15 best films about writers

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Inspiring stories about how real and fictional masters of the word live.

1. Hunger

• Denmark, Sweden, Norway, 1966.
• Drama, arthouse.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

The action takes place in 1890 in the city of Christiania (now Oslo, Norway). The main character is a beggar and hungry writer Pontus, who wanders the streets in search of food, work and inspiration.

The most famous work of the Danish director Henning Carlsen, based on the novel by the Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun. World critics recognize this brilliant picture as a shining example of social realism in cinema, and in Denmark "Hunger" is considered a true classic.

2. Pomegranate color

• USSR, 1968.
• Biographical film, arthouse.
• Duration: 79 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.7.

The surrealistic film parable tells about the Armenian poet Sayat-Nova: how he grows up, falls in love, goes to a monastery and dies.

One of the greatest masterpieces of 20th century cinema, and possibly the most extraordinary biopic you'll ever see. Director Sergei Paradzhanov - a bright representative of the "new Soviet wave" - staged a cinematic experiment that was bold for the USSR. The plot in the film is presented allegorically, through visual images: color, dance, music and pantomime.

Even the casting decisions are unusual here. The amazing Sofiko Chiaureli played as many as six roles in the film - both male and female.

3. Shakespeare in love

• UK, USA, 1998.
• Drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

1593, London. At the center of the story is William Shakespeare, a young playwright. He falls in love with the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, a great admirer of his works. Viola dreams of being an actress, but in the 16th century women are forbidden to go on stage.

To penetrate the world of theater, the girl changes into men's clothing. Meanwhile, William's feelings for Viola are reflected in his work and slowly but surely turn into a familiar story about Romeo and Juliet.

The film realistically conveys the historical atmosphere of the Elizabethan era, and the performer of the role of Shakespeare, Joseph Fiennes, perfectly managed to breathe life into the monolithic image of the great poet. The picture was awarded with all kinds of awards, including seven Oscars.

4. Clock

• USA, UK, 2002.
• Drama.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The film follows one day in the life of three different women suffering from depression or despair. Virginia Woolf, the great British writer, faces a creative crisis in 1923. Nearly three decades later, American housewife Laura reads Wolfe's novel Mrs Dalloway. And in this century, New York editor Clarissa is caring for her former lover dying of AIDS.

A poignant and complex story that asks the viewer what is more correct: to live for your own happiness or to devote yourself to caring for the well-being of others. Mature direction and a splendid cast (Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep) added up to an absolute masterpiece.

5. On the sidelines

• USA, 2004.
• Tragicomedy.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Loser writer and wine connoisseur Miles Raymond sets out with his best friend Jack Cole on a journey through the famous California vineyards. They are about to celebrate Jack's last week of single life and think deeply about where their paths lead.

A charming movie about the age-old theme of the midlife crisis. Of the five Oscar nominations, the film took the only prize - for the best adaptation of a novel into a script. It is award-winning, but the really funny thing is that Pinot Noir has soared in popularity thanks to this painting.

6. Capote

• USA, Canada, 2005.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Famed writer Truman Capote, author of Breakfast at Tiffany's, learns of the cold-blooded murder of a Kansas family. Eager to write a book about this case, he travels to Kansas with his childhood friend Harper Lee. There, the writer is provided with the opportunity to personally meet with those accused of a crime.

Director Bennett Miller's biographical debut has won numerous awards, including Best Actor. Interestingly, in the same year, by pure chance, another story about Capote came out - the film-double "Notoriety".

7. Lovers Café de Flore

• France, 2006.
• Biographical drama.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Simone de Beauvoir, a student at the Sorbonne, meets the young philosopher Sartre, who rejects the idea of traditional marriage. And they build a creative, polygamous alliance based on mutual trust.

A biographical film about the painful and voluptuous relationship of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. Arouses interest in their personalities more than in philosophical works.

8. My boy Jack

• UK, 2007.
• Biographical film, drama, historical film.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2

True story of writer Rudyard Kipling and his son "Jack" John. Patriot Kipling wants Jack to serve in the military, but he is not taken into the army due to his strong myopia. The famous writer uses all his influence to finally send his son to the front. But after a while, the family learns that Jack is missing.

