As a huge fan of both movies and outstanding performances, I’ve been truly captivated by Hugh Jackman’s versatility as an actor throughout his remarkable career. Having had the pleasure of watching him bring Senator Gary Hart to life in “The Front Runner,” I can attest to his mesmerizing presence that left audiences craving for more. His portrayal was so spellbinding that it overshadowed the other talented actors, including Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, and Alfred Molina, who were unfortunately underutilized. Jackman’s performance earned him immense praise and a well-deserved Hollywood Film Award.
Over a remarkable 25-year film career, Hugh Jackman, known for his captivating charm, has graced the silver screen with numerous unforgettable performances and portrayed a rich tapestry of characters. The esteemed actor has worked alongside renowned directors such as Darren Aronofsky, Bryan Singer, Christopher Nolan, and Woody Allen. His most significant achievement came when he assumed the legendary role of Wolverine in the blockbuster superhero production “X-Men” (2000).
I’m a huge fan of Hugh Jackman, and while it’s true that he’s shone brightly in blockbuster hits like “The Prestige,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Les Misérables,” and the iconic “X-Men” franchise, there are some lesser-known movies of his that deserve just as much recognition and admiration. Here are ten underrated films featuring Jackman that every fan should add to their watchlist:
10 Kate & Leopold (2001)
In the year 2001, Hugh Jackman collaborated with Meg Ryan, renowned for her work in romantic comedies, on the fantasy film “Kate & Leopold.” This intriguing tale follows Stuart Besser (Liev Schreiber), an unassuming physicist, who accidentally sends his great-great-grandfather Leopold (Jackman) from 1876 to the present day in New York City via a time portal.
Leopold develops a strong attraction towards Kate (Ryan), Stuart’s former girlfriend and a clever yet jaded woman, while being fascinated by the numerous marvels of the 21st century that surround him.
Jackman’s Scene-Stealing Portrayal
The charming romantic comedy received varied feedback from critics. Some appreciated the excellent on-screen chemistry between Jackman and Ryan, as well as the film’s amusing moments. However, they noted issues with the way time travel was portrayed in the movie.
The movie “Kate & Leopold” received a B+ rating from audiences according to CinemaScore and brought in a decent amount of money at the box office, totaling $76 million globally during its initial run. Notably, Hugh Jackman’s captivating portrayal was praised, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for his outstanding acting in the film.
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9 Bad Education (2020)
According to Robert Kolker’s investigative piece in New York magazine, the 2019 film “Bad Education” is based on the most notorious case of school embezzlement in US history. In this drama, Hugh Jackman portrays Dr. Frank Tassone, a respected figure in the Long Island community who served as superintendent of Roslyn Union Free School District. Alongside his assistant superintendent Pam Gluckin, played by Allison Janney, they allegedly embezzled large sums of money from the wealthy school district. After a student uncovered their scheme, they attempted to conceal their ill-gotten gains.
Jackman Embraces His Devious Side
At the Toronto International Film Festival, “Bad Education” made its debut on the world stage, receiving praise for its impressive script, dark comedy, and standout performances by Jackman and Janney.
Rolling Stone praised Jackman’s acting in the drama, calling it his finest performance yet from a well-known actor with a strong acting background. As a result, he received nominations for a Primetime Emmy and Satellite Award for portraying the crafty Frank Tassone.
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8 The Fountain (2006)
Without a doubt, one of Jackman’s most overlooked films in his impressive body of work is Darren Aronofsky’s 2006 epic romantic drama “The Fountain.” In this thought-provoking movie, we see three interconnected narratives that explore the themes of spirituality and immortality. The stories follow a man (played by Jackman) as he makes a valiant effort to save his beloved partner, Rachel Weisz, in different time periods. He embarks on a journey through time to accomplish this feat in each storyline.
During his brave quest to save his cherished companion, Jackman assumed the roles of a Spanish conquistador, a scientist, and an astronaut.
A Powerfully Moving Romance for the Ages
Jackman and Weisz take on the lead roles in each of the three moving narratives of “The Fountain,” as director Aronofsky explained its intricacy and core meaning: “This film is similar to a Rubik’s Cube in that it can be solved various ways, but ultimately there exists only one resolution.”
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett were originally set to star in “The Fountain,” an engaging drama, but ended up being swapped out for Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz as the ill-fated lovers. The film didn’t receive positive criticism or financial success when it first came out, but over time, it has gained a dedicated following and is now considered a classic among cult movies.
7 Real Steel (2011)
Based on the 1950s short story “The Lucky Stones” by Richard Matheson, which later inspired an episode of “The Twilight Zone,” the 2011 science fiction sports film “Real Steel” centers around Charlie Kenton (played by Jackman). Once a boxer himself, he now revives and conditions an old and outdated robot named Atom for competition in the ring during the era when robots had taken over the sport.
Charlie seeks the assistance of his reconciled 11-year-old son Max in training Atom to achieve success as a boxer and realize Charlie’s own long-held ambitions in the sport.
A True Feast for the Eyes
Sugar Ray Leonard, a renowned boxing champion, played an advisory role in choreographing the fighting scenes for “Real Steel.” To ensure authenticity and ease, he instructed Jackman in boxing techniques, making Jackman’s moves appear more fluid and genuine on screen. The movie became a massive success, earning over $299 million globally, by captivating audiences with its breathtaking action sequences, stunning visual effects, and Jackman’s exceptional acting performance. Notably, Jackman was honored with the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Action Movie Star for his remarkable portrayal in this thrilling production.
