Between the resurgence of fantasy drama and historical epics, the growing influence of international cinema, and the beginnings of the phenomenon of superhero blockbusters, the 2000s stands as one of the most eclectic and intriguing decades film has ever seen. From fantasy epics likeHarry PotterandThe Lord of the Rings, to action extravaganzas likeThe Dark KnightandAvatar, the decade was rife with landmark movies aplenty.
Understandably, beneath such an array of illustrious and financially successful cinematic triumphs,there were plenty of great movies that never got the attention or the admiration they so thoroughly deserved. From spellbinding sci-fi thrillers to pondering and poignant philosophical dramas, most people have probably overlooked these 10 films, but it is never too late to seek them out and see what they offer.
10’Timecrimes' (2007)
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
A small-scale yet fiercely intelligent Spanish sci-fi thriller,Timecrimesis a profound look at the paradoxical risks of time travel and the complexity of human morality. Héctor (Karra Elejalde) is a middle-aged man whose intrigue in a young woman undressing near his property sets him on a confounding time-travel experience when he is attacked by a bandaged man and contacted by an erratic scientist when he seeks refuge in a mysterious building.
With its biting and brilliant screenplay, its experimental narrative structure, and its clever use of plot twists and black comedy,Timecrimesflaunts an impressive creativity that ensures it overcomes the limitations of its minuscule budgetto soar as a smart and striking sci-fi flick. Despite its punchy excellence, its genre appeal, and the fact that it has all the makings of a true cult classic,Timecrimesremains a largelyunseen gem of modern science fiction.
Timecrimes
9’Thirteen Conversations About One Thing' (2001)
Directed by Jill Sprecher
A sprawling and philosophically loaded examination of happiness and human connection in the chaos of the modern world,Thirteen Conversations About One Thingunfolds through 13 vignettes as the lives of disparate New Yorkers overlap in unexpected ways. Inspired by the personal experiences of co-writerJill Sprecher, particularly traumatic and victimizing instances like muggings and assaults, the film loosely follows a guilt-stricken judge, an injured cleaner, a struggling father, and an adulterous professor as they search for glimpses of joy amid the stark unpredictability of life.
Made exceptional through its employment of everyday experiences as a catalyst for its philosophical ponderings,Thirteen Conversations About One Thingisa powerful viewing experience that uses its story’s scope to maximize its impact. While it is mature, poignant, and aware of the pitfalls of society, it is never damningly cynical. It results in a profoundly thought-provoking and world-weary picture that should have been displayed to far more people than it has ever reached.
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
8’Nothing But the Truth' (2008)
Directed by Rod Lurie
A surprising triumph of direct-to-DVD distribution,Nothing but the Truthisan enthralling political thrillerloaded with exceptional performances and a true story basis that makes its urgency and its drama all the more palpable. It follows ambitious Washington reporter Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) as she is persecuted for writing an article that reveals the identity of a CIA operative. When she is jailed for refusing to name her source, she faces mounting pressure as her attorney takes the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Juggling ideas of one’s patriotic obligations to their government and where one must stand by their principles in the face of corruption and power,Nothing but the Truthis a complex and thought-provoking story of responsibilitythat was entitled to a better release strategy. The lack of a theatrical release is undoubtedly the main cause for it being such a lost gem of modern American drama.
Nothing But the Truth
7’Roger Dodger' (2002)
Directed by Dylan Kidd
FeaturingJesse Eisenberg in his feature film debut,Roger Dodgerovercomes its juvenile premise with a tender insight into common anxieties and misconceptions about seduction. It follows Roger Swanson (Campbell Scott), a womanizing advertising copywriter who takes his teenage nephew out on the town when he asks for help attracting women and losing his virginity. Nick’s (Eisenberg) sensitivity and kindness, however, makes Roger aware that his advantageous and dehumanizing approach to sex may not be as healthy as he thought.
Granted, the film stumbles at stages where debut directorDylan Kiddisn’t quite sure if he should adore or undermine Roger’s character, but it ultimatelyleaves a lasting impression as an analysis of how human decency is often sacrificed in relations between sexes. Bolstered by Kidd’s precision in his screenwriting and an outstanding performance from Eisenberg,Roger Dodgeris a cutting comedy-drama that, like its focal character in Nick, always has a sweet and respectful heart beneath a veneer of masculine, sex-crazed bravado.
Roger Dodger
6’The Man from Earth' (2007)
Directed by Richard Schenkman
Another hidden gem of low-budget creativity,The Man from Earthutilizes a sharp screenplay and a clever sci-fi spin to conjure up an intriguing and richly rewarding viewing experience. It transpires as university professor John Oldman (David Lee Smith) is treated to a farewell party by his colleagues. As the night goes on, he decides to tell them of his true nature, that he is over 14,000 years old, a revelation that stimulates intellectual debates as each of John’s fellow professors tries to contextualize his story in their field of expertise.
