Three Recent Movies All Writers Should See
Most writers I know love movies. Probably because most movies are created by… wait for it… writers. After all, movies are, at their core, just written stories, acted out and dramatized for the screen. That’s not to downplay the mountains of art, skill, and talent that go into the creation of movies—of course not—but this article is mainly directed toward avid writers (and readers). Hence the title.
Without further ado, I present my recommendations for three recent movies every writer should watch, when you need a break from writing.
1. The Professor and The Madman
The Professor and The Madman, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn. Personalities and public gaffes aside, these two powerhouse actors brought their A-games to this incredible, based-on-a-true-story film.
Set in England in the mid-nineteenth century, The Professor and the Madman tells the story of the creation of the world’s first English language dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary.
In a time when vast quantities of information are as accessible as the nearest Wi-Fi connection, it’s hard to imagine the English-speaking world prior to the existence of the dictionary. And even more mind-boggling to consider the monumental task of organizing and authoring such a thing. That’s exactly what Gibson’s character, Professor James Murray sets out to do in this film based on the 1998 book `The Surgeon of Crowthorne' by Simon Winchester.
I despise reviews that give away the entire plot of a story, so I’ll suffice it to say this: This film is brilliantly acted, beautifully shot, and depicts a poignant and important story that treats with veneration the issues of mental illness, moral courage, and perseverance.
If for no other reason, you should see it just for Mel Gibson’s freaking rad beard.
2. The Man Who Invented Christmas
The Man Who Invented Christmas, starring the deliciously blue-eyed Dan Stevens (Matthew from Downton Abbey *sniff-sniff* Am I the only one who is still heart-broken about that?). Anyway, while not technically a Christmas movie, this film was released in December of 2017, so still fairly recent.
This delightful film tells the behind-the-scenes story of Charles Dickens’ writing of arguably his most well-known work, A Christmas Carol. The story, setting, and acting are all very well done and thoroughly enjoyable to watch, but what I loved most about this movie was the depiction of what happens in Dickens’ mind and imagination while creating his iconic story and its characters. I think most writers will identify with the vivid conversations he has with his fictional characters, only to be periodically jerked from his mind by the demands of his real-world life. I found myself laughing out loud at times and conversely reminded about what matters most at others. The irony that this is the overall theme of A Christmas Carol was not lost on me. It’s a fun watch any time of year.
3. Tolkien
I saved the best for last. If you haven’t seen Tolkien yet—run, don’t walk to your nearest cheap theater or streaming service and immerse yourself in this gorgeous film. (Sadly, it's no longer playing in the first-run theaters.) I will admit that I’m a die-hard fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional works. However, I don’t think my level of admiration for the film’s titular subject is necessary to thoroughly enjoy the story of Tolkien’s life and upbringing. I found it fascinating to watch his own character arc play out as he struggled to find himself and his place in the real-world, all the while collecting people and themes that would inevitably find their way into his fictional Middle Earth.
Beginning with Tolkien’s early years in England’s idyllic countryside in the late 1800’s and spanning his life through the turbulent geo-political events of the early twentieth century, Tolkien’s own experiences, first as a young boy, then as a student, and finally as a soldier in the Great War greatly influenced his later writing. Fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings will see familiar themes and inspirations interspersed throughout his life.
Starring Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins in masterful performances, this movie left me struggling to fight back tears and more inspired to write than ever. What more could I want from a movie about my favorite author of all time?
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