5 Films to watch if you’re a writer

These are the films that shaped me as a writer and motivated me to keep chasing my dreams.

The 5 films that I’m going to recommend are the ones that kept me going on days when I had imposter syndrome and inspired me to chase after the dream of being a writer. Whether it’s the aesthetics of the entire film (storyline, cinematography, and color grading) or even the feeling that was expressed through the actor’s faces when they’ve finally overcome their self-doubts and found the motivation to write, I'm just thankful to have discovered these books in my writing journey.

1. Stuck In Love

Director: Josh Boone

Main Casts: Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, Nat Wolff, Kristen Bell

Release Date: 5th July 2013

Synopsis: A romantic drama that follows the intertwined lives of a novelist, his ex-wife, and their teenage children, all grappling with love, heartbreak, and family dynamics as they navigate their complicated relationships.

Trigger warnings: Dr*gs, Depression, Grief & Loss, Infedelity

My thoughts: This is hands-down my comfort film. I discovered it when I was 18 when I was at the lowest point in my life. I felt like a loser for not doing so well in my studies and I had to retake ‘O’ levels. I knew that I was creative deep down but I had nobody to talk to about it. It was a time when people were fixated on following the path that had been designed to enter the corporate world. I had a dream. I wasn’t sure what it was. I was too young to decide. All I knew was that I wanted to work in the creative field. I felt lonely at that time but this film changed everything for me.

I was so drawn to how each of the main characters had a path of their own and how certain situations changed their perspectives. There was one thing in common within three of the main characters which kept their soul alive, which was writing. I knew then and there that I wanted to be a writer. (Well, I dabble with poetry and I’m still working on my first novel.)

I loved the part where the father character (played by Greg Kinnear) would pay his daughter (played by Lily Collins) and son (played by Nat Wolff) to write in their journals regularly to practice their writing skills. That got me to start journaling often. There is one piece of advice that he would tell his son that stayed with me till today.

“A writer is the sum of their experiences. Go get some.”

This film holds a significant place in my heart and always would be. On days when I feel stuck, lost, and need a perk me up, I watch this movie. I must say that the entire cast did a brilliant job too. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to feel inspired to write about life and love!

Songs that I discovered from the film:

2. Dead Poets Society

Director: Peter Weir

Written by: Tom Schulman

Main Casts: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen

Release Date: 2nd June 1989

Synopsis: The film is about an unconventional English teacher, John Keating, who inspires his students at a conservative all-boys prep school to embrace poetry, think independently, and seize the day, challenging societal expectations.

Trigger warnings: Suicide, Mental Health, Parental Pressures

My thoughts: Anyone who has watched the film knows this famous dialogue that Robin William would deliver with so much passion and power. It’s the whole reason why I watched the film.

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

This award-winning film felt like a poem itself and a thought-provoking one. The ending had a chokehold on me. I was also extremely impressed with everyone’s acting. I would recommend watching it at least once.

3. Midnight in Paris

Director: Woody Allen

Main Casts: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hiddleton, Alison Pill, Corey Stoll

Release Date: 20th May 2011

Synopsis: The film follows a nostalgic writer who, while vacationing in Paris, mysteriously travels back in time each night to the 1920s, where he meets his literary idols. This magical journey leads him to question his present-day relationships and desires.

My thoughts: This was such a light-hearted film. I was very impressed with the concept of how the main character who is a writer time traveled to the 1920s and got to meet his favorite writers. He even had conversations with them which inspired him to write his novel and he returns to the 1920s every night to get advice from them. How cool is that? I wish I had that opportunity. If I did get the chance to time travel, I would love to meet Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, and Sylvia Plath. I can’t even begin to comprehend how our conversations would go. I would literally be too stunned to speak!

I hope this is convincing enough for you to add this film to your “movies to watch” list.

4. Kill Your Darlings

Director: John Krokidas

Story: Austin Bunn

Main Casts: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Elizabeth Olsen

Release Date: 16th October 2013

Synopsis: The film follows young poet Allen Ginsberg as he navigates his early years at Columbia University, where he becomes entangled in a complex and tumultuous friendship that leads to murder, forever altering the course of his life.

Trigger warnings: Based on a real-life murder, Violence, Dr*gs, Mental Health issues

My thoughts: The film dramatizes real events from the lives of several prominent figures of the Beat Generation, particularly focusing on the young poet Allen Ginsberg and his relationships with fellow writers like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. The film is centered around the murder of David Kammerer by Lucien Carr which is a real historical incident that had a significant impact on these literary figures.

I was very intrigued from the beginning till the end because I didn’t know anything about the Beat Generation. The pace of the film is quite slow but I loved the film’s cinematography which got me through the entire film and how the dark and moody atmosphere played a role in mirroring the intense emotional and intellectual relationships between the characters.

I found it interesting how the film openly explores the characters' sexual identities, especially Ginsberg's, and shows how their sexuality impacted their relationships and creativity at a time when such topics were often taboo.

Prior to watching this film, I didn’t read The Secret History by Donna Tartt but when I read the book years later, I felt like there were similar themes to the film. Thus, if you’re into Dark Academia, this film might interest you.

5. Little Women (1994)

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Screenplay: Robin Swicord

Based on Little Women, an 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott

Main Casts: Winona Ryder, Gabriel Byrne, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Christian Bale

Release Date: 25th December 1994

Synopsis: The story follows the lives of the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the trials and joys of growing up in post-Civil War America. Their journey is marked by personal growth, family bonds, and romantic entanglements.

My thoughts: Let me start by admitting that I’ve not read the book yet and I only watched the 1994 and 2019 films. I prefer the 1994 version. Don’t get me wrong I loved both versions but for some reason, the 1994 version stuck with me till today.

Jo March is my favorite sister because I totally relate to her. She’s such a bold and strong feminist. I loved Jo’s character development; each time she faced a hurdle, she learned something that changed her perspective and helped her grow into a talented writer.

“I’m just a girl who wants to be herself, but it’s not easy when everyone expects you to be something you’re not.”

Overall, this film made me bawl my eyes out, feel rage, smile, and reflect deeply on my place in society as a woman.

P.S. I would work on reading the book because I’ve heard so much of good reviews about Louisa’s writing style.

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This is a long newsletter and if you’ve come this far, thank you for listening to me yap about the films that shaped me as a writer (yes, including Kill Your Darlings because the screenplay truly fascinated me.) By now, you should know which is my most favorite film out of the five. 😉

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