Pitt Falls: 10 Films even Brad Pitt Couldn’t Save

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Written By Amanda Anthony

Amanda is a freelance writer passionate about horror and fantasy films. When she’s not writing about the latest celebrity hijinks and epic on-screen moments, you can find her watching Blumhouse films through the delicate fibers of a protective blanket. Amanda lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with her husband, kiddos, and goofy golden doodle, Ripley.

Brad Pitt is a massive success in the film industry. With two Oscars, two Golden Globe Awards, a Prime Time Emmy Award, and a variety of other achievements, it’s shocking to learn not every film was a hit.

Here are 10 movies even Brad Pitt couldn’t make great.

The Favor (1994)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: MGM Studios

Kathy (Harley Jane Kozak) wonders about her high school sweetheart, Tom. She convinces her friend Emily (Elizabeth McGovern) to seduce him to know how he’s changed, leading to unexpected complications. The plot of The Favor (1994) was seen as contrived and not particularly original. Some critics felt the humor fell flat, and the characters were not sufficiently developed to carry the story. It wasn’t a cinematic catastrophe, but it wasn’t great.

Johnny Suede (1991)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Balthazar Productions

A young man named Johnny Suede (Brad Pitt) believes his oversized shoes are the key to his success as a musician. Along the way, he meets the dreamy Yvonne (Catherine Keener) but struggles with maturity and identity. The film was considered by some to be too slow-paced and without clear direction. Some critics felt that Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Johnny was awkward, and the storyline was often described as uneven. Even a film hero like Pitt couldn’t save this film.

Cool World (1992)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Bakshi Animation

Cartoonist Jack Deebs (Gabriel Byrne) finds himself pulled into a cartoon world where he meets the sultry Holli Would (Kim Basinger). Detective Frank Harris (Brad Pitt) tries to keep both worlds from colliding in a chaotic blend of animation and reality. Despite its novel approach combining animation with live-action, the narrative was often described as muddled with a few plot holes. Critics noted a lack of cohesive storytelling, and the characters seemed shallow in their development.

The Devil’s Own (1997)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures

Frankie McGuire (Brad Pitt), an IRA terrorist, goes undercover in New York and stays with a cop, Tom O’Meara (Harrison Ford). As Tom discovers Frankie’s real identity, their worlds collide in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Many felt the film was hampered by a lack of clear focus, juggling too many plotlines without fully developing any of them. Additionally, the character motivations and relationships weren’t established.

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Universal Pictures

Death personified as Joe Black (Brad Pitt), decides to take a holiday and becomes entangled in the life of the wealthy Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins). As Bill negotiates with Joe for more time, a forbidden romance blossoms between Joe and Bill’s daughter, Susan (Claire Forlani). Criticisms often centered around the film’s length and pacing. While visually stunning and well-acted, many found the story too drawn out and the narrative not compelling enough to justify its runtime.

The Counselor (2013)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Fox 2000 Pictures

A wealthy lawyer (Michael Fassbender), known only as “Counselor,” gets involved in drug trafficking. Despite warnings from his associates Westray (Brad Pitt) and Reiner (Javier Bardem), he plunges deeper into a world of danger and deception. Despite a star-studded cast and a script by Cormac McCarthy, many found the film’s dialogue to be overly verbose and its plot convoluted. Its dark tone and heavy themes were also seen by some as too bleak.

By the Sea (2015)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Universal Pictures

Set in France during the mid-1970s, Vanessa (Angelina Jolie), a former dancer, and her husband Roland (Brad Pitt), an American writer, drift apart but find solace in the scenic seaside town and its intriguing inhabitants. Written and directed by Angelina Jolie, some critics found the film to be self-indulgent. Many viewers found it slow and lacking in substantial plot development despite strong performances by the lead actors.

War Machine (2017)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Netflix and Plan B Entertainment

A satirical take on the war in Afghanistan, General Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt) is sent to bring victory to the US. The film chronicles the challenges he faces with bureaucracy, media, and local politics, highlighting the complexities of modern warfare. Its satirical take on a serious subject like war was seen by some as uneven, leading to a disjointed tone. Some believed it neither succeeded as a comedy nor as a war film commentary.

The Dark Side of the Sun (1988)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: Avala Film

Rick (Brad Pitt), a young man with a skin disorder that forces him to avoid the sun, travels to the Yugoslav coast for treatment. There, he falls for a local beauty but struggles with his condition and destiny. In one of Pitt’s earlier works, the film suffered from a low budget, lack of clear direction, and a storyline that many found to be too straightforward and lacking depth.

Cutting Class (1989)

Brad Pitt
Image Credit: April Productions

High school student Paula Carson’s (Jill Schoelen) life takes a dark turn when her ex-boyfriend Dwight (Brad Pitt) becomes a prime suspect in a series of murders. With a killer on the loose, trust becomes a luxury, and paranoia reigns supreme. As a slasher film, many felt it didn’t bring anything new to the genre. It was seen by some as formulaic, with underdeveloped characters and a predictable plot.

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Pride and Prejudice Focus Features
Image Credit: Focus Features

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The Truman Show Paramount
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

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Bohemian Rhapsody 20th Century
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

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