Some incredibly inspirational movies focus on writers and their writing in a variety of different ways. The creative process can be fascinating, though audiences usually only see the result. Though there are many movies based on bestselling novels, these are not always as well-received as their source material, with somesuccessful books failing as movies. Though somemovies have changed the book and made something better, some filmmakers have taken a different approach when telling the story of a writer, by 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 than their books, and sometimes even more so. Writers like Sylvia Plath and Iris Murdoch had tumultuous lives that affected their creative process, and the struggle of losing inspiration will be familiar to almost any writer. EvenThe Far Sidecomics have addressed writer’s block, and almost any movie about writing addresses it too. Still, the best inspirational movies about writing show both the highs and lows of writing, while also telling a great story.
I Capture The Castleis based on the novel of the same name, in which Cassandra Mortmain, a young aspiring writer, comes of age in her decaying castle home. Cassandra’s family is beautifully strange and artistic. Her stepmother is an artists' model and her father, played by Bill Nighy, is a struggling writer. The movie is critically acclaimed and full of stars, including Romola Garai, Bose Byrne, and a youngHenry Cavill in one of his best movies.
Cassandra’s coming-of-age story is understated but visually beautiful, with 1930s costumes and wide shots of the United Kingdom’s countryside. As her family grows more prosperous throughout the movie,Cassandra’s journal,I Capture The Castle, is written in three different notebooks, from cheap to expensive, perfectly illustrating the gradual changes in the character’s status.
9Inkheart
A Fantasy Movie About Literally Getting Lost In A Book
Inkheartstars Brendan Fraser at the height of his movie fame, yet the movie is underrated, earning just a 39% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fraser plays Mortimer “Mo” Folchart, who has a gift for bringing characters to life from the books he reads. However, a person from the real world gets sent into the books when he uses his gift.Inkheartis based on a novel, which has so many twists and turns thatInkheartmay have been better as a TV series.
Inkheartis a story about the power of booksand turns some of the best things about reading into creative ideas. 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 writers like to imagine what would happen if characters from different books could meet,Inkheartshows what might happen.
8Almost Famous
An Aspiring Music Journalist Discovers The Rocker Lifestyle
Almost Famousis loosely based on the real-life experiencesof Cameron Crowe, who wasRolling Stone Magazine’s youngest-ever contributor, and he went straight into interviewing some of the biggest and most influential rock bands after graduating from high school. Although many characters and bands inAlmost Famousare not directly based on real people, including the protagonist, William, many of the scenes are based on Crowe’s teenage years.
Almost Famoushas more wild party moments than quiet scenes involving the writing process,which are often overused in movies that have a writer as the protagonist. This makesAlmost Famousa great movie to watch during a writing break, or as a bit of inspiration for people who love to write, but also want to go to a concert and take a break from the laptop or notebook.
7Julie & Julia
Amy Adams And Meryl Streep Star In This Writer Comedy
The comedyJulie & Juliais different from many movies about writers, as it is about a blogger rather than a novelist. Amy Adams plays Julie Powell, who has a traumatic job and decides to do something she enjoys. For Julie, this means learning to cook every recipe from the cookbook of the celebrated 1950s Cordon Bleu chef, Julia Child, and blogging about the process. At first, Julie’s blog had just one fan, her mother, but slowly, things started to change.
Julie & Julia’s cooking scenes are usually quite accurate, anda professional chef praised Meryl Streep’s omelette scene, giving it a seven out of ten. The movie is encouraging for anyone who wants to learn a new skill, and not just writers and chefs, aspersistence pays off for both Julie and Julia, with Julia publishing her cookbook and Julie’s blog gaining attention from other food writers.
Robin Williams Inspires Future Writers As An Unconventional Teacher
Robin Williams has been one of the most inspiring actors of the past few decades, and almost all of his signature roles mix comedy with an emotional and inspiring story.Dead Poets Societyis one of Robin Williams’s career-defining movies, and he plays John Keating, an elite boarding school English tutor who teaches his initially skeptical students to form their own opinions. Keating shares his love of poetry with his class, which leads toDead Poets Societyhaving some unforgettable lines.
