Feeling Burnt Out or Fatigued?​​​​
Here's a list of bookish movies and series for when you're too tired to read or write, but still feel like indulging in something 'writerly' to get inspired.
As someone who regularly suffers from chronic fatigue, I'm often too drained to read or write (well, I can try; but this usually results in me reading the same sentence over and over or some horrendous spelling errors.)
The last couple of months (...okay, years) virtually everyone I meet is either burnt out, fatigued, or just feeling a bit crappy overall. Not that that's all that surprising, given the last few years have felt like they've been written by Stephen King and directed by Tim Burton.
So as we draw closer to the end of the year - a time when we could all use a week-long nap - I thought I would share a list of my favourite movies and series that feature either writers, books, or writing.
No matter how many times I've seen them, they always inspire me and I find myself more motivated to write on the days where I don't feel like the walking dead.
So... let's get started.
Light-hearted / Cozy
Under the Tuscan Sun
"Frances Mayes, a 35-year-old San Francisco writer, gets a divorce that leaves her with terminal writer's block and depression. Later, she decides to buy a house in Tuscany in order to change her life."
I've lost count of how often I have watched this movie.
Even though it doesn't have much actual writing in it, because it follows the writer's journey I somehow always feel inspired to write after watching it (and to spontaneously move to Tuscany, so have to shoot that intrusive thought right in the mouth).
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The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
"After the Second World War, Juliet Ashton, a writer, decides to write a book about the residents of Guernsey Island. However, Juliet's life changes completely after she visits that island."
While the characters and plot of this charming, light-hearted film are fictional, the historical setting is inspired by the very true occupation of the island of Guernsey by the Nazis during the WW2.
An inspiring story of how a group of acquaintances found friendship and solace in books, reading, and each other.
Featuring the main character, a writer called Juliet Ashton.
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Miss Potter
"Beatrix Potter writes stories since she was a child but never got any recognition. Her life changes when a publisher decides to compile and publish her stories."
Probably my favourite movie of all time, Miss Potter holds a special place in my heart. I was also an artist before I was a writer, so I find her story inspiring in so many ways; as a painter, writer, artist, and as a woman who doesn't quite follow societal norms.
Light-hearted, funny, and frightfully romantic, Miss Potter is the perfect cozy watch for inspiration.
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The Help
"Skeeter Phelan, an author in the making, embarks upon a writing project that voices the opinion and point of view of African-American house helps during the 1960s. Her project is met with disapproval."
I've always loved The Help, not only as an inspiration - showing how writing something truly important can change and uplift lives - but for its incredible cast of truly talented actors and actresses.
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Letters to Juliet
"While in Verona, Sophie joins a volunteer group who respond to letters seeking romantic advice. When she replies to a letter from Claire dated 1957, it inspires her to search for her long-lost love."
For those of you who love cozy romances, Letters to Juliet could be just the film for you. Another example of how following your dreams and your heart can lead to wonderful things. (...Also with the desire to spontaneously move to Italy.)​​​​​​​​​​
The Holiday
"Two girls from different countries swap homes for the holidays to get away from their relationship issues. However, their lives change unexpectedly when they meet and fall in love with two local guys."
With Halloween now past, it's time to get into the Christmas spirit with my favourite holiday rom-com.
While the plot mostly follows the lives of several inter-connected characters, a number of these characters are writers, editors, creators, and such. While it's probably not the most "writerly" film... it's just so gosh-darn cute!​​​​​​​​​​
Julie/Julia
"Julie Powell, a young blogger, is determined to emulate Julia Child's cooking techniques. Though separated by time, the two women share a common passion for food that intertwines their lives."
A drama-comedy which follows the lives of two women - one of which is the celebrated cook, Julia Child as she looks to write and publish her cookbook 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' - Julie/Julia is a funny yet cozy watch, especially for you Foodies out there. ​​​​​​​​​​
Shakespeare in Love
"William Shakespeare is looking for a muse to help with his writing. When he meets Viola, who loves the theatre, she plays the part perfectly. However, she is promised to Lord Wessex in marriage."
