There is no doubt that cinematic portrayals of authors give us a glimpse into the act of creation. But these films offer a distinct female perspective, exploring the literary field through the eyes of an authoress.
From battles with societal pressure to struggles with personal demons, here are 10 women authors movies inspired by their lives.
10. To Walk Invisible (2016)
Subtitled ‘The Lives of the Brontë Sisters’, the movie chronicles the sisters’ battle to overcome obstacles and publish their novels. The title itself pays homage to Charlotte’s letter to her publisher, where she talks about writing under a pseudonym: “What author would be without the advantage of being able to walk invisible?”.
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9. An Angel At My Table (1990)
Directed by Jane Campion, ‘An Angel At My Table’ tells the story of Janet Frame, a curly-haired little girl who grew up to be one of New Zealand’s best authors. The film is based on Frame’s own autobiographies and explores her battle with mental health and turning to writing as a way to cope.
8. Violette (2013)
Written and directed by Martin Provost, ‘Violette‘ depicts the life of French novelist Violette Leduc, who is seldom overlooked in history. Leduc sat in the same room with Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus, leaving an undeniable impact on the literary world. The film takes us through her exploration of female intimacy and freedom, a subject that has long remained untouched.
7. Mary Shelley (2017)
This 2017 romantic period drama follows the life of one of the most influential authors of all time, Mary Shelley, and her inspiration for the iconic novel ‘Frankenstein’. Starring Elle Fanning in the lead role, the movie takes you through the passionate life of Mary Shelley’s first love and her relationship with romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
6. Shirley (2020)
Based on the 2014 novel by Susan Scarf Merrell, the movie explores “a largely fictional story” around novelist Shirley Jackson, which inspired her novel ‘Hangsaman’. Jackson is creating her next masterpiece when her life gets disrupted by the arrival of a strange couple. Elizabeth Moss stars in the titular role, and you’ll also get to see Michael Stuhlbarg, Odessa Young, and Logan Lerman.
In case you missed it: How Frankenstein’s Bride Became A Feminist Icon In Less Than 5 Minutes Of Screen Time
5. Miss Potter (2006)
Based on the life of children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, this 2006 movie takes up her experiences with love, happiness, and success. The film explores the life of spinster Beatrix Potter, portrayed by Renée Zellweger, whose only love is drawing animals and writing about them. It takes up her experience writing ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, which became one of the best-selling books in history.
4. Becoming Jane (2007)
This one explores Jane Austen’s early life before her fame and her experiences as a feisty twenty-year-old emerging writer. It focuses on her relationship with the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy. Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy star in these lead roles. The movie takes inspiration from Jane Austen’s letters and diaries and pieces them together with creative liberties to create “our own Austenesque landscape.”
3. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Based on her own confessional memoirs, ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ tells the story of Lee Israel and stars Melissa McCarthy in the lead role. Facing a career slump and financial crisis, Lee turns to deception to make her art known to the world.
She begins reviving her career by forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights. The title itself is a series of lines taken from a letter in which she posed as Dorothy Parker.
2. A Quiet Passion (2016)
This one takes up the life of the renowned poet Emily Dickinson. The movie stars Cynthia Nixon in the lead role, alongside Emma Bell, Jennifer Ehle, Duncan Duff, and more. You’ll get a complete look at Dickinson’s life, from her upbringing and school years to her life in later years as a reclusive, unrecognized artist.
1. The Hours (2002)
This cinematic masterpiece features a star-studded cast, including Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep, as it takes us through the lives of three women.
We see Clarissa Vaughan in 2001 New York, preparing an award party; pregnant housewife Laura Brown in 1951 California; and Virginia Woolf in the 1920s England, battling depression while writing her novel, ‘Mrs. Dalloway’.
Despite being separated by time and distance, all three women find themselves dealing with the same crisis.
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