The 1990s were a special time for movie lovers. In addition to the continued reign of blockbuster filmmaking and the consistent quality of mid-budget films, independent filmmakers were beginning to carve out a space for themselves in Hollywood. It was a time when effects-heavy action films, adult dramas and juvenile comedies could battle it out at the box office and have an equal chance of being the film co-workers spoke about on Monday morning. From this group of excellent film years, 1994 stands out as one of the decade’s best.
1994 was marked by films from revered auteurs likeRobert ZemeckisandJames Cameron, three films from burgeoning movie starJim Carrey,andindependent filmmakers likeQuentin TarantinoandKevin Smithannouncing their arrivals.Many of these 1994 films became timeless classicsand have been regarded as some of the best films ever produced in their respective genres. In a year of great cinematic efforts, these are the films that remain unexpectedly but undeniably perfect.
10’Clerks'
Directed by Kevin Smith
“I’m not even supposed to be here today.” Made for $27,575 of its writer and director’s money,Kevin Smith’sClerksbecame a box office hiton its way to cult classic status and becomingone of the decade’s biggest success stories. Joining Smith in the cast wereBrian O’Halloran,Jeff Anderson,Marilyn Ghigliotti,Lisa Spoonauer,Jason MewesandScott Mosier.
The film follows the workday of a couple of store clerks and the colorful characters they encounter during the day. Based on Smith’s life as a convenience store clerk, the film was immediately praised for its authentic depictions of a middle-class, working-day life. The production’s limitations were highlighted as positives for the eventual product, allowing Kevin Smith to focus on the characters, the comedy and the dialogue, three aspects of the film that were universally praised. Amidst a universe of spinoffs and tangentially connected films,Clerksremainsthe most perfect film of Kevin Smith’s career.
9’Dumb and Dumber'
Directed by Peter Farrelly
In a remarkable breakout year, Jim Carrey led three comedies in 1994. WhileThe MaskandAce Ventura: Pet Detectivewere box office hits,Dumb and Dumberhas, in the three decades since, emerged as the leader of the pack. Co-anchored byan against-typeJeff Daniels, the film tells the story of two dumb but well-intentioned friends, Harry (Daniels) and Lloyd (Carrey), who go on a road trip to return a briefcase full of money to its owner. Unbeknownst to them, the briefcase was not lost but intentionally left as a ransom.
Co-written byPeterandBobby Farrelly,Dumb and Dumberlaunched the filmmaking careers of the Farrelly brothers. In addition to certifying Jim Carrey’s movie star status, the film also redefined Jeff Daniels' career as a comedic star after years as a respected dramatic actor.Dumb and Dumberis a gem of ’90s humor,a perfect encapsulation of the decade’s comedic sensibilitiesand a wonderful snapshot of a specific time and place.
Dumb and Dumber
8’Forrest Gump'
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
“Run, Forrest, Run.” A movie full ofinstantly quotable lines,Forrest Gumpcaptured hearts on its way to becoming the year’s second highest-grossing film.Tom Hanksplays Forrest Gump, a simple man with a below-average IQ but an endearing and loving personality who routinely gets in the middle of historical American events.Robin Wrightco-stars as Jenny, Forrest’s childhood friend and lifelong love interest.
Joining Hanks and Wright in the Robert Zemeckis-directed film wereSally Field,Gary SiniseandMykelti Williamson. Described as"a magical movie" byRoger Ebert,Forrest Gumpwent on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Tom Hanks and Best Picture. This Best Actor win made Tom Hanks only the fifth actor to win back-to-back Academy Awards after winning forPhiladelphiathe year prior.
Forrest Gump
7’Four Weddings and a Funeral'
Directed by Mike Newell
Despite his proficiency atvillainous roles in recent years,Hugh Grantwill perhaps be forever linked to the romantic comedy genre. However, without the success ofFour Weddings and a Funeral, the world might have been robbed of one of its best romantic comedy leads. The first ofRichard Curtisand Hugh Grant’s collaborations (which includes other classics likeNotting HillandLove Actually), the film follows a group of friends through a series of social occasions (four weddings and a funeral), navigating their romantic ordeals.
Andie MacDowellstars as Carrie, Charles' (Hugh Grant) love interest, whom he meets at the first wedding. The film was a box office hit and kickstarted Grant’s reign as the bumbling rom-com king. It was alsoa breakthrough for Grant in the US, earning him a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, with the film itself earning an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, a rarity for a rom-com.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
6’Pulp Fiction'
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
After making his directorial debut in 1992 withReservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino truly announced himself as a future pioneer of cinema with his 1994 follow-up,Pulp Fiction. The film depicted four intertwining crime stories told out of chronological order. While non-linear storytelling might seem commonplace now, 30 years ago, it was far from the norm, and the boldness of Tarantino andRoger Avary’s story ignited a new phase of interest in independent cinema.