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One of the best things aboutDead Poets Societyis the script, which features examples of poetry as well as Keating’s advice for life, and his famous quote “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” As the movie begins by showing the academy’s focus on little but professional advancement while ignoring the arts, then changes the boys' way of thinking about what matters in life,Dead Poets Societyis not just an inspiring movie for writers, but for life in general.
5Croupier
A Man With Writers' Block Gets Drawn Into The Criminal Underworld
Croupieris an underrated British crime dramathat has 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 gets writer’s block and takes a job as a croupier in a casino to make ends meet.Croupieralso stars a pre-Doctor WhoAlex Kingston.
As Jack gets drawn into life at the casino and finds himself drawn into a potential robbery plot, he finds 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 thoughJack finds that his success as a writer doesn’t make him happier,Croupieris a great movie that may remind writers that inspiration can strike at strange times.
4Miss Potter
Renee Zellweger Plays The Legendary British Writer Beatrix Potter
Renee Zellweger is a master at changing her accent to fit roles, and, after pulling off a convincing English accent inBridget Jones, she does so again inMiss Potter.Zellweger plays the legendary British author Beatrix Potter, who wrote the iconicPeter Rabbitbook series, and the movie tracks her rise to fame.Miss Potteris one ofZellweger’s best romance moviesand also stars Ewan McGregor.
Many movies about writers highlight the way some writers become inspired after a tragedy. However,Miss Potterfocuses on the way Beatrix’s relationship with her love interest, Norman Warne, played by McGregor, inspired her to write her famous series.Miss Potteris also unexpectedly empowering,as Beatrix finds that she has become rich and can support herself through her writing at a time when most women have to rely on marriage for financial security.
3Limitless
A Struggling Writer Unlocks The Key To Limitless Creativity
Many writers dream about discovering an instant way to unlock their creativity, become the most efficient and accomplished version of themselves, and banish writer’s block forever.Limitlessstars Bradley Cooperas the uninspired and failing writerEddie Mora, who learns about a way to do exactly that. Eddie is offered a pill that allows him to access 100% of his brain, but the “new Eddie” comes at a price.
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TheLimitlessconcept was so successful that the movie had a TV spin-off, though Eddie was no longer the main character. WhiletheLimitlessTV show was canceledafter just one season due to low ratings, the movie is still an exciting and action-packed story with a 74% positive fan rating on Rotten Tomatoes.Limitlessis a “what if” dream for writersand a reminder that writer’s block happens to almost anyone.
2Shakespeare In Love
The Unexpectedly Controversial Romantic Comedy
Shakespeare in Loveis historically inaccurate and controversial, yet the movie has a 92% positive Rotten Tomatoes rating and an all-star cast that includes Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth II in one of theshortest Oscar-winning performances of all time.Shakespeare in Lovetells the fictional story of the English playwright William Shakespeare as he writes his famous play,Romeo and Juliet, while he falls in love with Viola de Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Shakespeare in Lovewas controversial as the movie won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, which surprised critics who had expected the war storySaving Private Ryanto win the award. However,Shakespeare in Loveis a fun escapist movie, especially for writers who discover that they are writing something completely different from the project they had planned, as Shakespeare did in the movie.
1Paul
A Book Is At The Heart Of Simon Pegg And Nick Frost’s Sci-fi Parody
Paulmight sound like an unexpected choice for an inspirational movie about writing, but it is easy to forget that a book is at the heart ofSimon 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 rescue an alien. One of its running gags is the theme of Clive’s book, which is constantly judged by its cover, which features a three-breasted alien.
Paulis a celebration of geek culture, with Graeme and Clive beginning the movie as Comic-Con attendees, and trying to get a picture with the celebrated author Adam Shadowchild (who only fellow geeks have heard of.) However,by the end ofPaul, the two are Comic-Con guests with a bestselling bookbased on their experiences and praised by Shadowchild himself. This comedy ends on an uplifting note, reminding writers that a smaller but dedicated following can be valuable.
