The pen is mightier than the sword, and that belief is held by the characters from these nine films. All are aspiring writers, from the introverted Charlie who writes on a typewriter in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to the budding rock critic William who's taken out on tour with a band in Almost Famous.
Movies often center on artists, musicians, and authors, as the creative men and women behind them may be inspired by what they know. Among a myriad of creative protagonists, though, these films that feature writers stick out as the best.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
Based on Stephen Chbosky's popular teen novel, this plaintive film of a young man with depression is a coming-of-age masterpiece. Logan Lerman plays Charlie, the misunderstood runt of his family. When he meets Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), they take Charlie under their wing, buoy his confidence, and their group shares typical teen adventures across 1990s Pittsburgh, which Charlie chronicles in letters addressed to an unnamed friend.
Charlie's goal is to be a writer. He idolizes the likes of Salinger, and his nurturing English teacher (Paul Rudd) loans him classic American novels to inspire his writing. The film is so good because it shows Charlie's emotional depth through his voiceover narration, which stays true to the original novel. The audience has no doubt that he'll make a great writer, and his experiences throughout the film provide the perfect material to write about.
Ruby Sparks (2012)
In one of his must-see performances, Paul Dano plays Calvin, a young novelist grappling with Second Book Syndrome. Above all else, though, he wants someone to love and share his life with. That person, Ruby Sparks, is willed into existence when Dano starts writing about her on his typewriter.
The film is mystical and absurd with comedic performances, particularly from Zoe Kazan as Ruby, and Elliot Gould as the therapist. Other than Calvin's ability to create a girlfriend from thin air, the movie doesn't glorify the life of a writer like some other movies do. Instead, Dano is frustrated and depressed until Ruby comes into his life, his one true companion being his dog Scotty.
How To Build A Girl (2019)
This film has one of the angstiest and most ambitious protagonists in recent years. How to Build a Girl stars Beanie Feldstein as an aspiring writer obsessed with early 20th century female poets and novelists. However, when the idea of writing about rock music enters her head, she crafts a persona as one of London's most biting rock critics, trouncing every band she hears-- even the ones she likes-- and disgruntling her family and friends in the process.
Other than being humorous and daring, the movie confronts topical issues, such as sexism in the workplace. The male writers are disrespectful, inviting Johanna to sit on their laps and originally hiring her because one of them wanted to sleep with her. There are some moments of justice and catharsis, however, and a brilliant portrayal of 1990s working-class Britain.
Almost Famous (2000)
In the semi-autobiographical Almost Famous, fifteen-year-old William Miller is on his first writing assignment for Rolling Stone magazine. This sees him go on tour with the rock band Stillwater, where a lot of growing up is packed into a few raucous weeks. One of director Cameron Crowe's best movies, he based William's experiences on his own as a rookie rock journalist on tour with the Allman Brothers band.
One of the movie's highlights is William's relationship with his writing mentor Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), which inspires William to pretend to be an adult so that he lands his first writing gig. The world of rock journalism is portrayed as exciting yet frustrating, as the editors at Rolling Stone don't believe William's article is truthful. Nevertheless, the film is a treat to watch, with a standout Oscar-nominated performance from Frances McDormand and a kick-ass soundtrack.
Stuck In Love (2012)
Greg Kinnear isn't usually cast in likable roles. Stuck in Love, in which he plays the miserable, recently divorced patriarch of a family of writers, is no exception. Thankfully, his two kids, played by Lily Collins and Nat Wolff, are a focal point of the story. Sam is the aloof eldest child who has just had her manuscript accepted by a publisher, while Rusty is a talented poet who is more interested in a girl he likes.
Despite raising two talented writers, Bill (Kinnear) has set his children a bad example when it comes to love, leaving Sam disillusioned. The film is ultimately about the three of them-- Bill, Sam, and Rusty-- working through their issues and towards their goals related to love. It's a drama with comedic performances from Kristen Bell as Bill's sort-of girlfriend, and Logan Lerman as the sensitive guy who falls for Sam and tries to bring her away from cynicism.
The Help (2011)
The Help has such a rich ensemble cast with several protagonists, including Aibileen, an African American maid who works for a white family in 1960s Mississippi. She and the other maids experience abhorrent racism, led by the cruel Hilly Hollybrook (Bryce Dallas Howard). That's where Skeeter comes in. Emma Stone plays one of the few non-racist white people and an aspiring journalist who starts to build up a collection of the maids' stories, documenting the town's racist attitudes.
The Help has some really difficult scenes-- one of the maids is violently arrested and some of the racist language that the white women use is foul. However, it has its share of hilarity and heartwarming moments. The "Minny's Chocolate Pie" scene is unforgettable, as is Skeeter's mother ordering Hilly off of her property. And the success of Skeeter's book, which is published by New York-based Harper & Row, makes all the sneaking around more than worthwhile.
Reprise (2006)
A profession as competitive and difficult to infiltrate as writing is bound to cause rifts between friends or family. That's the premise of this critically revered Norweigan film from Joachim Trier. Two best friends, Phillip and Erik, both submit their manuscripts to publishers at the same time. One gets accepted, the other doesn't. And the rest of the film charts their disparate trajectories-- sex, celebrity, and parties. Psychiatrist visits and bitter arguments.
The film is at times funny, often sad, and highly emotive. Its crowning achievement is how it portrays the deteriorating relationship between these best friends, with a melancholic walk along the beach interspersed with joyful yet imagined clips showing how Phillip wishes he could act with Erik.
Adult World (2013)
Adult World is not as well known or critically acclaimed as its star-studded cast might suggest. John Cusack, Emma Roberts, and Evan Peters star in this indie flick about an aspiring poet who takes a job at a sex shop in order to support her poetry career.
This may not be one of Emma Roberts' most memorable roles, but she still gives a tremendously charming and funny performance, particularly in the scenes in which she quizzes her lodestar, played by Cusack, on all things poetry. The struggles of young writers are foregrounded, as Roberts' character receives numerous rejection letters and worries that she hasn't had enough life experience to write anything important enough. This is therefore a motivational movie to watch for anyone who's trying to make their way in a creative profession.
The Door In The Floor (2004)
In this adaptation of John Irving's A Widow for One Year, Jeff Bridges plays a children's author who's in the midst of a separation from his wife. He hires Eddie (Jon Foster), an aspiring writer who looks up to Bridges' character, to be his assistant and driver. The film's beachside setting at the end of Long Island features a conspicuous absence of color, with pale blues and white adding to the movie's bleak feel.
The Door in the Floor isn't a feel-good watch, but it is a moving drama that tackles adultery, grief, and ambition. The relationship between Ted (Bridges) and Eddie is also interesting, as the young man gradually sees the real side of Ted and has to decide what kind of writer he will be, and what path he will take in his treatment of others, particularly women.