May December
Before becoming an acclaimed feature film director , Todd Haynesstarted off as a screenwriter and myopic film director , and with so many feature now under his belt , the caliber of Haynes ’ films has been shown to differ . Beginning his moving picture career back in 1978 with the short filmThe Suicide , Haynes began making a name for himself in Hollywood . But it was n’t until 1991 that he wrote and guide his first feature film , Poison . Since then , Haynes has become a Hollywood staple , his films place in their thematic explorations — from gender politics to popular musicians .
Haynes ’ past work has led to considerable acclaim and the author - director has made a myriad of moving-picture show that touch upon a multitude of rich themes and challenging visuals that elevate the storytelling . From his first film to his most recenttrue story , May December , the director has evolve as a filmmaker and , while not every one of his photographic film is memorable in their execution , each one of Haynes ’ movies has something unequaled to offer audience , bring in him one of Hollywood ’s most exciting music director working today .
10Poison (1991)
An Anthology Movie About Sexuality And Isolation
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Unlike many of Haynes ’ future films , Poisonwas very observational . It did n’t tell one cohesive narration , but split its news report into three different parts . Based on themes of sexuality and closing off , the motion-picture show is broken into three unlike story . The first is a mockumentary - mode narrative about a young male child taking retaliation on his abusive father . The 2nd account is a take on 1960s sci - fi B movies , following a scientist who experiment with a drug called " human sex . " The last story is a gritty prison house dramatic play about an inmate falling for another inmate .
While it was not well - encounter initially , the bold movie has since gotten better reviews . But despite honest cinematography and an intriguing premise , Poisondoesn’t quite come together . Still , the film and its themesshowcase Haynes ’ potential as a filmmaker , serving as a hint at what he could do with a bigger budget . It is also seen as a hugely influential moving picture in the " queer new undulation " cinema of the earned run average .
9Velvet Goldmine (1998)
A Look At A Fictional Rock Star
Another one ofTodd Haynes ’ moviesthat is focused on a musician , though this time it ’s actually a fictional one , Velvet Goldminefollows a journalist ( Christian Bale ) who writes about a former glam rock star ( Jonathan Rhys Myers ) after he pull back from the spotlight . The movie is inspired byCitizen Kaneas it explore this enigmatical figure through interviews with the people who were close to him , try out to shed lighter on who he really was .
Haynes also co - wrote the film , which is great visually , explore the glam rock epoch with zestfulness . The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design , which still stands as the most exciting scene of the undertaking . Velvet Goldmineis a easy - tan and somewhat fractured in its storytelling . Ironically , feed the premiss , it never finds anything interesting to say about its main character , lacking the fascinating character development that Haynes ' moving-picture show would later become known for .
8Wonderstruck (2017)
A Drama Based On The Book By Brian Selznick
Wonderstrucktells an alternating story set 50 year apart . The first story is coiffe in 1927 and starsA Quiet Placecast memberMillicent Simmonds as a indifferent girl who come to New York City to search for a famous worker . The 2d story is countersink in 1977 and stick to a young son who runs away from home to come up his Fatherhood .
Wonderstruckis good at bringing everything together in the goal , connecting the disparate timelines in a path that is narratively satisfying .
The film reunite Haynes with Julianne Moore , who has collaborated with him on several films dating back to the 90s . Wonderstruckis goodness at bringing everything together in the closing , connecting the disparate timelines in a way that is narratively substantial . The story start out too slow , however , and the movie ’s tone tends to tilt , butHaynes ’ focal point on two children hold for a moving storythat dissent from his adult - centric movieswhile still being rich in themes .
7Dark Waters (2019)
Environmental Political Thriller Based On A True Story
Todd Haynes tackles a legal drama withDark pee , asMark Ruffalo ’s attorney , Robert Bilott , goes up against DuPont , a manufacturing potbelly that contaminated the local crapulence pee . Putting his successful vocation as a high - power lawyer at risk , Bilott decide to take on his former customer and bring them to justice for their harmful putrescence .
We sat down with player Tim Robbins and director Todd Haynes to talk about their unexampled film , Dark Waters , a true story about collective offense campaign amuck .
ThoughDark Watersis based on a true storyand is important in its take and assumption , it ’s also one of the director ’s least interesting in terms of carrying out . Perhaps it ’s because the legal dramatic event is a bit too by the Bible , though it ’s power by a rattling mould . Still , Haynes is able to search complexity within the narrative , especially as it disclose corporate greed and its effects on the great unwashed and their communities . In the destruction , it is a solid effectual thriller that feels like it could have been made by someone else rather than feeling like a Todd Haynes moving-picture show .
6Safe (1995)
A Psychological Drama About A Woman’s Mysterious Illness
cliff-hanging and dismal , Julianne Moore gives an particular performance inSafeas a paranoid woman who is affected by her milieu . A epistaxis , difficultness respiration , and other symptom begin to affect her daily life , but no one really seems to care . However , she is determined to get out her ailment , setting a new path for herself and leaving her former life behind .
Safeis Moore ’s first collaboration with Haynes , and the film speaks to the isolation from society when illness come about , and the essence that comes with it . Safeis simultaneously terrorise and unsettling , andHaynes once again grapples with apt themes that remain relevant . The film is n’t interested in cave in verbatim answers , but that makes the journeying Moore ’s character takes all the more fascinating and thought process - provoking .
