There are plenty of crime movies which deserve more attention, since some of the genre’s best films manage to fly under the radar. Sometimes, it’s the case that a film was once hugely popular, but it has since fallen out of fashion and doesn’t get spoken about much. In other cases, a movie never got the chance it deserved to begin with.
Even some of the crime genre’s most influential directors, like Michael Mann and Steven Soderbergh, have seen some of their movies lose relevance. Fortunately for fans of the genre, a lack of reputation or awareness doesn’t say much about the quality of the movies, and there are some hidden gems to discover.
Tom Cruise is usually the hero, and this context makes his villainous turn in Michael Mann’sCollateraleven more chilling. Cruise is scintillating as a villain who drags an innocent taxi driver into a thrilling nightmare.The entire story takes place over the course of one night, so the pace never drops for a moment.
Collateralis up there withHeatandManhunteras one of Michael Mann’s best movies.
Collateralis up there withHeatandManhunteras one of Michael Mann’s best movies, once again proving that the director is perfectly suited to the crime genre. He has a mastery of tension and action that eclipses most of his contemporaries, drawing out the anticipation before a conflict to heighten its impact.
On the Waterfrontwas highly garlanded at the time, but it’s fair to say that it doesn’t get much attention these days. This is a shame considering that it’s one ofMarlon Brando’s best movies, and his performance landed him his first Oscar. He plays a longshoreman in New York City who agonizes over his decision to speak out against his corrupt, criminal union.
Brando’s performance isn’t the only strength ofOn the Waterfront.It’s alsoa fascinating exploration of the entangled nature of crime and economic depravity.The film is often seen as Elia Kazan’s way of standing behind his actions before the HUAC, and this historical context gives the drama even more weight.
Sexy Beasthas a cult following, but it doesn’t offer the thrills and violence that other crime movies have, so it’s not gotten the audience it deserves. The story mostly takes out in a Spanish villa, as a hot-headed gangster visits one of his former associates to drag him out of retirement for one last bank job in London.
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Ben Kingsley’s absorbing performance is what givesSexy Beastits vitality. His easily aggravated gangster crashes into Gal’s cushy retirement like a whirlwind of rage, tearing a path of destruction that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious. Kingsley single-handedly turnsSexy Beastinto a dark comedy.
Gosford Parkis a compellingmystery movie perfect for Agatha Christie fans. In fact, it can sometimes be hard to believe thatGosford Parkis an original story, since it captures so much of what makes Christie’s work so popular. It follows a knotty murder mystery that unfolds at a lavish country estate in England.
Gosford Parkhas an excellent script, perfectly crafted to keep the audience on the hook, butit’s also buoyed by a superb ensemble cast. It’s a joy to watch so many of Britain’s finest actors bouncing off one another, especially since the story is more focused on its characters than its plot.
No Sudden Movewas released on HBO Max, which greatly limited how many people got to see it. It’s still a hidden gem a few years later, despite the presence of a brilliant cast and crime genre master Steven Soderbergh. Unlike Soderbergh’sOcean’smovies,No Sudden Moveis a little slower and darker.
AlthoughNo Sudden Moveoffers something different to most other Soderbergh movies, it still shows his great sense of humor, his understanding of crime tropes and his gorgeous aesthetic sensibilities.Soderbergh’s twisty ’50s thriller is filled with interesting directorial choices.
Many ofStanley Kubrick’s movieshave earned the status of classics, butThe Killingnever gets the same level of attention as the likes ofThe Shiningand2001: A Space Odyssey.This is a shame, because its impact on the heist genre is clear to see, and it still has the capacity to surprise and entertain audiences.
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The Killinguses a non-linear structureto tell the story of a racetrack robbery from a few different angles. The conflicting personalities of the thieves givesThe Killinga lot of its dramatic thrust, and Kubrick adds a few inventive aesthetic flourishes. This culminates in an unforgettable finale at the airport, which puts a bow on a gripping crime drama.
Dog Day Afternoonis one of thebest heist moviesever, but it rarely gets as much love as more dynamic and action-packed thrillers. WhatDog Day Afternoonlacks in action, however, it more than makes up for in other areas. Al Pacino delivers one of his best performances as a neurotic, amateur thief whose in-and-out bank job quickly goes south.
Dog Day Afternoonresembles a comedy for a while, as the thief runs around the bank desperately trying to keep a handle on a situation that he’s completely unprepared for. Ultimately, the real-life context behindDog Day Afternoonshines through, and the tense hostage situation doesn’t seem so funny anymore.
David Fincher’s filmographyshows that he’s one of the most interesting and talented directors in the crime genre, but his latest movie was met with some bemusement. While audiences might have expected more thrills along the lines ofSe7en, Fight CluborZodiac,The Killeris much more pedestrian and laidback.
Once the initial shock wears off,there’s a chance thatThe Killercould be reappraisedfor what it is. The slow pace and the heavy use of voiceover both makeThe Killersurprisingly mundane, despite the glamorous locations and the thrilling subject. Fincher succeeds in making the life of a trained assassin seem commonplace, which makes the bursts of violence even more powerful, and the story far more surprising.
Layer Cakeis often mentioned as the movie that helped Daniel Craig land the role of James Bond, and it’s easy to see why. He’s just as sophisticated and charming as he is in any of hisBondmovies, butLayer Cakealso has a subtle comedic streak, thanks to Matthew Vaughn’s direction.
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Vaughn is now more famous for hisKingsmanfranchise, butLayer Cakeshows the early buds of his overblown style of action. It’s more grounded, but no less entertaining.Layer Cake’s scheming British gangsters also make it a safe bet for fans of Guy Ritchie’s movies.
There have been plenty ofPhilip Marlowe moviesover the years, with actors including Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum and Liam Neeson. Elliott Gould puts a new spin on the character, heightening his comedic side. Gould responds to a twisty criminal investigation with deadpan nonchalance and some brilliant pieces of improv.
Elliott Gould puts a new spin on the character, heightening his comedic side.
The version of Marlowe seen inThe Long Goodbyeis very much a man out of time. The world around him has moved far beyond the world of Raymond Chandler, but Marlowe is a 1930s gumshoe at heart. This drives a lot of the film’s subtle comedy, but it also highlights how crime and crime stories have changed.