Despite its modest budget, "My Boy Jack" received its fair share of critical acclaim. Recommended for all fans of "Harry Potter": the role of young Lieutenant Jack was played by Daniel Radcliffe during the break between the fifth and sixth Harry Potter films.

9. Save Mr. Banks

• USA, UK, Australia, 2013.
• Biographical film, tragicomedy.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Walt Disney wants to get the rights to the film adaptation of Mary Poppins. After twenty years of persuasion, writer Pamela Travers, on the brink of ruin, finally agrees to come to Los Angeles to hear Walt's ideas. Their conflict is accompanied by flashbacks to Pamela's past, where the truth about where the characters in her books came from is hidden.

A charming film that combines the sad and the funny in equal measure. And the tragicomic duet of Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks makes you fall in love at first sight. The picture is filled with allusions to both the book "Mary Poppins" and the 1964 Disney picture of the same name.

10. Genius

• USA, UK, 2016.
• Drama.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

The story of the uneasy friendship between editor Maxwell Perkins and writer Thomas Wolfe. Perkins agrees to publish a book by an aspiring writer on the condition that he greatly reduces his impressive work.

A biographical drama that raises an important ethical question: do editorial changes improve the material, or, conversely, take away the author's originality? Although the film has both strengths and weaknesses, you can watch it at least for the sake of acting.

Jude Law is beautiful here as an eccentric graphomaniac, and Colin Firth is organic in his usual image of a scrupulous gentleman who does not part with a headdress.

11. End of the tour

• USA, 2015.
• Drama.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The plot is based on a five-day interview with famous writer David Foster Wallace, which he gave to Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky immediately after the publication of his novel "Endless Joke".

A clever picture with elements of a road movie about two completely different people - one creative and the other more rational - trying to get to know a friend. And the acting duet of Jason Siegel and Jesse Eisenberg will surely become an unexpected but pleasant find for many viewers.

12. Goodbye Christopher Robin

• UK, 2017.
• Biographical drama.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1

The story of the relationship between Winnie the Pooh author Alan Milne and his son Christopher Robin. Elder Milne is a war veteran. And long walks in the woods with his son, during which they come up with stories about the teddy bear, help him cope with traumatic memories.

Later, these fantasies grow into a whole book about Winnie the Pooh and his friends, which becomes incredibly successful. At the same time, little Christopher Robin also became famous. True, the boy does not want fame at all, because his only desire is to communicate more with his dad.

A traditional drama for the most curious book lovers who are interested in all the ins and outs of the birth of their favorite works. Separately, I would like to praise the acting: Donal Gleeson convincingly transferred the experiences of an emotionally traumatized person to the screen. And Margot Robbie is good at a very suitable role for her, the beautiful wife of a writer suffering from loneliness.

13. Being Astrid Lindgren

• Sweden, Denmark, 2018.
• Biographical drama.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

A biographical film about the difficult youth of the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, the favorite of children and the creator of Pippi Longstocking, Carlson, who lives on the roof, Emil from Lönneberg and many other characters.

In this film, the writer appears in an unusual way. Instead of an elderly Scandinavian fairy, the viewer sees a confused young girl who is just beginning her life. The film also looks like a strong and highly relevant statement on the topic of emancipation.

14. The Happy Prince

• UK, Germany, 2018.
• Biographical film, drama.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

History of the last days of Oscar Wilde. Lying on his deathbed, the great writer recalls his difficult life with his inherent irony.

The film, which received mostly positive reviews, tells about the dark side of a genius, whose main wealth in whose life has always been and remains love.

The main role in the film was played by Rupert Everett, who once also played in the film adaptation of Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest.

15. Spacesuit and butterfly

• France, USA, 2007.
• Biographical film, drama.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The plot is based on an autobiographical book by French editor Jean-Dominique Boby, who at the age of 43 was almost completely paralyzed due to a stroke. The only moving part of his body is his left eye. This gives Jean-Dominique the ability to communicate using a special alphabet.

The poignant story of the torment of a writer trapped in his own body has won well-deserved praise from critics and collected many awards. For the role of Jean-Dominique Boby Mathieu, Amalric received his second Cesar Prize.