As everyone move into Fall, aspiring writers will be hoping to gain votes for 2022's Blacklist, the list of unproduced screenplays deemed to be the best by industry professionals. To be a screenwriter (or a novelist, poet, or essayist) takes a lot of skill and dedication like any other passion. There are plenty of lovers of the written word out there, trying to be better in their process every day. It can be a solitary hobby, as writers work away like a monk illuminating a manuscript alone in cafés and offices. It can also be extremely fruitful, to create something out of thin air only needing a pen and paper- or perhaps a good word processor too.
There are also plenty of Redditors that are aspiring writers, and some have recommendations for movies to see that can inspire and improve their creative writing. They are chosen as the gold standard as an excellent example of writing, or perhaps, they uphold the power and importance of storytelling. Here are ten films that every hopeful writer should seek out, recommended by the good people on Reddit.
Barton Fink (1991)
In the Coen Brother's fourth film, the writer-director duo explores the writing process through the life of fictionalized Barton Fink. The renowned New York playwright is enticed by the glitz and glamour (and money) of Hollywood, to write screenplays instead, and learns that all that glitters is not gold. Based on the true stories of playwrights Clifford Odets and William Faulkner, the film received the Palm d'Or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival and was praised for blending dark humor with their trademark flamboyant style.
Reddit user Professor Cordonnier picks this as it is a "funny take on what happens to writers when they try to take the money and work in Hollywood." That being, extreme writer's block, heartless commercialization of their work, and the odd murder mystery. It may stand as a cautionary tale for all writers, to stay true to one's style and remain humble.
Amelie (2001)
For this since deleted Reddit user, Amelie stands as a fantastic example of character study in screenwriting. The introverted Amelie Poulain resolves to use her creativity to make others happy by increasingly convoluted means; however, she must come out of her shell and be in charge of her own destiny when she develops a crush on a mysterious cyclist.
The user says that the film "shares every detail about its characters-their love life, their hopes, and dreams, what they like and don't like." Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet has a unique skill for building an immediate character profile and impression on the viewer from minor details about their life. However, he spent twenty-seven years assembling these tidbits for use in Amelie, so it may take one a while to replicate.
In Bruges (2008)
In playwright turned screenwriter Martin McDonagh's directorial debut, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleason play two hitmen in hiding In Bruges after a job gone wrong, with Ralph Fiennes as their angry head honcho. The film takes place over the course of a few days, and as a result, has a very tight script with an excellent pace.
A since deleted Reddit user says that the best part of the writing is its effective use of Chekhov's gun. The dramatic principle was coined by playwright Anton Chekhov, and advises that every detail must be necessary; as in, if a gun is hanging on the mantelpiece of the setting, that gun must go off later in the story. For example, the various (and seemingly inconsequential) people that the two come across in the first act, come into play in different ways when the action accelerates later on. It's a masterclass in the technique that all aspiring writers should pay attention to.
Wonder Boys (2000)
Wonder Boys is based on the novel by Michael Chabon, and is about a college professor with writer's block, played by Michael Douglas, who bonds with his students in his creative writing class. Reddit user GuhGuhGuhGhostwriter chooses this as "It's a good look at writing culture from academia to burn-out legend to young writers trying to find their voice."
Many praise the film as an accurate depiction of writers and writing, especially in taking them down a peg by showing some of the egocentric and pretentious leanings of those who write. It's a film written for those who are absorbed in the culture of literary societies, poetry readings, and creative writing seminars, and is greatly inspiring all the while.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Everyone's favorite rainy day movie, Groundhog Day has long been highlighted as an ideal example of a perfect screenplay. In an inventive script, Bill Murray plays a narcissistic weatherman, humbled by getting magically stuck in a time loop and living the same miserable day over and over. Reddit User DickyCrickets tells "It's praised by all screenwriters (not just the comedy ones)." as it has been cited by the likes of David O'Russell and Jay Roach as a principal influence.
Written by Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin (who since has taught screenwriting at Harvard University), it won a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. The pair based the story on the five stages of grief, and despite being pressed to invent a reason for the time loop left it a mystery (via Los Angeles Times). This is a positive message for young screenwriters also, to stick to your guns and not relent when your intuition feels right.
The Lego Movie (2014)
Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, The Lego Movie follows Lego mini figure Emmet as an unlikely hero fighting against a tyrannical businessman who wants to glue Lego sets together in a mission for perfection. The film has a sweet message about thinking for yourself and unleashing your personal creativity.
Reddit user Moral_Gutpunch selects The Lego Movie for this inspiring reason. They note that "it shows the importance of imagination and why we do it. Also that its meant to be unlimited and you make your own rules." An excellent message for writers: to not limit themselves and have fun with their chosen passion.
Finding Forrester (2000)
Written by Mike Rich and directed by Gus Van Sant, the film bears many resemblances to his film Good Will Hunting, as an underprivileged teen is mentored by an older authority figure. In Finding Forrester, Sean Connery plays a reclusive author who helps Jamal discover his writing talent after he gains a scholarship to a prestigious private school.
Reddit User Sleeparchive notes the film as the most likely to inspire more writing, they say: "it will make you want to write instantly after it." Writers can find it difficult to find motivation at the best of times, so this film may be the best kind of procrastination fuel as it will spur one to get ideas down on paper straight after.
The Before Trilogy (1995, 2004, 2013)
This trilogy consists of Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as lovers Jesse and Celine. In the first film they meet in Vienna, in the second they reconnect in Paris, and in the third they are married and holidaying in Greece with their children.
Reddit user onlyrealcuzzo chooses these films as a perfect example of dialogue for aspiring writers to emulate. Jesse and Celine converse and connect as they talk about their lives and how they see the world. They do so extremely naturally, so much so that many thought that they utilized improvisation but writer-director Linklater insisted they stick to the script.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poets Society is a coming-of-age drama movie by director Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams as inspirational teacher John Keating. His non-standard approach surprises the pupils of a prestigious all-boys boarding school, where he teaches them English and provokes their self-expression.
Reddit User global_athiest selects this film as it 'inspires one to live the dream.' He may be referring to the famous monologue from Williams which asserts that "poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." Even though writers block is a pain, and the writing process is often long and arduous, this film will remind writers that writing is their dream.
Big Fish (2003)
Tim Burton's Big Fish features Billy Cudrup's Will Bloom as the son of prolific Walter Mitty, who has grown up with his fantastical stories of his young adulthood and is now at his side on his deathbed. Ewan McGregor plays the younger version of his father, where he meets giants, witches, and werewolves in his mission to meet and marry his one true love.
As the father and son bond over his stories, Reddit user tawkstick highlights that the film "showcases the importance of storytelling," as Will realizes that his father's tall tales mattered as they were real to him. He obviously never let the truth get in the way of a good story.