While it flaunts a sci-fi premise,it unfurls more like a low-key drama, or even as a stage play, with much of the film being contained to the conversation around the living room. Imbued with great curiosity and momentum throughout its 89-minute runtime,The Man from Earthnever missteps or drags with its dialogue, with everything from spirituality to historical disputes being addressed with captivating detail.
The Man from Earth
5’Elling' (2001)
Directed by Petter Næss
A pleasant black comedy driven by two endearing and offbeat characters,Ellingisa triumph of Scandinavian entertainmentthat meshes the culture’s piercing sense of humor with a touching tale of self-discovery and new horizons. Elling (Per Christian Ellefsen) is a mentally disabled man who is placed in an institution when his mother, who he has lived with all his life, passes away. He befriends his promiscuous and simple-minded roommate and, two years later, the unlikely duo are permitted to move into an apartment in Oslo where they are confronted with the challenges and possibilities of the real world.
The filmthrives in its air of optimism, fun-loving adventure, and character rebirth, but it never stoops to being overly cutesyor excessively sentimental. While it was a popular hit in Norway—even performing so well as to receive a prequel and a sequel in the following years—Ellingnever had the impact it perhaps should have on the international scene.
4’Lars and the Real Girl' (2007)
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Despite the fact that it was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award,Lars and the Real Girlremains a largely unseen gem of offbeat dramedy that coasts by on an exceptionallygoofy yet genuine performance from Ryan Gosling. He stars as Lars, a secluded and socially inaccessible man who begins a relationship with an adult sex doll. While many in the small-town community are initially shocked by this revelation, they soon seize it as an opportunity to help get Lars out of his shell.
The best thing about the film is how it quickly moves beyond the obvious gag of the central romance to immerse itself in ideas of loneliness and human connection with complete sincerity. Never smutty or lewd, and armed with a certain innocence and acceptance,Lars and the Real Girlisa sharp and surprisingly touching meditation on love and relationships that should be more universally celebrated.
Lars and the Real Girl
3’The Woodsman' (2004)
Directed by Nicole Kassell
Grounded by aperfectly unsettling central performance from Kevin Bacon,The Woodsmanis a criminally underrated drama from 2004 that is as compelling and complex as it is creepy. Based on co-writerSteven Fechter’s play of the same name, it follows a convicted child molester who returns home after being in jail for 12 years. As he tries to readjust to his normal life, it is made abundantly clear to him that his past will not be forgotten, but his discovery of another predatory pedophile presents him with a chance to learn how much damage he caused.
The nature of the film is handled with extreme care, with Fechter andNicole Kassellgoing to great lengths to ensure Walter (Bacon) is realized with sympathy and nuance without allowing the story to descend into a full-blown redemption arc.It is commanding, confident, and capable in its handling of such difficult subject matterand, buoyed by Bacon’s brilliant work, manages to soar as a precise and powerful character study of realization and remorse.
The Woodsman
2’Panic' (2000)
Directed by Henry Bromell
Crime and psychotherapy was something of a popular combination in the early 2000s, largely due toThe Sopranosappealing to the masses with its marriage of character depth and intrigue and the skewered moral compass of gangsters. While it is hugely underappreciated,Panicfits this mold quite perfectly as well. It follows a hitman who works for his father as, having grown disillusioned with his double life, he begins seeing a therapist. His life is further complicated by his attraction to a young woman he meets in the therapist’s waiting area and his father telling him to kill his therapist.
Contrary to the promise of its title,Panicexcels with its measured and unhurried pacing. It is a slow and methodical character study of the malaise and melancholy of a midlife crisis, one that just so happens to be realized with immense life-or-death stakes and a troubled father-son relationship at its core. The end result isa uniquely enchanting movie that comes to abrupt and interesting conclusions concerning its themesof morality, familial dysfunction, and violence.
1’Nine Queens' (2000)
Directed by Fabién Bielinsky
Another underappreciated gem of international cinema from the 2000s,Nine Queensis an Argentinian heist drama rife with clever twists aplenty and an underlying knack for comedic genius. It follows two small-time swindlers who team up with the hope of selling a sheet of counterfeit rare stamps to a wealthy collector. As their duplicitous scheme unravels, however, it becomes less certain who is conning who as more and more characters get in on the dodgy deal in their own way.
Amid its exciting story of skullduggery and suspense,Nine Queensfinds a certain scumbag charm that defines both its characters and its comedy. It makes for a skittishly enjoyable viewing experience as the spectacle of the scoundrels and their antics combines with the story’s ceaseless twists to keep audiences hooked from start to finish. It is a clean and crisp crime caper that stands amongthe finest heist movies ever made.