For those of you who prefer classic literature, you might enjoy 'Shakespeare in Love.' By no means a biography, the story has been fictionalised to feature a forbidden love story, all while Shakespeare tries to write a play whilst suffering writers block.​​​​​​​​​​
Goodbye, Christopher Robin
"The father-son relationship between Alan Alexander Milne, an author, and his son, Christopher Robin, is profound. Their bonding inspires Alan to write about the magical world of 'Winnie-the-Pooh'."
'Goodbye, Christopher Robin' could inspire any writer to retreat into a cute cottage in the 100 Acre Wood for a quiet, peaceful place to disappear and write.
Following the career and life of A. A. Milne and his son, and how their playtime adventures inspired the world renowned 'Winnie the Pooh'.
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Tolkien
"Tolkien is a storyteller and part of a tight group of artists from whom he draws inspiration for his work. However, his work and relationship with Edith, his lover, is threatened during WWI."
Any hard-core fantasy fan and language-lovers would be enthralled by this film following the life and career of J R R Tolkien. Suffering many hardships: illness, war... Oxford. (haha, just kidding.)
The narrative, whilst being relatively factual, also does a perfect job at showing how friendship and fellowship paved the way for his incredible story of the Ring of power.​​​​​​​
Finding Neverland
"Barrie forges a platonic bond with a widow, Sylvia, who has four kids. He is motivated to pen a play about a bunch of kids who don't desire to grow up, which ends up strengthening his bond with them."
A sweet narrative of how James Matthew Barrie was inspired by the family he befriended, which led to his creation of Peter Pan.
Heart-warming, inspiring, and a little bit sad, I believe this is such a lovely watch for a cold, overcast day where you can snuggle down and clap your hands if you believe.
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Nim's Island
"Imagination and reality collide when young Nim's father goes missing at sea. Fate brings to her the author of the Alex Rover series, her favourite books, and together they try to find Nim's father."
I love the depiction of Alex Rover, the writer, in this film. Yes, it's a little cliche, but everything about this film is light-hearted, fun, and hilarious.
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The Man Who Invented Christmas
"Charles Dickens, a failed author, finds himself in a financial crisis. However, he uses his father as an inspiration and creates an unforgettable tale that redefines Christmas."
Tis (almost) the season for Christmas movies, and you can't go wrong with the writerly film The Man Who Invented Christmas; a dramatisation of how Charles Dicken came up with and published the timeless story 'A Christmas Carol.'
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Inkheart
"Mo, who can bring book characters to life, accidentally sets free the evil Capricorn. Ten years later, his daughter Meggie, her aunt and the book's hero set out to help her father trap the villain."
"No harm can come from reading a book."
...We've all heard that too often, and this is perfectly embodied in Inkheart; a fun tale where there are those who can quite literally make a book leap off the page.​​​​​​​
The Book Thief
"Liesel lives with her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann in Nazi Germany. She finds solace from the horrors around her by stealing books from the mayor's house to learn new words."
Join Liesel in The Book Thief as she learns to read, write, and absorb herself in the magical world of books and literature, during a time where such things could get you into a lot of trouble (depending on what you're reading.)
A sad but lovely tale of friendship and loss and how you can escape harsh reality with the simple turning of a page.
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Neverwas
"A Yale graduate gets a job at the institution where his father worked on his best-selling novel. While working there, he meets a schizophrenic who helps understand his father's work."
Sir Ian McKellen plays a charming role in this drama where the line between fiction and reality is blurred.
This film, whilst a bit heavy and sad at times, is so sweet and shows how sometimes, the faraway land Fiction is as good a place as any to spend your time.​​​​
Dark / Horror
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
"In 1968, the night of Halloween brings mayhem in a small town when a group of friends discovers a notebook written by a mysterious girl that foretells terrifying events."
A brilliant watch for Halloween (it even has trick-or-treating), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a fun, light watch for those who love a good creepy story.
