Some incredibly inspiring films focus on writers and their writing in several different ways. The creative process can be fascinating, although audiences typically only see the result. Although there are many films based on bestselling novels, they are not always as well received as their source material, with some successful books failing as films. While some films have changed the book and made it better, some filmmakers have taken a different approach to telling a writer’s story, focusing less on the book and more on the writer behind it.
The story of how a writer creates their works can be just as fascinating or inspiring as their books, and sometimes even more so. Writers like Sylvia Plath and Iris Murdoch have had tumultuous lives that have affected their creative process, and the struggle of losing inspiration will be familiar to almost any writer. Until The Far Side comics have addressed writer’s block, and almost every film about writing has addressed it as well. Still, the best inspirational movies about writing show the highs and lows of writing while telling a great story.
10
I capture the castle
A bohemian writer comes of age in a ruined castle
I capture the castle is based on the novel of the same namein which Cassandra Mortmain, a young aspiring writer, comes of age in her decaying castle. Cassandra’s family is beautifully strange and artsy. His stepmother is an artistic model and his father, played by Bill Nighy, is a struggling writer. The film is critically acclaimed and full of stars, including Romola Garai, Bose Byrne and a young Henry Cavill in one of his best films.
Cassandra’s coming-of-age story is understated but visually beautiful, with 1930s costumes and wide shots of the UK countryside. As his family becomes more prosperous throughout the film, Cassandra’s Diary, I capture the castleis written in three different notebooksfrom cheap to expensive, perfectly illustrating the gradual changes in the character’s status.
9
ink heart
A fantasy film about literally getting lost in a book
ink heart star Brendan Fraser at the height of his film famebut the film is underrated, earning just a 39% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fraser plays Mortimer”Mo” Folchart, who has the gift of bringing characters to life in the books he reads. However, a person from the real world is sent into books when he uses his gift. ink heart is based on a novel, which has so many twists and turns that ink heart It might have been better as a TV series.
ink heart is a story about the power of books and turns some of the best things about reading into creative ideas. The characters literally get “lost in a book” and another character is obsessed with wanting to know what happens at the end of a book because the story is about his own life. If any writer would like to imagine what would happen if characters from different books could meet, ink heart shows what can happen.
8
Almost Famous
An aspiring music journalist discovers the rocker’s lifestyle
Almost Famous is loosely based on the real-life experiences of Cameron Crowe, who was Rolling Stone MagazineHe was the youngest contributor ever and went straight to interviewing some of rock’s biggest and most influential bands after graduating high school. Although many characters and bands in Almost Famous are not directly based on real people, including protagonist William, many of the scenes are based on Crowe’s adolescence.
Almost Famous there are more wild party moments than quiet scenes involving the writing process, which are often overused in films that have a writer as the protagonist. This does Almost Famous a great film to watch during a writing break, or as inspiration for those who enjoy writing but also want to go to a show and take a break from their laptop or notebook.
7
Julia and Julia
Amy Adams and Meryl Streep star in this writer comedy
The comedy Julia and Julia is different from many films about writersbecause he is a blogger and not a novelist. Amy Adams plays Julie Powell, who has a traumatic job and decides to do something she enjoys. For Julie, that means learning how to prepare every recipe in celebrated 1950s Cordon Bleu chef Julia Child’s cookbook and blogging about the process. At first Julie’s blog had just one fan, her mother, but little by little things started to change.
Julia and JuliaMeryl Streep’s cooking scenes are generally pretty accurate, and one professional chef praised Meryl Streep’s omelet scene, giving it a seven out of ten. The film is encouraging for anyone who wants to learn a new skill, and not just writers and chefs, like persistence pays off for both Julie and Juliawith Julia publishing her cookbook and Julie’s blog gaining attention from other food writers.
6
Dead Poets Society
Robin Williams inspires future writers as unconventional teacher
Robin Williams has been one of the most inspiring actors of recent decades, and almost all of his signature roles mix comedy with a moving and inspiring story. Dead Poets Society is one of the films that defined Robin Williams’ careerand he plays John Keating, an English tutor at an elite boarding school who teaches his initially skeptical students to form their own opinions. Keating shares his love of poetry with his class, which leads to Dead Poets Society having some unforgettable lines.
