There Are A Few Harrison Ford Films The Actor Feels Are Underrated
Harrison Ford will probably be remembered foremost as Han Solo — but not if he can help it. While Ford may well be the greatest movie star of the latter 20th century, it feels like he would've preferred to be a character actor, one that would sink into part after different part, not play the same archetype over and over.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ford mentioned that he "likes to change genres" from film to film. Not all of these genres have been successful for him, though he maintains that even his flops, "were entered with the best of intentions." Still, when Ford stars in an unsuccessful film like "Morning Glory" or "Cowboys & Aliens," he tries not to dwell on it:
"The first job of a movie is to make its money back. God knows why something doesn't work. It doesn't usually make that much difference — I just go on and do something else. I wasn't counting the hits and misses."
Naturally, there are some films of Ford's that he's fond of even though they didn't click with the audiences.
Ford's '90s/Aughts Run
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter Ford name-checked "42," the 2013 Jackie Robinson biopic, as a film he's "proud of." He played Branch Rickey, one-time owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers who signed Robinson onto the team. Now, "42" wasn't a failure, earning a solid gross and reviews. Even so, it will definitely be remembered more for Chadwick Boseman's lead performance than Ford's supporting one, especially since the former is no longer with us. In a separate THR interview Ford said of his late co-star:
"Chadwick Boseman was as compelling, powerful, and truthful as the characters he chose to play. His intelligence, personal dignity, and deep commitment inspired his colleagues and elevated the stories he told. He is as much a hero as any he played. He is loved and will be deeply missed."
Ford also described "K-19: The Widowmaker," a bonafide flop, as one of his prouder moments onscreen. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Ford played Soviet Submarine Captain Alexei Vostrikov (a roman à clef for Nikolai Vladimirovich Zateyev). Quite the opposite of Ford's previous role as President James Marshall in "Air Force One," who defeats Russian terrorists hand-to-hand.
The Mosquito Coast
Ford believes that "each film has its own destiny, and I don't go back and parse the experience." Well, with one exception: "The Mosquito Coast," where he played arrogant inventor Allie Fox who moves his family to South America. Ford has called Fox his favorite role; while he keeps Indiana Jones close to his heart, he enjoyed the opportunity to play someone, "completely f***ing nuts." After "The Mosquito Coast" failed to impress critically and commercially, Ford made the uncharacteristic move to publicly defend the movie:
"Quite frankly, there have been mixed reviews and I think the film has been very unfairly treated in some quarters. I have never seen a serious film treated so badly by the critics. And I think they're wrong. I don't mind saying I'm here trying to counter those negative reviews. I'm not defensive about the picture, but I want the public to hear another point of view. Critics see a film and then rush to review it. This is the sort of movie that really doesn't sink home for about three days. It is disturbing and makes you think. It stays with you."
It takes a special movie to make Harrison Ford defend it. It's just that audiences might be surprised at which films fit that description for him.