All great directors have their own style. No matter how chameleonic or multi-talented a filmmaker can be, there are always themes and motifs they cycle through their careers. Other directors, even if they are loved, may keep making the same type of movies over and over again.
However, directors sometimes deviate from their usual style. Whether to show off their prowess in a different genre, or because a particular script or actor caught their eye, these directors chose to step away from the wheelhouse, with mixed results.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008)
Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald Rights to the short story of the same name The Strange Case of Benjamin Button It was purchased in the mid 1980’s. It took 20 years before the 13 Oscar-nominated film hit the big screen.directed by David FincherThe film tells the story of Daisy and Benjamin Button’s romance, a man who ages in reverse.
Known for his dark psychological thrillers, Fincher was an odd choice to helm this period romance epic. This is especially Frank Oz When Steven Spielbergwas much more commercially motivated than Fincher’s and was part of his first choice to direct. , The Strange Case of Benjamin Button Widely considered one of his lesser films.
“Swept Away” (2002)
Known for movies such as snatch When gentlemenEnglish director Guy Ritchie has established himself as perhaps the most important British gangster filmmaker.come into consciousness Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrelsfollowed up by Richie sweep awaya remake of the classic Italian film of the same name about a housewife and her sailors who are stranded in a thunderstorm.
Richie’s then-wife appears Madonna, the film primarily serves as a vehicle for the stars, further highlighting the singing stars’ lack of acting chops. While most of Richie’s other films are in the crime and action genres, sweep away It’s an adventure romantic comedy. Given that it was a box office bomb and was critically panned, it’s unlikely Richie will return to that type of film any time soon.
“Allied” (2016)
have a diverse career Robert Zemeckis’, it is unlikely that he has a definitive style. But there are two main things Zemeckis is obsessed with. It’s a story of adventure and pushing the boundaries of special effects. But none of these factors were true for his 2016 photo. Alliedabout two World War II operatives who fall in love.
written by Stephen Knight, the film marks one of the few box office successes of Zemeckis’ career. Additionally, the film is mostly a full-blown war-era production, and Zemeckis in both genres rarely turned around throughout his career. Looking at his two most recent films, witches When Pinocchio Both appear to be visual effects driven remakes Allied Zemeckis remains an outlier.
“Light of Day” (1987)
Outstanding filmmaker on self-destruction and oppression, Paul Schrader The film is characterized by a lonely male protagonist seeking cathartic redemption. Often incorporating violent, sexual, or religious imagery, many were puzzled upon hearing about Schrader’s release of his 1987 musical. Sunlight A story of a brother and sister who dream of becoming musical stars.
Originally titled U.S. Born, the film was written with Bruce Springsteen in mind. Although it appears to be very different from Schroeder’s other projects, Roger Ebert said that the film is “most notable” about themes Schroeder had previously explored, such as the characters denying their own well-being. Critical reaction was mixed, but Schrader himself was more critical of the film, writing about it in his book Schrader on Schrader. I’m commenting on the simple visual style.
“Unbearable Cruelty” (2003)
of coen brothers the fourth-highest-grossing film of all time, intolerable cruelty Also the most expensive.Filmed and scored by a longtime Coen brothers collaborator Roger Deakins When Carter Burwellmovie star George Clooney As a high-profile divorce attorney, she was drawn to her client’s soon-to-be-ex-wife, catherine zeta jones.
The film’s quirkiness in relation to the rest of the Coen brothers’ filmography stems from the fact that it is his first screenplay as a hired writer.scheduled to supervise Ron Howard Also Jonathan Demme, the film was rewritten many times before Cohen decided to use the original script and direct it.Probably not considered one of their best movies intolerable cruelty It proves that the Coen family should stick to writing movies for themselves.
“Elvis” (1979)
Before Baz Luhrmanns 2022 Celebration, When People Mention Elvis Biography, they were probably referring to John Carpenter 1979 epic.The nearly three-hour-long made-for-TV film was Carpenter’s first film after Halloween. Kurt Russellthe film follows Elvis as he recounts his rise and how he became the king of rock and roll.
One of the leading sci-fi and horror directors of his time, Elvis This is one of the few adventures where Carpenter steps outside of his usual comfort zone. The film was also notable for being the first collaboration between Carpenter and Russell, who later teamed up on films such as: escape from new york When caseWhile Rahman Elvis The movie may be clouded by recent prejudices, but fans can’t forget who did it first.
“Blue Chips” (1994)
It grossed $26 million at the box office against a budget of $35 million. blue chip It has endured as a sports cult classic.Written by a master of sports movies Ron Sheltonknown as Bull Durham When white men can’t jump, blue chip Led by a future NBA star Shaquille O’Neal When Penny Hardaway As a top prospect hired by a Bob Knight-esque college coach.
After becoming one of the leading directors of the 1970s, William Friedkin brought some disappointment to blue chip include Rampage When Guardian. Post-directing Oscar-winning films French connection 1971, almost all of Friedkin’s next films blue chip It becomes a crime thriller. It’s a boring movie, but blue chip Ultimately, it’s a worthy addition to Friedkin’s filmography.
“Interior” (1978)
Woody Allen’s first real drama interior One of his most underrated films. Recalling Ingmar Bergman, with whom Allen frequently communicates in various films, interior It follows a group of sisters, each reacting differently to hearing their parents’ divorce. The five-Oscar-nominated film was the first in which Allen did not appear.
Many critics favored the film, comparing it to the work of Bergman, Eugene O’Neill and Chekhov, and some thought it was “as if Mr. Allen had started making someone else’s film.”Predecessor to the future low-key Allen Drama another woman When September, interior Here are some of Allen’s best works.
“Jack” (1996)
Francis Ford Coppola There was a bit of a commercial comeback when it hit in the 1990s, and after becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the 1970s, the 1980s saw even more mixed reactions.come off godfather 3 When Bram Stoker’s Dracula Beginning in the 90s, both made at least $130 million at the box office. Jacka “comedy” about a 10-year-old boy who looks much older than he actually is.
The film was despised and was nominated for Worst Production at the 1996 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards. 17% on Rotten Tomatoes Jack It’s Coppola’s worst reviewed movie ever. Coppola himself has defended the film, calling it “sweet and funny” and stating that “he should be ashamed, but[he]isn’t.”
“The Age of Innocence” (1993)
I don’t think very many moviegoers have seen Tommy and Jimmy beat up Billy Butts. goodfellaslamented Martin Scorsese Create a G-rated historical romance. But just three years later, Scorsese did just that, age of innocence about a wealthy New York lawyer who tries to court his fiancée’s cousin;
Based on the novel of the same name by film critic Edith Wharton Jay Cox, age of innocence It’s an exercise in discipline. In sticking to its setting and time, this film is much more deliberate than most of Scorsese’s other works. From the outside, the delicate romance seems at odds with Scorsese’s other work, but in his book Scorsese on Scorsese, the film “covers nearly every subject I usually deal with. I am doing.”