One of the best things about Dead Poets Society is the scriptwhich features examples of poetry as well as Keating’s advice for life and his famous quote “Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the day, guys. Make your lives extraordinary.” As the film begins by showing the academy’s focus on little beyond professional advancement, ignoring the arts, it then changes the boys’ way of thinking about what matters in life, Dead Poets Society It’s not just an inspirational film for writers, but for life in general.
5
Dealer
A man with writer’s block is drawn into the criminal underworld
Dealer is an underrated British crime drama which managed to fly under the radar despite getting a 95% positive critical review on Rotten Tomatoes. It stars Clive Owen as Jack Manfred, an aspiring writer who tries to write a book about football, but suffers writer’s block and takes a job as a croupier in a casino to make ends meet. Dealer also stars in a pre-Doctor Who Alex Kingston.
As Jack becomes involved in casino life and becomes involved in a possible robbery plot, he discovers that his life working at the casino is more inspiring to him than football, and writes a different book. This book is a success and although Jack discovers that his success as a writer doesn’t make him happier, Dealer is a great film that can remind writers that inspiration can strike at strange times.
4
Miss Potter
Renee Zellweger plays legendary British writer Beatrix Potter
Renee Zellweger is a master at changing her accent to suit roles, and after landing a convincing English accent in Bridget Jonesshe does it again in Miss Potter. Zellweger plays legendary British author Beatrix Potterwho wrote the iconic Pedro Coelho book series, and the film follows his rise to fame. Miss Potter is one of Zellweger’s best romance films and also stars Ewan McGregor.
Many films about writers highlight the way some writers become inspired after a tragedy. However, Miss Potter focuses on how Beatrix’s relationship with her love interest, Norman Warne, played by McGregor, inspired her to write her famous series. Miss Potter is also unexpectedly empowering, as Beatrix discovers that she has become rich and can support herself by writing, at a time when most women depend on marriage for financial security.
3
Unlimited
A Struggling Writer Reveals the Key to Unlimited Creativity
Many writers dream of discovering an instant way to unleash their creativity, become the most efficient, fulfilled version of themselves, and banish writer’s block forever. Unlimited starring Bradley Cooper as the uninspired and failed writer Eddie Mora, who learns a way to do just that. Eddie is offered a pill that allows him to access 100% of his brain, but the “new Eddie“It has a price.
THE Unlimited the concept was so successful that the film had a TV spin-off, although Eddie was no longer the main character. While the Unlimited The TV show was canceled after just one season due to low ratings, the film is still an exciting, action-packed story with a 74% positive rating from fans on Rotten Tomatoes. Unlimited is a “and if“dream for writers and a reminder that writer’s block happens to almost anyone.
2
Shakespeare in love
The unexpectedly controversial romantic comedy
Shakespeare in love is historically inaccurate and controversialbut the film has a 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an all-star cast that includes Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth II in one of the shortest Oscar-winning performances of all time. Shakespeare in love tells the fictional story of English playwright William Shakespeare as he writes his famous play, Cheese and guavawhile falling in love with Viola de Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Shakespeare in love was controversial because the film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, which surprised critics who expected the war story Saving Private Ryan to win the prize. However, Shakespeare in love It’s a fun escapist filmespecially for writers who discover they are writing something completely different from the project they planned, as Shakespeare did in the film.
1
Paul
A book is at the heart of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s sci-fi parody
Paul might seem like an unexpected choice for an inspirational film about writingbut it’s easy to forget that a book is at the center of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s sci-fi parody collaboration. Pegg and Frost play Graeme and Clive, a writer and illustrator on a road trip, who rescues an alien. One of his jokes is the theme of Clive’s book, which is constantly judged by its cover, which features an alien with three breasts.
Paul is a celebration of geek culture, with Graeme and Clive beginning the film as Comic-Con attendees trying to get a photo with celebrated author Adam Shadowchild (who only other geeks have ever heard of). until the end of Paulthe two are guests at Comic-Con with a best-selling book based on his experiences and praised by Shadowchild himself. This comedy ends on an uplifting note, reminding writers that a smaller but dedicated following can be valuable.