Movies About Writers

Writing is a strange career. But it requires the creative mind with a stable mind leading to mental crack-ups, imaginary friends, and fatal desperation. In short: terrific fodder for a story!

Here are some of my favorite writer films. Each one gave a glimpse of what it’s really like to be a writer.

ADAPTATION

A screenwriter (Nicholas Cage) struggles to write a film adaptation of the book THE ORCHID THIEF, which turns out to be unadaptable — unless he takes outrageous liberties with the plot. The result is a zany look at how far writers will go to deliver the goods.

THE GHOST WRITER

While this film isn’t about a novelist, it paints a realistic picture of how celebrity “autobiographies” are actually produced. A talented young ghost-writer (whose name, significantly enough, is never given) has been hired to write the autobiography of a former Prime Minister. The ghost uncovers unsavory secrets that were never meant to be revealed — and which may threaten his life.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Young Shakespeare writes “Romeo and Juliet”, falls in love, and tries to stay one step ahead of the Queen’s guard. The scene that had me laughing hardest? When a ferryman finds out that Shakespeare’s a writer and asks him, “Will you read my manuscript?”

Finding Forrester

This film explores the sometimes tumultuous relationship that develops between a teen writing prodigy and a reclusive author played by Sean Connery.

If you're a writer, you HAVE to watch it. It's very inspiring and one of my favorite all-time quotes is by Forrester himself when he brings an underprivileged kid under his wing: You're first draft you must think with your heart. You're second draft, think with your head. Meaning, spill your words first, then edit and revise. Words from the wise. Excellent film!