Diane Keaton’s 10 Most Underrated Movies

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Diane Keaton on October 11, 2025. She was 79 years old and had been dealing with a health issue privately. I first really noticed her as Kay Adams-Corleone in *The Godfather*, and she became one of my favorite actresses after that. I loved her in so many films – *Annie Hall*, *Manhattan*, *The Little Drummer Girl*, *Father of the Bride*, *The First Wives Club*, and more recently, *Book Club*. She truly left a mark on cinema, and she’ll be deeply missed.

Diane Keaton was known for being a team player, often appearing in films directed by Woody Allen. Over her impressive career, she earned many awards, including an Oscar, a BAFTA, and two Golden Globes, and was nominated for two Emmys and a Tony Award. She’s a true Hollywood icon, and her work will be remembered for years to come. Despite her success, some of her films don’t get the recognition they deserve; in fact, many critics believe these lesser-known movies are just as funny or thought-provoking as her most famous ones.

Here are 10 of Diane Keaton’s most underrated movies.

‘Lovers and Other Strangers’ (1970)

Lovers and Other Strangers takes us behind the scenes of a wedding as Mike and Susan prepare to get married. However, their families bring their own relationship issues to the event. Mike’s parents are questioning their own future, and Susan’s sister, Joan, is struggling to connect with others. Will everything go smoothly on the big day?

No Joy at This Wedding

This funny and touching movie is based on a play by Joseph Bologna and Renée Taylor. Diane Keaton shines in her first Hollywood role, perfectly capturing the ups and downs of love and long-term relationships. She’s both strong and surprisingly fragile, making for a captivating performance. Legend has it that Francis Ford Coppola was so impressed with Keaton here that he gave her a part in *The Godfather*. And keep an eye out for a very young Sylvester Stallone, who makes a brief appearance as an extra!

‘The Other Sister’ (1999)

I recently rewatched *The Other Sister*, and it’s such a heartwarming film. It centers around Carla Tate, played brilliantly by Juliette Lewis, who’s been away at a special school and is now back home, really determined to show her family she’s doing well. It’s tough though, because her mom, Elizabeth (Diane Keaton), has a hard time adjusting to her being back, while her dad, Radley (Tom Skerritt), is much more supportive. Then Carla meets Danny (Giovanni Ribisi), a sweet guy who understands what she’s going through, and they connect. It makes you wonder if they’ll be able to build a life together. It’s a really lovely, feel-good movie.

Overcoming All Obstacles

Few love stories are as sweeping as *The Other Sister*, a film where Diane Keaton delivers a remarkably fresh and heartfelt performance. Director Garry Marshall skillfully crafts this touching and emotional story, exploring themes of mental health over a period of unexpected changes. Ultimately, the movie is a celebration of strength, understanding, and living life on your own terms. The closing scene, featuring a lively rendition of “76 Trombones” from *The Music Man*, is sure to leave you feeling uplifted.

‘Hampstead’ (2017)

Emily Walters (Diane Keaton), an American widow living in London, feels isolated until she meets Donald Horner (Brendan Gleeson), an Irish man who lives simply in a self-built home on Hampstead Heath. When developers try to force Donald off his land, Emily steps in to help him fight back, leading to a public dispute in the film, *Hampstead*.

Home Is Everything

Inspired by the true story of Harry Hallowes, who won a legal battle for ownership of a small piece of Hampstead Heath, *Hampstead* is a deeply moving film that’s also surprisingly captivating. The performances by Keaton and Gleeson are exceptional, and their dialogue is so insightful you’ll want to remember it. Plus, the movie offers a fascinating look at property law, particularly the concept of adverse possession, which is central to the story.

‘I Will, I Will… for Now’ (1976)

The movie *I Will, I Will… for Now* features Elliot (Elliott Gould) and Leslie (Diane Keaton), a divorced couple who impulsively decide to get back together when they realize they still have feelings for each other. However, their old issues quickly reappear, and it looks like they’re headed for another breakup.

Flogging a Dead Horse

I Will, I Will… for Now is a charming show with wonderful music and plenty of successes, though the frequent bickering might bother some viewers. The real joy comes from watching the couple navigate a series of funny mishaps. Despite their difficulties, they share many hilarious moments, making the show truly magical from start to finish.

‘The Good Mother’ (1988)

Initially a romance, *The Good Mother* quickly turns into a tense custody dispute. After divorcing her husband, Brian, Anna Dunlap, a piano teacher in Boston, is granted custody of their six-year-old daughter, Molly. When Molly reveals an unsettling experience with Anna’s new partner, sculptor Leo, Brian fights to gain custody, launching a bitter legal battle.

