Having completed my list of the best films of the 1990s, I am now going to give my list for the best films of 1999. Seldom have there been years as entertaining as 1999. It was an incredibly strong year. Directors took chances. Films which were actually about something were being made. Of course, as with any year, there were some low points, but the high points far outweighed them.
One of the most important cinematic events of the year was the release of Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut", it would be Kubrick's last movie, he died just before the release but in time to hear about the controversy surrounding the film. It was said it would receive an NC-17 rating unless Kubrick edited it. He did, though the original version was shown in Europe. Some suggest behind the scenes problems were brewing between Kidman and Cruise, which led to their break-up. All the hype that went into the film all fizzled. The film didn't do the box-office so many expected. And two camps were formed. Those for the film and those against it. The against it crowed was bigger in numbers.
The world entered the Matrix. A box-office hit which gained a cult following. People searched for hidden clues in the film to give us the meaning of life.
Teen comedies broke out with "American Pie" setting new rules for what the public would accept as both entertainment and funny.
The international film of the year came from Germany; "Run, Lola, Run". Art-houses were buzzing with excitement and delight.
Theo Angelopoulos finally won his palme d'or at Cannes. I'll tell you a brief story. In 1995 "Underground" won the top prize at Cannes beating Angelopoulos' "Ulysses' Gaze", which came in second place. When Angelopoulos went to the podium he said "if this is all you have to give me, I have nothing to say." At least he didn't take it personal, right? But his "Eternity and A Day" was one of his great films.
Here now are my top ten choices for the best films of 1999!
1. EYES WIDE SHUT (Dir. Stanley Kubrick; UK/U.S.) - A misunderstood masterpiece which Roger Ebert described as a worthy final chapter in Kubrick's career. I was 16 years old in '99, and I have only seen this movie that one time in theatre but I remember vividly how I felt watching this movie. It remains my favorite, yes I said favorite, Kubrick film.
2. AN AUTUMN TALE (Dir. Eric Rohmer; France) - The final chapter in Rohmer's "Tale of Four Seasons" series. Unlike my first choice, a sexual odyssey, here is a more gentle film about love and courtship. Like all of Mr. Rohmer's films the characters are charming and hard to resist.
3. THE EMPEROR & THE ASSASSIN (Dir. Chen Kaige; China) - After Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" critics seem to have a hard time giving him credit for his other films. Like his contemporary Zhang Yimou, Kaige is one of the greatest filmmakers to emerge in the last 20 years. The film is a historical epic. The beyond beautiful Gong Li stars.
4. AMERICAN BEAUTY (Dir. Sam Mendes; U.S.) - The Oscar winner for "best picture" was an indie film which broke out into the mainstream. It was one of the most successful films of the year. It made stars out of Thora Birch and Mena Suvari but unfortunately neither has been in anything quite up to this level of quality. At the time when I first saw this film I called it an amazing portrait of today's American family.
5. SWEET & LOWDOWN (Dir. Woody Allen; U.S.) - Allen ended the decade on a high note in this jazz bio of the world's second greatest guitarist in the world. Sean Penn gives a performance which I felt should have won the Oscar. The film does a great job of recreating the feeling of the time period. As the son of a musician I can also tell you he gets the lifestyle down cold.
6. RUN,LOLA, RUN (Dir. Tom Tykwer; Germany) - As I said before a wild, entertaining ride. Germany's answer to "Pulp Fiction" the film never slows down for a minute. It grabs the viewer and never lets go.
7. PRIVATE CONFESSIONS (Dir. Liv Ullmann; Sweden) - Based on a screenplay by Ingmar Bergman, concerning the story of how his parent met. The film is powerful and dark, examining what lies within our souls. A little slow moving for some but well worth seeing.
8. THE HURRICANE (Dir. Norman Jewison; U.S.) - Based on a true story starring Denzel Washington, giving one of his best performances. The film is a well made tear jerker. Very emotional, well acted film all stylized by Jewison.
9. THE END OF THE AFFAIR (Dir. Neil Jordan; UK/U.S.) - My favorite film by one of my favorite modern filmmakers. The movie has two great performances given by Fiennes and Moore. Has a great literary quality to it.
10. THE MATRIX (Dir. The Wachowski Brothers; U.S.) - Not typically my kind of thing but a dazzling display of special effects mixed with some good performances made this film work for me. I never got involved in the cult aspect of it but it is a film worth multiple viewings.
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