and intrigue to keep people glued to their seats for the entire runtime. It takes a lot of talent to match Matthew McConaughey’s level of charisma. Imagine everyone’s surprise when Tye Sheridan burst onto the set with his whole sixteen years of life experience.
This kid not only proved to be a great scene partner for McConaughey, but he also stole the attention of everyone watching. His ability to transform into a character and captivate viewers makes him highly seasoned for such a young actor. His work in Mud was a sign of his star potential because once it premiered, he took off!
OVERRATED: Jonah Hill, Moneyball
There are some movies that come out with features such as a powerhouse cast, it’s hard to tell who the lead is and who the supporting characters are supposed to be. When Moneyball stepped up to the plate, it had a dugout full of stars waiting to knock it out of the park. The movie doubled its budget at the box office and even got some media and award-show buzz!
Jonah Hill somehow even got an Oscar nomination for the random scenes he was in as Peter Brand. He did a swell job as an assistant, but this is exactly what he was. He was a great actor assisting others, like Bitt and Hoffman, who really showed off their best acting chops at the plate.
UNDERRATED: Allison Janney, The Way, Way Back
2013’s dramedy hit The Way, Way Back is a movie with a stacked cast. Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, and Allison Janney are absolute scene-stealers. They also work so well together and with the rest of the cast. Every single one of them could’ve carried the movie through the entire awards season on their performance alone.
If we had to pick one titan above the others, it’s Allison Janney. Betty held that film together! Even though she did great, everyone else did as well. It’s a shame, too. While Sam Rockwell deserved the praise, Janney could’ve also enjoyed a bit more of the celebrations and congratulations for doing so well.
OVERRATED: Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man
Dustin Hoffman’s performance in Rain Man is partially based on the magnificent Kim Peek. This remarkable man was an expert in over fourteen different complicated subjects, such as geography and history, and he even had a photographic memory that doubled as a calendar! To say he was interesting and complex doesn’t even begin to describe him. Hoffman’s portrayal was fascinating.
However, when you’re trying to act like someone as unique as Peek, it’s a hit-or-miss kind of attempt. Raymond Babbitt himself is an incredible character. Once you attribute the movie to being based on a true story, things change a bit. Comparing Peek and Babbitt is kind of impossible to do, and only one of them comes off as a caricature.
UNDERRATED: Johnny Depp, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
When talking about Oscar-deserving roles, Leonardo DiCaprio’s contribution to What’s Eating Gilbert Grape gets brought up a lot. We get it, but it’s not the actor who deserved an Oscar for the film. Nearly nobody talks about Johnny Depp as the titular character Gilbert. While Leo’s getting the praise, Depp is actually pulling out all the stops from a very young age to turn Gilbert’s take into cinema history.
Gilbert’s complicated relationship with his family and town locals is one of those experiences you need to see to believe. Not only were we living in Endora with him, but he was trying so hard to get us and himself out of there. He deserved much more acclaim than he got.
OVERRATED: Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Ruby Dee was more than an incredible actor. She was an activist, a poet, a leader, and an all-around amazing human being. She was also almost an Oscar winner for her performance as Mama Lucas in American Gangster. While Dee deserved an Oscar and many more awards for her contributions to the world, this wasn’t one of them. The entire nomination felt more like a way to honour the entertainment veteran.
If this was purely based on her appearance in the movie, then we have a few questions we’d like answered. Only a few actors have won Oscars for appearing in less than ten minutes of a film. We’re not too sure Dee’s five minutes were the only factor in this nomination.
UNDERRATED: Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading
Take an actor who can do almost anything. Then, put him in a movie where he has to do nearly all new things. Now cash in on his success. This is what Hollywood was thinking when Brad Pitt was cast in Burn After Reading. This ridiculous dark comedy is bizarre, wacky, and ridiculous. It’s amazing.
While not new to the scene, Pitt was the breakout star of the entire film. Every single time he worked out and grooved on-screen people were swooning and cackling away. While the movie is great, Pitt could’ve been in every scene and it would have been even better.
OVERRATED: Mark Wahlberg, The Departed
Martin Scorcese’s The Departed is a wild two-and-a-half-hour ride full of drama, action, and a heavy dose of Boston accents. Mark “Marky Mark” Wahlberg stars in it alongside Matt Damon, Leo D., Jack Nicholson, and a whole roster of A-listers. Wahlberg held his own, but not because of his acting abilities. Let’s be real. His saving grace was the film being shot in his hometown.
He didn’t have to do much to prepare for the character. Most of the time it seemed like he was doing his own thing and not even pretending to sound like a completely different person. Maybe a camera simply followed him around for a few weeks and everyone else was spliced in later. This would make more sense than trying to convince us this was his best performance ever.
UNDERRATED: Tommy Lee Jones, No Country For Old Men
No Country For Old Men is often thrown around when people talk about the greatest films ever. Fans of the Coen brothers will often argue it’s their best movie of all time. Part of what makes Texas Western such a great flick is the cast. Everyone fits their roles to a T.
