With more than 30 years of experience in a very prolific career, there are a few good selections that are going to fly under the radar. Here are a few of Liam Neeson’s most underrated movies.
7 Michael Collins (1996)
A historical biopic, which means this is a mostly true but heavily dramatized story about a real person. Michael Collins is set in the early 20th century, with the Easter Uprising taking place in 1916 and negotiations with the British government in 1921, and traces the political career of the Irish revolutionary. The original DVD release of the movie had notes and commentary between what was accurate and what had to be changed.
Most of the criticism of the film was focused on the changes it made to the real life events of the Irish Revolutionary War, but other than that it received universal acclaim. The public was too distracted by the new era of digital explosions to give it the attention it deserved, which is why it remains an underrated movie.
6 How To Defuse A Bomb: The Project Children Story (2016)
It’s not a coincidence that most of Liam Neeson’s films are from, about, or set in Ireland or are about the “Troubles.” He’s originally from the northern county of Antrim, and grew up Catholic in a Protestant neighborhood turbulent era. Liam Neeson acts as the narrator in this documentary about how a police officer from New York started an “exchange program” the goal of which was to get chidren in Ireland out of harm’s way by bringing them to the United States.
The program has lasting repercussions, and not just for those kids growing up. The project touched off new rounds of peace talks and attempts at reconciliation between the British and Irish governments.
5 Darkman (1990)
An early bit of Sam Raimi’s goofy but endearing style, Darkman was created by the director and writer when he couldn’t secur the rights to other, more popular superheroes. It tells the story of a scientist named Peyton Westlake, who mysteriously gains superpowers after being injured, which is typical of most comic book protagonists.
The film is also intended to be a homage to vintage horror movies, and although it wasn’t exactly a blockbuster critics and fans generally liked it. The film has become a cult classic with a persistent fanbase, many of whom are Sam Raimi and Liam Neeson fans.
4 Excalibur (1981)
It’s a classic now, beloved among movie and literature nerds and one of the first of many times that Neeson would be cast in the part of a knight, but at the time it was panned as corny and cliched. Excalibur was riding the wave of popularity of these medieval legends, popularized at the time by the hit musical Camelot.
Neeson plays Sir Gawain, a Knight of the Round Table and husband to Morgana. He’s a minor character but helps move the plot along by challenging Lancelot to defend Guinevere’s honor. He’s a passionate knight who is easily swayed by his wife to move the plot along.
3 Breakfast On Pluto (2005)
The story begins with a baby abandoned on a priest’s doorstep in the fictional city of Tyrellin, a poor provincial town in Northern Ireland. Patrick Braden grows up in a household devoid of love or understanding, and when she comes out as transgender life in a small Catholic town doesn’t get any easier. Liam Neeson plays the priest who has more to do with this lost child than he originally lets on, but eventually redeems himself.
After taking the name of Kitten and running away from home, our hero finds herself mixed up with a glam-rock band that turns out to be hiding guns for the IRA. What starts out as a search for identity and meaning takes a chilling political turn.
2 Husbands And Wives (1992)
This was Mia Farrow and Woody Allen’s 13th and final movie together, and it’s filmed in a way that makes it feel more like a documentary than a drama. Considering there’s also some comedy involved, Husbands And Wives could also be a “mockumetary” and although this eclectic style makes it intersting from an artistic point of view, it makes the marketing awkward, which is the main reason it flew under the radar.
Liam Neeson plays a supporting role as one of many people who gets mixed up in the usual drama that seems to inevitably happen among adults, whether they’re in commited relationships or looking for one. The moral of the story seems to be that marriage is more about acceptance than forgiveness.
1 Rob Roy (1996)
Too historically accurate and not focused enough on action sequences to compete with Braveheart from the previous year, Rob Roy was mostly overlooked when it was first released. The great performances involved, not only on Neeson’s behalf but also on the part of Tim Roth and John Hurt, take the place of dramatic battles and uplifting speeches.
Rob Roy and his clan are trying to raise money for the upcoming year, and their cache of coin is stolen by the neferious Archie Cunningham, the guest of a local noble, to pay a gambling debt. Roy has to clear his name, rescue his wife and children, and raise the money that was stolen.
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