Several weeks ago I wanted to relax after a long day of writing so I decided to watch a movie. And what could be better than watching a movie about a writer? Haha, we writers can’t get away from writing for long, can we?
Films about writers often give me an extra boost of inspiration and motivation. Seeing someone on the big screen struggling to craft their story reminds me that writing is a process. There will be ups and downs, but we have to keep striving forward.
I chose to watch Misery, the intense thriller based on the novel by Stephen King about a writer who gets kidnapped and tortured by his number one fan. No, it wasn’t very relaxing at all, but it was a gripping story. It got me thinking about the lessons about writing that we can learn from movies like these.
So today I’m sharing with you ten movies about writing that I’ve enjoyed and the different lessons I’ve learned from them. This list is far from exhaustive. It is not meant to represent the top ten best writing films of all time (believe me, there are many more fantastic movies about writing, and I could probably have made this list more than twice as long with all of them).
These are just ten entertaining films (in no particular order) that serve up some insightful lessons about writing and the writing process. I hope they will give you an extra boost of inspiration and motivation too!
10 Films About Writers When You Need Some Motivation
1. Misery (1990)
Plot: Best-selling novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) plans to end his career as a romance writer and focus on more serious novels. However, when a psychopathic fan (Kathy Bates) rescues him from a car crash and traps him in her home, he soon finds that switching careers will be much more difficult than he had originally thought.
What I learned: Well, I learned that some fans of your work might be crazy and try to kill you. All joking aside, I think this movie really does show how powerfully our writing can affect those who read it, how it can fill a void in their lives, for better or worse. That is a big responsibility for the writer. It also shows the importance of heeding your creative impulses. If you want to write in a different genre, don’t worry about what your fans or critics will say.
2. Midnight in Paris (2011)
Plot: Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a successful but unhappy screenwriter, is struggling to write his first novel. While vacationing in Paris with his fiancée, he inexplicably finds himself traveling back in time to the 1920s and meeting his literary heroes.
What I learned: Okay, this film might just be on this list because F. Scott Fitzgerald (one of my favorite writers) makes an appearance. In all seriousness, though, the movie shows the importance of studying the greats (Pender’s fiancée is not supportive of his work, and Pender draws his motivation from the famous writers that he meets). There’s lots of great writing advice thrown about too, like this casual observation from Hemingway, “No subject is terrible if the story is true, if the prose is clean and honest, and if it affirms courage and grace under pressure.”
3. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
In college, I wrote a term paper on the films of writer-director Billy Wilder. I love the fact that he became a director so that he could have full control over the screenplays that he wrote. He always considered himself a writer first and foremost, and that allowed him to create several thought-provoking films about the struggles of writers.
Plot: Joe Gillis (William Holden) is a hack writer, trying to make it big in Hollywood until he meets Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a long forgotten silent movie star who hires him to help her write a screenplay for her film comeback.
What I learned: First of all, this is easily one of the best films of all time. It’s worth watching just for that reason alone. It also has a lot to say about not becoming a sellout. Gillis knows that Desmond’s screenplay is going to be a flop, but he stays with her just for the money. The film shows the devastating consequences when someone wastes their talent and becomes distracted from pursuing their dreams.
4. I Remember Mama (1948)
Plot: Katrin Hanson (Barbara Bel Geddes), an aspiring young writer, tells the story of her childhood in turn of the century San Francisco. Her parents are Norwegian immigrants who struggle to make ends meet but manage to provide a loving home for their children. Irene Dunne shines in the role of the wise and kind-hearted matriarch, Marta Hanson, who encourages Katrin to pursue her writing dreams.
What I learned: Katrin nearly gives up on writing after she keeps on receiving rejection slips. But, eventually, she learns that instead of trying to tell grandiose stories, she needs to first practice writing about “what she knows”: the stories that surround her in her daily life. It reminds me of Flannery O’Connor’s observation, “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.”