Tommy Lee Jones though, nobody could hold a candle the way he brought Ed Bell to life. Bell’s journey was already interesting in the book. Jones took it to the next level by acting it out for everyone to enjoy. This is a performance you won’t want to miss out on.
OVERRATED: Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids is an unforgettable movie. It’s so funny and quotable it infiltrated the zeitgeist at exactly the right time. The knockout cast and unhinged performances made a serious force during the awards season. One of the frontrunners who led it to notoriety was Melissa McCarthy. The comic and actor was the true star of the movie. However, she was the star as much as Will Ferrel is in most of his flicks.
McCarthy screamed as loud as possible most of the time and forced people to watch her. It wasn’t exactly an Oscar-level choice or deep dive into some complex character. She also hasn’t done much in terms of showing her range ever since then. Yet, there haven’t been any more Oscar nods for this type of delivery.
OVERRATED: Ryan Gosling, Drive
Drive had a lot of hype going for it before it was released. Ryan Gosling was riding a wave of success and press and this movie was supposed to be a slam dunk. Then, the trailer dropped and people lost their minds. This was going to be the best action flick ever! After the release people couldn’t stop talking about Gosling’s performance.
Some fans weren’t sure what they were talking about exactly. The guy sounds so bored the entire time. Maybe everyone else was driving. He was neutral at best for the majority of the film. No one wants to sit through him struggling to show emotion but only delivering blank stares.
UNDERRATED: Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
We all know what it feels like to have a dream, almost get there, and then race from the bottom back to the top as quickly as we can. It’s an odd feeling that Oscar Isaac perfectly portrays in Inside Llewyn Davis. The film follows Isaac as he plays a musician who is trying to make it in a world that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Or even turn its eyes long enough for him to get its attention.
It’s endearing, quirky, and beautifully shot. While the entire cast, such as John Goodman, do what they do best, Isaac seemed to be acting on a different level! His acting talent coupled with all the olive music in the film and still not one Oscar or huge win? We still can’t believe it.
OVERRATED: Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road
We’re kind of split on this one, but let’s hear this person out. Mad Max: Fury Road had a massive task ahead of its release. It had to at least match the iconic status of its predecessor. When it came out, people couldn’t stop paying tribute to the movie! It was a blockbuster destroyer. Every single scene was enshrined in people’s memories from the minute it came out and for years after it was released.
Many even said it was one of Charlize Theron’s greatest performances in her career. However, it’s a very loaded statement. It also doesn’t make much sense. While she’s a strong lead, it almost felt like the B-plot of the movie got swapped with the main focus in the beginning. They also happened to strike gold, so it worked out.
UNDERRATED: Jack Black, School Of Rock
Some stars make a splash with a movie as soon as it comes out. Others do so well, their films and roles are talked about for eternity. It may seem weird to say it since it feels like it was yesterday, but School of Rock is a classic. Jack Black and Joan Cusack are powerhouses! Black’s performance was over-the-top, out of control, and exactly what the movie called for.
He played off of his younger co-stars so naturally, it felt like he was an actual mentor and loved what he did for a living. Why aren’t people still talking about it? This movie absolutely rocks almost as hard as Tenacious D, and both of those are thanks in part to Jack Black.
OVERRATED: Russel Crowe, Gladiator
Are you not entertained by the many movies by Russell Crowe? Is he not a strong and domineering force that commands the spotlight and delivers a glorious performance every time? Ask most of his fans and they’ll be quick to say yes. Even when he’s at his best he can sometimes get overshadowed by other actors.
It’s not a bad thing, it simply means there’s no end to the food chain in Hollywood. Crowe’s performance on its own is legendary. When compared to Geoffrey Rush’s and Ed Harris, it’s great, but not nearly at the same level.
UNDERRATED: John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Sometimes, being nominated is not an honor. When you work really hard for something, get told you’re going to win, and start to believe the ultimate glory is yours, it can be tough to have it all snatched away. This is kind of how life is, even for super famous people. The film adaptation of Winter’s Bone was a sleeper hit. This coming-of-age horror movie features an interesting mix of stars and themes.
The director knew what they were doing because they cast John Hawkes as Teardrop. He almost brought everyone to tears, too. Hawkes rightfully earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the film. Unfortunately, it wasn’t strong enough to snatch the Oscar.
OVERRATED: Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
It’s not often you have a knight in the acting world, but they sure are prevalent in the entertainment industry as a whole. Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is often considered one of the most talented and accomplished actors of his, and many others, generation. Almost every film he’s in has some sort of majesty attributed to it uniquely and unmistakably. Well, almost every film.