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The Mummy
"Adventurer Rick O'Connell, Egyptologist Evelyn and her clumsy brother inadvertently wake up a bedevilled mummy, Imhotep, Pharaoh Seti I's high priest, during a dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra."
Okay, okay - I realize this one isn't really about writing/writers/or reading, but... there's a book in it. And Evie's a librarian. That counts right?...right??
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Like Inkheart, The Mummy plays on the idea "No harm can come from reading a book" and screams back. "Oh yeah? Well, I'll show you what a book can do."
A fun action-adventure and a timeless classic. ​​​​​​​​​
Crimson Peak
"Edith ignores her father's warning and marries Sir Thomas Sharpe and when she arrives at the Sharpe mansion, she learns about her husband's secrets and realises that the place is teeming with ghosts."
This one might not be for everyone, but as someone who adores gothic horror, I personally love Crimson Peak. The costumes and settings are breath-taking and the design of the ghosts is unique.
The film starts with Edith editing and submitting her manuscript to a publisher; which always makes me feel like writing myself. Maybe it will inspire you too.​​​​​​​​
Brothers Grimm
"Will and Jake Grimm are traveling con-artists who encounter a genuine fairy-tale curse which requires true courage instead of their usual bogus exorcisms."
A must-watch for anyone who loves the darker side of fairy tales. Brothers Grimm combines fantasy with gothic horror to create a masterpiece of wonder and terror.
See if you can pick up all the little Easter-eggs referencing well-known fairy tales.​​​​​​
Misery
"After an accident, acclaimed novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by Annie Wilkes, a nurse who claims to be his biggest fan. However, he has a nightmarish experience while recuperating in her house."
"I'm your number one fan..."
Those words can never be un-creepified after watching Stephen King's Misery.
A classic horror I'll never tire of watching, starring the incredibly talented Kathy Bates.
Misery always makes me feel like writing - I mean, if Paul Sheldon can do it, why not us? (just maybe hold off on the psycho hovering over your shoulder with a sledge hammer.)
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The Raven
"Poet and author Edgar Allan Poe is questioned when a serial killer begins committing gruesome murders that seem to be inspired by his stories. Things take a turn when Poe's lover becomes a target."
Inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven is a dark, moody crime/horror that keeps you at the edge of your seat.​​​​​​​​​​
Timeless Classics
The NeverEnding Story
"To escape from his dull life and bullies at school, Bastain takes refuge in an old book store. There, he begins reading an old storybook and finds himself drawn into the mythical world of Fantasia."
An absolute classic. A fantasy film with incredible puppetry by Jim Henson, follows Bastain, a lonely little boy who finds the world of Fantasia as real as reality.
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The Princess Bride
"Buttercup, a princess, is madly in love with a farm boy, Westley. Unfortunately, things take a turn in their lives when Westley goes out in search of employment and gets attacked by a pirate."
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A sick-day classic, a grandfather reads his sick grandson 'The Princess Bride,' which we get to experience with him.
Beautiful, romantic, and absolutely hilarious, The Princess Bride is a great one to watch for a pick-me-up and a good laugh.
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The Dead Poets Society
"A group of students in a highly conservative boarding school learn to rebel against the status quo and find deeper meaning in life with the help of their new poetry teacher."
A Robin Williams classic, Dead Poets Society explores the power of words and poetry; and how one excellent teacher can inspire his students and help them find their passion in life. ​​​​​​​​
Series
Romance is a Bonus Book
"A gifted writer who's the youngest editor-in-chief ever at his publishing company becomes enmeshed in the life of a former copywriter desperate for a job."
This hilarious Korean romance/drama/comedy is an excellent watch for those wanting to get an idea of what it's like in the publishing industry.
Working with writers, book cover designers; balancing work-life balance. As a self-publisher, I thoroughly enjoy the overall atmosphere of this series, and its insight into the behind-the-scenes aspect of publishing.
And yet, it also doesn't take itself too seriously and has an overarching romance plot that I find so charming.
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