Drama: 385

The American drama film, Finding Forrester (2000), was written by Mike Rich and directed by Gus Van Sant. In the Bronx, sixteen-year-old Jamal Wallace doesn’t fully embrace his potential as an intelligent student. Instead, he chooses to spend his time playing basketball with his friends. They capture the attention of William Forrester, a local recluse who is known as somewhat of an urban legend in the neighborhood. One day, Jamal’s friends dare him to sneak into Forrester’s apartment, but their plan goes awry when Jamal is caught off guard and flees, ...

Before Night Falls (2000) is an American biographical drama film directed by Julian Schnabel, based on the eponymous autobiography by Reinaldo Arenas, which was originally published in English in 1993. Set in Oriente Province, Cuba in 1943, it follows Arenas as he is raised by his single mother and her parents before the family relocates to Holguín. Moving to Havana in the 1960s to further his education, Reinaldo embarks on a journey of self-discovery and explores both his ambitions and his sexuality. After receiving an honorary mention in a writing contest, he is ...

The drama film, The Man Who Cried (2000), written and directed by Sally Potter tells the story of Fegele Abramovich, a Russian Jew who becomes separated from her father in 1927. As her father seeks his fortune in America, he promises to bring Fegele and her grandmother to join him. Before departing, he sings ‘Je Crois Entendre Encore’ from Les pêcheurs de perles by Bizet to his daughter. Tragically, a pogrom strikes their village after he leaves, and Fegele is forced to flee with the help of kind neighbors. Despite facing numerous obstacles on her journey, she eventually boards a ship bound for Britain with ...

Maelström (2000), a Canadian absurdist psychological drama film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, tells the story of Bibiane Champagne, a successful 25-year-old businesswoman in Quebec during the autumn of 1999. As she is being gutted alive by a fishmonger, Bibiane reflects on her life and the struggles she faces. Despite her achievements as head of three clothing boutiques and being the daughter of a famous person named Flo Fabert, Bibiane has recently had an abortion. During an interview with a journalist, she puts on a confident front but is confronted by her partner and brother Philippe for numerous ...

Erin Brockovich (2000), an American biographical legal drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Susannah Grant, follows the story of an unemployed single mother of three children in 1993. After being injured in a traffic accident involving a doctor, Erin decides to sue him with the help of her lawyer, Ed Masry. Despite their expectations of winning, Erin’s explosive behavior during cross-examination results in losing the case and Ed refusing to take her calls. However, one day she shows up at his office seeking a job, as he had previously mentioned ...

In the film Wonder Boys (2000), director Curtis Hanson and writer Steve Kloves showcase the life of Grady Tripp, a creative writing professor at an unnamed Pennsylvania university. Grady is in a relationship with Sara Gaskell, the university chancellor. However, her husband Walter is also involved in their professional lives as chairman of the English department where Grady teaches. Recently, Grady’s third wife Emily has left him and he struggles to replicate the success of his first novel. Currently, he is diligently working on his second novel but cannot seem to ...

Girl, Interrupted (1999) is a biographical psychological drama film, written and directed by James Mangold. In the year 1967, in New England, an aimless 18-year-old named Susanna Kaysen experiences a nervous breakdown and takes an overdose of aspirin and alcohol. Despite her protests, she is admitted into Claymoore, a local psychiatric hospital. During her stay in the ward, Susanna forms bonds with other patients such as Polly ‘Torch’ Clark, who has schizophrenia; Cynthia Crowley; Daisy Randone, who engages in self-harm and struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder; Georgina Tuskin, a compulsive liar and ...

Magnolia (1999), an American drama film directed and co-produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, follows Los Angeles police officer Jim Kurring as he investigates a disturbance at a woman’s apartment. Inside, he discovers a body in the closet. A neighborhood boy named Dixon futilely attempts to reveal the identity of the murderer to Jim. Later, Jim visits Claudia Wilson’s apartment after her neighbors call the police during an argument with her estranged father, Jimmy Gator. Despite her erratic behavior and drug use, Jim still asks her out on a date. Meanwhile, Jimmy is dying of cancer and hosts a quiz show called ...

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) is an American film that falls under the genre of erotic mystery psychological drama. Directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, it follows the story of New York City residents Dr. William ‘Bill’ Harford and his wife Alice, who have a daughter named Helena. At a Christmas party thrown by a patient named Victor Ziegler, Bill meets up with an old medical school classmate named Nick Nightingale, now working as a professional pianist. The festivities are interrupted when Mandy, one of Victor’s sexual partners, overdoses. Bill assists in her recovery while also being ...

Boys Don’t Cry (1999) is an American biographical film directed by Kimberly Peirce, and co-written by Peirce and Andy Bienen. The movie follows the story of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man, who faces numerous challenges due to his identity. After being discovered as transgender by a former girlfriend’s brother, Brandon receives death threats and is forced to leave his cousin’s trailer in Falls City, Nebraska. He befriends ex-convicts John Lotter and Tom Nissen, along with their friends Candace and ...

