Initially, I was having difficulties choosing whom I thought was the best underrated actor, because there are so many. One does have to take into consideration that some actors are better suited to play smaller parts and some are better in certain roles than other. I’ve caught a lot of flack in the past for saying that I thought that Denzel Washington was simply an okay actor, and I say this, because to me being a good actor means that you show depth, you show me different sides of you and you impress me. And although Denzel was good at drama, I had never really seen him in anything else. Show me your different side, that’s all I’m asking for. So with that foundation my pick for the most underrated actor is (drum roll please): Michael Rappaport.

You may not just remember him yet, but you know who he is. You’ve seen him tons of times, you’ve liked what he did, and you just never knew it. Until NOW. For my first movie review, I chose an older film that showed the slightly more intense side of Michael Rappaport. A film that I hope you’ve all already seen, and if you have not, you need to. The film, Higher Learning, was released in 1995 and was directed by John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood and Baby Boy). It is the story of a racially and socially charged college campus and what happens when people become susceptible to peer pressures and the desire to fit into a mold of some sort. It also speaks to issues that go on at college campuses like rape and the value of a college education. More than just being entertaining, it’s social and if you like, political. I think Singleton is good at that genre, although no one ever wants to give him credit for it, but we’re not going to go there. Even if you believe that Michael Rappaport sucks, you should see this move because he’s so good in it.

But yet, I need to explain to you why Michael Rappaport is underrated. In Higher Learning, Rappaport plays a character by the name of Remy. A white bread kid from Idaho who is an isolated loner. In the beginning Remy tries hard to fight in, but there is really no place for him and you get to see the mental and emotional struggle that he is in trying to find his place. Through all this, looking for his place in the world, Remy gets swept into an amazing world of hatred, and joins a neo-nazi skinhead group. I do wish that this movie had allowed for more character development, but in the brief moments that Rappaport is on screen, he shines. He’s one of those actors that you can believe, that sounds silly to say about an actor, but it’s true. When I first saw this movie you couldn’t tell me he wasn’t some raging bigot. The credibility is there, and I feel that’s important especially when the parts are smaller.

Despite the fact, that in this movie, Rappaport has a role that doesn’t allow you to see his complete range and skill as an actor, you feel sad for him because in his innate desire to want to belong to some group, he ends up making the worst decision of his life. As a supporting actor, I believe that Rappaport steals the show away from his co-stars (Omar Epps, Kristi Swanson, Tyra Banks) and shows us as viewers why he’s so good. In this role he shows us isolation, pity, desire, love, hatred, disgust. He runs the gamut on the emotions meter and shows you some of his skills. He might not be the lead actor in this movie, but he certainly holds his own

The premise of an underrated actor is someone who has not necessarily gained notoriety for being an actor, and who is not afraid to take risks with their work. In small parts, they shine. In big parts, they blow you away. You always go; hey that’s the game from that movie. They stay in your mind, and you might think that they are phenomenal and never take the time to seek out other things they might be in. I believe that Michael Rappaport is one of those people, and it would be worth the time to see him a few movies, or catch him on Boston Public (Mondays at 8 on Fox) you would not be disappointed.




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older