Drama: 385

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) is a compilation of short films and a feature-length anthology by renowned director Jim Jarmusch. Throughout the various segments, black and white tiles are consistently used as a visual element. This artistic choice reflects the underlying theme of opposing personalities, as each vignette portrays two individuals who have conflicting views but still maintain a cordial atmosphere while seated at a table together. Strange to Meet You. In the 1986 short film Coffee and Cigarettes, Roberto ...

Mona Lisa Smile (2003), an American drama directed by Mike Newell and written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, follows the story of Katherine Ann Watson. Upon accepting a teaching position at Wellesley College in 1953, Katherine realizes her students have already mastered the textbook and syllabus. Determined to push boundaries, she introduces modern art and encourages open discussions on the definition of quality artwork. Despite facing opposition from traditionalist student Betty Warren, Katherine remains steadfast ...

Elephant (2003) is a gripping American psychological drama film by writer, director, and editor Gus Van Sant. Set in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon at Watt High School, the film delves into the aftermath of a school shooting, inspired by the infamous 1999 Columbine High School massacre. The story follows various high school students as they navigate their lives leading up to the tragic event. One student, John McFarland, has a turbulent relationship with his alcoholic father – evident when he takes over driving due to his father’s drunken state. Upon arriving late to school, John faces disciplinary action ...

The Station Agent (2003) is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom McCarthy in his directorial debut. The main character, Finbar McBride, is a quiet and unmarried man with dwarfism who has a deep passion for railroads. He spends most of his time working at a hobby shop in Hoboken, New Jersey, owned by his elderly and equally reserved friend Henry. Being uncomfortable with the attention brought on by his size, Fin keeps to himself. However, after Henry’s passing, Fin discovers that he has inherited a rural property with an abandoned train depot. Hoping for solitude, he moves into the old building ...

Sofia Coppola’s romantic comedy-drama, Lost in Translation (2003), follows the story of Bob Harris, a fading American movie star. In pursuit of lucrative advertisements for Suntory’s Hibiki whisky, Bob finds himself in Tokyo staying at the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel. However, his stay is plagued by personal issues within his 25-year marriage and a midlife crisis. Charlotte, also an American and guest at the hotel, is accompanying her husband John who works as a celebrity photographer. As a young Yale graduate in philosophy, Charlotte too is struggling with disillusionment towards her marriage and concerns ...

21 Grams (2003) is an American psychological drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu from a screenplay by Guillermo Arriaga, based on a story by Arriaga and Iñárritu. The narrative is presented in a non-linear format. Here is an overview of the storyline: Jack Jordan, a former convict, finds solace in his newfound faith after battling drug addiction and alcoholism. Paul Rivers, a mathematics professor, has a devoted wife named Mary and suffers from a fatal heart ...

Flywheel (2003) is an American Christian drama film that follows the story of Jay Austin, a used car dealer who undergoes a transformation when he decides to turn from his deceitful ways. Despite attending church at the request of his wife Judy, Jay cheats his customers and even overcharges his own pastor. He teaches his colleagues Bernie Meyers and Vince Berkeley to do the same. However, as Jay’s relationships with Judy and their son Richie suffer due to his dishonesty, he starts feeling conflicted about his actions. One day, while flipping through channels on TV, he comes across a pastor preaching about the consequences of our choices in life. As he faces ...

Laurel Canyon (2002), an American drama film written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, follows the story of newly engaged couple Sam and Alex as they embark on a move to Los Angeles in pursuit of career opportunities. Sam, a recently graduated medical student, is starting his residency in psychiatry, while Alex is nearing completion of her Ph.D. dissertation on genomics. The plan was for the couple to stay at Sam’s mother Jane’s vacant home in the eccentric Laurel Canyon area of the city. However, their plans are thrown off when they arrive to find Jane still there, caught up in a passionate love affair with ...

Far from Heaven (2002) is a historical romantic drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes. Set in 1957 suburban Connecticut, Cathy Whitaker embodies the ideal wife, mother, and homemaker. Her husband, Frank, holds an executive position at Magnatech, a television advertising company. However, one evening, Cathy receives a call from the local police station informing her that Frank has been detained. Despite Frank’s claims of a misunderstanding, it becomes clear that he has been frequenting gay bars in Hartford. Amidst the turmoil, Cathy encounters Raymond Deagan in her yard – the son of her late gardener ...

Antwone Fisher (2002), the subject of an American biographical drama film, made his directorial debut with Denzel Washington at the helm. The protagonist is a passionate but troubled young man from Cleveland, Ohio, who has a history of violence and is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. His father’s untimely death occurred before his birth and his teenage mother, Eva Mae Fisher, was arrested and imprisoned shortly after giving birth to him. He spent his first years in an orphanage until his mother’s release allowed her to take him in. However, she failed to do so by the time he turned two, and he was placed ...