The problem is, when you’re usually always at your top, some performances are only great because you’re you. Sir Day Lewis’ role as President Abraham Lincoln was historic. This doesn’t make it particularly outstanding in its scope or delivery. He just happened to be the best fit for a role that would’ve otherwise been a bit more scrutinized if played by anyone else.
UNDERRATED: Bob Hoskins, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Not every actor can have the same illustrious career as Bob Hoskins. With nearly forty years in the business, he was able to take on a plethora of roles and have some wacky adventures. One of his most out-there ones is the cult-hit Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This acid trip of a live-action/animated film is equal parts scary, hilarious, provocative, and mesmerizing.
Both the animated and living casts deliver amazing moments. While the animation takes the cake, given the time and quality, it’s not the only star. Hoskins’ ability to react to things and deliver a believable while still entertaining performance, should never be forgotten. The guy was an absolute pro!
OVERRATED: Marlon Brando, A Streetcar Named Desire
Watching a Marlon Brando movie is like watching a masterclass in classic cinema. Brando’s unforgettable on-screen charisma and delivery make each of his movies a special treat and a weird snapshot of a time long past. This doesn’t necessarily mean each picture is worth a thousand words. A Streetcar Named Desire is one of those films which will always have a following from those who appreciate classic movies.
It’s not only great because of Brando. The veteran actor could have phoned in his lines and the same stage presence would’ve been there. Every line out of his mouth sounded like he was skimming a page only he could see.
UNDERRATED: John Cusack, High Fidelity
With so many great celebrities and films available to enjoy, some great performances can get lost in the mix. Take John Cusack for example. This guy’s been around Tinseltown for decades! He’s a great actor, and activist, and comes from a pretty well-known acting dynasty. Performing runs in his veins.
The guy also constantly delivers an amazing job well done in nearly all of his movies. The self-loathing Ron Gordon has to take the cake. Cusack’s embodiment of his High Fidelity character could be taught in acting schools. Fans could listen to Ron and his mixtapes for hours!
UNDERRATED: Tom Hardy, The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is arguably a group of top-tier Batman flicks. Each story is uniquely its own while also helping weave a more layered tale throughout the series as a whole. It also brought us some A-plus villains. Heath Ledger’s Joker is untouchable, without a doubt. It’s an odd thought how not many people talk about Tom Hardy’s delivery of mercenary turned terrorist, Bane.
Even with his face obscured for the entire movie, Hardy’s presence and delivery make him hard not to notice. He’s able to communicate with more than his voice. Every movement and gesture adds to the grandeur and terrifying madness which makes Bane so unforgettable.
OVERRATED: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Leonardo DiCaprio’s journey to his first Oscar was nearly more painful to watch than how he was treated in The Revenant. For decades, this guy has shown the world his range, talents, and creativity in a variety of blockbuster roles. From Jay Gatsby to the Wolf of Wall Street, DiCaprio can do almost anything. It was almost a tradition to watch him bare his heart and soul in a movie and then get ignored by the Academy.
When it was finally his turn to snatch a trophy, it was for this specific movie, and no one really understands why. The Revenant isn’t bad, but come on Titanic? The Great Gatsby? Maybe they were tired of ignoring his other achievements and tossed him a golden bone.
UNDERRATED: JoBeth Williams, Poltergeist
Any true horror movie fan has seen Poltergeist. It’s a quintessential horror masterpiece. It revels in its genre for how it is set in the 80s. Everything about the film is iconic! JoBeth Williams is also the best of the two Diane Freelings. Given the film’s massive fanbase and lasting presence, you’d think everyone attached to the project would’ve been megastars!
However, aside from a string of somewhat nice films, Williams never really had a bigger breakout role. She’s an incredible actor who doesn’t seem to fit into Hollywood’s preferred movies. All you have to do is give her a horror flick and watch the awards float in!
OVERRATED: Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas
It’s odd to say watching Nicolas Cage play someone who hits rock bottom was the highlight of his career. The 1995 drama Leaving Las Vegas was a major milestone for Cage. He played someone on the brink of losing everything and ended up winning the Best Actor award! What doesn’t compute is how it all happened.
Acting like a self-hating jerk while making scenes in front of someone who likes you isn’t revolutionary. Critics around the world claimed it was one of the best films of the decade. The only thing it was the best at was showcasing Cage’s ability to look frightening and sad at the exact same time.
UNDERRATED: Joaquin Phoenix, Her
Her is Spike Jonze’s answer to Black Mirror. This sci-fi/drama/romance stars Joaquin Phoenix falling in love with a virtual assistant. He loves Her much more than we love Alexa and Bixby. It’s an interesting look at depression, loneliness, and attachment and also features Phoenix in one of his best roles. While this sounds like a bizarre recipe for success, not everyone enjoyed the fruits of their labor.
The move was a hit! It swept away the critics and a ton of awards during its season. The only thing it didn’t get was Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar. We’re all kind of baffled at how this happened when he delivered one of the most thought-provoking and poignant performances of the year!