When birthdays approach, everyone has different traditions in measuring the growth they made that year. Some reflect on their friendships, goals accomplished, or how much they grew. On the other hand, I enjoy seeing the change in my top 10 favorite films of all time. Today, February 9th, I turn 17 years old and look back on the shift of my favorite films of all time, the few films that hold a deeply special place in my heart.
HONORABLE MENTION:
A film that might be one of my narrative stories of all time yet can’t crack my top 10 due to its length is the 1983 11-minute horror musical film, POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN, written and directed by Cecilia Condit. It’s weird. It is VERY weird. But it’s also niche and just… perfect. I stumbled across the film on YouTube when I was 15 and was entranced. I immediately showed it to anyone who would watch. It is the most 80s piece of media ever made, for starters. The film’s limited dialogue includes some of the most complex and artistic quotes about love and abusive relationships. There are so many metaphors, symbolism, and pure genius trapped in 11 minutes. I understand fully why it is not everyone’s cup of tea, this is not a movie where I would die trying to convince someone why it’s good but if you like it, you REALLY like it.
Fun fact: My dad wrote a sequel to the film. I emailed it to Cecilia and told her how much the film impacted me and the brilliance behind the music, acting, and direction. She emailed back with many kind words. Now, onto the official list.
10. GIRL, INTERRUPTED (1999)
“Sometimes, the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy.”
GIRL, INTERRUPTED is a 1999 film written and directed by James Mangold. The film is based on the 1993 memoir by Susanna Kaysen of the same name. It has a star-studded cast led by Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, and the late Britney Murphy. I first watched GIRL, INTERRUPTED when I was 14 and was introduced to it by my mom (a common reoccurrence on this list).
WHY THIS FILM: I fell in love with the film when I first watched it, but its place on this list has much to do with my love for the book. I read it a few months after watching the movie and thought it was spectacular. The year I watched the movie, I went as Lisa for Halloween, found the best coat, and did all of Angelina Jolie’s lip makeup. I must say I think I did a very good job. Films like this and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST rely on having a stellar ensemble and this cast does not disappoint. The trio of the starring cast members does not even begin to cover the rest of the crew with unforgettable performances by Clea DuVall, Elisabeth Moss, Whoopi Goldberg, Jared Leto, Vanessa Redgrave, and Jeffrey Tambor. The film deals with some pretty intense trigger warnings due to its subject matter, but it does a gentle job of handling them and not glamorizing the topics. The characters are complex and so well-adapted from the novel.
9. LOLITA (1962)
“How did they ever make a movie of LOLITA?”
LOLITA is a 1962 film written and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is based on the 1955 novel by Vladimir Nabokov of the same name. The film has a small cast, with main performances by James Mason, Sue Lyons, and Peter Sellers. I first watched LOLITA at 14 when I stumbled upon it while reading a list of “films for teen girls to watch” (eek!!). I read the book the day after I watched the film 3 times in one day (eek…). The question I know everyone is probably shouting…
WHY THIS FILM?!?!?!?!: Well, my answer is multi-faceted. First, I think Sue Lyons gives such an underrated and touching performance in this. She is why I felt so connected to the story and the character of Dolores Haze. She breaks my heart every time I watch it. The cinematography in the book is dazzling and simple but well crafted. I listen to Lana Del Rey and own many heart-shaped sunglasses. Lastly, I was 14 when I watched it, so I fell for it before my frontal lobe started developing. So, I love this film. I watched the 1997 version once and liked it for different reasons, but it doesn’t hold the same place in my heart as the 1962 version. Sue Lyons is a goddess, and her portrayal of the role does not get talked about enough for how haunting it is.
8. YOU’VE GOT MAIL (1998)
“Someone you pass on the street may already be the love of your life.”
