Although they’re relatively rare, movies focusing on the filmmaking process or characters in love with the medium are something I always gravitate toward.
Unlike the previous list of best documentaries on this subject, which exceeded 20 titles, my first draft of these final top 10 live action titles was more than 50. Titles are presented in chronological order. For viewing options, go to JustWatch.
‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950)
Billy Wilder’s landmark black comedy noir opens with a narrated flashback delivered by recently departed screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden). Like many struggling industry folk before and after him, Joe became close with someone more famous. Here it’s Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a has-been star way past her prime, deluding herself into thinking that everyone wants her to make a comeback.
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
In what’s considered by many to be the finest musical ever produced, codirector Gene Kelly, along with Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, plays a silent-era movie actor coming to terms with the arrival of “talkies.” As both Kelly and O’Connor were established singers and dancers while Reynolds was an eager, quick study, the movie—far deeper than the light-natured premise would suggest—pleased both critics and audiences.
‘8 1/2’ (1963)
One of the first movies to employ a metafictional narrative, director Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2” regularly tops the lists of greatest neorealist films. As a thinly veiled version of Fellini himself, Marcelo Mastroianni stars as Guido Anselmi, a director currently suffering through writer’s block while envisioning a new sci-fi epic. With a supporting cast of the premiere Italian actresses of the era, “8 1/2” is an unqualified masterpiece.
‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’ (1985)
One of three Woody Allen titles that could’ve easily been included here, “The Purple Rose of Cairo” is favored by critics and audiences alike. Mia Farrow stars as Cecilia, an inept, Depression-era diner waitress married to the abusive Monk (Danny Aiello) and who seeks refuge and release by watching movies. Obsessed with a new release starring Tom Baxter, Cecilia finds herself the object of his affections via a fourth-wall-breaking narrative.
‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988)
The second Italian title on this list, this inspirational and enchanting coming-of-age comedic drama from filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore opens in the 1940s and spans four decades. Told mostly in flashback from the perspective of Salvatore (played by three actors), it focuses on a young boy’s lifelong love of movies and his unique relationship with theater projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret).
‘The Player’ (1992)
One of just a handful of Robert Altman-directed movies to make a profit, garner critical acclaim, and do well with audiences, “The Player” has more industry insider asides than any other title on this list. Tim Robbins stars as a full-of-himself producer receiving threatening letters from a disgruntled screenwriter. Overflowing with cameos and a crack supporting cast, it doubles as an unconventional murder mystery.
‘Get Shorty’ (1995)
Fresh off his career resurrection thanks to “Pulp Fiction,” John Travolta stars as Chili, a Miami mobster with dreams of breaking into the movie business. In L.A. to collect a past-due loan shark bill, Chili gets his entry via a washed-up scream queen (Rene Russo), her dim actor ex-boyfriend (Danny DeVito), a schlock director (Gene Hackman), a blustery upstart poser (Delroy Lindo), and his bodyguard (James Gandolfini).
‘Hugo’ (2011)
Director Martin Scorsese’s only PG-rated film is a historical fiction story that’s equal parts movie love letter and coming-of-age romance. While living in the clock tower of a Paris train station, Hugo (Asa Butterfield) befriends magic shop owner Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley), a French director who made over 500 features and shorts. Georges’s granddaughter, Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz), is Hugo’s love interest.
‘The Artist’ (2011)
This black-and-white film is French-produced and silent, save for the final minute. Despite these generally unfavorable commercial factors, the movie made nearly 10 times its budget and won five Oscars (from 10 nominations), including Best Picture. Jean Dujardin stars as George, a romantic leading man type modeled after Rudolph Valentino. His career is threatened when sound pictures start to dominate.
‘Mank’ (2020)
Directed by David Fincher from a 2003 screenplay by his late father, Jack, “Mank” focuses on the writing of “Citizen Kane.” Gary Oldman plays Herman J. Mankiewicz, a former drama critic hired by Orson Welles to pen what many consider to be the greatest movie ever made. Amanda Seyfried received an Oscar nomination for playing actress Marion Davies, the longtime mistress of media mogul William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance).
Honorable Mention
The last title to be cut from the final list of 20 was the 2022 “Empire of Light,” which is set in 1980s coastal England. Starring Olivia Colman, it’s well worth your time.
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