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Favorite films, a selection
Oct. 27th, 2012 08:12 pmHere's something I wrote a few months back, at the request of a publication that opted not to run the feature on writers and their favorite films, I thought I'd resurrect it out here. What are some of your favorites?
I thought I'd focus on some of my favorites which are writing/writer-related.
Impromptu <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impromptu_(1991_film)> (1991). Terrific and wildly entertaining film about the romance between writer George Sand (Judy Davis) and composer Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant), despite their differences and their social circle which includes de Musset, Liszt, Delacroix and some hapless aristocrats. The cast includes performances by Bernadette Peters, Julian Sands, Mandy Patinkin and Emma Thompson. Judy rocks a top hat, pants and tails throughout (as Sand did much of her adult life) and there are some splendid gender play scenes. She also actually writes and meets with her publisher during the movie, which is somewhat unusual in films about writers.
Pariah <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pariah_(2011_film)> (2011). Really good indy film about a young African-American butch wrestling with identity, family homophobia and other issues, while aspiring to a writing career. The performances are all good but the lead actress, Adepero Oduya, is amazing. Can't recommend this one enough.
Cold Comfort Farm <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Comfort_Farm_(film)> (1995). Young Flora Post (Kate Beckinsale) moves to the English countryside in the 1920s in live with her wildly dysfunctional relatives while she gathers material for her novel. Includes performances by Sir Ian McKellen, Joanna Lumley, Rufus Sewell and Stephen Fry. Flora writes purple prose and references Jane Austen while attempting to "tidy up" her newfound relatives. Absolutely hilarious satire of literature that paints an idyllic picture of English rural life. One of the funniest films I've ever seen and it holds up well to rewatching.
I thought I'd focus on some of my favorites which are writing/writer-related.
Impromptu <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impromptu_(1991_film)> (1991). Terrific and wildly entertaining film about the romance between writer George Sand (Judy Davis) and composer Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant), despite their differences and their social circle which includes de Musset, Liszt, Delacroix and some hapless aristocrats. The cast includes performances by Bernadette Peters, Julian Sands, Mandy Patinkin and Emma Thompson. Judy rocks a top hat, pants and tails throughout (as Sand did much of her adult life) and there are some splendid gender play scenes. She also actually writes and meets with her publisher during the movie, which is somewhat unusual in films about writers.
Pariah <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pariah_(2011_film)> (2011). Really good indy film about a young African-American butch wrestling with identity, family homophobia and other issues, while aspiring to a writing career. The performances are all good but the lead actress, Adepero Oduya, is amazing. Can't recommend this one enough.
Cold Comfort Farm <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Comfort_Farm_(film)> (1995). Young Flora Post (Kate Beckinsale) moves to the English countryside in the 1920s in live with her wildly dysfunctional relatives while she gathers material for her novel. Includes performances by Sir Ian McKellen, Joanna Lumley, Rufus Sewell and Stephen Fry. Flora writes purple prose and references Jane Austen while attempting to "tidy up" her newfound relatives. Absolutely hilarious satire of literature that paints an idyllic picture of English rural life. One of the funniest films I've ever seen and it holds up well to rewatching.