Movies are awarded based on several credentials and it is highly likely that due to judgment choices undeserving movies get undue recognition and are acclaimed the Best Film award. The following movies are a few examples of such incidents.

 1)  Around the World in 80 Days (1956) 

It is a roller-coaster of a comic adventure based on the novel of the same name. This classic American movie is directed by Michael Anderson. The response from the critics and audience was a positive one and received appreciation and won five Academy Awards including Best Film. However, there were more deserving movies to win that year as it did not emphasize the character development and is unfocused making it lengthy and boring for the viewers. The cast of the movie includes David Niven as Phileas Fogg, Cantinflas as Passepartout, Shirley MacLaine as Princess Aouda, and Robert Newton as Inspector Fix. The plot of the movie shows the adventures faced by Phileas Fogg as he tries to fulfill his bet made at the Reform Club of traveling around the world in 80 days. He set-off for his journey from Paris accompanied by Passepartout. While traveling, Inspector Fix is handed a task of capturing Phileas as he is suspected of stealing money. As he was about to win his bet, he is captured in Liverpool but realizes that the real thief has been caught and reaches back to the club within the time. Movie buffs need to watch this movie to decide if it deserved the Best Film award or not. 

2)  Crash (2004) 

Crash is directed and written by Paul Haggis, who got the inspiration for the movie from his personal experience of carjacking. The movie was praised highly by the critics and the audience as it was successful commercially and critically. It received acclaim for the performances, screenplay, and direction. In addition to this, it won three Academy Awards for the Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film editing. It has an ensemble cast comprising of Sandra Bullock as Jean Cabot, Don Cheadle as Det. Graham Waters, Matt Dillon as Sgt. John Ryan, Jennifer Esposito as Ria, Brendan Fraser as D.A. Rick Cabo, Terrence Howard as Cameron Thaye, and Ludacris as Anthony. The plot of the movie depicts the racial concerns faced by the group of strangers post-September 11 attacks. The award for the Best Picture is arguable as the plot only portrays racism, ignoring the fact that it should be cautious and shouldn’t be promoting racism.
 

3)  Chicago (2002)

The movie is based on corruption, scandal, celebrity themes; it is a musical crime-drama. Rob Marshall made his directorial debut with this movie and also choreographed it. It is based on the musical stage play of the same name. Critically, it was applauded as it won six Academy Awards including the Best Film. The award was unjust for 'Chicago', the plot was weak, silly, not confined, and shattered. The storyline was not able to grip the audience and make its mark because all it comprised of were songs and dances. The cast of the movie includes Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn for the main lead. The plot of the movie basically revolves around two celebrities Roxie and Velma conflicting for the spotlight and are in the urge of becoming the superstar in the Jazz Age. They both pull every trigger to remain on the top. Movie buffs can decide whether it deserved the award or not. 

4)  Out of Africa (1985) 

The genre of romance and drama is filled with some classics and Out of Africa is one of them. It is loosely based on an autobiographical book of the same name and directed by Sydney Pollack. Despite having such a romantic genre, it could not produce a complete movie and lacked almost everything. There are no classy dialogues, a strong gripping plot, character development, and their conflictions. But, it was able to win seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. The cast comprises Robert Redford as Denys Finch Hatton, Meryl Streep as Baroness Karen von, and Klaus Maria Brandauer as Baron Bror. The plot of the movie displays ever-changing love angles between Karen, Baron, and Denys. Karen is a wealthy woman when she decides to leave for Africa where she and her fiancé, Baron, will plant coffee. Instead Baron uses the money for cattle farms and is now engaged in hunting. Karen decides to run the farm and separates from him. She faces numerous difficulties but manages to take care of the people of the village. During World War I, Denys comes across Karen as she helps him with the supplies for the military and when the war is over they both start to develop feelings. Karen wants to get married but Denys always wanted it to be just a relationship. In a fire, her farm and factory turn into ashes so she decides to leave Africa and go to Denmark. Denys asks for the last time to take her on a flying ride but dies. 

5)  The Greatest Show on Earth (1942) 

A movie of a grand gesture and extravagant elements, it is an epic drama movie directed and produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Apart from actors, the movie has a real circus troupe of Ringling Bros, hundreds of animals and real circus acts. It received appreciation from the audiences and critics as it won three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards for the Best Film and Best Story. The movie was heavily cast due to its story but the characterization was underdeveloped and carried too many loopholes to become one of the classic movies. The cast of the movie consists of Betty Hutton as Holly, Cornel Wilde as The Great Sebastian, Charlton Heston as Brad Braden, James Stewart as Buttons the Clown, Dorothy Lamour as Phyllis, and Gloria Grahame as Angel. The plot of the movie depicts some greatest scenes of the three-ring circus, a documentary of certain performers and the backstage passion for the circus including jealousy and drama between the performers. The movie could have been more epic if it checked all the necessary boxes. Movie buffs can still enjoy it on a DVD.
 

6)  The Life of Emile Zola (1937) 

The greatest biopic of its time, The Life of Emile Zola is directed by William Dieterle. It is a biography of the famous French writer, Emile Zola, depicting the life events and his involvement in the Dreyfus affair combating injustice. Although the movie did not explore the incidents from the affair nor use any of the Jewish influence it still won the Academy Award for the Best Film. The role of Emile Zola is played by Paul Muni and other casts include Gloria Holden as Alexandrine Zola, Gale Sondergaard as Lucie Dreyfus, Joseph Schildkraut as Captain Alfred Dreyfus, and Donald Crisp as Maitre Labori.
 

7)  Rocky (1976) 

It is one of the most iconic movie series in cinema history depicting the true American Dream, particularly this one. It is directed by John G. Avildsen. The release was a huge success commercially and critically as it became the highest-grossing movie of the year and claimed three Academy Awards including the Best Film. Rocky now has seven sequels and is considered to be one of the greatest sports movies of all time. It is a sports drama featuring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky and in other casts, it has Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Adrian's brother Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed. The plot shows the journey of Rocky from the slums to the greatest boxer, who works as a debt collector and finds an opportunity at the heavyweight championship against Apollo Creed. Despite being such a classic movie, there were better movies for the consideration of the Academy Award at that time like Taxi Driver, All the President’s Men and Network.
 

Conclusion 

Likeness varies from person to person and different perceptions can be established. Similarly, movies are rated and awarded according to the preferences of critics and sometimes, undeserving movies are appreciated, like in this case.

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