Post-Divorce Woes

Leonard Nimoy, famous for his role as Spock in *Star Trek*, directs *The Good Mother*, a film that realistically portrays the challenges divorced mothers face when trying to balance love and raising children. It shows how a poor choice in partners can lead to lasting difficulties. This movie is a good choice for viewers who prefer Diane Keaton in more serious roles, as it’s a thought-provoking drama rather than a comedy, offering lessons instead of laughs.

‘Poms’ (2019)

In the movie *Poms*, Martha, a senior woman battling cancer, stops chemotherapy and moves from New York City to a retirement community in Georgia called Sun Springs. She soon becomes friends with other women there, and together they decide to challenge expectations by starting a cheerleading squad. You won’t believe what happens when they start competing!

Rewinding the Years

Martha’s journey from sadness to self-discovery is truly memorable. The women’s hilarious attempts to rediscover joy – learning to dance like teens and playfully rushing around the retirement home – are reminiscent of the classic, slapstick comedy of the silent film era. While Keaton is fantastic, Pam Grier and Phyllis Somerville also deliver wonderful performances, making the film a complete success.

‘Smother’ (2008)

Noah Cooper (Dax Shepard) is already struggling with unemployment, which is causing tension with his wife, Clare (Liv Tyler). Things get even more complicated when his recently separated and intrusive mother, Marilyn (Diane Keaton), moves in with them. As you might expect, her constant interference pushes Noah and Clare to their breaking point. What happens next?

Too Much To Handle

With a fantastic cast and a script that realistically shows how relationships and families fall apart, *Smother* deserves to be considered one of the best comedies of the 2000s. When this family is forced to reunite, we see how much they regret and how many mistakes they’ve made—and we find it surprisingly relatable. The issues they argue about are common to many families. What’s especially good about the movie is that it not only shows family conflict, but also offers thoughtful suggestions for resolving it.

‘The Lemon Sisters’ (1990)

The Lemon Sisters tells the story of three friends – Frankie, Noreen, and Eloise – who are singers performing in Atlantic City. Each woman is facing her own challenges: Frankie struggles with romance, Eloise lacks confidence, and Noreen longs for a more settled life.

Friends Make the Best Coworkers

Joyce Chopra directed only two films, and *The Lemon Sisters* is a truly special one. It’s a heartwarming, engaging, and uplifting story, with fantastic chemistry and witty dialogue between the talented lead actresses. The film also showcases a style – having one actor subtly guide the group – that Diane Keaton would use frequently later in her career. Released in the same year as *The Godfather Part III*, this charming comedy-drama was unfortunately overlooked at the time, but it’s well worth rediscovering.

‘Arthur’s Whisky’ (2024)

In the film *Arthur’s Whisky*, Joan, a woman who recently lost her husband, learns he created a potion that can make people young again. She and her close friends, Linda and Susan, decide to try it and are amazed when it works! However, after a lot of unexpected adventures, they realize that true happiness doesn’t come from being young, but from having a positive outlook on life.

No Shame in Aging

Director Stephen Cookson’s film is beautifully shot and features a strong cast, with a subtle approach that results in a moving, graceful, and funny story. Diane Keaton, as always, brings a lot of warmth and humor to her role, shining even alongside other talented actors. Above all, *Arthur’s Whisky* is a heartwarming reminder that it’s okay to grow older. In a culture obsessed with youth, the film encourages self-acceptance and loving who you are at every age.

‘Radio Days’ (1987)

As a total movie buff, I’ve always loved Woody Allen’s *Radio Days*. It’s such a nostalgic trip back to 1940s New York and the magic of radio. Allen wrote and directed it, and he even stars as Joe, playing him as both a kid and narrating as his older self. It’s basically a look at his childhood, growing up in a Jewish family where radio was everything. The film really captures how radio brought families together and influenced a whole generation, and it’s just a beautiful, personal story.

The Slice of History We Never Knew We Needed

Woody Allen’s *Radio Days* is a charming film that’s particularly interesting for viewers who didn’t grow up with radio as a central form of entertainment. The movie beautifully shows how radio changed the media landscape and ultimately led to the rise of television. Woven throughout these historical changes are sweet and relatable family moments. While Diane Keaton’s role as a singer is small, she leaves a lasting impression.

2025-10-16 00:36