5I’m Not There (2007)
A Star-Studded Bob Dylan Biopic
Todd Haynes has long been fascinated with musicians , and his films have revolve around them in a few instances , let in inI’m Not There . The biopic follow several version of Bob Dylan , each played by different actors — include Christian Bale , Heath Ledger , Ben Whishaw , and Cate Blanchett in an Oscar - winning character . Each version of Dylan explores the iconic player at a different level in his career or from a different position as seen by the public .
While the film itself is a biopic , its experimental nature does n’t keep an eye on a traditional format . It is especially interesting to determine followingA Complete Unknownexploring Bob Dylanin a much more conventional manner . Dylan ’s life is shown through a distinctive electron lens , even though the substantial - life-time singer only appear in concert footage , which turnsI’m Not Thereinto one of Haynes ’ more unparalleled outings as a filmmaker .
4The Velvet Underground (2021)
A Documentary Featuring The Influential Rock Band
Todd Haynes continue his geographic expedition of musician withThe Velvet Underground , whichfollows the surviving members of the 1960s John Rock banding . The Velvet Underground was n’t needs democratic when they first came on the conniption , but the docudrama highlight their encroachment on the musical style , as well as how they got together and what lead to their faulting - up . With a mix of archival footage and novel interviews , it is an in - depth exploration of the circle .
The Velvet Undergroundhas a 98 % rating onRotten Tomatoes .
The Velvet Undergroundmakes audiences truly feel something while watch , andHaynes employs visuals and sound to bring everything together . Given Hayes ' exploration of rock stars , both real and fictional , in his other narrative moving picture , it is fascinating to see him research the matter in infotainment form . The plastic film leaves no doubt as to the rock band ’s influence as it amply embed viewers into their world and story .
3Far From Heaven (2002)
A Period Drama Set In 1950s Suburbs
A inside suburban family whose life are filled with daily family etiquette , societal result at the club and a worldwide desire to keep a specific friendship . The family is turned upside down when the hubby and wife are faced with choices that not only create gossip for the entire biotic community , but also change their aliveness forever , involving racial and gender debates .
Far from Heavenis certainly one of Todd Haynes ’ more memorable and engaging pic . It touches upon broad and crucial themes , while also being a personal story . Set in the fifties , Far from Heavenfollows Cathy Whittaker ( Moore ) , a woman who ’s trying her best to be everything high society demands of her — a good wife and mother , specially . But her life changes when she disclose her married man ( Dennis Quaid ) is gay , and she strikes up a friendly relationship with the boy of her old gardener ( Dennis Haysbert ) .
He brings the period to living in an engrossing room , making it finger like a lived - in reality rather than an imagined tone back in time .
The movie take on changeover therapy , racism , and ostracization . Haynes brings everything together by exploring the story through the look and finger of a 1950s melodrama . He brings the period to life in an engrossing way , making it feel like a populate - in realityrather than an imagined look back in time . Moore give a knock-down and heartbreaking performance that result to her being nominated for an Oscar . The motion-picture show also earned Hayes his only Oscar nomination to date for the moving picture ’s screenplay .
2May December (2023)
An Actress Examines The Marriage Of A Scandalous Couple
generally base on the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau , May Decemberisan unsettling interrogation of power , victimization , and sexual politics . Julianne Moore star as a woman who became an infamous tabloid feature after she had an thing with an nonaged boy . Decades later , Moore and Charles Melton play the twosome who have build up a life history together after the scandal only for it to be brought back up when a renowned actress ( Natalie Portman ) comes to research Moore for an coming movie based on the affair .
Haynes equilibrize the glowering elements with some mood without moving away from the discomfort that is so deep imbed in the narrative . The film boasts a stellar cast withMelton ultimately steal the showin a nuanced and emotionally effectual performance . Not only doesMay Decembertackle the disconcerting base well , but it also let audiences sit in the flavor they conjure up . It might not come to any specific conclusions , butits exploration of the situation is top - notch .
1Carol (2015)
A Forbidden Love Affair Set In The 1950s
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith , Carol stars Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet , a department store worker and aspiring photographer who , after a chance encounter at work , commence a hush-hush affair with an older wealthy woman named Carol who is going through a bitter divorce . While the two women develop strong feeling for one another , outside forces continually peril to tear them apart . Cate Blanchett stars alongside Mara as Carol .
revere by many as a forward-looking chef-d’oeuvre , Carolis a ship’s boat and understated drama . base onThe Price of Saltby Patricia Highsmith , Carolfollows two woman — roleplay by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — who commence having an occasion in the fifties . It ’s a romanticist story that is nuanced and thoughtfully told . Carolis compelling and adorable , tackle themes of denial and desire in adequate measure . Haynes and screenwriter Phyllis Nagy craft a stunning moving-picture show , one that is bolstered by extraordinary plaster cast performance .
Carol follows the ups and pile of the making love affair between Carol Aird and Therese Belivet , but the 2015 movie ’s ending leaves elbow room for interpretation .
The movie holds similarity to other piece of work from Hayes , in particular Far From Heaven , but palpate like a much more in - profundity and intimate look at the subject of forbidden love , preconception , and sadness . Blanchett and Mara are specially exquisite , ground the film ’s love story and providing further dimensions to their characters .
A privileged suburban family whose lives are filled with daily family etiquette, social events at the club and a general desire to maintain a specific friendship. The family is turned upside down when the husband and wife are faced with choices that not only create gossip for the entire community, but also change their lives forever, involving racial and sexuality debates.
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, Carol stars Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet, a department store worker and aspiring photographer who, after a chance encounter at work, begins a secret affair with an older wealthy woman named Carol who is going through a bitter divorce. While the two women develop strong feelings for one another, outside forces continually threaten to tear them apart. Cate Blanchett stars alongside Mara as Carol.
