Best Movies About Writing

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a 2006 Academy Award-winning German film set in East Berlin in 1984, five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The film follows the life of Stasi captain Gerd Wiesler, a brilliant and dedicated officer who is assigned to conduct surveillance on playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover, Communist Party official Christa-Maria Sieland. As Wiesler begins to listen in on their conversations, he begins to empathize with the couple and eventually comes to sympathize with them and their ideals, despite his own personal beliefs. At the same time, Wiesler also begins to uncover a sinister plot against the couple, which could have grave consequences for them. The film is a captivating and heart-breaking drama about the power of love and the choices we have to make in the face of oppression.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Released in 1980, it tells the story of Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker for the isolated, historical Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack brings along his wife Wendy and young son Danny, who is gifted with psychic abilities. As the winter progresses, Jack's sanity slowly unravels as supernatural forces within the hotel influence him. His growing insanity leads him to become violent and attempt to murder his family, until Danny is able to use his powers to confront the evil spirits in the hotel and save his family.

From Theodoros Angelopoulos, starring Bruno Ganz, Isabelle Renauld, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Ahilleas Skevis
Rated Unrated

Eternity and a Day is a 1998 Greek film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It tells the story of Alexandre, an elderly poet who is diagnosed with terminal illness. As he prepares to leave his home, he meets a young boy who has been separated from his father. Alexandre decides to try and reunite the boy with his father, and sets off on a journey that will take him through memories and dreams, exploring his past and facing his mortality. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, from an old friend and an illegal immigrant to a prostitute and a street performer. As he comes to terms with his own mortality, he discovers the beauty of life and the power of compassion and hope.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a 1990 psychological thriller directed by Rob Reiner based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It stars James Caan as Paul Sheldon, an author who is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a disturbed fan who holds him captive and forces him to write a novel for her. As Paul struggles to survive Annie's torturous treatment and escape her clutches, he must also confront her increasingly violent and psychotic behavior. As the film progresses, Annie's psychosis becomes more and more pronounced, leading to a chilling and unpredictable climax. Misery remains one of the most acclaimed adaptations of a Stephen King novel and is considered one of the greatest psychological thrillers of all time.

From Paolo Sorrentino, starring Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Buccirosso
Rated Not Rated

The Great Beauty is a 2013 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Paolo Sorrentino. It tells the story of Jep Gambardella, a 65-year-old intellectual who once wrote a famous novel but has since been living a decadent, jaded life in Rome. After attending the lavish birthday party of an old friend, he begins to re-evaluate his life and relationships. Through a series of vignettes and Jep's conversations with various people, the film reflects on the beauty, art, and chaos of Rome while exploring themes of nostalgia and regret. Ultimately, the film asks the question of how to find meaning and purpose in a world filled with beauty and art.

From Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Kurt Fuller
Rated PG-13

Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy-fantasy film written and directed by Woody Allen. It stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, and many more. The story follows Gil Pender, a successful but creatively unfulfilled Hollywood screenwriter, and his fiancée Inez. On a trip to Paris with Inez and her parents, Gil starts taking late night strolls through the city, and one night he magically finds himself transported back in time to the 1920s. He meets some of the most celebrated writers, artists, and musicians of the period, such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso. This experience helps him to get inspired and to discover his true calling. He learns to appreciate the beauty of life and to find his own path in life. In the end, Gil realizes that happiness can be found in the present and not in the past.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner
Rated R

Barton Fink (1991) is a dark comedy directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows Barton Fink (John Turturro), a successful playwright from New York who moves to Hollywood in 1941 to write for the movies. He struggles to cope with the demands of the studio head, Jack Lipnick (Michael Lerner), the shallow Hollywood life, and his own writer's block. At the same time, he meets a young woman, Audrey Taylor (John Mahoney), and is drawn into a web of mystery as he investigates a series of grisly murders. As he struggles to complete his script and make sense of his new life, Barton must confront his own inner demons and the forces of evil that threaten to consume him.

