It was a strange year for the movies in 2001. That was of course the year September 11th changed everything. Everyone had their own theory what the events would mean for cinema. Some felt the events meant no more action films. No more films dealing with terrorism. Other thought that comedies would reign supreme at the box-office. Every week when a new film was about to open it seemed to confirm some "critic's" belief. "Don't Say A Word" the Michael Douglas thriller debut at number 1 and everyone said, see, people still want to see a good thriller. "Sidewalks of New York", the Ed Burns comedy, had to remove images of the World Trade Center so not to disturb audiences from reminding them what happened.
In one way or another I do think the events of that day had an effect on all of our cinematic tastes. Films seemed to have changed steadily from 2001. It took a while for mainstream Hollywood films to even mention what happened. Look at all the hype that went into 2006's "United 93", my pick for the best film of the year!
But back then in 2001 I think my taste did change. Some of my favorite films that year centered on family and longing. They were films which dealt with lost people. People confused by the world around them trying to make things perfect, trying to make sense of the world while holding on to their faith and tradition. Here then are my choices for the best films of 2001!
1. THE ROAD HOME (Dir. Zhang Yimou; China) - Perhaps my favorite of all of Yimou's films due to the simplicity of the story. It is a film about family and the past and honoring tradition. A boy remembers back to the story of how his parents met at his father's funeral while people carry the casket back to his village, so his soul knows the road home. This is a small film made back in the days when Yimous wasn't making action films but the movie more than any other released touched me. It was the most tender, embracing film I had seen that year. Incidentally, it marked the third time Yimou made a film which topped my list, making him my most honored filmmaker.
2. FAITHLESS (Dir. Liv Ullmann; Sweden) - Ingmar Bergman's script dealing with personal guilt associated with an affair the master filmmaker once engaged in. I reviewed the film recently on this blog and said I was surprised at how much of a confessional the film played out as. The viewer feels emotional pain watching this film, Bergman is able to make the connection so strongly with the audience. And Ullman of course deserves her share of credit. She strings things along masterfully.
3. A BEAUTIFUL MIND (Dir. Ron Howard; U.S.) - The Oscar winner that year for best picture ranks as one of Howard's best films. But as usually wasn't exactly deserving of the award but Jennifer Connelly as Crowe's wife was great and lit up the screen with her talent and beauty and deserved her award.
4. HEIST (Dir. David Mamet; U.S.) - Mamet fans turned their backs on this one and I'm not quite sure why. Then again, as you may be learning by now, I'm not someone influences by public opinion. I like what I like and don't care what others think. "Heist" rate with some of Mamet's best films and Gene Hackman's performance is terrific to watch. The film is loaded with Mamet's wonderful twist and turns (though admittedly I felt took a few too many turns near the end) still the dialogue and the performances make this one to watch.
5. VANILLA SKY (Dir. Cameron Crowe; U.S.) - Remake of the film "Open Your Eyes" here is a film about a man who thinks he has everything only to lose it all until a special surgery may give him back the life he wants. Again, like the other films on this year here is a movie about trying to make things right.
6. FOCUS (Dir. Neal Slavin; U.S.) - William H. Macy plays a man who buys a new pair of glasses and for some reason everyone now thinks he's Jewish. The film takes place during WW2, apparently a time of great anti-Semitism. The character now realizes how the oppress go through life. The film really managed to work me over causing strong, confrontational feelings within me.
7. THE PLEDGE (Dir. Sean Penn; U.S.) - The film was a re-teaming for director Penn and actor Jack Nicholson after their work in "The Crossing Guard". Here they fare much, much better as Nicholson plays a cop who just can't let go of a case dealing with a sexual predator who goes after children. It proves to be one of Jack's best performances and sadly was over-looked greatly.
8. MOULIN ROUGE! (Dir. Baz Luhrmann; U.S.) - If I had to pick one film to represent 2001 it would have been this astounding musical. It made Kidman a star and took her from under Tom Cruise's shadow. At the time of release, on amazon.com, I called the film one of the great movie love stories of all-time. It may sound like high praise to some, but the film deserves such acclaim for Luhrmann's almost demonic energy in creating such a lavish, eye-popping film. It just seems to get better and better after every viewing.
9. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (Dir. Kar-Wai Wong; Hong Kong) - Another film several critics didn't seem to respond to more affectionately. I fell in the love with the film when I first saw it, it marked the first time I had seen a film from the vastly talented director. The music, the acting, the cinematography it all just seemed to cast a spell over me. I 'm not sure if Kar-Wai has done better.
10 (TIE) MULHOLLAND DR. (Dir. David Lynch; U.S.)/NO MAN'S LAND (Dir. Danis Tanovic; Bosnia-Herzegovina) - The first Lynch film I ever saw! I was not prepared for it. At the time I described it as John Waters meets Federico Fellini. The second-rate dialogue, the beautiful women, off-beat characters. But I will be forever grateful since the film put Naomi Watts on the map, one of our greatest actresses working today! As for "No Man Land's" it was the surprise Oscar winner that year, most thought "Amelie" was a lock. The film takes place during the Bosnian war as two soldiers, fighting on opposite sides, get stuck in an area known as "no man's land", it is territory which belongs to neither side. And a message of peace is learned. It is a film which tells us in times of great conflict we must learn we are all the same and must stick together. What a message for 2001!
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