A guest post by Elizabeth at Mystery Writing is Murder earlier this week discussed "Quiet Books," and she mentioned her daughter enjoying The Secret Garden. (I haven't read the book, but I have seen the movie - of course!)
Her post got me to thinking about quiet movies. Yes, I do enjoy big action flicks, but now and then, I like a movie with a slower pace. My definition of a 'quiet movie' is one where the characters emote well and it's more about what's going on under the surface. So, I have selected a few 'quiet movies' that I really enjoyed.
.
Nobody's Fool
This movie is well acted and contains some sharp writing. Paul Newman gives a stellar performance.
No Country For Old Men
Literally a quiet movie - almost no soundtrack at all! Tons of tension contained in just expressions and glances with minimal words.
The Illusionist
Incredible performance by Edward Norton - he steals every scene. The movie is understated and yet ripe with tension, and it's a great love story.
The Outlaw Josey Wales.
There are moments of violence, but far more scenes of quiet introspection and portrayal of real life. An honest film about the South, Indians, and the end of the Civil War.
* * *
What are some of YOUR favorite 'quiet movies?'
Gosh. Where to start! A few I can think of now are:
ReplyDeleteMoon
Shawshank Redemption
For the Love of the Game
Once Upon A Time in the West
There are more, but I've got to go to work :(
I am working on getting coffee to my brain and can only think of two:
ReplyDeleteHope Floats
Max Dugan Returns
both older movies.
PS- As well as loving sci fi movies, I love westerns. You need to do a post on western movies, cause I think you have watched every movie known to man and know about westerns too.
On Golden Pond
ReplyDeletethe Colors trilogy (Blue, Red, White)
L enjoy a good muder thriller. I loved your reviews....can see where you spend your spare time.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I'm like Teresa and still trying to get my brain to work with my coffee this morning. When I think of 'quiet' movies, I think of classic old movies with Hepburn, Grant and even a few of John Wayne's westerns.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
must admit I didn't like any of these you've stated, but some of my favourite "quiet movies" would probably be CRASH, THE EVENING, THE FALL, LITTLE CHILDREN, THE READER, movies in which the story is slow, and the thing that shocks you aren't special effects or action scenes, but the deep dramatic catharses which creeps into you quietly while you're watching those films and leaves a profound impact on the viewers.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. I actually watched The Illusionist last night. It's a great mystery/love story with engaging characters.
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'The Quiet Man,' of course!
ReplyDelete'Sense and Sensibility,' starring Emma Thompson. (Although I think Hugh Grant is a wimpy twit, he is perfect for the role of Edward.)
'Persuasian,' starring Ciaran Hinds.
'Murphy's Law' starring Sally Field and James Garner.
Two that I haven't seen in a very, very long time but I remember them making a big impression on me were "The Trip to Bountiful" and "The Whales of August."
Alex, you must read the book "The Secret Garden." It is an absolute jewel. Then read "A Little Princess" which is very different from the movie version and was my absolutely favorite childhood book. I read it over and over and over. And it has nothing to do with real princesses, so don't be put off by that.
ReplyDeleteQuiet films???
ReplyDeleteThe Savages
A Man for All Seasons
All About Eve
Far from Heaven
All that Heaven Allows
The Magnificent Ambersons
A Letter to three wives
Erm.. does the Hurt Locker count?
Thank you - you've made me scour my dim memory for some of my favourite films! Mostly oldies and pre 3D! LOL!
Take care
x
I love The Illusionist (I should, I'm practically obsessed with Norton) and I really enjoyed No Country. Another one that jumps to mind is another Norton: The Painted Veil. Quietly strikes.
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Writers Jailed today on SouthernCityMysteries
I like quiet movies. Clint Eastwood had quite a few. I like The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Conan the Barbarian was one.
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Of course for me it's all the Jane Austen classics, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Emma. I also love anything with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
ReplyDeleteGood topic. Alex. One of my favorite quiet films is Drugstore Cowboy and a couple others have already been mentioned but love them all the same: Moon and Shawshank.
ReplyDeleteOH! OH! Alex! My hand is up! Pick Me! Pick Me!
ReplyDelete"Trip to Bountiful"
Love that movie and yes, I'll be quiet now.
I have only seen The Outlaw Josie Wales...so thanks for the other recommendations. I'm more of a "quiet movie" officionado than anything else.
ReplyDeleteHum I never really thought about it in this way. I'm not sure how to define 'quiet" movies since I definitely would not have put The Outlaw Josey Wales in there. I guess I think of quiet movies as those that express subtler emotions than anger and vengeance. I wouldn't have thought of "no country for old men" as a quiet movie. I guess I would consider "On Golden Pond" one such movie. Probably "the Bicentennial man."
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I'm thinking of Eyes Wide Shut, and David Lynch. Good post though Alex, thanks for making me think!
ReplyDeleteOoh I like your selection of quiet movies! Like Mason, I tend to favor the old film noir flicks...
ReplyDeleteI too loved the old Clint Eastwood movies, brings back memories of the "Drive-In." Quite movies, Hum?
ReplyDeleteSherlock Holmes with Basil Rathbone
Charlie Chan
Katherina Hepburn, movies
That was fun. :D
Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
The Illusionist is one of my favorite movies.
