The 90s was a great film decade for many reasons. It was an era where the independent films such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Fargo” were getting mainstream attention, the studios was still producing mid-budget films like “Jerry Maguire” and the blockbusters were fun enough without getting extended into Marvel-like universes or whatever. There was something for everyone and the balance was there.
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to think that film like “Forrest Gump”, regardless if you like it or not, would be the highest-grossing live-action film of its year. When you look at the highest-grossing films of their years, you might see adult dramas like “A Few Good Men”, “Philadelphia” and provocative films like ‘Basic Instinct”. It helped that there were still movie stars and people went out to see their new movie. Now it’s time to go back into the decade again and explore some of the less appreciated great films of the era and hopefully, once again, there will be something for everyone.
10. Impromptu (1991)
Let’s start off with a delightful film, seemingly a biopic but not your traditional one. In fact, it begins as a comedy of manners, as various creative personalities from the early to mid-1800s gather one weekend at a country estate and proceed to bicker amongst themselves. You expect it to be some kind of Jean Renoir “The Rules of the Game” type and it indeed has things to say about class and many other things. However, the film chooses to focus on the romance between composer Frederic Chopin and novelist George Sand Davis is a riot; she’s amazing and full of energy, and makes Sand a fascinating character to watch. Her character is showier and very well-written, so it gives her rich material to work with.
It’s also possibly the first romantic comedy role for Grant who will have bigger success with the genre later on his life, up until 2010s where he decided to back go his character actor roots with films like “Florence Foster Jenkins”, “The Gentlemen” or on television as in “A Very English Scandal”. Mandy Patinkin delivers some witty dialogues, Emma Thompson is a delight as always, and Bernadette Peters is wonderful also. The ensemble cast is just awesome here but one should also give a shout-out to Julian Sands who tragically died in 2023. You can see what an impactful performance here, in this intelligent and charming comedy with a gentle soul.
9. Cold Comfort Farm (1995)
It makes sense to follow a very charming British film with another British charmer. This time an adaptation and a very excellent one. After the death of her parents, young Flora Poste goes to stay with her country relatives. This part of her family is full of eccentric people and everyone of them has their own problems but can this modern young woman solve their problems and make the farm flourish again with imagination and joy? Probably, yes. This is yet another adaptation for the list, and an excellent one. Very earthy adaptation of Stella Gibbon’s 1932 novel is directed by the great John Schlesinger. He has made countless great films including |Darling”, “Midnight Cowboy”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, “The Day of the Locust” and “Marathon Man” in first half of his career.
“Cold Comfort Farm” is probably the last great film he directed as his subsequent efforts “Eye for an Eye” and “The Next Best Thing”. This one premiered on television but actually got some theatrical distribution in North America with strong reviews. Schlesinger’s direction was heavily praised as well as the wit and sharpness of the script. Those who love Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence and Jane Austen’s books will particularly find this enjoyable but it has a lot of charm to offer to non-lovers of those also because in a way, it also sort of subtly parodying Austen clichés and it works so well.
8. Sweet Jane (1998)
Lack of distribution is always a big problem when it comes to films that didn’t get much attention. “Sweet Jane” stars two well-known names: Samantha Mathis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Mathis is a rather underrated actress who made a feature film debut with cult classic “Pump Up the Volume” and had starred in films like 94’s “Little Women” or another underrated film “The Thing Called Love”, which could be here on this list and it’d be very fitting also. Gordon-Levitt was the star of “3rd Rock from the Sun” but “Sweet Jane” came around the time when he was not a bigger name yet. These days, it’s almost impossible to hear this title unless Gordon-Levitt somehow mentions it in an interview.
This is a rather sweet film about a sensitive issue and a very unusual relationship. The film follows HIV-positive addict Jane (Mathis) who leaves the hospital and gets followed by a teenager (Gordon-Levitt) who is diagnosed with AIDS. They somehow form a bond. The film deals with many topics including the addiction, dealing with terminal illness, trauma and friendship. While it’s obviously sentimental, thanks to these actors, it doesn’t feel phony or forced. There is a lot of raw emotions to be found. As the film is low-budget effort, its director wisely decide to focus his camera on these two actors and they both are equally great. Those who love films that deal with lonely people, this one is a must-see.
7. The Music of Chance (1993)
“Angels and Insects” was close to be on the list but ultimately, this Paul Auster adaptation by the same director felt like a superior film to go with. Jim Nashe, a former firefighter traveling across the States in his new car, gives a ride to Jack Pozzi, a poker player, on the way. Pozzi tells him how he managed to arrange a match with Stone and Flower, two billionaires, but he has a problem: he doesn’t have the money needed to face them. Nashe, attracted by the profit, is convinced to invest in the game and gives all his savings to Jack Pozzi. Having gone to the villa of the two billionaires in Pennsylvania, things turn out to be terrible as they lose everything. Stone and Flower, two eccentric types, who have become rich thanks to the national lottery, make a singular proposal.
If more given about the plot, you’d think it sounds bizarre and it really is but it’s also brilliant. Then again, it makes it harder to explain to those who haven’t seen it. The acting is all-around excellent but James Spader particularly shines. All characters are interesting and the film basically deals with the philosophical question of “chance or fate?”. It’s also one of those films that refuse to explain itself, which makes It even more interesting. Roger Ebert described it as ”one of those movies you can argue about for hours.” And sometimes that’s all we want from movies.
6. The War at Home (1996)
At some point in the 1980s, Emilio Estevez was arguably most popular and in-demand name of his famous family. He successfully switched from teen hits of “The Breakfast Club”, “The Outsiders” and cult film “Repo Man” to rather adult man roles in “Stakeout” and “Young Guns”, before subsequently being the family film star in “The Mighty Ducks”. Displeased with the film offers, Estevez wanted to make his own films and up until to the much more relaxed “The Way”, he had a similar formula; the slowly tension builds up until final big moment, “Bobby”, “Rated X” and now our subject, “The War at Home”.
One can criticize Estevez for being heavy-handed at times and not being able to adapt the material cinematically from stage to film but not everyone can be Sidney Lumet. He has made a very respectable directorial effort here, and shines as an actor playing a Vietnam War veteran who blames his father for what happened to him. It’s not an easy to watch, you can’t help but feel sorry for his character as well as the others trapped in the situation. Estevez, Kathy Bathes (as mom) and “Father of the Bride”s Kimberly Williams are all good but it’s Martin Sheen who’s the MVP- Emilio knows what a powerful presence his father can be. There are several strong scenes here that hits you hard and once again reminds the tragic consequences of wars and warmongering.