MovieChat Forums > The Miracle Worker (1962) Discussion > The most underrated movie in existence!?

The most underrated movie in existence!?

posted 17 years ago by SaCha1689
10 replies | jump to latest

Why isn't this in the top 250? Or in the top 10, for that matter!? What an amazingly beautiful movie! What a gut-wrencher! What an inspiration! Incredible. I've been thinking, what am I complaining about when I have eyes and ears that work!? How can I ever think "poor me" about anything or procrastinate ever again when I have eyes and ears and a brain that are meant to be used!? This has got to be one of the most heartfelt and uplifting movies ever made. So why is it not even in the top 250 while the terribly overrated Pulp Fiction is in the top 10!?

"You talkin' to me?"

[–] SaCha1689 17 years ago

My point has been proved. Know how? No replies, 'cause this board is dead.

"You talkin' to me?"

[–] orfrlf01973 17 years ago

Of course this is underrated. If you've noticed, when AFI or some other group has a "Best Of" list they include commercial successes. Since "The Miracle Worker" was an artistic success but not a commercial one, it is often overlooked. The only list I've seen that even includes this film was about inspirational films.

[–] ducdebrabant 17 years ago

It's a tough movie to watch, and therefore isn't often shown. I'm watching it now -- at 2:00 A.M.!!!! A lot of people simply haven't ever seen it. Back in 1962 (I was 9) it blew us all away, but that was in a movie theatre where you're captive. When it's on TV, if you ever do catch it, it's not only tough, it's in black and white. Very easy for people not to commit to it.

[–] Clyburn 16 years ago

I totally disagree that it's underrated. Just the opposite - I just watched it for the first time and I was expecting so much better. I had heard good things. Knowing of the two acting Oscars got my expectations up. I was very disappointed.

I found it largely loud, annoying and heavy-handed - with unforgivably bad performances by the parents. Of course the director has to shoulder some of that blame.

I had problems with the writing too. Characters would suddenly change character - then magically change back. I found them inconsistent and unconvincing.

Given that she won an Oscar, I was surprised how bad and distracting Anne Bancroft's attempt at an accent was. I'm not saying she wasn't good overall but if she wasn't going to stick with the accent why not just skip it from the start? Shades of James Coburn hilarious attempt to be Australian in the Great Escape.

On the plus side the climax was unquestionably very moving. There was thoughtfulness behind the story. I give it allowances for being made 45 years ago when standards were different.

I'm rating it 5 out of 10 here. Thumbs down. Nice conclusion but I didn't enjoy the journey all that much.

Overrated.

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

Very eloquently stated, Clyburn! I too found the performances overwrought and overacted, and after hearing great things about this movie for years, I was sadly disappointed. This seems more like a midnight movie than an important social film. Still, I managed 7 out of 10 stars for the effort, though I'm wondering if I was too generous there.

[–] snownose1497 16 years ago

Was it really necessary to make another thread saying exactly the same thing as my previously existing thread? :-)

--
Segmentation fault. Core dumped.

[–] HulotderSpeiler 15 years ago

Spione is

black and white movies were better

[–] onleft23 15 years ago

Essie1689's words,
'I've been thinking, what am I complaining about when I have eyes and ears that work!? How can I ever think "poor me" about anything or procrastinate ever again when I have eyes and ears and a brain that are meant to be used!?...'

thank you for these words
they ring so true
what we take for granted, huh?

i remember after watching 'miracle worker' i went and found annie sullivan's
autobiography
i remember reading and thinking - trying to think - of just what life
would be like without visual images or audio sounds
this may sound gay - im a guy, hav to make disclaimer - but i got teary eyed
at the thought i was overwhelmed by helen keller's life and strength and courage

this was long ago now and i do again take these gifts for granted - life y'know?
but reading your words made me stop and think again
what a wonderful gift it is to see and hear to see the ones we love
to hear beautiful music or even just the sound of the wind rustling the leaves in the trees

'So why is it not even in the top 250 while the terribly overrated Pulp Fiction is in the top 10!?'

but it is in the top 10 - yours and mine and the others who were touched by it
i really was impressed by all the actors i thought they each delivered at least one very moving moment to see

and yes when helen finally understands annie's hand letters w-a-t-e-r
it is as an emotional moment in film as has ever been recorded
well ... at least to some present readers included i trust

thank you again for the comment
it made my day

and here's to mel brooks' beautful wife may her peace spread its love among the still living

[–] singjohn 13 years ago

It's not gay for men to cry or to be moved emotionally.

Gay = having sex with people of the same sex! Duh!

[–] FranLovesBetteD 13 years ago

I fully agree: the movie is amazing, extremely underrated. I saw it a few days ago for the first time in my life, and I've been emotionally affected by it ever since (in a good way, I must say). It's a shame the DVD doesn't have any extras other than the theatrical trailer, as I would have loved to see some documentary on the making of this incredible film, what did the members of the cast think about it, and stuff.

Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop