Harrison Ford's 13 Most Underrated Movies
'The Conversation' (1974)
Director Francis Ford Coppola truly became his own worst enemy in 1975, when "The Conversation" competed against "The Godfather, Part II" for the Best Picture Oscar and lost. And while the latter is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, the former has been all but forgotten. It's truly a shame. Among many other things, it serves as a promising showcase for a young Ford at the dawn of his career.
'Witness' (1985)
"Witness" succeeded as much as any film in the '80s, in terms of helping Ford move out of the shadow of Star Wars and Indiana Jones and become a well-respected thespian. This unique crime thriller focuses on a Philadelphia detective who travels to a remote Amish community to protect the eyewitness of a murder. It earned Ford a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor -- his first and only one -- and it deserves to be included among his most essential and best films.
'The Mosquito Coast' (1986)
What if Ford starred in "The Shining" instead of Jack Nicholson? This under-appreciated effort from "Witness" director Peter Weir is probably the closest we'll ever get to having that question answered. Ford is mesmerizing as a father who relocates his family to an idyllic Central American paradise and rapidly loses his mind. "The Mosquito Coast" didn't exactly blow away critics at the time, but it's a film with performances that have stood the test of time.
'Frantic' (1988)
It's not every day that you find a film that pairs Ford with director Roman Polanski and composer Ennio Morricone. "Frantic" was a box office bomb and, even now, remains one of the more obscure entries in Ford's career. Yet, it's also one of his most engaging -- with some critics going so far as to label it Polanksi's best film since "Chinatown."
'Working Girl' (1988)
Ford has built his career on playing gruff, no-nonsense heroes. Few can match his talents in that department. But he does have a sillier side that comes out every now and then. That's one of many things that makes this romantic comedy such a joy to watch. Ford and Melanie Griffith make a heck of a pair.
'Presumed Innocent' (1990)
When asked to name Ford's all-time best performances, few would likely gravitate towards this crime thriller. But it definitely deserves to be in the running. Even before "The Fugitive" came along, "Presumed Innocent" showed us how good Ford can be in a movie about a wrongly accused (and problematic) hero fighting to clear his name. That twist ending still hits us right in the feels, every rewatch.
'Regarding Henry' (1991)
"Regarding Henry" isn't among the more highly reviewed films of Ford's career. Many critics dismissed it and its script, from JJ (nay Jeffrey) Abrams, as sappy and sentimental. And we can't necessarily deny that. But it still features a terrific performance from Ford, who plays a chronic absentee husband and father, who happens to be a slick-ass NY attorney, whose entire life and outlook changes after he is shot in the head (naturally) and recovers with a bout of amnesia.
'Patriot Games' (1992)
After "Regarding Henry" disappointed at the Summer 1991 box office, Ford found himself another worthwhile franchise when he took over the role of CIA action hero Jack Ryan in the R-rated "Patriot Games." While neither the first nor the last actor to play the part, he remains -- for many fans -- the definitive Jack Ryan. "Games" and its sequel, "Clear and Present Danger," are both well-crafted adult thrillers of the sort we just don't see anymore in Hollywood.
'Clear and Present Danger' (1994)
With "The Fugitive" becoming an August 1993 hit for Ford, Paramount released "Clear and Present Danger" in August of 1994 (on a Wednesday!) in the hopes of finding that same box-office sweet spot that Ford's previous hit did. "Danger" did find success, capping off Ford's tenure in the role of Jack Ryan as the CIA analyst went up against Washington's covert (and illegal) war on drugs.
'The Devil's Own' (1997)
Here's another case of a middling film made much better by the strength of Ford's performance. He and co-star Brad Pitt are terrific in this plagued-with-behind-the-scenes-tensions thriller revolving around an IRA arms deal in NYC. It's just too bad the plot doesn't measure up to those performances.
'K-19: The Widowmaker' (2002)
You might think a historical thriller about Soviet submarine officers starring the thoroughly non-Russian Ford and Liam Neeson would be a recipe for disaster. But while this film does play a little fast and loose with historical facts, it delivers a gripping account of a crew racing against time to prevent nuclear disaster. Yes, it was a costly dud at the box office, and Ford's Russian accent is, uh, not great, but director Katheryn Bigelow crafts one hell of an intense and emotional film.
'Morning Glory' (2010)
"Morning Glory" served as the perfect vehicle for an aging Ford, allowing him to play a grumpy, old-fashioned news anchor butting heads with his younger, more affable Rachel McAdams. The film's take on broadcast journalism doesn't offer the same depth as something like "Network," but it makes for a pleasant, comedic diversion. (It hails from JJ Abrams' Bad Robot, too.)
