What we consider to be among our favorite films of 2019 represents a combination of the movies that had the greatest emotional impact on us, matched with movies that felt innovative or groundbreaking. Below are the films that we consider to be the best of this year.
Morgan’s Favorites
10. Ms. Purple
Justin Chon, who stunned audiences and critics alike with his sophomore film, Gook, once again brings a heartfelt story of Asian American cultural identity to the streets of Los Angeles in Ms. Purple. Visually, Ms. Purple is a dreamy concoction of Wong Kar-wai and PT Anderson, and with confident directorial choices that depict the basic human desire for belonging, this quiet yet powerful film is another solid addition to Chon’s canon.
9. I Am Easy To Find
Running just 24 minutes long, I Am Easy To Find, director Mike Mills’ latest work in conjunction with The National, is a beautiful look at aging, isolation, and humanity through a breathtakingly grounding performance from Alicia Vikander. The evolution from infant to teenager to adult to elder is a journey we all take (some longer than others), but witnessing this simple yet profound miracle on the big screen feels like an otherworldly experience.
8. The Souvenir
In Joanna Hogg’s defiant drama The Souvenir, an empathetic film student finds herself stuck in an overwhelming romantic relationship and at the mercy of her drug-addicted boyfriend’s unpredictable behavior. Starring Honor Swinton Byrne (daughter of Tilda Swinton, who plays a supporting role) and Tom Burke, this deeply emotional film combines artful direction and heartbreaking circumstances to create one unforgettable cinematic experience.
7. Waves
Waves, directed by Trey Edward Shults, is a mesmerizing portrait of a hard-lived life and the discovery that every day is a new opportunity for compassion, acceptance, and peace. Like the title suggests, Waves will put one through a range of emotions; first comes the rumblings of uncertainty, then the crash of chaos, all to be swept away and reset to calm, steady waters. This rebirth cycle is a reminder that life goes on, despite the hardships, tragedies, and tears that act as roadblocks.
6. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
The sweeping landscapes, the anthem-like monologues, and the unforgettable rendition of “San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair),” Joe Talbot’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco plays like visual poetry. A groundbreaking performance from Jimmie Fails in his first feature-length film, this heartfelt tribute to a changing city looks at the emotional disruption of gentrification, which leads one man to question the meaning of home.
5. Honey Boy
The minute the credits rolled after the first time I saw Honey Boy back in January, I knew this film would be among one of my favorites of the year. The pairing of Alma Har’el’s creative direction and Shia LaBeouf’s unfiltered vulnerability creates a work of art so moving, it’s a film that will stay with you. A complex and poignant story about a complicated father/son relationship, Honey Boy is a revelation, and hopefully not the last collaboration between LaBeouf and Har’el.
4. Uncut Gems
Returning to his more dramatic side, Adam Sandler delivers a stunning performance as Howard Ratner, a man on the edge of a mental breakdown in the Safdie Brothers’ crime thriller, Uncut Gems. For 135 minutes, we’re thrust into non-stop dazzling mania that spares no moment for viewers to catch their breath, further aided by a score from Brooklyn-based electronic producer Oneohtrix Point Never. Like Howard – a maximalist through and through – Uncut Gems is very much a reflection of his go hard or go home lifestyle.
3. 1917
Much like the young soldiers in the film, director Sam Mendes set out on a seemingly impossible mission: create a feature-length WWI film in a single take. That’s 119 minutes of real-time conflict and non-stop adrenaline, in one take. Not only is 1917‘s mere existence a success, but it’s also one of the most technically proficient, emotionally compelling, and jaw-dropping goliaths of a war film that I’ve ever seen.
2. Marriage Story
A bittersweet story about reaching the expiration date of a relationship, Marriage Story opens the floodgates to romantic emotional catharsis through its exploration of one of the most complex emotions humans experience: love (and love lost). Relationships like Charlie and Nicole’s are never black and white – never truly all bad, or all good – which is what makes the decision to leave such a monumental one and one that is sure to keep Marriage Story in the minds and hearts of all who experience it.
1. Parasite
South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated thriller has been hot on the lips of many cinephiles for most of 2019; the five-minute standing ovation after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival concurred that its hype is fully deserved. Thematically darker that Okja and more realistically unnerving than Snowpiercer, Parasite is a fantastically satirical and biting look at the economic divide, ethics vs. morals, and social commentary on privilege that, in my opinion, is the best film of the year.
Honorable Mention: Climax
Ryan’s Favorites
10. Love, Antosha
I had the amazing fortune of taking a philosophy of aesthetics class with the late Anton Yelchin a few years before his untimely passing. What I saw then is what is captured beautifully in the heartfelt documentary Love, Antosha, which I saw the premiere of at Sundance Film Festival: a bright, kind-hearted, and curious artist who inspired everyone he came into contact with.
9. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
There have been three moments when I’ve watched a film, and forgot that the directors didn’t have to follow the “rules.” The first was Do The Right Thing, the second was My Own Private Idaho, and the third was The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Written by and starring Jimmie Fails and directed by Joe Talbot, every moment feels like a beautiful swirl of artistic expression and personal storytelling.
8. A Hidden Life
It wasn’t until the end of this three and a half hour, mostly exploratory film when the final quote card came in the form of a poem by George Eliot that I felt the full weight pummel me. I don’t see a time when I’ll stop thinking about this philosophically starring film.
7. Joker
I recognize that this is going to be a controversial pick, but let me clarify that I’m not including Joker without its problematic blindspot of homegrown terrorism of the disgruntled white male variety. I’m including it because everything surrounding Joker excited me both as a lifelong Batman fan and as something to encapsulate the year with. I remember what I felt when I first learned Joaquin Phoenix was cast in the role, and remember how excited I was by the trailer (perhaps my favorite of the year). All that to say, while the film itself was inspired but also predictable, I will look back on 2019 and remember this as a memorable moment in film.
6. Honey Boy
Okay, I lied: the other moment where I remembered that directors didn’t have to follow rules was after watching the world premiere of Honey Boy at Sundance this year. What Honey Boy achieved was something different, though: the most emotionally cathartic piece of art that I saw made this year; it showed me the vulnerability that any artist can put into their art.
5. The Souvenir
As The Souvenir began, I was more or less unstirred. As it continued, I found myself growingly curious. By its end, I was left emotionally and artistically floored, ending with perhaps my favorite final shot of this year.
4. Marriage Story
I love seeing the career trajectory of an artist and seeing how their films and stories change over time. As a fan of Baumbach, I admire how Marriage Story comes from a place of such mature resolve; no longer lashing out with caustic verbal wit, the sentimentality pours through with understanding and grace. Scarlett Johansson’s performance is one of the bravest performances of the year, and Adam Driver’s work (including his rendition of Sondheim’s “Being Alive”) hits a whole other notch in the actor’s career (and should be awarded).
3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is everything that I love about the movies, yes. With its unmatchable production design, it’s such a gift of a film. And Tarantino’s latest was surprisingly sympathetic. I look forward to keeping this one around for long after this year.
2. Parasite
Parasite was one of the most electrifying film experiences I saw this year. Starting out as a brainy twisty thriller that would surely have Steven Soderbergh lying awake at night, the film only continues to impress as it reveals itself as a social-political commentary of this year.
1. The Irishman
Full disclosure, I work at Netflix. So my best of the year might be biased (but I don’t mean to consciously do so). Scorsese’s film is important for so many reasons. The final shot of The Irishman will haunt me as long as I watch movies.
Honorable Mentions: Waves
