Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as creativity. Since the 1980’s, stories of creative artists have made for memorable movies. Whether its shining authors, little women publishers or wallflower teenagers, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about writers that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Whiplash
Teachers are inspiring figures that impacted my identity. In elementary school, I formed strong bonds with a music teacher mistreating students in ways which were cruel. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with his scared pupils whose lives he made a living hell. He once humiliated me in front of the entire class by criticizing my abilities to play a musical instrument. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how teachers can change lives of students in a flash as powerfully as “Whiplash”. Ever since its release in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about creativity. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture heavy burden that jazz musicians bear. Chazelle is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for capturing the lives of musicians, and “Whiplash” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Chazelle effectively used montages to capture the tension faced by a jazz drummer seeking to earn his teacher’s appreciation. For instance, the scene in which Fletcher throws a temper tantrum humiliating Andrew in front of the band class when he misses a musical tempo causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by J.K. Simmons, who embodied a strict jazz music teacher. Ultimately, what makes “Whiplash” my favourite film about creativity of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about jazz musicians that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic film about frightening band teachers guiding students to succeed in jazz music classes through terrifying bullying, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are worth celebrating.
2. A Star is Born
Musicians often suffer from severe drug addiction. Several years ago, I formed friendships with a kid that sought to become a musical maestro. Fond of playing the guitar, he seemed born to be a star. However, his severe addiction to weed affected his abilities to become a musician that could succeed. As someone treasuring fond memories of a musical friend torn apart by addiction, I adored “A Star is Born”. Released in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s movie captured the lives of musicians with drug addiction. Cooper effectively used montages capturing the lives of alcoholic singers facing tragedy. For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine humiliates Ally by urinating during her awards acceptance speech causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Cooper, who embodied a musician with shallow alcohol addiction. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” a musical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Lady Gaga to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of alcohol addiction experienced by commemorated singers that are far from shallow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making groundbreaking movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
3. Midnight in Paris
Paris is a beautiful city that my brother always loved dearly. I remember my brother grew up to treasure a French city that changed his life forever. Drawn towards streets of Paris, he would love to discuss a city that he considered to be precious. My brother often felt Paris was a special city from which creative artists would get their source of inspiration. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that adored Paris, I appreciated “Midnight in Paris”. Released in 2011, Woody Allen’s movie captured creative artists roaming streets of Paris in search of inspiration. Allen used captivating real-life locations across Paris to capture the beauty of a city giving birth to artist that are inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Gil first meets Ernest Hemingway during a midnight trip across Paris causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Owen Wilson, who embodied a writer in search of inspiration. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight in Paris” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about Paris, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A magnificent tribute towards a city at midnight, it’s a marvellous reminder about a bright genre making movies that have earned the newsworthy spotlight.
4. La La Land
Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, immigration became a big barrier bringing our bonds to a closure. When my family immigrated, I was forced to end relationships with a girl I appreciated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured sacrifices of achieving stardom dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s musical captured actors seeking stardom in Los Angeles. Chazelle used musical numbers to capture lovers whose romance is threatened by stardom in their respective careers. For instance, the scene in which Mia sings about her dreams to become an actress in an audition is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of artists in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a musical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most musicals, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about the sacrifices involved in achieving stardom which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies which are worth celebrating today.
5. Birdman
Broadway actors have figures that fascinate my father today. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that was a huge fan of big actors that acted on stage. Fascinated with Broadway, he would marvel at the clever way in which actors created a stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu’s Oscar-winning movie captured mentally unstable theatre performers. Inarritu effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the mind of a mentally disturbed theatre actor that faces tension. For instance, the scene in which Riggan faces a breakdown arguing with his alter-ego in his apartment causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, who embodied an actor facing self-destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Broadway theatre to appreciate it. A bold portrait of frightening mental health struggles experienced by ambitious actors seeking success on stage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage making movies that deliver a meaningful message.
6. The Substance
Body image impacts the lives of women. At an early age, I formed bonds with a girl that was deeply concerned about her body image. She desired to use a substance that could transform her into a younger version of herself. As someone haunted by a girl that yearned for drugs to change her appearance, I adored “The Substance”. Released in 2024, Coralie Fargeat’s movie captured the impact of body image on actresses. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Substance” stand out is its depiction of addiction. Fargeat uses captivating montages capturing hardships an actress is facing. Assisted by Demi Moore who is extraordinary, Fargeat created a compelling drama. A bold portrait of actresses that lack confidence using a substance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies earning a tremendous audience.
7. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino is a legendary filmmaker that has often made great movies about struggling artists. With their compelling characters, sharp dialogue and strong acting, Tarantino’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2019, Tarantino made a memorable movie about stars seeking success in Hollywood in his movie “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” stand out is its depiction of the 1960’s. Tarantino uses gorgeous production-design to recreate the era of the 1960’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Tarantino honoured actors that achieved fame years ago. A touching tribute towards an era once upon a time in in Hollywood, it’s a riveting reminder of a great genre that has stood the test of time making movies that are commonly good.
8. Misery
Obsession is a dangerous emotion that affects the creative process. Writers that are obsessive often struggle to write stories which are effective. The misery faced by writers struggling to publish stories is beautifully depicted in the movie “Misery”. Released in 1991, Rob Reiner’s movie captured obsessive writers struggling to publish stories. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Misery” stand out is its depiction of obsession. Reiner uses captivating voice-over narration capturing struggles that an obsessive fan stalking a famous author is facing. Assisted by Kathy Bates who is amazing in the lead role, Reiner created a compelling writing drama. A powerful portrayal of authors that are miserable, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies that audiences consider special.
9. Black Swan
The creative process often causes ballet dancers to face stress. Ballet has built a reputation for being a stressful profession in which artists often experience tension. The stressful nature of the creative process affecting ballet dancers is beautifully depicted in the movie “Black Swan”. Released in 2010, Darren Aronofsky’s movie captured ballet dancers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Black Swan” stand out is its depiction of ballet. Aronofsky uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a ballet dancer is facing. Assisted by Natalie Portman who is superb in the lead role, Aronofsky captured the ballet profession. As memorable as ballet dances performed by Nina, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which attract audiences towards Cinema.
10. American Fiction
Few films ever made about poets that publish fiction are as beloved as “American Fiction”. Released in 2023, Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning movie captured the life of a black writer. Jefferson used captivating montages capturing hardships that an African-American author is facing. Assisted by Jeffrey Wright who is extraordinary in the lead role, Jefferson honoured black authors in the publishing industry. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of black authors treated poorly in the publishing industry has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Monk’s desire to overcome racism, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies about poets with wisdom which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of film criticism.
The Film Buff 