Favorite Movies Directed by Women

Not a lot of women enter the directing industry. This is evident through the numerous films we see, and yet only a handful of them are directed by women. Among these few, only certain people are very well-known or acclaimed publicly, like Sofia Coppola and Kathryn Bigelow. I’m not sure about you, but a few of my favorite movies are directed by women. Granted it’s a short list, but I enjoyed these films and recommend that you see them (if you haven’t!). What are your favorite films directed by women?

Broken English, Zoe Cassavetes (2007)

Set in New York, and later on in Paris, Broken English tells the story of a lost adult finding a second chance in life when she crosses path with a Frenchman. I fell in love with Parker Posey and Melvil Poupard's performances and they made the story work. I found myself silently cheering for them. While a few plot points seem out of the movie's scope, I think the more important factor is what Posey's character was trying to represent, and how her personal dilemma seems to be familiar with women. It's one of those romance films that you get taken away with, and it leaves you wanting to see more about where they're going. Read my review here.

The Kids are All Right, Lisa Cholodenko (2010)

A recent Oscar contender, it features great performances by Annette Benning, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, as well as Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson. It's only recently that the unconventional family setting story arc has become widely received (at least in television or movies), and this is one good work from the director. It's not really about the unconventionality of things, but rather when a big factor (their children's father) enters the picture and starts to disrupt their once peaceful lives. 

My Life Without Me, Isabel Coixet (2003)

I remember watching this in class when I was in high school and I was taken by it. It was one of those moments when I realized that there was more to film than the usual blockbusters plastered all over cinemas. It’s a great story, with solid acting from Sarah Polley and Mark Ruffalo. 

Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola (2003)

The only Coppola film I like so far. It’s set in beautiful Japan, and features a tale between two lost souls finding solstice with each other. The last scene, when they said they final goodbyes, was very well played out. 

You've Got Mail, Nora Ephron (1998)

I know this is a remake of The Shop Around the Corner (and some may view it inferior to their previous collaboration), but it's one of my favorite Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movies. It pegs off two people who clearly dislike each other, but has much more in common than they think. It's a cute (to use a word) movie. 

Little Miss Sunshine, Valerie Faris (2006)

I don’t think I could describe my love for this film. It’s entertaining, and well-written, not to mention the performances. I loved Paul Dano’s character, even when he was silent for most of it. Then there’s Steve Carell, Alan Arkin and Toni Collette, who gave good performances. It has a lot of heart, and even if they're all going through their personal crisis, they all decided to support the youngest of the brood, the only person who has a positive outlook in the family. 

American Psycho, Mary Harron (2000)

Brett Easton Ellis mentioned that American Psycho could not be translated onscreen. I may not have read the novel, but this one is an eye-opener. You get Christian Bale in one of his best performances, and Harron manages to bring out the gore of it all in a “tasteful” setting. Read my review here.

Sunshine Cleaning, Christine Jeffs (2008)

This is an underrated film featuring one of Amy Adam’s darker roles. You get two incredible actresses in a movie about living using the dead. It’s unconventional, and it’s entertaining. If you’re planning to have an Amy Adams movie marathon, this definitely should not be skipped.