YOU’VE GOT MAIL is a 1998 film written and directed by one of my biggest inspirations, Miss Nora Ephron. The film has a long history of what it was based on. The first iteration is the 1937 play “PARFUMERIE” by Miklos Laszlo. That play was then adapted into the 1940 film “SHOP AROUND THE CORNER”. After that came the 1963 musical “SHE LOVES ME” (one of my favorite musicals and scores of all time). Then came YOU’VE GOT MAIL. I would say the most logical connection would be it being based off of PARFUMERIE but as you can tell there have been many iterations of the story. The film stars rom-com legends: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, and Greg Kinnear (also, Dave Chappell?) I can not remember when I first saw it but around 10 or 11 sounds correct and my mother showed it to me because it’s her favorite movie of all time (tied with WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, rom-com girl for life.
WHY THIS FILM: First off, the best autumn film of all time. Second, one of the greatest love stories of all time and without a doubt the best romantic comedy ever made. The film just feels like a warm hug or a pumpkin spice latte on a windy day. The writing is so sweet and charming. The chemistry between Ryan and Hanks even when it’s over instant messaging is magnetic. You will laugh and cry and feel a lot happier as the credits roll. From the moment I watched it, I wanted to go to New York in the fall and buy school supplies.
7. THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (1999)
“Beautiful, mysterious, haunting, invariably fatal- just like life.”
THE VIRGIN SUICIDES is a 1999 film written and directed by my FAVORITE director in the whole entire universe, Sofia Coppola. The film is based on the 1993 novel by Jeffrey Eugenides of the same name. The film stars Kirsten Dunst (my all-time favorite actress), Josh Hartnett, and Hanna Hall. My mom showed this to me when I was 15 because of how much I liked WHITE OLEANDER (but I will talk more about that later in the list).
WHY THIS FILM: I have such a deep love for this as a whole. The story is so sad and haunting and something I regularly think about. Sofia is a genius and this is truly her masterpiece and hit the target with her first shot. Kirsten Dunst as Lux Lisbon is maybe the best performance of all time in my opinion. The imagery and metaphors and symbolism have been engraved in my brain since I watched it. I have strong thoughts about the book (read never in my opinion…) and the huge difference between Sofia saving the story is approaching from a female point of view in a way I do not think Jeffrey did. I know some people love the novel but I think the film adaptation is really so much better and well-written, it feels a lot more authentic. It is one of the best on-screen portrayals of how it feels to be a teenage girl in such a raw way.
6. BUFFALO ‘66 (1998)
“Billy Brown just got out of jail, now he’s going to serve some real time- he’s going home.”
BUFFALO ’66 is a film written and directed by Vincent Gallo. The film stars Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, and Ben Gazzara. I watched this film for the first time when I was 15 after hearing a lot about it on TikTok.
WHY THIS FILM: um, I sound kind of psychotic when I try to explain the plot to anyone. This is very similar to POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN where if you don’t like it I fully get why and if you do like it, you just kind of like it. I think the story is very interesting and similar to LOLITA Christina Ricci as Layla is what draws me in. There are so many great quotes and imagery and a great aesthetic Gallo created. I’m not really sure how else to explain the film or even explain why I like it because man, it is odd. 110 minutes of nothing really happening and I just eat it up every time.
5. PRACTICAL MAGIC (1998)
“For two sisters from a family of witches, falling in love is the trickiest spell of all.”
PRACTICAL MAGIC is a 1998 film directed by Griffin Dunne and written by Robin Swicord. It is based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman of the same name. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Aidan Quinn. Similar to YOU’VE GOT MAIL I can’t remember the exact age I watched it but I know my mom showed it to me when I was no older than 8… I want to say I was 7.
WHY THIS FILM: Absolutely one of my favorite stories of all time. This film is in very close competition with YOU’VE GOT MAIL for the best Autumn film. The aesthetic of this and the 90’s whimsgoth styling is really unmatched. The film has such beautiful representations of female relationships and Bullock and Kidman are a simply perfect duo. The soundtrack is ethereal and matches perfectly with the film, Stevie Nicks is a national treasure. The fashion, the house, the script, and the acting are all just perfection. Our nation has never been more divided than the time that Rotten Tomatoes decided to give this film a 23%… so much hate. Also, had a crush on Goran Visnjic as Jimmy Angelov from the first time I watched it and still do to this day, I think it’s the physical similarities to Uncle Jesse.
And now… my Letterboxd top 4!
