Telling behind-the-scenes stories on life behind the glamour, spotlights, roles, and loud applause — the struggle for success, times of self-doubt, professional challenges, and the dark side of the industry. In our pick, we have a few films that expose the glittery and surprising side of acting.
Content
- Babylon
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- The Actors
- James Dean
- Mulholland Drive
- La La Land
- Seberg
- Blonde
- Birdman
- The Artist
Babylon
IMDb: 7.1/10
2022, Drama, Comedy, History
USA, R
Director: Damien Chazelle
Top Cast: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva
Babylon is a film that focuses on the transition of Hollywood during its golden era in the 1920s from the silent film era to sound. The story follows several characters: the actress on the rise (Margot Robbie), the industry veteran (Brad Pitt), and the young immigrant (Diego Calva). All the triumphs and tragedies the main characters endure are happening against the backdrop of gigantic seismic changes in the film industry. Babylon is a gooey gift for movie buffs, as it comes from Damien Chazelle, the genius behind La La Land. It also includes lavish party scenes, displaying the embellishment and eccentricity of Hollywood at the time.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
IMDb: 7.6/10
2019, Comedy, Drama
USA, R
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Top Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie
This is a movie about a fictional actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and the double who staggers his falls, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), attempting to find their place in Hollywood at the end of the 1960s. Their journey unfolds alongside the tragic story of the actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). The movie is based on factual events, such as the murder of Sharon Tate at the hands of Charles Manson’s Family. Brad Pitt won an Oscar for his performance as Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film.
The Actors
IMDb: 6.1/10
2003, Comedy, Crime
Ireland, UK, R
Director: Conor McPherson
Top Cast: Michael Caine, Dylan Moran, Michael Gambon
This is a comedy about two actors who become embroiled in a criminal plan to outsmart a gangster and cash in. O’Malley (Michael Caine) is a mature but pretentious theater actor whose star has been on the wane for a while. Tommy Fenton (Dylan Moran) is his younger colleague, full of dreams of major success but currently stuck in bit parts. Spotting the chance to earn some cash, O’Malley will tell Barney that he can help “recover the debt,” in a deceit that will ultimately lead to some money-making frauds. He recruits Tommy into the scheme, who hesitates at first but ultimately agrees.
James Dean
IMDb: 7.3/10
2001, Biography, Drama
USA, PG
Director: Mark Rydell
Top Cast: James Franco, Michael Moriarty, Valentina Cervi
A drama chronicling the life and career of iconic actor James Dean before his untimely death. The film examines his relationships with his parents, producers, and his influence in the cinematic world. It explores not just Dean’s career but also his internal struggles. James Franco was critically lauded for his performance, really losing himself in James Dean.
Mulholland Drive
IMDb: 7.9/10
2001, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
France, USA, R
Director: David Lynch
Top Cast: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux
A David Lynch surreal thriller about a young woman, Betty (Naomi Watts), who comes to Hollywood and meets a mysterious amnesiac woman. There are no simple answers to these questions in the film, and audiences are left to grapple with the blurry relationship between reality and dreams, the seduction of Hollywood, and the corrupting effects of ambition. Lynch mixes thriller, mystery, and psychological drama into a hypnotic work that requires attention and personal interpretation. Frequently cited as one of Lynch’s masterworks, the film went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and Screenplay.
La La Land
IMDb: 8.0/10
2016, Comedy, Drama, Music
USA, PG-13
Director: Damien Chazelle
Top Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt
This is a love story between an aspiring musician, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), and an actress, Mia (Emma Stone). Their aspirations for stardom clash with reality, pushing their bond to the limits. Can they be true to one another while going after their dreams, or do their careers end the love story? It won 6 Oscars, including Best Actress for Emma Stone. And its closing scene is one of the most moving moments in movie history.
Seberg
IMDb: 5.8/10
2019, Biography, Drama, Thriller
USA, UK, R
Director: Benedict Andrews
Top Cast: Kristen Stewart, Yvan Attal, Gabriel Sky
A drama about the actress Jean Seberg, best known for her role in the French New Wave. Because of her political sympathies and ties to the civil rights movement, her name is placed on a listing for FBI surveillance. The movie delves into a little-known (at the time) aspect of government surveillance of celebrities during the 1960s.
Blonde
IMDb: 5.5/10
2022, Biography, Drama
USA, NC-17
Director: Andrew Dominik
Top Cast: Ana de Armas, Lily Fisher, Julianne Nicholson
A biographical drama is based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. The film treats her life as a tragic story across episodes that illuminate her struggles with inner demons and childhood trauma, and her efforts to hold on to her sense of self. Memories, fantasies, and dark realities run through the narrative. The film, however, has faced significant criticism for how it artistically interpreted issues in society.
Birdman
IMDb: 7.7/10
2014, Comedy, Drama
USA, R
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Top Cast: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton
The film chronicles actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) as he attempts to resurrect his career by directing a Broadway show. But he is haunted by his inner voice, the voice of his past superhero persona. “Birdman” is shot as if it’s one single take (with some clever editing). Perhaps that is why this venture went on to win 4 Oscars, with Best Picture among them.
The Artist
IMDb: 7.9/10
2011, Comedy, Drama, Romance
France, Belgium, PG-13
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Top Cast: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman
The Artistis a touching drama about the changes in Hollywood in the late 1920s. Silent film star George Valentine finds himself out of business with the advent of sound films, his career collapses, and his popularity fades. At the same time, the young actress Peppy Miller is rapidly rising to success thanks to the new film format. The fates of the two artists intertwine, showing how ruthlessly the industry is changing the rules of the game, and how important love, pride, and the ability to embrace change are.
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