Films September 24, 2018
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
Benjamin Franklin
If you like to read as much as we do, then you’re also probably eager to learn about author lifestyles. Luckily for you, ENTITY has five movies about writers who greatly influenced world literature. These films are aesthetically stunning, atmospheric and inspiring. They will make you see a writer’s fate from a new perspective. And maybe they will spark your own literary flame.
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance.
What to expect: This bittersweet and charming semi-biography captures a few years of Beatrix Potter’s (Renée Zellweger) life. Along with being a proto-feminist, environmentalist and all-around perfect lady, Potter was the author and illustrator of the beloved book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
As a female writer, Miss Potter encounters plenty of struggle. She has to stand up to her matriarchal mother and fight for her place in male-dominated 20thcentury England. But through her incredible work, the author makes her way toward financial and social independence.
“Colored in pastel” to match Potter’s famous children’s illustrations, the movie gives its audience a full view into her private life. It delicately exposes the process of her artistic creation. Infected by the movie’s gentle rhythm, viewers immerse themselves in her eccentricities, obsession with wildlife and cartoonish world.
What you need: English tea, cucumber sandwiches and pastries.
Genre: Biography, Family, History.
What to expect: If you ever wondered how the legendary philosopher Winnie-the-Pooh was created, this movie is a must-watch for you. The film tells the story of author Alan Alexander Milne (Domhnall Gleeson), who wrote these beloved children’s books using the stuffed animals of Christopher Robin, his son.
As the shell-shocked Milne returns from the World War I, he struggles to adjust back to the reality. During this time, he experiences a major writer’s block. Eventually, he finds his muse in the famous Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Tigger and — of course — Winnie-the-Pooh.
The tragedy of the film rotates around Milne’s relationship with his son. Christopher Robin becomes a marketable product for his father rather than a beloved child. The viewer gets to pick through the “dirty laundry” of the Milne family while deeply emphasizing with Christopher Robin, who is brilliantly played by Will Tilston.
Spoiler alert: there’s a happy ending. But here’s another spoiler; it doesn’t cancel out the rest of the story’s heartbreaking drama.
What you need: a jar of honey and your favorite stuffed animal.
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller.
What to expect: Edgar Allan Poe was one of the world’s darkest writers. So naturally, this Poe-inspired film is one of the world’s darkest movies about writers.
The producers reimagine Poe (John Cusack) as a heroic crime detective. And the city of Baltimore, where the author was found dead in 1849, is portrayed as a city of gothic mist, perishing gentility and blooming corruption.
Throughout the film, Poe is tracking down a serial killer. As he does so, he encounters bloody scenes from the real Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and poems. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep the viewer thoroughly intrigued. And if you are a true Poe fan, you will certainly find a satisfying pleasure in comparing the on-screen events to the tales they imitate.
What you need: Pitch black room and lots of popcorn.
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
What to expect: This movie would be appreciated by admirers of “Pride and Prejudice,” “Marie Antoinette,” “The Duchess” and other “costumed” melodramas, which transport viewers to the romantic past.
“Becoming Jane” with Ann Hathaway and James McAvoy touches upon an amiable but egoistic aristocrat and a very young, talented writer of genteel poverty. The aesthetics of the film—from Miss Austen’s bonnets to the decorative gardens—will leave you anxious to buy all of Austen’s best works for your home library.
Jane’s character also adds to the movie’s appeal. As a perfect chick-lit heroine, she has no interest in marrying a wealthy man who has the imagination of a toothbrush. The well-captured language of Jane Austen is a pleasant bonus to the pretty picture.
What you need: wine, blankets and handkerchiefs.
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama.
What to expect: Among all the movies about writers, the Christmas ones are usually the most magical. So save this one until “the most wonderful time of the year.” This winter tale uncovers the birth of Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol.”
In the film, Dickens (masterfully played by Dan Stevens) watches his own characters appear as Christmas ghosts. With their help, he struggles through his massive writer’s block. This theatrical, hilarious and somewhat absurd fantasy sneaks the viewer behind the scenes of Dickens’ imagination, writing techniques and famous gift for names. It loudly celebrates Christmas spirit while promoting gratitude and kindness.
What you need: a festive Christmas tree, warm milk and gingerbread cookies.
What are your favorite movies about writers? Tell us on our Facebook page.
And for more movie night ideas, check out these articles:
What’s Your Movie Horoscope for 2018, Based On Your Zodiac Sign?
Netflix and Chill Night? Here Are 5 of the Best Romance Movies From 2017