ReplyDeleteJournaling Woman, I should! Yes, I've seen a lot of westerns.
ReplyDeleteDezz, and those are some of the best kind of movie.
Christine, a John Wayne movie of course!
Kitty, I'd think the Hurt Locker would count.
Charles, while both of those I listed have moments of action and violence, the emphasis is on the moments of character interaction.
Glad to see so many enjoyed The Illusionist! I can watch that film anytime.
This is nice Alex. It's true. A "quiet" movie is such a treat once in a while. I've had Moon, but haven't watched it. I think I will.
ReplyDeleteoooh i LOVE the illusionist
ReplyDeleteShawshank Redemption and...can't think of the name of the Sandra Bullock one about the football player. Yeah, I know, plenty of people didn't like it, but I did.
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The Blind Side, Helen? Yeah, I liked that one, too.
ReplyDeleteShawshank
ReplyDeleteSilent Running
Sabrina (Audry Hepburn)
I like your picks.
ReplyDeleteTwo that immediately came to my mind:
Death In Venice --Based on the book by Thomas Mann, this has a gorgeous soundtrack with the music of Mahler, but is a quiet and introspective movie that has beautiful cinematography.
Roman Polanski's Repulsion -- This film has no soundtrack and is nervewracking quiet as it documents a woman's mental breakdown as she withdraws alone in her apartment.
Then there were some great silent films. Without music soundtracks added they are really quiet.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I love Nobody's Fool! It's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteBabette's Feast is pretty "quiet" an it's probably one of my absolute favorites.
I agree 100% with your list...I really liked the Illusionist. One of my favorites is Broken Flowers with Bill Murray.
ReplyDeleteMe, I like quiet movies, not the violent, noisy ones which hurt my eardrum...:)
ReplyDeleteI must try to watch the ones you posted here...:)
Thanks for sharing Alex!
Dead Poets
ReplyDeleteAmazing Grace
((are those quiet enough?))
I love Chocolat and Girl, Interrupted. Neither fit into my usual sci/fi, action, fantasy favourites but I love these movies. The characters and performances are just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI think my "quiet movies" are quieter than yours ;)
ReplyDeleteFrom the top of my head I'm going to list
Amélie,
Billy Elliot (though I suppose with all the dancing energy it might not be as quiet after all),
Pride & Prejudice.
This was actually a lot harder than I expected! What makes a movie "quiet" anyway?
I always liked A Perfect World with Clint Eastwood & Kevin Costner. It's weorth the rental to see CE in all his gritty, brooding cool, say "I like Tater Tots."
ReplyDeleteGlad to see I got everyone thinking with this post!
ReplyDeleteI need to see The Outlaw Josey Wales. Edward Norton is great in whatever he does.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to make an actor dirty dozen?
Anything with an Oscar for best costume, probably!
ReplyDeleteAnd, for some reason, "All the President's Men" comes to mind. Exciting, but not actually fast paced.
I'm not sure I'd call 'No Country for Old Men' quiet?
ReplyDeleteI recently saw 'A Single Man' which is very quiet. 'The Sea Inside' and 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' are two of my favourite movies - very quiet.
You've got mail
ReplyDeleteOn Golden Pond
Tess of the D'urberville
are films/movies always makes me feel calm.
I highly recommend Second Hand Lions with Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. Brilliant storytelling!
ReplyDeletei love paul newman.. met him in ct at lime rock... and clint eastwood is one of my favorites... There are so many westerns I have never seen....
ReplyDeleteThe only one of those I had seen was The Illusionist and I thought it was weird!
ReplyDeletePowdered, I may just give credit to yours, as you selected most of the same actors I would pick.
ReplyDeleteNicole, that was a good movie too.
Hmm, well, I really like Miracle (your pic in the last post reminded me of it:) but I don't think that's a quiet movie?? Yes, I am a hockey fan...
ReplyDeleteI also like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Had to go with some chick movies too, to balance out the hockey one.
Have a great weekend,
Karen
Alex in appreciation of the help you have given me there is a little something for you on my last post.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Oh God, I hated "No Country For Old Men". One of the most overrated movies ever, IMO.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quiet films are:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Amores Perros (2000)
Talk to Her (2002)
I enjoyed your list here as I agree w/ you about all of them. Edward Norton is a fine actor & I thought he was great in The Illusionist but I really thought he was so personable in KEEPING THE FAITH.
ReplyDeleteOUTLAW JOSEY WALES is classic. Then again, I'm a huge Clint Eastwood fan whether he does quiet THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, his Sergio Leone movies, or he's cleaning the streets of riff raff as Dirty Harry. A little known work is THE HONKY TONK MAN which I recommend.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN is stellar. That's all I need to say about that.
I'm pleased to see that your other fans have included SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. I love that film.
Louis Malle's ATLANTIC CITY lives up to your definition as it only utilizes background noises in the soundtrack. Susan Sarandon & Burt Lancaster star in this 1980 flick.
The Illusionist was a fabulous movie. Some of my favourite quiet movies would have to be Pride and Prejudice, For Love or Money, Phantom of the Opera and the Count of Monte Cristo
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