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What’s the Best Movie to Study Creative Writing?

Creative writing is all around us. Many of today’s biggest blockbusters were initially written as fan fiction or concept pitches before being turned into films. From Harry Potter to Star Wars, many big-name series have stemmed from humble beginnings as nothing more than a scribble on a bit of paper.

Studying creative writing can help you develop your own original ideas and concepts as you gain experience. Many people think that writing is solely for leisure, but having a career in writing is a great way to make money and gain exposure. With the ever-growing popularity of creative writing online classes, the world of studying literature and creative writing is wide open to those who want to pursue this genre.

The Prestige

If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to watch, then look no further. The Prestige is one of the greatest movie adaptations of all time. Not only does it feature one of the greatest ensembles in film history, but it’s also heavily weighted towards creative writing and literature studies. If you love magic and stylish costumes, then this is the movie for you. (It also features one of the greatest train robberies ever, so you’ll have to forgive me if this is a box-set you’ll want to avoid).

The film centres around two magicians: Michael Caine and Aidan Quinn. They are both world-class performers who have spent their entire lives competing against each other. When a young upstart threatens to overtake them, they decide to do whatever it takes to stay at the top. They recruit a retired magician called Thaddeus Blake as their right-hand man and together they embark on a journey to out-do one another.

Not only is this a great movie to study creative writing, but it’s also rich in symbolism. From a rose covered in thorns to a game of chess where the contestants wear costumes, the movie is steeped in hidden meanings. The two main characters are both Englishmen and the film is set mostly in England. We even get to see the English countryside from time to time. If you’re a literature student, then this movie will open up a whole new world of words and concepts. It’s even referenced several times in literature class. (“Do you know the words ‘rose-crowned valley’?” – Michael Caine).

Fight Club

Many people might not consider this a traditional ‘study’ movie, but the ironic thing is that it’s probably the most popular of all time. Based on the eponymous novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club sees a man’s struggle for self-expression through violence. In terms of creative writing, this is one of the greatest exercises you can do to develop your own unique voice and style. As well as being a fantastic creative writing exercise, it’s also a must-see for anyone who loves a good fight. The violence is intercut with some brilliantly stylised boxing matches. For literature students, this is another masterpiece by Palahniuk. It’s easy to see why – from its dark setting to its portrayal of corporate greed, it covers almost every imaginable literary topic. If you’re looking for a quick and easy study movie, then these are the perfect fits. (I’ve actually never read the book, but I love the movie so much that I’ve spent far too much time thinking about it instead).

The Dark Knight

Another superhero flick, The Dark Knight is set in the same universe as Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. This latest instalment of the DC cinematic universe sees a retired Batman turned bounty hunter, who takes on a new alias, Dent, to avenge the murder of his wife and daughter. One of the most interesting aspects of this movie is that it delves into the psychology of both the villain and the protagonist. The Dark Knight is rich in symbolism and references to other literary works. It’s even got a whole ‘nother language that it creates for us, the viewers. The cinematography is incredible and the soundtrack is memorable. If you’ve never read any Batman comics, then this is a great place to start. It also has a great conversation scene with two of the greatest actors of our time – Tom Hardy and Christian Bale. (I’ll let you in on a little secret. The whole movie is actually an adaptation of William Gibson’s short story, ‘The Perfesser’. It was originally published in 1984 and was later included in his anthology, ‘New Tales of the Cyberpunk Future’.) If you want to write dark, twisted stories, then this is the film for you. If you love action movies, then be sure to check out the latest installment, The Dark Knight Rises, which is now available on home video.

There are so many great films out there that you can study creative writing with. Some people might consider adapting a book, instead of making a movie. However, when it comes to gaining inspiration and developing your own original ideas, nothing beats a good old fashioned feature film. Here’s a short list of my top five favorite movies to study creative writing.