Do you enjoy reading but only have the energy to watch a good movie on the couch? Maybe you’ve read all your favorite authors’ works and need a fresh spark of inspiration. Don’t worry! These five captivating films about real writers will rekindle your passion for reading and make you rush towards the closest bookstore in search of their books.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
John Madden’s Shakespeare in Love may not be a classic of the seventh art, but it offers a peek into the literary universe of William Shakespeare. The film follows the life of the playwright in 1593 as he battles his writer’s block and seeks to finish one of his famous plays, Romeo and Juliet.
The story behind this forbidden love did not fail to attract the attention of the public, especially thanks to its cast, with actors such as Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow. The film also includes great British performers such as Judi Dench and Colin Firth, as well as stars such as Geoffrey Rush and Ben Affleck. Despite depicting real people, the events narrated in the film are mostly fictitious, but that’s not an impediment to enjoying this portrait of the Isabelian theater.
Soldiers of Salamina (2002)
Set in the Spanish Civil War, Soldiers of Salamina is an adaptation of Javier Cercas’ novel of the same title. Centered around Lola Sánchez (played by Ariadna Gil), a novelist fascinated by the story of Rafael Sánchez Mazas, a writer and member of the Spanish Falange who managed to escape an execution, the film highlights the power of historical archives in shedding light on lesser-known facts of historical events.
The plot of this feature film has undergone important modifications with respect to the novel on which it was based. First, the gender of the main character, Javier Cercas himself, was changed; in fact, in the book, Lola is the writer’s partner and not the main character. On the other hand, in the film, Lola receives the help of a student of hers named Gastón, played by actor Diego Luna. However, in the novel, Cercas is helped by the very Roberto Bolaño.
Before Night Falls (2000)
This gem of cinema was presented and awarded at the Venice International Film Festival. This is not surprising, considering its star power. On the one hand, it has Javier Bardem as the main character, playing the role of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas. On the other hand, Johnny Depp surprises with his unexpected and eclectic role.
With a sensitivity that is difficult to achieve, the film transports us to the rural childhood of the poet and shows us his first links to the Cuban revolution. However, his sexual and affective interests in other men will get him in trouble in Fidel Castro’s Cuba. Between poverty, persecution, and exile, this artist will push the boundaries to share his art with the world.
Becoming Jane (2007)
This poignant British production follows the story of Victorian writer Jane Austen (played by the wonderful Anne Hathaway) through the letters she sent during her life. It also includes factual accounts from Jon Spence’s novel of the same name.
Set in the late 18th century, the biopic speculates about Austen’s love affair with Thomas Lefroy, played by the Scottish heartthrob James McAvoy. As one can expect, throughout the film, we witness the famous court dances, with their mixture of decorum and sensuality. The great cast of artists is comprised of figures such as Julie Walters, James Cromwell, and the glorious Maggie Smith.
Tolkien (2019)
Not many people know what J.R.R. Tolkien’s life was like beyond his fantasy universe filled with elves, hobbits, and orcs. However, this feature film doesn’t focus on the time he wrote The Lord of the Rings and all his works set in Middle-earth. Actor Nicholas Hoult personifies the writer in his youth, a period marked by both family tragedies and the First World War. Beyond those events, his love for Edith Bratt (played by Lily Collins), as well as the friendship with his schoolmates, is the needle that weaves the threads of the plot.
It’s no coincidence that the film was directed by the Finn Dome Karukoski, since Tolkien was passionate about the language and literature of that nation.
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of period movies, all of these feature films will transport you to a literary universe that’s perfect for reconnecting with reading. Which of these authors’ works will you be delving into after watching their biopic? Only time will tell.
Translated by @florabosch
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