4. KNIVES OUT (2019)
“Hell, any of them could have done it.”
KNIVES OUT is a 2019 film written and directed by Rian Johnson. The film stars Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, and Chris Evans in a VERY loaded cast. I watched this film in theaters when I was 11 with my grandma and aunt on vacation. I instantly fell in love with it and still, to this day I think it’s genius.
WHY THIS FILM: There are three movies that I know for a fact I’ve rewatched the most in my life and this falls as #2 right after SCREAM (1996). I think it’s perfect. The writing is stellar and draws so much inspiration from Agatha Christie, providing us with such a comedic plot that all comes together in such a perfect way. I feel like there’s one “go-to” film you show to everyone and KNIVES OUT is without a doubt mine. I think the whole “a KNIVES OUT mystery” is so genius and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc will go down in legendary film characters. Similar to many other films on this list, the aesthetic is such a large part of my love for the film. I could watch it a hundred times and the ending will never dull.
3. CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999)
“In the game of seduction there is only one rule, never fall in love.”
CRUEL INTENTIONS is a 1999 film written and directed by Roger Kumble. The film is based on the 1782 novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” (Dangerous Liaisons) by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. It stars a FANTASTIC trio, featuring: Ryan Phillipe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Reece Witherspoon. This is the only film on the list that I watched for the first time as a 16-year-old, I watched it in March with my mom I believe?
WHY THIS FILM: First off, hands down best soundtrack of all time. The second that Every You, Every Me starts playing (my number one song on Spotify wrapped last year, thanks to this movie), my heart starts racing. Every You, Every Me; Bittersweet Symphony; Coffee and TV; Colorblind; Ordinary Life; Praise You… such an insane list. The setting of a New York preparatory school in the 90s with scandal and lies just works so well. It’s scandalous and chic and so incredibly iconic. This is without a doubt a film I want to go back and watch for the first time again to relieve every moment.
2. IGBY GOES DOWN (2002)
“Insanity is relative.”
IGBY GOES DOWN is a 2002 film written and directed by Burr Steers. The film stars Kieran Culkin, Claire Danes, and Ryan Phillipe (another common theme on this list is the star-studded cast outside of just these 3). I watched this film when I was 15 for the first time in May, around the time SUCCESSION ended (my all-time favorite TV show… SUCCESSION Sunday will always be missed). I stumbled across it while researching Kieran Culkin’s biography.
WHY THIS FILM: First off, Kieran Culkin. I feel like I mention this in all my reviews but obviously he is my all-time celebrity crush and favorite actor. IGBY GOES DOWN is basically a Roman Roy prequel. The film is so niche and indie and feels quiet and loud all together. Kieran does some phenomenal acting for only being around 19 years old while filming. The whole cast is hilarious and fits together so well. There is some great writing and similar to THANK YOU FOR SMOKING it is a film with such a great cast that I don’t understand why it went under the radar! I will be the president of the IGBY GOES DOWN cult classic when people finally come around to it and realize its brilliance.
And number 1…
1. WHITE OLEANDER (2002)
“Where does a mother end and a daughter begin?”
WHITE OLEANDER is a 2002 film written and directed by Peter Kosminsky and based on the 1999 novel by Janet Finch of the same name. The film stars Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Renee Zellweger. My mom showed me this film when I was 14, the same week we watched THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.
WHY THIS FILM: I remember being speechless the minute the credits rolled. The film is so simple and quiet, with such a deep story, similar to the Oleander flower. The writing in this film, mixed with the delivery by Lohman and Zellweger, is just pure poetry. It feels like a warm summer day and vanilla and soft laundry. It feels free and so sad all at once. I do not think it is the most profound film ever made, but it is so deeply special and holds so much love in my heart. The film is beautiful and peaceful while leaving you with so much to ponder. I love Astrid; she is undoubtedly one of my favorite film characters. There is so much love in my heart for her and her story.
I want to thank my mom because after writing this list, I realize she is the reason for about 60% of me even knowing these films exist. Thank you for reading this whole list, and thank you to SpoilerFreeReviews for giving me a place to rant about my passion for these 🙂
See you at 18!
