EJ Moreno with five underrated Brendan Fraser films…
If you’re like me, The Mummy was one of your most rewatched films of the late 90s. That means you were part of Brendan Fraser at one of the most important times in his career. The actor was on a roll during the 90s and early 00s, with his signature charm and wild comedic abilities carrying him from one significant role to another.
Fraser was one of those go-to leading men, and audiences couldn’t get enough of him. A string of films that include The Mummy trilogy, George of the Jungle, Airheads, and Blast from the Past made lasting impressions on us. But there were quite a few from Brendan Fraser’s career that you may have overlooked.
Due to personal reasons and some bad luck with Hollywood, the actor would soon step away from the spotlight. As he slowly geared up for a real comeback, we all knew the true Fraser renaissance was near.
That time could be now with The Whale, the new Darren Aronofsky piece placing Fraser at the top of many Best Actor lists. We’re getting a tangible reminder of that Fraser power.
Let’s look back and see how he got to this cult status with viewers. Join us as we dive into five of Fraser’s underrated yet can’t-miss films…
With Honors
Following Encino Man and School Ties, Brendan Fraser had to find what worked for him as an actor. He had comedic and dramatic abilities, and it would take him a while to find his niche. The 1994 film With Honors sees Fraser testing the waters in a sentimental dramedy alongside screen icon Joe Pesci. This came during Pesci’s prime, and you can see Fraser had the ability to keep up with him.
With Honors sees, Fraser starring as Monty, a college student trying to land the perfect thesis paper. He begrudgingly works with a homeless man (Joe Pesci) as he ends up with the report. From there, the two form a bond, and you see Brendan Fraser’s ability to connect with audiences and his co-stars. The bonds forged here feel so real, even though the movie gets a bit too sickly sweet for me. This is truly an overlooked gem from the early era of Fraser.
Mrs. Winterbourne
A romantic comedy where Brendan Fraser gets to pull double duty playing twins? This is a dream come true for most fans. You can feel Fraser’s charm in every scene, making this reasonably odd premise work. When his wife is killed in an accident, the family mistakes Ricki Lake’s Connie as his lover, and the hijinks ensues.
The mid-to-late 90s was Fraser’s time to shine, and Mrs. Winterbourne is a perfect example of why. His charm is through the roof, his acting ability is on display, and he proves himself the ideal leading man for these types of movies. With Brendan Fraser getting closer to a prestige comeback with The Whale, it’s the right time to look back at sweet little films like this that brought him here.
Gods and Monsters
Starring as Clayton Boone, Fraser adds his usual charm to Gods and Monsters, but this is another excellent example of how much he strives in dramatic work. Following the relationship between Clayton and legendary director James Whale, we see these two bond over cinema and have a pretty strange connection; this is portrayed perfectly by Fraser and his co-star Ian McKellen.
It’s a shame that Brendan Fraser’s co-stars got all the Academy Awards love for this project while he was left in the dust. You understand Clayton’s character and motivations, which Bill Condon wrote, but effortlessly brought to life by Fraser’s abilities. His work here has layers, making Fraser stretch his usual charm to something more nuanced.
Monkeybone
While this is probably the most controversial pick on the list, this writer finds Monkeybone an absolute riot. This movie is underappreciated, feeling like Henry Selick’s secret masterwork, but we have Brendan Fraser at the center holding it down. Without Fraser’s charisma and ability to handle insanity well (more on that in a second), Monkeybone wouldn’t work.
Henry Selick and Brendan Fraser should’ve been a pairing we saw more of, but the journey we got deserved more love. Fraser dives into the creepy and fantastic world of Monkeybone with ease; this is seriously some of his best work simply for dealing with the wild things around him. 2000’s Bedazzled almost took this spot, but not even that movie knows how to use Fraser well.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
With Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Brendan Fraser is once again tasked with dealing with some of the wildest characters ever. Even when his co-stars are animated later, Fraser still delivers some of his best comedic work. The last major Looney Tunes film we got till Space Jam 2, and one of Fraser’s latest blockbusters until he took a step back from the industry, this film feels oddly monumental.
However, let’s not discredit the entertainment, as Looney Tunes: Back in Action is vastly underrated. The jokes are solid here, feeling like these characters’ last bit of good writing. And all the credit to Fraser for not only dealing with lousy acting from his co-stars but also having the best chemistry with Bugs and Daffy. He can literally make Jenna Elfman and cartoon characters feel larger than life… that’s a true talent.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of The Whale here
What is your favorite overlooked Brendan Fraser movie? Let us know what you think by reaching out to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
EJ Moreno
