If we start this by giving you an intro about Brad Pitt, chances are, you’re in the wrong place. Apart from his epic hits, red-carpet moments, and star power, his career is also full of films that slipped through the cracks. Maybe you’ve never put up posters of these movies in your room or quoted them at parties. But these are the movies that reveal sides of Pitt you won’t see in his biggest hits.
If you really want to understand his journey as an actor, it’s these lesser-known movies of Brad Pitt you should be watching.
Killing Them Softly (2012)
In this movie, Pitt plays Jackie Cogan, a hitman hired to restore order after a mob poker game is robbed. It is based on the novel Cogan’s Trade and gave us the perfect blend of crime drama and humour. But instead of the usual heroic style, we see Pitt as calm, smart, and almost philosophical about violence. Pitt makes him both chilling and strangely funny, and director Andrew Dominik knew how to use him.
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The Devil’s Own (1997)
Again, another one with a fantastic pair. Pitt and Harrison. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, Pitt plays Frankie, a member of the IRA who comes to America under a false identity. He befriends Ford’s character, a New York policeman, but their friendship is tested when the truth comes out. The film didn’t get as much attention as some of Pakula’s earlier work, but Pitt gave Frankie both charm and conflict. And, ultimately, his chemistry with Ford carried the story.
By The Sea (2015)
Written and directed by Angelina Jolie, this film stars her and Pitt as a couple struggling with their marriage while staying in a French seaside town. The movie is comparatively slow and moody, but it feels personal because it was shot during their honeymoon. But the rawness Pitt brings to the role is matched so well with Jolie’s direction. While critics were mixed, fans of “Brangelina” found it fascinating to watch them explore such a vulnerable story together.
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Snatch (2000)
Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy gave Pitt one of his most surprising roles. He plays Mickey O’Neil, a bare-knuckle boxer with an accent so thick it’s nearly impossible to understand. Pitt went all-in. And, he even had a dentist rough up his teeth so Mickey wouldn’t look polished. Sure, he could have taken it easy, but would that have been one of the funniest and most memorable characters in the movie? This role kind of proved that there’s a different comedic side to Pitt as well.
A River Runs Through It (1992)
We loved it when Robert Redford told us the story of two brothers growing up in Montana. In the movie, Pitt plays Paul, the wild and reckless younger brother, while Craig Sheffer plays Norman, the more responsible one. Though it’s quite the usual for Pitt, given that it was Pitt’s first big lead role in a studio movie, the performance was incredible. Pitt gave Paul charm and vulnerability, and brought him out of the “bad boy” cast.
We are really fond of Pitt’s most memorable roles, and for all the right reasons. But it’s in his lesser-known films that show us that Brad Pitt was never meant to fit in a box. If you go ahead and see all these movies we referred to above, you’ll surely get to see many different sides of our hero.
The Dark Side Of The Sun (1988)
Though it was a small drama, Pitt’s very first leading role came in this. He plays a man with a rare skin disease who can’t be exposed to sunlight. And, he searches for a cure and longs to feel the sun on his skin. As the movie had a tiny budget, it was released years later, and Pitt was reportedly paid just over $1,500 for the role; Pitt’s dedication was undeniable.
Kalifornia (1993)
Pitt surprised us all with his disturbing role as Early Grayce, a violent drifter and serial killer in Kalifornia. The story is of a journalist and his girlfriend, who set out to research serial killers. They bring Early and his partner, which soon brings in more horrors. Pitt’s performance becomes raw, intense, and unpredictable, and his scenes with Juliette Lewis feel messy and real. Even with his chocolate boy looks, Pitt excelled in his role.
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Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Sure, it’s popular, but when it comes to Brad Pitt’s filmography, ‘Interview With The Vampire‘ is often discarded. Based on Anne Rice’s novel, this movie gives us the most-wanted pair of all time: Tom Cruise and Pitt. In the movie, Pitt plays Louis, a man turned into a vampire who struggles with immortality. He tells his story to a journalist, played by Christian Slater. Unlike the roles we are used to seeing Pitt in, Louis is weary, sad, and full of regret. Sure, Cruise’s flashier role stole much of the spotlight, but without Pitt’s performance, the whole thing would have remained incomplete.
