Movies About The Underdog

From Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Rated PG

Casablanca is a classic 1942 romantic drama film set in the early days of World War II in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. It stars Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, a cynical and world-weary expatriate who runs a nightclub in the city. When his old flame Ilsa (played by Ingrid Bergman) and her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech Resistance leader, arrive at his club seeking passage to America, Rick is forced to choose between his love for Ilsa and his devotion to the Allied cause. As the Nazis close in on the city, the three become embroiled in a complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice that will forever change their lives. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and won three Academy Awards.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-sik
Rated R

"Parasite" (2019) is a South Korean dark comedy-drama film directed by Bong Joon Ho. It follows the Kim family as they scheme to become employed by the wealthy Park family and infiltrate their home. The Kims provide “parasitic” services to the Parks while trying to maintain the deception that they are unrelated. As the Kims become more deeply entrenched in the Parks’ lives, an unanticipated and sinister relationship forms between the two families. This film explores the intersection of social class, power, and identity in contemporary South Korea, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 biographical drama directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe. The film follows the story of the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash and his struggles with schizophrenia. It chronicles his extraordinary journey from the heights of academic success to the depths of paranoia and despair, and ultimately, his courage to overcome all odds and discover a life of peace and purpose. Along the way, he encounters love, heartbreak, and even danger. The film follows Nash's journey of recovery and his eventual redemption. It is a story of strength, resilience, and ultimately, hope.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel
Rated PG-13

Million Dollar Baby tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a boxer determined to prove herself in the male-dominated sport of boxing. She enlists Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood), an old, washed-up boxing trainer and former manager, to help her reach the top. Through struggles, Frankie finally takes Maggie under his wing and helps her become the champion she was meant to be. However, after Maggie has a tragic accident in the ring and is put into a coma, Frankie is faced with a difficult decision: to keep her alive or let her go. Ultimately, Frankie makes the ultimate sacrifice and helps Maggie find peace.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber
Rated R

Spotlight is a 2015 American drama film directed by Tom McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Josh Singer. It follows The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team, the oldest continuously operating newspaper investigative unit in the United States, and its investigation into cases of widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area by numerous Roman Catholic priests. The film stars an ensemble cast including Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, and Billy Crudup. It depicts the reporters' investigation, their tenacious pursuit of the truth, and the lengths they had to go in order to expose the abuse. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and earning a nomination for Best Director. It also earned six other Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane
Rated PG

Annie Hall is a 1977 romantic comedy directed by Woody Allen. The film follows the on-again-off-again relationship between Alvy Singer (Allen), an aspiring stand-up comedian, and Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), an aspiring singer. As their relationship progresses, the movie flashes back to various memories from Alvy's past, from his childhood to his failed marriages to his current successes and failures. Through these flashbacks, the movie reveals the complexity of adult relationships, and explores the difficulty in sustaining them. The movie ends with a bittersweet resolution, as Alvy and Annie go their separate ways, yet maintain a deep love and connection.

From Sian Heder, starring Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant
Rated PG-13

CODA (2021) is a coming-of-age drama directed by Sian Heder. The film follows Ruby, a teenage girl who is the only hearing person from a family of deaf individuals. She is torn between her family's expectations and her own hopes and dreams of pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter. As she struggles with her identity and sense of belonging, Ruby must ultimately choose between her love of music and her loyalty to her family. The film stars Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Marlee Matlin, and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, and is set on the Massachusetts seacoast. With a powerful soundtrack and heartfelt performances, CODA is an empowering story of self-discovery, acceptance, and love.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Robert Shaw, Leo McKern
Rated G

A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 British drama film based on Robert Bolt's play of the same name and adapted for the big screen by Bolt himself. The film tells the story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who refuses to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul the marriage between King Henry VIII of England and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. More's refusal to sign incurs the wrath of the King, and ultimately leads to his execution. The film stars Paul Scofield as More, Wendy Hiller as his wife Alice, Robert Shaw as Henry VIII, Orson Welles as Cardinal Wolsey, Leo McKern as Thomas Cromwell, and Susannah York as Meg Roper, More's daughter. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Scofield.

From Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Argo (2012) is a suspenseful drama directed by Ben Affleck. The film is based on a true story of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. When Iranian militants storm the American embassy in Tehran, six Americans manage to escape and seek refuge in the Canadian embassy. As tensions mount and time is running out, CIA specialist Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) comes up with a daring rescue mission. He and his team devise a plan to create a fake movie production, allowing them to sneak the Americans out of the country by posing as a Canadian film crew. With the help of Hollywood makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber), Mendez successfully executes his plan and saves the lives of the six hostages.

From Laurence Olivier, starring Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, John Laurie, Esmond Knight
Rated Approved

Hamlet, directed by Laurence Olivier in 1948, is a classic adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. The film follows the story of the titular character, the Prince of Denmark, as he struggles with the traumatic events surrounding his father's death. Hamlet must avenge his father's murder, while also coming to grips with his own feelings of guilt, doubt, and depression. The film stars Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, Eileen Herlie as Ophelia, and Basil Sydney as Claudius, in addition to an all-star cast of British actors. The film is widely praised for its faithful adaptation of Shakespeare's text, and for its powerful and nuanced performances. Hamlet is considered to be one of the greatest Shakespeare adaptations of all time.

From Barry Jenkins, starring Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Alex R. Hibbert
Rated R

From Vincente Minnelli, starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary
Rated Passed

From Hugh Hudson, starring Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers
Rated PG