There are several great movies for writers out there but it seems like they never spring to mind when you’re trying to think of them. For future reference, here are a few great movies for writers you can always go to for a satisfying home film festival; they are my top ten movies for writers.
Julia (1977)
Starring Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, and Jason Robards.
Based on true events in the life of writer Lillian Hellman in the 1930’s; the story outlines Hellman’s close friendship with Julia and the efforts on the part of both women to smuggle funds through Nazi Germany to support the anti-fascist cause.
Wonder Boys (2000)
Starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, and Frances McDormand.
English Professor Grady Tripp has just been left by the love of his life, when in walks his editor who is none too thrilled with the seven year wait for his second book; and on top of that, lonely and strange pupil James Leer seems to need guidance and believes Professor Tripp is just the man to offer it.
All the Presidents Men (1976)
Starring Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, and Jason Robards.
Reporters Woodward and Bernstein break open the Watergate scandal.
The Paper (1994)
Starring Michael Keaton, Robert Duvall, and Glen Close.
A New York City tabloid editor plans to take a job at a respectable paper (The New York Times) so that he’ll have more time with his family, but then, until a juicy story comes up and he simply can’t resist.
Little Women (1949)
Starring Elizabeth Taylor, June Allyson, and Janet Leigh.
There is a 1933 version of this film, in addition to the later one starring Winona Ryder, but the 1949 one just has something special.
An autobiographical look at Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters, living in Concord, Massachusetts in the 1860’s.
The Way We Were (1973)
Starring Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, and Bradford Dillman.
This film backtracks over the beginning romance and subsequent breakup of two aspiring writers who meet in college and create a life together during the McCarthy era; ultimately politics and principles prove to be too much for this couple.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.
Newspaper editor, Walter Burns, tries to stop his ex-wife (top notch reporter), Hildy Johnson, from remarrying.
Sideways (2004)
Starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, and Virginia Madsen.
Struggling daytime teacher and wannabe writer, Miles, takes good buddy and chronic womanizer, Jack, for a week-long trip in California wine country as a last hoorah before Jack’s coming wedding.
American Splendor (2003)
Starring Paul Giamatti, Mary Faktor, and Harvey Pekar.
Based on the true story of Harvey Pekar, file clerk at local VA Hospital, who, inspired by meeting Robert Crumb, develops a comic book series based on the everyman.
Almost Famous (2000)
Starring Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, and Kate Hudson.
A teenage boy lands a job writing an expose on a rock band for Rolling Stone Magazine. The story follows his experiences while on tour with the band and the writing of his first big story.
Well, that’s it, my top ten movies for writers; let me know what your top ten picks are.
