It being a while since my last Top 3 and a Bit post, I decided it was time to select another subject and, given I have already covered Films on Poetry, on Poets and on Filmmaking, I decided to finish this section off by looking at Films on Writing. In doing so I wanted to concentrate particularly on the process of writing, which after all is what I do. I have ignored the writing of film and poetry since they have already been covered in previous sections.

In preparing my lists, I look at others already available on the internet to ensure that I do not overlook any important films. By and large the lists I found were disappointing, in that they did not differentiate between films on writing and films on writers, whether fictional or real. Since I particularly wanted to look at the process of writing, only those which covered that area were genuine contenders. Consequently, as well as the usual list of Honourable Mentions, there is a second group of films on writers which, whilst very good, did not quite fit my remit.

So, here are my Top 3 Films about Writing, together with notes on several additional films which are certainly worthy of attention:

(1)          In the House (2012 – François Ozon)

Germain (Fabrice Luchini) is a rather jaded middle-aged literature teacher, who bonds with Claude, a 16-year-old student, over their joint passion for storytelling. Germain tutors Claude in how to structure his stories, how to create interesting characters and how to build suspense; but there is a twist: Claude feels he must act out his plot in real life before he can commit it to paper. This leads to him interloping into a schoolfriend’s family and seducing his friend’s mother (amongst other misdemeanours). What I love about this film, is that it has a gentle playful tone, whilst maintaining a level of suspense – we always need to know what happens next. Even the closing scene leaves us wondering if there could be a sequel at some stage, and perhaps that’s the point: there are always stories left to tell. Ozon, as usual, gets the pacing just right and weaves a clever, intricate plot that keeps us guessing. It is a great film in its own right but also a masterclass in how to write stories. I watch it over and over again.

(2)          American Fiction (2023 – Cord Jefferson)

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is a black university professor and a writer of literary novels. His novels receive critical acclaim but do not sell; his publishers reject his latest manuscript for not being Black enough. To add to his troubles, he is suspended by the college over a hilarious racial incident involving a virtue-signalling white student. He is appalled by the overnight success of We’s Lives in Da Ghetto by a black writer, Sintara Golden, who he considers lacking in any real literary talent. So, he decides he can go one better and writes what he considers to be the trashiest novel ever, shamelessly pandering to Black stereotypes. However, the more outlandish he gets, the more successful his novel becomes. This is a very funny film with a very serious point underlying it. It is beautifully acted and skilfully directed by Jefferson. There is also a clever, rather meta, ending.

(3)          Non-Fiction (2018 – Olivier Assayas)

Léonard (Vincent Macaigne) is a well-known French novelist with a reputation for writing his stories directly from life experience (autofiction). To some extent most writers do this, however since Léonard writes in graphic detail about an extra-marital affair in his latest novel, this proves a little too close to home for some. Especially as he has been having an affair for several years with his own Editor’s wife, Selena (played by the wonderful Juliette Binoche), although he does at least try to mislead his readers with regard to her identity. His editor, Alain, refuses to publish Léonard’s next novel, which results in difficulties between him and Selena. Alain’s company hires a young woman, Laure, to adapt their publishing business to the digital age and she ends up in Alain’s bed. There are several interesting discussions about the morality of autofiction and about the future of long-form literature with the advent of more immediate, readily-available, short-form digital literature (eg blogs!). This is an entertaining film from start to finish and, though often very funny, it again has some intriguing points to make.

And the Honourable Mentions … (1) The Contenders

The following films are those that came very close to making my Top 3, but did not quite get there (the ‘bit’), listed in alphabetical order:

Deconstructing Harry (1997 – Woody Allen)

Harry Block, a successful writer played by Allen, draws inspiration from people he knows in real life, and from events that happen to him, often alienating these people in the process (autofiction again). He is a sex-addict with three unsuccessful marriages behind him, who now relies on the services of prostitutes as a less-expensive more-convenient alternative to relationships. Following a blocked period, he decides to attend his old college to receive an honorary degree, accompanied on the journey by his young son, a friend from way back who he hardly knows, and a prostitute with whom he happened to spend the previous night. Allen is in his element, and this is a very funny film.

Henry & June (1990 – Phillip Kaufman)

A biographical piece about the relationship between Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin in Paris in the early 1930s. Although happily married, Nin is restless and seeking excitement. She finds it in Miller who is working on his first novel: his bohemian lifestyle fascinates her, as does his rather unconventional wife, June. Nin becomes involved in the couple’s tormented relationship, having an affair with Miller and also pursuing June sexually. Nin helps Miller to publish his novel Tropic of Cancer, but in doing so facilitates the Millers’ separation. Whilst this is a historical piece, it also looks at the process of writing, in particular sources of inspiration. The film was notorious when it came out because of the sex scenes, however these are photographed delicately by Philippe Rousselot and directed with great intensity by Kaufman.

Sex and Lucia (2002 – Julio Medem)

Lorenzo (Tristán Ulloa) is a writer suffering from writer’s block. His girlfriend Lucia (Pas Vega) has walked out on him. He is tormented by a night of passion several years ago with Elena (although he never knew her name) and has recently discovered a child was born of that encounter. I will not attempt to explain the complex plot but by getting to know the child through her babysitter, Belén, Lorenzo finds his way back into writing, much of his subject matter being sexual fantasies involving Belén. The film plays around with time and so several stories from different time periods are skilfully inter-woven. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: Beneath the gratuitous nudity lies a complex and visually striking movie – I couldn’t have put it better myself!

Swimming Pool (2003 – François Ozon)

Uptight British crime novelist, Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) travels to her publisher’s summer house in France seeking solitude in order to work on her next novel. However, the arrival of his daughter, promiscuous wild-child Julie (Ludivine Sagnier) shatters her peace and creates various complications. Sarah uses Julie as source material for her novel, prying into her personal affairs and reading her diary. But tensions mount and ultimately a serious crime is committed. Again, we are looking here at where source material comes from and the moral questionability of ‘borrowing’ someone else’s story. Ozon, of course, has a clever trick or two up his sleeve, which makes the ending satisfyingly unclear!

And the Other Honourable Mentions … (2) Great films, but more about Writers than Writing

The following are great films in their own right, but were not really sufficiently on message for my Top 3, again listed in alphabetical order:

Atonement (2007 – Jow Wright)

An adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel which uses one of the character’s literary pursuits as a kind of framing device.

Capote (2005 – Bennett Miller)

The events surrounding the writing of Capote’s 1965 nonfiction book In Cold Blood and particularly his relationship with one of the murderers, Perry Smith.

The Ghost Writer (2010 – Roman Polanski)

A tense thriller about a ghost writer who, while assisting an ex-Prime Minister to write his memoirs, uncovers something deeply sinister.

Midnight in Paris (2011 – Woody Allen)

A comedy fantasy about a young American writer, holidaying in Paris with his fiancée, who chances across a portal allowing him to travel back in time and meet his literary heroes.

Misery (1990 – Rob Reiner)

Famed novelist Paul Sheldon writes romance novels featuring a character named Misery Chastain. Following a car accident in a remote spot, he has the misfortune to be taken in by a nurse who happens to be his biggest fan.

Reprise (2006 – Joachim Trier)

Phillip and Erik, two young Norwegian friends, both harbour ambitions of becoming writers but their lives take very different paths.

The Squid and the Whale (2005 – Noah Baumbach)

The story of an acrimonious marriage break-up between two writers and its effect on their two teenage children.

I am sure I have missed some great films about the writing process. If you know of any you think I should watch (i.e. that may deserve a place in my ‘Top 3 and a Bit’) please let me know. I will endeavour to find them and watch them.