I want to prefix this by pointing out that these are not films by directors that I consider the best, these are just five awesome films that are directed by women. All totally different and totally brilliant.
Are you ready for this? Here we go.
This 2006 film by Sophia Coppola is something of genius. It takes a historical event in French/Austrian history and makes it into a super pastel explosion of cake, shoes and puppies. It isn’t only accessible to women, though, every man I have watched it with has loved the story of Marie Antoinette, despite all the pink. Period drama or not, this film is totally worth the watch.
In 1988 (the year I was born) a piece of gold was released into the film industry. Big is a film that will captivate children and adults alike and launched Tom Hanks into the hearts and minds of everyone. (Or maybe that’s just me? I know I had a major weird crush on him growing up.) Penny Marshall directed Big, as well as many other great films (Awakenings and Riding in Cars with Boys, anyone? Oh Drew Barrymore, you rebel.) She also played Laverne in Happy Days before directing!
Another ‘80s classic and certainly close to my heart. Starring Meryl Streep in possibly her most stunning role, as a romance novelist who steals the husband of a much less attractive woman, Meryl was my idol growing up. A movie about a woman scorned – it documents the revenge undertaken by the wife involved, with a dark humoured streak running through it. Absolute classic!
I will be bold and tell you to go watch this film right now. Mary Harron directed and wrote the screenplay for this crime drama and I am permanently saluting her. This film is best watched in the dark at 3am, for pure creepy-messed-up value. It features a great 1980s soundtrack and Christian Bale. What can I say, the woman got it right!
You didn’t think I’d forget Clueless did you? I want to give this DVD to every new born girl upon entering the world, before they even have their first feed. It is essential viewing in a so-90s-it-hurts kind of way. Like, totally. I don’t even want to elaborate on this, I just want to implore you to get the old VHS player out, your copy of Clueless and then don’t move until you’ve watched it again - because surely everyone has seen Clueless.