MovieChat Forums > Great Expectations (1998) Discussion > Very Underrated Film

Very Underrated Film

posted 17 years ago by enigma78
17 replies | jump to latest

This has to be one of the most underrated films in modern popular cinema. In so many ways it stands head and shoulders above your standard Hollywood dramas. It is very apparent that this is directed by Mexican (or a foreigner at any rate) because the story is told with a visual flair, a sense of mobility and ease in editing, that is virtually non-existant among the music video-trained directors of LA. The film is filled with some of the most beautiful transitions in visuals and music, and the most organic turns of pace, that you might ever see.

It is hugely underrated in its artistry, meaning camerawork, edit, sound edit and use of music, direction of actors, production design, screenwriting. ie. in practically every area. It seems the film was shunned due to poor box office and due to it being somewhat "different".

[–] peatey 17 years ago

I agree completely - one of the best movies of the '90s in my opinion.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] wahdat 17 years ago

I concur. Greatly underrated film.

[–] Ninja_Kitty 17 years ago

I don't understand why the film was so underated, the visuals, the story, the music, the acting and the way it was directed are great.

Oh well, many movies throughout History were hated in their time and yet became classics years later. The Shining was butchered by the critics when it was released and today it is considered a horror classic.

Life is precious, and it’s our own - not any god’s.

[–] Doctor_Fu_Manchu 17 years ago

Indeed.

"This is Fu Manchu. Once again the world is at my mercy."

[–] blind_seer72 17 years ago

It's a fantastic film.

[–] califlipmix 17 years ago

Its not a feel good film nor a quirky woody allen knock off so its not going to get much good press as a romantic film... Good performances,great cinematography, and great character interplay, but at the end of it most people who wanted another typical romantic film ask themselves "what's the point?" without even considering that this study in desire and loss was very well executed.

[–] scottscream 16 years ago

this movie is truly underrated!!! everything about this film is amazing!

[–] linobox 16 years ago

first saw this movie when released and i see it every couple of months since then. it is just perfect! cuaron did a superb job here. music...images...lines...acting..characters...to quote another great movie title: as good as it gets!

...a gentleman would walk but never run!

[–] bffchic22 16 years ago

I love everything about this movie, the acting, the music, the cinematography, the art direction, it's so great. I agree completely that it deserves to be talked about and put on more lists of great movies.

[–] romina_p 16 years ago

Yes, definitely. His powerful use of imagery gets me every time. And each time I watch the movie I observe a different detail that I haven´t before... it's wonderful! And although I'm a fan of Dickens' Great Expectations, I think this captured in every sense the real "feeling" of the book, although it was in modern times. It's a shame most people don't appreciate this work of art..

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] masha_xo 16 years ago

It may have been overshadowed by the Titanic. I push Great Expectations on everyone I know. It's my absoloute favourite.

[–] sergio_lv13 16 years ago

Agreed. This film is nothing but mesmerizing to me. Alfonso Cuaron truly is a great director.

[–] sgraf_x 16 years ago

I just saw it and WOW, it is terribly underrated. I had no idea that it was directed by Cuaron until I saw his name in the opening credits but when I did I was pleasantly surprised and confident this would be worth the watch. And boy was it too. Truly beautiful to watch, an interesting story, deftly directed and briskly paced.

My only complaint would be that I thought it needed another half hour cause it felt as if it ended abruptly. But then this is one of those stories where you just dont want it to end. A fine film indeed.

9/10

There is NO Gene for the Human Spirit.

[–] Barlley 16 years ago

I'll second that.

[–] Lord_X 15 years ago

I agree. Better than David Lean's original, imo.