12/13/2005

Top Ten Films About LITERATURE



1. American Splendor (dir: Shari Springer Berman/Robert Pulcini, 2003)

This innovative biopic could've easily made both the Films About Art and Films about Movies lists; it pops up here because Harvey Pekar is first and foremost an author, and it fully captures the essence of his autobio-graphic novels, while adding intriguing layers only film can.

Joyce Brabner (Hope Davis): Harvey, may I have a glass of water and an aspirin?
Harvey (Paul Giamatti): Why, do you have a headache?
Joyce: No, but I want to avoid getting one.

2. The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson, 2001)
3. Deconstructing Harry (Woody Allen, 1997)
4. Wonder Boys (Curtis Hanson, 2000)
5. Capote (Bennett Miller, 2005)
6. Before Night Falls (Julian Schnabel, 2000)
7. The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
8. Swimming Pool (Francois Ozon, 2003)
9. Henry Fool (Hal Hartley, 1997)
10. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987)