1984 was a fantastic year for movies. Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom dominated the box office. Amadeus won eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Favorites such as The Terminator and The Karate Kid thrilled and touched audiences. Indeed, it’s difficult to believe that all of these classic films are celebrating their 40th anniversary. But not every movie that debuted in 1984 received the recognition it deserved. Some were simply snubbed while others have been blatantly disregarded. Here are five under-appreciated films from 40 years ago.
5. Against All Odds
Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward star in this sizzling romantic thriller. The film tells the tale of a burned-out football player who is paid to locate the girlfriend of a brutal gangster. The downtrodden former athlete finds the girl in Mexico but when the two unexpectedly fall for each other, they both become targets for revenge.
Against All Odds is based on the 1947 film noir classic Out of the Past. The latter film falls short of its inspiration, but still serves as a sexy, suspenseful piece of cinema. It’s a riveting ride that is underscored by a volatile love triangle. The picture also features an exceptional soundtrack. Recorded by Phil Collins, the title track was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song.
4. Johnny Dangerously
From filmmaking pioneer Amy Heckerling, Johnny Dangerously is a clever sendup of 1930’s gangster pictures. It stars Michael Keaton in the title role as a criminal that does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. However, when the good-hearted hoodlum decides to go straight, his gang has other ideas.
Johnny Dangerously is not a serious crime drama. In fact, ..Dangerously does not take itself at all seriously. This is witty, slapstick satire at its best. Michael Keaton is utterly endearing, showcasing his immense comedic ability. Meanwhile Joe Piscopo is easy to hate as the villain, evoking Cagney-like repulsiveness. With great supporting contributions from Maureen Stapleton, Danny DeVito, and Peter Boyle, the film offers a lighthearted take on a heavy genre.
3. The Pope of Greenwich Village
One of the most stylish dramas of the year, The Pope of Greenwich Village provides a gritty look inside the New York crime rackets. Adapted by Vincent Patrick from his novel of the same name, the film features burgeoning stars Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts. The pair play two hapless hoods who try to cash in on easy money and wind up on the wrong side of the mob.
This is a wonderfully engrossing film, especially in the way it utilizes New York City as a central character. Patrick’s sharp screenplay highlights the story with rich dialogue, creating a vibe of authenticity. A powerful ensemble cast includes Burt Young and Daryl Hannah while Geraldine Page was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role. But the heart of the film resides in the nuanced repartee between Rourke and Roberts. Both actors give immersive and compelling performances.
2. Songwriter
Great songs serve as the backdrop for this sardonic account of the recording industry. As it happens, Songwriter stars two of America’s most revered songwriters in Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. The real-life friends play fictional troubadours Doc Jenkins and Blackie Buck. When the weary musicians have finally been pushed to their limit, they hatch a plan to regain control of their careers.
Willie and Kris both give heartfelt performances while Kristofferson was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song Score. Written by Bud Shrake, the film’s grim realities were based partly on Willie Nelson’s professional struggles. The picture struggled as well, grossing under $900,000. Despite being a genuine flop, the film endures due to its genuineness. Songwriter delivers a true taste of what it is like to be on the road (again). This may be a fictional account of the life of a professional songwriter, but not much about it is fake.
1. This Is Spinal Tap
Dave Grohl calls it “The only rock movie worth watching.” Directed by Rob Reiner, This Is Spinal Tap follows the fictional but believable band Spinal Tap as it embarks on their first American tour in six years. It quickly becomes obvious to all involved with the tour just how much their rock star stock has dwindled – obvious to everyone except them.
By consistently ingratiating itself to new generations, this movie has become a legitimate staple of pop culture. The phrase, “Up to Eleven”, is practically a part of the common lexicon. However, the film failed to initially make the widespread impact that would come to define it. It ranked 129 in domestic gross at the box office and was released in only 206 theaters. According to Reiner, the concept of the picture went “over everybody’s head.” People simply had no frame of reference for the rockumentary parody. Forty years after its release, This is Spinal Tap is now considered the benchmark for the genre.
Reiner is now working on a sequel to the iconic film. The filming is underway. Reiner will reprise his role as DiBergi, alongside the legendary trio of McKean, Shearer, and Guest. The sequel is also set to feature cameos from Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Questlove, and Trisha Yearwood.
Hope this doesn’t crash and burn! Worst case, we still get some new Spinal Tap music. And there’s Christopher Guest!