5. Finding Forrester (2000)
Plot: Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown), a gifted inner-city teen, befriends a reclusive author, William Forrester (Sean Connery), who helps him develop his writing talent. Alternatively summed up as James Bond teaches writing.
What I learned: The movie shows the importance of finding a mentor who can help you grow as a writer. It also stresses the importance of sharing your work with the world. At one point, Wallace berates Forrester for hiding from the world and having a locked file cabinet full of writing that nobody else can read. He accuses Forrester of being too scared to “walk out that door and do something for somebody else.”
Below is one of my favorite scenes from the film.
6. Ace in the Hole (1951)
Plot: The cynical, disgraced big city reporter Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) winds up at a small Albuquerque, New Mexico newspaper. In an attempt to win back his former job, he sensationalizes a story about a man trapped in a cave and ends up turning the rescue attempt into a full-blown circus. (Another Billy Wilder film).
What I learned: This is a pretty bleak story, but one with an important message about the power of words and the responsibility of the writer to be honest about the stories he tells. It seems especially relevant now more than ever as we see the Internet flooded with emotionally manipulative articles with click bait headlines.
7. Almost Famous (2000)
Plot: 15-year-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit), an aspiring rock journalist in the 1970s, lands a dream assignment: writing a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band while traveling with them on their concert tour. But he soon learns that the life of fame and fortune has a dark side. (Interesting fact: The story is partly based on director Cameron Crowe’s own experiences as a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone.)
What I learned: I love the sheer determination of William Miller to write his story and get it published in Rolling Stone at all costs. He doesn’t let his young age make him doubt his abilities as a writer or make him think that perhaps he should postpone his writing ambitions until he has more experience. It’s important for us writers to keep that youthful enthusiasm and never limit our dreams.
8. Julie & Julia (2009)
Plot: In 2002, Julie Powell (Amy Adams) starts a blog to track her attempt over the course of a year to make every recipe in Julia Child’s cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The film also jumps back to the 1950s to show how Julia Child (Meryl Streep) embarked on her culinary career.
What I learned: As a fellow blogger, I found Julie’s story quite inspirational. At first, she is discouraged when no one reads her blog except her mother, but she continues posting consistently and gradually builds a following. The movie shows the power of blogs to keep you accountable to follow through on your goals. They can provide a platform for you to document your progress and to share what you learn along the way.
9. The Lost Weekend (1945)
Plot: Don Birnam (Ray Milland), a washed-up writer battling alcoholism, ends up going on a bender for four days. (I promise this is the last Billy Wilder film on this list).
What I learned: Birnam struggles with perfectionism, self-doubt, and a really bad case of writer’s block. And no! Unlike the popular quote incorrectly attributed to Hemingway, “Write drunk, edit sober”, alcohol doesn’t help Birnam overcome his writer’s block. Instead, it only makes it worse. Many famous writers have struggled with an addiction to the bottle, and The Lost Weekend shows how they were not helped by alcohol but crippled by it. It also shows that one of the ways to overcome writer’s block is just to start writing. Here are several other tips from famous writers on how to overcome writer’s block.
10. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Plot: Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), an IRS auditor, suddenly hears an omniscient voice (Emma Thompson) narrating his life and discovers that he may be a character in a novel.
What I learned: I’m including this movie just because it’s fun to watch if you write fiction. There’s not a lot of writing advice, but it does show how the characters in your books often take on a life of their own. Don’t be too attached to the first draft of your novel or your original plot. The final draft might end up looking completely different and be all the better for it.
Have you seen any of the films on this list? Is there any film you would add? Let me know in the comments. And if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend.
Sarah says
Sunset Boulevard. It’s so good.
Nanette Kalisvaart says
To continue the list, I just watched “Let them all talk” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10808832) which I found, seeing who is in it, a little (a lot actually) disappointing. But it’s about writers/writing/publishing so it should be on the list. 😉
Stephen says
Just watched Julie & Julia, and I loved it! I connect to the pre-success Julie on an oceans-deep level. Because I’ve recently started a blog and no one’s reading it. Not even my mother lol. Just subscribed by the way, ’cause I need to feel like I’m a part of something. Anyway, great list!
