“Sinister”, 2012
Director: Scott Derrickson
Directed by Scott Derrickson, this horror film stars Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, a true-crime writer who moves his family into a house where the previous occupants were murdered. He discovers a box of home movies that put his family in danger and send him into a downward spiral.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone, Michael Hall D'Addario, Clare Foley, Rob Riley, Tavis Smiley, Janet Zappala, Victoria Leigh;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
“The Words”, 2012
Director: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal
Directed by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, this film stars Bradley Cooper as Rory Jansen, a writer who discovers a manuscript he wishes he had written and decides to pass it off as his own work. The story delves into the emotional and psychological consequences of his decision.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Ben Barnes, Nora Arnezeder, Zeljko Ivanek, J.K. Simmons, Brian Klugman;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
Please note that while some of these films deal with the trope of the “mad writer,” not all characters portrayed are necessarily clinically insane; some may merely be going through intense emotional stress or psychological conflict that challenges their sanity. Furthermore, some of the films listed involve significant plot twists and ambiguous realities, which contribute to the complex portrayal of the writer's mind in cinema.
In conclusion, films about mad writers offer a compelling exploration of the fine line between genius and insanity, capturing the tumultuous inner worlds of their characters while posing thought-provoking questions about the nature of creativity and the cost of artistic greatness. Ranging from the tragic to the darkly comedic, these films provide audiences with a diverse array of narratives that challenge our understanding of the creative process and the often-tortured souls who feel compelled to bring their visions to life. Whether it's through the haunting desolation of “The Shining” or the bizarre antics in “Adaptation,” cinema continues to delve into the complex and fascinating psyche of the mad writer, ensuring that these stories endure in the pantheon of film.
