Here are some of the underrated gems in Mira Sorvino's filmography.
1. At First Sight (1999)
Val Kilmer plays Virgil, a blind man who falls in love with Amy, played by Mira Sorvino. Amy persuades Virgil to undergo a risky surgery to restore his sight. After the surgery, Virgil experiences sight for the first time, but the struggle to adapt to this new world is far from over.
The relationship undergoes massive stress as Virgil copes with sensory overload, and Amy starts questioning her role in this experience. As time goes on, Virgil realizes that seeing and understanding are two different things.
2. The Presence (2010)
The classic cabin-in-the-woods setting, but with a supernatural twist. Mira Sorvino is a woman who goes to an isolated cabin to get away from it all. But she's not alone. There's a ghost sharing the cabin with her.
At first, the ghost's actions seem harmless, even protective. But as her boyfriend arrives to visit, the ghost's behavior turns ominous. Soon, the characters discover the cabin's dark past, raising questions about who or what the spirit truly wants.
3. The Replacement Killers (1998)
Mira Sorvino stars alongside Chow Yun-fat in a story about a hitman named John, who's supposed to execute a cop's son as a part of a gang vendetta. He can't go through with it and becomes a target himself.
Enter Mira Sorvino as Meg, a skilled document forger. The two form an uneasy alliance, dodging bullets and seeking a way out of their grim circumstances. They fight their way through obstacles in an attempt to flee the country.
4. Union Square (2011)
In this drama, Lucy, played by Mira Sorvino, is a loud and flamboyant woman who crashes into the life of her estranged sister Jenny, who has been living a diametrically opposite, buttoned-up life in Manhattan. On the surface, it's a straightforward family visit, but there's so much more under the lid. Lucy arrives with loads of emotional baggage and family secrets spill out as they spend time together.
It's like opening Pandora's box; once it's open, there's no closing it. Both sisters must deal with the fallout and decide if their relationship is worth salvaging.
5. Reservation Road (2007)
Ethan (Joaquin Phoenix) and Grace (Jennifer Connelly) suffer the unthinkable — a hit-and-run accident that takes the life of their son. Mira Sorvino plays Ruth, the ex-wife of the man responsible for the accident, played by Mark Ruffalo. While the grieving parents are desperate for justice, Ruth finds herself caught in a moral quagmire when she discovers her ex-husband's dark secret.
As the story unfolds, everyone is forced to confront their worst fears and make life-altering choices.
6. The Grey Zone (2001)
Set in Auschwitz during World War II, this is one movie you'll need emotional preparation for. Mira Sorvino plays Dina, a Jewish woman who is forced to work in the crematoria.
Her life takes a haunting turn when she and her fellow workers find a young girl who miraculously survives the gas chamber. They're now faced with a harrowing decision — should they continue their work hoping to live another day, or risk everything to save her?
7. Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
Mira Sorvino plays Wendy Porter, a woman who has to come to grips with the possibility of losing her adopted son, Joey, after his biological father gets out of prison and seeks custody.
The film captures the intricate legal battles and emotional turmoil both families go through. From courtrooms to emotional confrontations, the story keeps you glued to the screen, wondering where Joey will ultimately end up.
8. The Final Cut (2004)
Robin Williams plays a "Cutter," someone who edits people's recorded memories. Mira Sorvino is Delila, his love interest, who has to grapple with the ethical implications of his work. When Robin Williams' character gets his hands on the memories of a corporate bigwig with a dark past, he finds himself entangled in a web of moral and personal dilemmas.
9. Summer of Sam (1999)
The summer of 1977 in New York City, a summer marked by fear due to the "Son of Sam" killings. Mira Sorvino plays Dionna, the wife of Vinny (John Leguizamo), a hairdresser who cheats on her. As the murders throw the community into a state of panic, their marriage starts to crumble. Paranoia and distrust infiltrate not just their relationship but the entire neighborhood.