Any professional author will tell you the same thing; writing is a process and an art form, one which can only be captured, not explained. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a film fanatic, or anything in between, there are some amazing films out there based on the life and struggle of writers. Here are 10 of them:
Adaptation (2002)
Books and film go hand in hand, a relationship expertly represented in Adaptation. This film explores the process of an author turning his masterwork into a silver screen marvel. The struggle is real in this insightful metafilm that picks apart the process in a creative yet realistic manner. It’s even based on real-life experience.
The Ghost Writer (2010)
Writing can be dangerous, especially when you’re hired to ghostwrite an autobiography about a powerful politician. Secrets, slander, and nefarious motives behind a promising contract make the lead protagonist wonder what they’ve gotten into—and whether they’ll walk away from it—in The Ghost Writer, a thriller based on an author’s life events.
Adult World (2013)
Adult World follows an aspiring writer in need of an unconventional education in real life as she attempts to garner the favor of her role model, a washout author with a sharp tongue and no patience. It’s a stinging introduction to reality, providing an effective if rather an abrupt lesson for the young writer, who despite her intelligence, doesn’t see rejection coming.
Barton Fink (1991)
Inspiration isn’t always informative, a shortcoming showcased in Barton Fink, a film following a Broadway screenwriter tackling unfamiliar territory. Challenged by misfortune and writer's block he perseveres, but that doesn’t make his lack of experience any easier to overcome.“Barton had lofty goals and ideas, but forgot research only takes us so far. It's truly an insightful film,” says Lillian Herman, a movie critic at Eliteassignmenthelp.com and Revieweal.com.
Before Night Falls (2000)
Brash and unforgiving, Before Night Falls follows a marginalized and persecuted young gay man in 1940’s Cuba trying to be a poet and novelist. The protagonist isn’t the stereotypical gay man, nor is he intrinsically creative as can be expected, but he’s portrayed so magnificently by the lead actor that he pops off the screen like no other.
Capote (2005)
Delve deep into the intricacies of research and writing with Capote, a film based on the life and times of the author of the same name. This film is a great representation of how writing can be more than a job; the topics and characters take priority over life itself. Capote becomes enraptured by the life of one of the killers researched for his novel, which has marked effects on his life as a whole.
Henry and June (1990)
If you’ve ever wondered how an artistic muse shaped an author’s work, Henry and June display the transformation of real experience into erotic fantasy works with delightful ease and transparency. The film masterfully depicts how the wild and varied lives and times of the two writers were expressed in their literary works.
Secret Window (2004)
A psychological thriller about a fractured mind, Secret Window is an intriguing but very twisted look at how stress and deadlines can cause an author’s sense of reality to diminish. When the protagonist is accused of plagiarism by another author, with their thriller novels identical except for the endings, the lead has more control over life’s ending than he realizes.
Reprise (2006)
Being an author isn’t always glamorous. In Reprise, two aspiring writers’ lives take drastic turns in opposite directions when one man becomes famous overnight and another struggles to even get off the ground. Maniacal love and psychosis are just the tips of the iceberg in this feature film. “It’s true; life weaves its own stories, and we are only the characters,” says John Lester, an expert at UKtopwriters.com and Ukservicesreviews.com.
Misery (1990)
Misfortune and obsession collide in Misery, a horror movie following the poor decisions that lead the protagonist into the care of an obsessive fan after an accident. Kept hostage and forced to rewrite his manuscript to his captor’s liking, the author has to make a choice: comply and survive, or rebel and likely never see his loved ones again.
A scriptwriter at Essayroo and Bigassignments, Lauren Groff enjoys reviewing movies and works as a career consultant at Academadvisor.