Hamish says
I do enjoy the film ‘Stranger Than Fiction’. Plenty going on, and some interesting ways to develop character – and narration!
Thank you for sharing these, I have not seen many of them. 😊
Nanette says
Tamara Drewe: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486190/
Ali Nicholas says
Great list! Misery is probably my all-time favourite movie about writing/writers. Other favourites are The Words with Bradley Cooper, Something’s Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson, As Good As It Gets, again with Jack Nicholson, Limitless, again with Bradley Cooper (the initial scenes especially), and there’s a new one out with Melissa McCarthy I want to see. I also want to see Wonder Boys and Adaptation starring Nicholas Cage. I’ve also heard of another one that’s set in the woods with this guy but I can’t remember the title or main actor (Neeson?). As far as I’m concerned, there’s never too many movies about writers and writing!
Nanette says
“there’s a new one out with Melissa McCarthy”
You mean ‘Can you ever forgive me?’
Ali Nicholas says
Yep! That’s the one! (I actually just watched it). Fantastic movie.
Ali Nicholas says
As luck would have it, I happened to come across the title of the movie set in the woods just the other day, and it’s Secret Window starring Johnny Depp. It was actually a trailer on a DVD of, I believe, Something’s Gotta Give. The scenery looks absolutely marvellous.
Nanette Kalisvaart says
😀
Thank you.
(Don’t do horror myself (unfortunately; love Depp).)
Amy D says
Great List! Thanks for sharing. Thought I’d add two of my favs…
– “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”…about an author who learns of and tells a moving story from World War II
– “Miss Potter”…the story of Beatrix Potter, incredible how her stories influenced a nation and the world
Nicole Bianchi says
I loved “Miss Potter” too! I read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” but haven’t seen the movie. I will have to check that one out. Thank you, Amy!
Nanette says
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for your post.
And all the replies. 🙂
In my movie library I also have (so far):
* Dead Poets Society (1989)
* Shakespeare in love (1998)
* Adaption (2002)
* Somethings gotta give (2003)
* Trumbo (2015)
* Submission (2017)
* The Post (2017)
* The Wife (2017)
* An Acceptable Loss (2018)
* Can you ever forgive me (2018)
* Colette (2018)
Kind regards,
Nanette (The Netherlands)
Nanette says
Sorry. The 3rd one should be: Adaptation (2002)
I also found ‘Adaption (2017)’ but I haven’t seen that one (yet).
Brynel S. says
Thanks for the inspiration Nicole. I’m teary eyed of the verse right below your profile. Just what I needed in times of doubts. Thank you. 🙂
Timothy Pope says
Genius, the story of Maxwell Perkins and Thomas Wolfe and F. Scott Fitzgerald is a wonderful movie. A beautiful period piece with Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Guy Pearce as Fitzgerald.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks for the recommendation, Thomas! I haven’t seen that one. I look forward to watching it as F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors.
Anaci says
I’m so happy to found this post. I’ve only watched one of these (10). Finding Forrester (It’s such a wonderful movie about writing and I love it so much). Freedom Writers is also another film about writing that I love… Thank you for sharing… This post is so helpful… I want to share them with my students… Thank you (once again 🙂 ) and God bless you…
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Anaci! I haven’t seen ‘Freedom Writers’. I want to check that one out. Thank you for the recommendation! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and I hope your students enjoy the films. 🙂
Karli says
Nicole! Love this! I’ve only watched two of these (I LOVE Stranger Than Fiction!) and have heard of most of the others and had no idea what they were about! I want to see them all now! I’m so behind on your blog! I cannot wait to catch up, you always have wonderful posts and insight! 🙂
Nicole Bianchi says
“Stranger Than Fiction” is such a fun movie. 😀 Hope you find some new favorites when you have time to check out others on the list!
Lau says
Great list ! Haven’t watched a lot of them, this post will be so useful.