Skins (2002) is an American feature film directed by Chris Eyre and adapted from Adrian C. Louis’ novel of the same name. Set on the Beaver Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the story revolves around two Lakota Sioux brothers, Rudy and Mogie Yellow Lodge. While Rudy works as a police officer, Mogie is unemployed and has a teenage son. As Rudy attempts to balance his job responsibilities with caring for his brother and nephew, he becomes increasingly frustrated with Mogie’s attitude towards life on the reservation. In their youth, Mogie had often told ...

Gerry (2002) is an American drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, with stars and co-writers Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. The characters embark on a hike at a marked location called ‘Wilderness Trail’. Along the way, they encounter other passing hikers. In order to avoid any interruptions, they choose to venture off the trail. After some walking, conversation and even an impromptu foot race, they decide to turn back. However, it doesn’t take long for them to realize that they are completely ...

Tiptoes (2002), an American comedy-drama written and directed by Matthew Bright, follows the story of Carol, a talented and independent painter who falls in love with Steven. Despite not knowing much about him other than his perfection, their love blooms. However, when Carol becomes pregnant, it prompts Steven to reveal his deepest secret – his family. In a family of dwarfs with his twin brother Rolfe being one of them, Steven happens to be the only average-sized person. As they come to terms with the possibility of their child being born a dwarf, Steven’s fears intensify as he does not want them to go ...

8 Mile (2002) is an American drama film written by Scott Silver and directed by Curtis Hanson. Featuring Eminem in his film debut, it contains elements from the rapper’s own life story. The plot centers around Detroit artist Jimmy Smith Jr., also known as B-Rabbit. In 1995, Jimmy is a budding musician who goes by the name B-Rabbit. He comes from a low-income family living in a trailer park just outside of Detroit. To support his mother Stephanie, younger sister Lily, and Stephanie’s abusive boyfriend Greg, Jimmy ...

The international anthology film, September 11 (2002), features a total of eleven short segments directed by filmmakers from eleven different countries. Each segment offers a unique perspective on the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in New York City, with a duration of 11 minutes, 9 seconds, and one frame. 1. Iran (Samira Makhmalbaf). The information about the events of September 11, 2001 reaches an Afghan refugee camp where bricks are being made for new shelters, in anticipation of potential attacks from the United States. In this setting, a young teacher ...

The Shipping News (2001), directed by Lasse Hallström, is a romantic drama based on the novel of the same name by E. Annie Proulx. As a child, Quoyle’s father Guy expected him to naturally swim when he was thrown into a lake. But the memories of nearly drowning still haunt Quoyle whenever he’s stressed. Now living in Poughkeepsie, New York and working as an ink setter for a small newspaper, Quoyle leads a solitary life. He falls for Petal, a lively woman from town whom he eventually marries. However, Petal turns out to be unfaithful and neglectful to their ...

Don’s Plum (2001) is a black-and-white independent drama film helmed by R. D. Robb. Despite being blocked from release in the U.S. and Canada, due to claims from DiCaprio and Maguire that they had only agreed to star in a short film rather than a full-length feature, the movie follows a group of young male friends in their early twenties who gather at Don’s Plum, a popular Los Angeles restaurant, every Saturday night. The group enjoys bringing along new female companions they have recently met. One of the ...

The American romantic drama film, The Majestic (2001), was produced and directed by Frank Darabont and written by Michael Sloane. Set in 1951 during the height of McCarthyism, the story follows Peter Appleton, a rising young Hollywood screenwriter. He is informed by his agent Leo Kubelsky and attorney Kevin Bannerman that he has been accused of being a communist due to attending an antiwar gathering in college. Despite claiming he only went to impress a girl, the accusation causes his latest film, Ashes to Ashes, to be delayed and credited to someone else. It also leads ...

One Man Up (2001) is the acclaimed debut film by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino. It offers a stylish and darkly witty glimpse into the downside of stardom. Set in the eighties, it follows the downward spirals of two men named Antonio Pisapia. Despite leading separate lives, their paths are strikingly similar. Toni Servillo (known for his role in Gomorrah) plays a singer whose fame plummets after a scandal. Meanwhile, Andrea Renzi portrays a football star whose career is abruptly ended by an injury. With keen ...

The Second Death (2000) is an Irish short film, helmed by writer and director John Michael McDonagh. The lead role is played by Liam Cunningham. It marks McDonagh’s debut as a filmmaker, taking on both writing and directing duties. When James Mangan, a middle-aged alcoholic, hears a voice from his past upon returning home from the pub, he comes to the realization that he is destined for doom.