Modern cinema is considered to be an "easy genre." The highest grossing films, as the accounting reports inexorably testify: action movies and science fiction.
But even in the action movie scenario, you can put your soul into it if you wish. An experienced screenwriter is able to elegantly wrap boring philosophical constructions with a fantastic plot.
Moreover, the author of a literary work, which the producer takes as the basis of his picture, could well leave “Easter eggs” that make you think about the meaning of life. Many popular films have a double bottom. Which one?
10. The Godfather | 1972
Filmed in 1972 based on the novel by an American writer, critic and screenwriter Mario Puzo, the crime saga could have been lost in a number of Hollywood action films if it hadn’t been staged by Francis Ford Coppola.
At first glance, it turned out to be an ordinary criminal action movie. But if you look closely, it turns out that it is not dashing gangster adventures that are described, but the complex and ambiguous life of emigrants. How to build a life in a foreign country without a penny, without knowledge of the language? Is it possible to preserve conscience when everything around us literally screams: “nobody needs you”? How to stay human?
9. Forrest Gump | 1994
Robert Zemeckis’s films are never gray or “passing”. Known as the master of staging feature films, the director has repeatedly taken up the adaptation of "serious" novels. In 1994 - at the very beginning of his career as a screenwriter and director - Robert filmed the psychological drama of the American novelist Winston Groom.
The story of the strange adventures of an eccentric with obvious psychological deviations may seem like a banal melodrama for family viewing. But the novel, as well as its magnificent film adaptation, touches on much deeper things: the relationship between the individual and society. The origins of partnership and friendship. The problems of selfish and possessive power.
8. Before dawn | 1995
A chance meeting, a random feeling, a random night ... It would seem that the plot, beaten to the point of banality. But Richard Linklater managed to make a film in 1995 (according to his own script), which does not leave indifferent any viewer in whom there was even a drop of romantic feelings.
Random companions, having met in a train car, understand that this meeting was sent down by them to their fate. And, although the circumstances do not imply the development of relations, the couple does not neglect the gift. The world is beautiful and amazing, and every minute is valuable in its own way.
The open finale, however, hints that (as in life) the story may well have a sequel. And Richard Linklater does not deceive the viewer - after all, he will subsequently shoot two more films in which the heroes (who have matured and survived a lot) will still meet.
7. Outcast | 2000
In 2000, Tom Hanks, who had previously played excellent Forrest Gump, again collaborated with Zemeckis. This time he is offered the main role in the adventure drama.
Forrest, too, was, in a sense, Robinson. But if Forrest was separated from society by a mental deviation, then the hero of the film “Outcast” is an obstacle to a real, completely insurmountable ocean.
Hanks and Zemeckis managed to look at the bored problems of the "Robinsonade" from an unusual perspective. Saving for the mind and man can be not only memories of the lost world. Feelings of duty and responsibility are also a powerful force that helps to overcome obstacles and keep the mind.
6. Before sunset | 2004
Screenwriter and director Richard Linklater did not leave the theme of love romance and the value of simple, sincere human relationships. In 2004, he removes the second part of the trilogy, previously opened with the film "Before Dawn."
The matured heroes, even after nine years, remain open, bright souls. After the seething nineties, life seems somewhat dull and monotonous. What a dozen years ago seemed miraculous and admirable seems to be beginning to become commonplace.
But the wind in my head still pushes me to extravagant deeds. Indeed, in fact - what if you miss the chance that fate itself palms you again?
5. In pursuit of happiness | 2006
American multimillionaire Christopher Gardner was not born at all in a blazer and patent leather shoes. Father abandoned his family early, and his stepfather was intolerant of his stepson. The family never lived richly, the guy had to plunge into adulthood early. From a failed marriage in the care of a young dad, a little son remained. And also debts, so I had to survive literally on the street.
Having managed to break through the strip of failures, organizing a movement to help other homeless and unemployed, gaining influence and earning a lot of money, Gardner published an autobiographical story-memoir.
And almost immediately, in 2006, the book was filmed. Will Smith, who firsthand knew the street, perfectly played the main role. And he perfectly conveyed the keynote: never despair and be honest with yourself.
4. In the wild | 2007
Another film, based on a completely real story, was shot in 2007 by American director Sean Penn. The protagonist of the story (in 1993 the writer, traveler and climber John Krakauer described the story of Christopher Mackandless) and the film quits work, family, society and becomes a tramp. Considering that he managed to give out all the remaining money to charity, he gives the act with sacred madness.
In real life, McCandless became so famous that he received the nickname "Super Tramp." Wandering across America penniless, Christopher died in Alaska, exhausted from hunger, he froze to death in the tundra.
What can the viewer find in the adventures of a bum? It turns out a lot: the greatness and versatility of the world in which we all live. And the importance of human relations, social ties. The importance of things that we underestimate every minute.
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | 2008
Having published the story “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in 1922, Francis Scott Fitzgerald hardly expected his film adaptation. It was more like an annotation of writer's plans, which tuned the reader to the desired wave. The plot is frankly fantastic: the narrative is conducted around the fact that the main character is forced to live his life “back to front” - from a 70-year-old man back to childhood.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the plot, such screen titans as Spielberg, Cruz and Travolta could not film it for a long time. In 2008, David Fincher managed to make a film based on the story.
True, the plot had to be redrawn a lot - but the result was a film that best conveyed the idea laid down by the writer. Namely: no matter how fate breaks us, you always need to remain human, and try to enjoy every day.
2. Alice in Wonderland | 2010
It is very difficult, almost impossible to film Lewis Carroll's texts. The greater the challenge to screenwriters and directors.
The English mathematician, writer, philosopher and theologian masterfully woven mathematical abstractions and philosophical issues into the plots. A play on words, allusions, and an unexpected look at the situations that were routinely worn out create a feeling of a magical kaleidoscope in which every reader most likely sees bizarre reflections of their own thoughts and views.
But cinema also has its own language - the language of painting, light, facial expressions, dynamics. In 2010, director Tim Burton presented to the public his attempt to reflect the magical world of Alice on a wide screen. And, judging by the box office, the attempt was very successful.
1. The incredible life of Walter Mitty | 2013
American Ben Stiller is better known as an actor in the comedy genre. At the sight of his rustic but far from stupid face, moviegoers immediately recall “Night at the Museum”, “Duplex”, “How to Steal a Skyscraper”. And, it should be noted, even in the most primitive scenario, Ben knows how to notice and expand the inner world of the hero.
But Stiller is also the producer and screenwriter himself. In 2013, he directed and directed a completely ordinary, at first glance, comedy. The main character (played by Ben himself) has always been a dreamer and dreamer. But life, requiring work, to make money, then spend it in the traditional way - and get it again - sucks.
Suddenly, fate throws the hero a difficult, almost impossible task. A serviceable servant is taken on an assignment, not even imagining that in the process of fulfilling the mission, he will have to rediscover the bright world of childhood dreams, proud accomplishments and simple, sincere human relationships.