I would add The Hours, by Stephen Frears, and The Ghost Writer, by Polansky.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you, Lau! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. I have seen ‘The Ghost Writer’ but not the other one. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Timothy Pope says
Yes, The Hours is a wonderful film.
Veronica says
I highly recommend Freedom Writers! It’s my absolute favourite movie of all time with an inspiring and riveting storyline.
Nicole Bianchi says
I haven’t seen that one, but it sounds wonderful. Thanks for the recommendation, Veronica!
Mary Ellen Wright says
I love the movie, “Cross Creek.” It is rich with writer experience and a great story line.
Nicole Bianchi says
I haven’t seen that one, Mary Ellen. Thank you for the recommendation!
Lisa says
I would add Il Postino from the 90s. Loved it.
Nicole Bianchi says
That is one of my favorite movies! Are you also a fan of Neruda’s poetry?
Jeanne Doyon says
I have seen Finding Forrester (loved it), Julie & Julia (double-loved it), and I remember Mama (that was a fun one to watch with my mom).
I would add, Anne of Green Gables, The Little House on the Prairie series, Little Women…and there is another that I watched about a year ago but I’ll have to look up the title (it wasn’t very good).
I love your insights into each movie you shared.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you, Jeanne! I love Anne of Green Gables. I read the entire series when I was a child, and Anne’s story club inspired me to start a writing club with my friends too.
Judy says
This is a great list, Nicole. Several are now in my Netflix Queue. I’m especially eager to watch the older movies and others that are “feel good” and motivating. I watched “Finding Forester” a while back. This is a helpful post for me. Thanks for writing!
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Judy! Thank you! I think you will love “I Remember Mama”. That one’s definitely a feel good movie. 🙂
Cynthia Carver says
“Finding Forester” is on my top ten of favorite movies. I watch it when I have writer’s block or just need to be inspired for any reason.
Nicole Bianchi says
It’s such a wonderful movie with a great message.
Kathy Fannon says
What a great list! Thank you for your insights on these movies, Nicole! I’ve seen a couple of these and some I’ve never heard of. I LOVE old movies, so I’ll have to hunt some of those down.
Movie to add: Secret Window (Another Stephen King)
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you, Kathy! Nice to meet a fellow old movie fan. 🙂 I haven’t seen “Secret Window”. Thanks for the recommendation!
Danielle Gaither says
Some great films on this list! Sunset Blvd. is a personal favorite.
One that I would add to the list is Wonder Boys. Every actor in that movie is at the top of their game, and the soundtrack features one of Bob Dylan’s best songs.
Nicole Bianchi says
“Wonder Boys” is another one that almost made it onto the list! Yes, it’s such a well-acted movie. Looks like I might have to make a follow-up list with 10 more movies. 😀
David Villalva says
Solid list with helpful intel. Thanks for this. 🙂 Also, check out the unique, indie flick Ruby Sparks.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you so much, David! “Ruby Sparks” almost made it onto the list. 🙂 Fun seeing the Pygmalion story updated for writers.
Donna says
Thank you so much! This is a great list, but this article also puts a light under my butt to start writing about anything, everything, all things…
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks, Donna! Glad to hear you found it motivational. 😀 All the best with your writing!
amy says
Nicole,
This is a GREAT article! I shared it with my writer’s group. Thanks for sticking to your craft and making us better writers for it!
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you so much, Amy! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it. And thank you for sharing!
Diane Holcomb says
Thanks for this list. I haven’t seen two of them, so I’ll look for them in the library!
I’ll add this title: Little Women
Nicole Bianchi says
Yes, Little Women is a fantastic film about writing! 🙂
Sean says
I was surprised to not see The Shining on the list, but I understand if you didn’t want to double down on Steven King. But that movie totally captures the essence of writers block for me; albeit it a little off the deep end!
S.
Nicole Bianchi says
I actually haven’t seen that one yet! It’s on my list of films to watch.
Sean says
Stop everything and rectify this immediately!
Nicole Bianchi says
Haha, yes, I’m definitely going to watch it.