A murderers' row of top acting talent portraysPulp Fiction’s large ensemble of eclectic characters.John TravoltaandSamuel L. Jacksonstaras Vince and Jules, a pair of for-hire hitmen.Uma Thurmanplays Mia Wallace, an aspiring actress and the wife of a crime boss.Bruce Willis,Ving Rhames,Harvey Keitel,Tim RothandRosanna Arquetteround out the cast. Travolta, Jackson and Thurman were all Academy Award-nominated for their performances, and the film was nominated for Best Picture, with Tarantino and Avary winning for Best Screenplay.
Pulp Fiction
Directed by Jan de Bont
Jan de Bont’sSpeedmay have cinema’s simplest but most effective premise.Graham Yost’s script for the action film is unequivocal: there’s a bomb on a bus, and if the bus goes below 50 miles per hour, it will go off.Keanu Reevesstars as the LAPD officer tasked with preventing the occupied bus from exploding, andSandra Bullockco-stars as a passenger who unwittingly becomes the bus' driver.
Dennis Hopperportrays the mastermind, and Jeff Daniels (in a banner year for him) is an LAPD detective tasked with finding Hopper’s villain character. The film was a critical and commercial hit, making over$350 millionfrom a budget of just under $40 million. The film’s reputation has continued to increase over the years and 30 years on,Speedremains a modern action masterpiece.
4’The Last Seduction'
Directed by John Dahl
Imprints ofJohn Dahl’sThe Last Seductioncan be seen in a lot of contemporary thrillers. The film boasts an excellent and compelling female villain inLinda Fiorentino’s Bridget Gregory. Eager for more in her life, she convinces her physician husband (Bill Pullman) to sell pharmaceutical cocaine to drug dealers to pay off his debts and fund a better lifestyle. However, when he physically attacks her, she steals the money from the deal and moves to a small town to lay low. There, she seduces and manipulates a local man (Peter Berg) to kill her husband.
The 1980s and 1990s werehome to a flurry of excellent erotic thrillers, andThe Last Seductionwas one of the best. A career-bestLinda Fiorentino portrays arguably the greatest femme fatale in cinemasinceBarbara Stanwyck’s Phyllis Dietrich received a BAFTA nomination for her performance, although, notoriously, not an Academy Award nomination because of issues with the film’s release. In the decades since its release,The Last Seductionhas often been cited as an influence on modern female villains, most notably inGone Girl.
The Last Seduction
3’The Lion King'
Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
The Lion Kingis arguablythe most revered of Disney’s animated films. An adaptation ofWilliam Shakespeare’sHamlet, the film tells the story of a young lion cub and heir to the Pride Lands who flees after his uncle kills his father and claims the throne. The film follows the exiled prince’s return and challenge to the throne.The Lion Kingfeatured voice performances by the lateJames Earl Jones,Matthew Broderick,Jeremy Irons,Rowan Atkinsonand many more.
The Lion Kingwasthe highest-grossing film of 1994and, at the time of its release, the second highest-grossing film of all time. Featuring music fromElton JohnandTim Riceand a score byHans Zimmer,The Lion Kingis an exemplary musicaland a masterful coming-of-age tale. It won the Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Score for Hans Zimmer and introduced many Disney staples, including “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life.”
The Lion King
2’The Shawshank Redemption'
Directed by Frank Darabont
A prime example of a film whose reputation increased with time,The Shawshank Redemptionwas a commercial failure during its initial release despite universal critical praise. Based on aStephen Kingnovella, the film tells the two-decade-long friendship between convicts Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman).Bob Gunton,William SadlerandClancy Brownround out the cast.
The chemistry between Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman has often been highlighted as one of the film’s many strengths.Frank Darabont’s script and directing, along with the film’s score andRoger Deakins' cinematography, are considered some of the best of the decade. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards but lost in all seven categories, including losing Best Picture toForrest Gump. Despite these losses and being a box office bomb,The Shawshank Redemption’s reputation has grown exponentially over the years, with many considering it the best film of the excellent year.
The Shawshank Redemption
1’True Lies'
Directed by James Cameron
After their successful outing on 1991’sTerminator 2: Judgment Day,James CameronandArnold Schwarzeneggerreunited three years later for an adaptation of the French comedyLa Totale!Co-starringJamie Lee Curtis,True Liesis an introspective marital drama masquerading as a fun Schwarzeneggerover-the-top spy action-comedy.
In the film, Schwarzenegger plays Harry Tasker, a U.S. Government agent who is finding it difficult to balance his double life. Jamie Lee Curtis plays his wife Helen, who disillusioned with her marriage, is considering having an affair. When they are both captured by the villain Harry was tasked with capturing, they are forced to confront their issues with the marriage.True Liesisan excellent example of genre balancing. James Cameron successfully juggles the film’s over-the-top moments with the more grounded comedic and romantic plotlines. The result isan action rom-com like no otherand the greatest proof that no one crafts a crowd-pleasing blockbuster like Cameron.
NEXT:10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘The Shawshank Redemption’