From Dan Ireland, starring Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoë Tapper, Robert Lang
Rated Not Rated

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is a British-American film from 2005 directed by Dan Ireland. It is based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor and stars Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoe Tapper, and Anna Massey. The film follows the story of Mrs. Palfrey (Plowright), an elderly woman who moves into an old-age home called the Claremont. After befriending a young aspiring writer, Ludovic Meyer (Friend), Mrs. Palfrey finds her life full of new excitement and purpose. Together they embark on a series of adventures, including attending the theater and exploring London. As they get to know each other better, they come to understand the value of friendship and how to make the most of life.

From Robert Altman, starring Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg
Rated R

The Player is a 1992 black comedy crime film directed by Robert Altman and written by Michael Tolkin, based on his own 1988 novel of the same name. The film stars Tim Robbins as Griffin Mill, a Hollywood film studio executive who is forced to deal with people attempting to take advantage of him and the complicated and dangerous politics of the movie business. In addition to Robbins, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, Brion James, Cynthia Stevenson, and Richard E. Grant. The film follows Griffin as he attempts to unravel a mystery surrounding the death of a writer, which is complicated by his own involvement in the death. Along the way, he deals with an endless stream of Hollywood clichés and satire, as well as a growing sense of paranoia and desperation. The Player received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its writing, direction, and large ensemble cast. It won three awards at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, including the Grand Prix and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell, John Nolan
Rated R

Following is a 1998 low-budget, noir crime drama directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows an unnamed London-based writer, who follows strangers around to find inspiration for his stories. He eventually meets a thief named Cobb, and they decide to start following people together. The writer soon discovers that Cobb is a thief and burglar and admires his lifestyle. As they continue to follow their targets, the writer gets pulled into a mysterious criminal underworld and must use his wits to survive. Along the way, the writer learns valuable lessons about life and the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, the film presents an intriguing look at morality and human nature.

From Alexander Payne, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Rated R

Sideways tells the story of two old friends, Miles and Jack, who take a road trip to California’s wine country. Miles is a washed-up writer who is struggling with his failed marriage and stalled career. Jack is an actor who is on the cusp of a major break as he faces an impending marriage. Though Miles and Jack have different outlooks on life, they come together over their shared love of wine and their desire to enjoy their last days of freedom. As the two embark on their journey, they meet some interesting people and explore the nuances of friendship, love and life. The film is ultimately a comedic and emotional exploration of the power of friendship and the difficulty of letting go of the past.

From Jane Campion, starring Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson, Iris Churn
Rated R

An Angel at My Table is a biographical drama film directed by Jane Campion, based on the three autobiographical volumes of Janet Frame's writing. The film follows Janet Frame's life from childhood to adulthood, documenting her struggles with poverty, mental illness, and social alienation. Janet, played by Kerry Fox, is a young child who has an unusually vivid imagination and who is constantly telling stories. As she grows up, she is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is institutionalized for eight years. During her stay, she finds solace in books and writing, and eventually a way out of her situation. Despite the odds, Janet goes on to become a successful author and poet. The movie also delves into the complex relationships between Janet and her family, and her process of coming to terms with her illness. The film paints a portrait of a creative, brave individual whose inner strength helps her overcome adversity.

From Hirokazu Koreeda, starring Hiroshi Abe, Yôko Maki, Satomi Kobayashi, Lily Franky
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini, starring Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman, Harvey Pekar, Chris Ambrose
Rated R

From Directors: Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard, starring Nick Cave, Susie Bick, Warren Ellis, Darian Leader
Rated Not Rated

From Jay Roach, starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis C.K.
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Judy Davis, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephanie Roth Haberle
Rated R

From Joachim Trier, starring Anders Danielsen Lie, Espen Klouman Høiner, Viktoria Winge, Odd-Magnus Williamson
Rated R

From Noah Baumbach, starring Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Rated R

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

From Bennett Miller, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clifton Collins Jr., Catherine Keener, Allie Mickelson
Rated R

From Abbas Kiarostami, starring Juliette Binoche, William Shimell, Jean-Claude Carrière, Agathe Natanson
Rated Not Rated

From Josh Boone, starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Nat Wolff
Rated R

From Curtis Hanson, starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr.
Rated R

From Roman Polanski, starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Jon Bernthal
Rated PG-13