Sofia Coppola’s film, The Virgin Suicides (1999), follows a group of men in Grosse Pointe, Michigan as they reflect on their memories of the enigmatic Lisbon sisters. These five teenage girls are a point of fascination and longing for the neighborhood boys, who remember them from their youth. The Lisbon sisters, Therese, Mary, Bonnie, Lux, and Cecilia, were unattainable due to their strict Catholic parents and were often the subject of the boys’ conversations and dreams. After Cecilia’s suicide attempt, her therapist suggests that she could benefit from more social interaction with boys her age. ...

Bringing Out the Dead (1999) is an American psychological drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. It is based on the 1998 novel by Joe Connelly. Set in Manhattan, it follows the story of paramedic Frank Pierce who is struggling with depression, insomnia, and burnout after a failed attempt to save a homeless teen named Rose. Now haunted by her ghost, Frank continues to work alongside his partner Larry and responds to a call from the family of Mr. Burke, who has suffered cardiac arrest. At the ...

Tumbleweeds (1999), an American comedy-drama film directed by Gavin O’Connor, tells the story of Mary Jo Walker and her daughter Ava. The screenplay, co-written by O’Connor and his then-wife Angela Shelton, is based on Shelton’s childhood memories of traveling with her mother who had a habit of getting remarried. Mary Jo is a single mother who deals with trouble by packing up her car and hitting the road with Ava in search of better opportunities. The film begins with Mary Jo standing up to a man, a familiar occurrence for Ava, prompting the young girl to pack her suitcase in preparation for their next ...

American Beauty (1999), a dark comedy-drama film, was written by Alan Ball and marked Sam Mendes’ debut as a feature director. The movie centers on Lester Burnham, an unsatisfied middle-aged executive living in suburbia and married to the high-strung real estate agent Carolyn. Their daughter Jane, who is 16 years old, has low self-esteem and harbors resentment towards her parents. Next door, retired Marine colonel Frank Fitts moves in with his wife Barbara and their teenage son Ricky. Ricky has a passion for capturing everyday moments on videotape with his camcorder ...

Velvet Goldmine (1998), a musical drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes from a story by Haynes and James Lyons, follows British journalist Arthur Stuart as he delves into the mysterious withdrawal of 1970s glam rock icon Brian Slade. Stuart interviews those involved in Slade’s career, each recalling their experiences which become a vignette for that particular segment of Slade’s life. Along with exploring the vibrant rock shows, fashion, and journalism of 1970s Britain, the film also touches on ...

All the Little Animals (1998) is a drama film directed and produced by Jeremy Thomas, starring Christian Bale and John Hurt. Inspired by Walker Hamilton’s 1968 novella of the same name, the screenplay was written by Eski Thomas. The tale follows Bobby, a troubled man who flees his home to escape his abusive stepfather, known as ‘The Fat’. Bobby’s mother had passed away after enduring verbal and physical abuse from their stepfather, including killing her pet mouse. Lost in woodlands near Cornwall, ...

Little Men (1998) is a Canadian family drama film that features Mariel Hemingway and Chris Sarandon. It is based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of 1871, the same author who wrote Little Women. Essentially, it serves as a sequel to the 1994 film version of Little Women. The story takes place in New England during this time period, specifically focusing on two young orphans named Nat Blake and Dan. They survive by using their wits and thievery while living on the streets of Boston. However, an event ...

Gia (1998), an American biographical drama television film, follows the story of Gia Carangi, one of the first supermodels. A Philadelphia native, Gia moves to New York City in pursuit of her dream to become a fashion model. Upon her arrival, she catches the eye of influential agent Wilhelmina Cooper. With her striking demeanor and stunning looks, Gia quickly becomes a prominent figure in the modeling world. However, despite her success, she struggles with feelings of isolation, exacerbated by the loss of Wilhelmina. This leads her down a destructive path as she turns to drugs like cocaine and heroin to cope. Gia finds herself ...

Stepmom (1998), an American drama directed by Chris Columbus, follows the story of Jackie and Luke Harrison. The New York City couple is navigating the difficulties of co-parenting their two children, daughter Anna and son Ben. Luke, an attorney, now lives with Isabel Kelly – his girlfriend of one year. Isabel, a successful fashion photographer who is younger than Luke, never desired to be a mother. Despite this, she makes an effort to bond with Anna and Ben. However, Anna consistently rejects her while Ben’s playful behavior adds another layer of complexity. Around Jackie, Isabel is cautious yet disdainful ...

An American legal drama film, A Civil Action (1998), directed and written by Steven Zaillian, is based on the book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. The movie depicts a true court case in Woburn, Massachusetts during the 1980s regarding environmental pollution. The city’s water supply becomes contaminated with toxicants which are eventually linked to a series of local children’s deaths. Anne Anderson, a resident of Woburn, approaches cocky Boston attorney Jan Schlichtmann and his small firm of personal injury lawyers for help in taking legal action against ...