6 Scoop (2006)
In the 2006 romantic crime comedy “Scoop,” directed by renowned filmmaker Woody Allen, acting greats Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson starred. This quirky tale follows Sondra Pransky, an American journalist with dreams of big scoops. During a magician’s show by Allen himself, she encounters the spirit of a deceased British reporter (Ian McShane), who claims he was murdered by aristocrat Peter Lyman (Jackman). As Sondra becomes romantically entangled with the possible killer, hilarious complications unfold.
A Wonderfully Zany Premise
In that particular year, there were three movies premiered, including “Scoop,” which focused on the intriguing theme of stage magic and magicians. Notably, “The Illusionist” and “The Prestige” (both featuring Jackman alongside Christian Bale) were also among these releases.
The Allen film drew criticism for its unimpressive visuals and rough script from critics. However, they praised the exceptional acting of its star-studded cast in this quirky comedy. Surprisingly, despite the mixed reception, Scoop managed to rake in over $39 million at the box office with a budget of just $4 million.
5 Flushed Away (2006)
In the 2006 animated comedy-adventure “Flushed Away,” Jackman leads an impressive voice cast including Kate Winslet, Bill Nighy, and Ian McKellen. The story follows the exciting journey of Roddy St. James (Jackman), a pampered pet rat, who is accidentally flushed down the toilet of his fancy Kensington apartment by the scheming, overweight sewer rat Sid.
In simpler terms, Roddy encounters street-smart rat Rita Winslet, who tries to guide the spoiled pet rodent back to his comfortable dwelling.
Wholesome Fun for Audiences of All Ages
“Flushed Away” was the last in a series of three DreamWorks Animation films produced in partnership with Aardman Features. These collaborations include “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” which are well-known for their excellence. In contrast to Aardman’s previous projects that used stop-motion animation, “Flushed Away” primarily employed computer-generated imagery (CGI) instead.
The animated film “Flushed Away” was highly praised by critics and earned an impressive five Annie Awards. It also gained recognition with a BAFTA and Critics’ Choice nomination. Regrettably, however, the movie did not perform well at the box office.
4 Prisoners (2013)
In the gripping 2013 thriller “Prisoners,” Hugh Jackman gave a remarkable performance alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, and Paul Dano. In this film, Jackman brilliantly brought to life the character of Keller Dover, a father who is pushed to the limit when his 6-year-old daughter Anna vanishes together with her friend. Overwhelmed by fear, Keller decides to take matters into his own hands and collaborate with Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) in their desperate quest to locate the missing children.
A Harrowing Big Screen Thriller
Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio initially considered for leading roles in the suspenseful film, later replaced by Jackman and Gyllenhaal. Both actors previously showed off their impressive acting abilities in this intense thriller.
The National Board of Review named “Prisoners” as one of the top ten films of the year and honored it with the award for Best Ensemble Cast. Additionally, the movie was featured on numerous critics’ lists as one of the best films released in 2013. Despite receiving praise upon its release, “Prisoners” is often overlooked in Jackman’s impressive filmography.
3 The Front Runner (2018)
The movie “The Front Runner” (2018), based on Matt Bai’s book about the 1987 presidential scandal involving Senator Gary Hart, showcases Hugh Jackman’s versatility as an actor with his portrayal of the disgraced politician. Hart’s extramarital affairs led to his withdrawal from the race. The film also stars Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, and Alfred Molina, and offers a compelling look at Hart’s rise and fall.
Jackman Carries the Political Drama
Jackman’s portrayal of Senator Gary Hart in the film was exceptionally intricate and drew rave reviews from both fans and critics. Many expressed that Jackman outshined the rest of the mediocre drama with his stunning acting skills. The X-Men actor’s presence in every scene was captivating, leaving audiences in awe of his charming performance. However, some felt that the rest of the impressive cast was not utilized to their full potential; nonetheless, Jackman received a Hollywood Film Award for his exceptional work in the film.
2 Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Jackman lent his unique voice to the 2012 animated fantasy-action-adventure “Rise of the Guardians.” In this film, he joined forces with Chris Pine, Jude Law, Isla Fisher, and Alec Baldwin. The story revolves around a brave team of champions, including Santa Claus (Jackman), the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, who unite to safeguard children from sinister entities such as the ominous Pitch Black.
A Gorgeous & Unique Animated Picture
I absolutely adored “Rise of the Guardians” for its breathtaking animation, captivating storyline, and delightful performances by its talented cast. This cinematic masterpiece left audiences spellbound, receiving an impressive A rating from CinemaScore, and generating a staggering box office revenue of over $306 million during its time in theaters.
As a gamer, I can tell you that despite the movie raking in a decent amount of box office revenue, it didn’t live up to expectations due to its high production cost. Sadly, it became one of DreamWorks Animation’s biggest flops. However, the heartwarming story managed to win over critics, earning it nominations for Best Animated Feature at both the Golden Globes and Annie Awards.
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1 The Son (2023)
I was thrilled to once again receive a Golden Globe nomination for my role in the 2022 drama “The Son.” In this thought-provoking film based on Florian Zeller’s stage play, I played Peter Miller, a dedicated father and husband who found himself struggling to cope with the arrival of his estranged son Nicholas (played by an excellent Vanessa Kirby). As if that wasn’t enough, I was also dealing with depression and trying to maintain a balance in my life with my new wife Beth. The presence of Laura Dern as my ex-wife Kate and Anthony Hopkins as my father only added to the emotional complexity of the film. It was an honor to be part of such a poignant production alongside these talented actors.
A Heartrending Cautionary Tale
Although the film received mostly negative feedback from audiences, Jackman’s performance as the complex and stubborn family head, grappling with his own regret and responsibility in his son’s depression, was praised once again.
According to Slant magazine, Hugh Jackman’s performance in “The Son” was truly remarkable. He single-handedly infused the drama with a deep sense of tragedy, making even the most manipulative moments from Florian Zeller’s direction more bearable.
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2024-07-24 05:02