The Garden of Words (2013)

Familiar strangers have always been a matter of fascination for me. It’s sometimes the beginning of something brilliant, like in the famous trilogy which began with Before Sunrise. Or it might be something liberating and reinforcing, like in Lost in Translation. It might even be empowering but borderline scandalous, like in The Bridges of Madison County. In each case however, there’s always a special place in your heart reserved for that stranger, and the journey you two share makes a significant impact on you as a person. Sometimes, it’s purely platonic, but still making just as much impact on both people involved, like in Begin Again. Even more enticing are the ones with a distinct age gap. It’s a familial sort of bond, but without the weight of being actual family, and thus more candid and so even more redeeming, like Charlie’s bond with his English teacher in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. If you’re also a major fan of the familiar strangers story between two people of different generations, here are 5 underrated films you probably haven’t heard of, but might thoroughly enjoy.

Miss Stevens tells the story of three school children Margot (Lili Reinhart), Sam (Anthony Quintal), Billy (Timothée Chalamet) and their English teacher Rachel (Lily Rabe) as they go for a two day trip for the students’ participation in an acting tournament. Billy is mentally ill, but his parents have given permission because he needs the experience. Plus, he’s extremely talented, and their best hopes at winning. During their stay, Billy and Rachel connect, forging a bond beyond the traditional, but consciously not crossing any boundaries. He helps her with her repressed emotions, and she helps him with his disconnection from people.