18 Movies with Writer Characters featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway and More

Writers have always had a great place in the movies. Not just because they write the scripts, but scripts about writers have always been a favorite of Hollywood. I always find it interesting to check out our occupation on the big screen. The movies don’t have to focus on a writer’s career or they don’ need to take place in the world of publishing. These movies all have leading characters that write for a living, in one form or the other. The numbers don’t represent my love for the movie, they are there to make the list post.

1. The New Daughter starring Kevin Costner

John James’ (Costner) wife has left him so he moves to the country with his two kids. While his beautiful house and the somewhat remote location might be ideal for writing, it turns out it is the beginning of a nightmare.

2. The Best Man starring  Stuart Townsend and Amy Smart

This is a sweet romantic comedy where writer Olly (Stuart Townsend) meets the fiancé of his college friend and falls head over heels. It might help his conscience a little that his friend is a big jerk and Olly is a really nice guy.

3. Love Actually starring Colin Firth, Hugh Grant & Liam Neeson

This is a romantic comedy/drama written and directed by Richard Curtis. When writer Jamie (Colin Firth) catches his girlfriend cheating with his own brother, he goes to his house in the woods to write. Here, he hires a Portuguese Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) to do his housekeeping. Despite the fact that he can’t speak Portuguese and she doesn’t know a word of English, they fall in love. This movie features one of the most successful ensemble casts of all time, featuring Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Bill Nigh, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley and more.

4. The Devil and Daniel Webster starring Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Love Hewitt

When struggling and almost starving writer Jabez Stone (Alec Baldwin) loses everything and kills a human being by accident, making a deal with the devil (Jennifer Love Hewitt) seems like his only solution. The movie is also known as Shortcut to Happiness.

5. Love Happens starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston

Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) has become a bestseller with his book on loss. He has written it to cope with the death of his wife. It has also provided a great distraction with all the book tours and workshops. But he will be confronted with his own feelings eventually, especially he wants to have a shot with Eloise (Jennifer Aniston).

6. Numb starring Matthew Perry

Screenwriter Hudson (Perry) is experiencing a whole new level of depression. He was never the happiest bloke around but for a while, he is unable to feel anything. It is killing him that he is feeling so detached. He can’t feel alive or connected. The movie tells the tragicomic story of Hudson as he tries to juggle his creativity, friendships, love life and depression.

7. I could never be your woman starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd

Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is pretty, 40, a single mother and the writer of a popular teen show. Things get complicated when she falls for the cast’s newest member: The 29-year-old Adam (Paul Rudd).

8. Becoming Jane starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy:

Becoming Jane is a delightful romantic period drama that tells the semi-fictional life story of the popular author Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) and her romance with Tom Lefroy (McAvoy).

9. Adam starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne:

Teacher and children’s books’ writer Beth falls for Adam, her new cute neighbor with the Asperger’s Syndrome.

10. Dedication starring Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore:

Obsessive-compulsive Henry (Billy Crudup) writes children’s books. He is definitely not one of the easiest guys to get along with. Lucy (Moore) finds this out the hard way when she needs to work with him as an illustrator. Of course things get more complicated as Henry starts to fall for her.

11. Shelter starring Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe

 

Zach (Trevor Wright)’ s only consolation is surfing. He is trying to be both uncle/father/older brother to his 5-year-old nephew Cody as Cody’s mom/his sister is not the most responsible mother around. He has postponed his dreams and his life. His on and off relationship with Tori isn’t helping him either. However when he runs into Shaun (Brad Rowe)-older brother of his best friend- things begin to change. Shaun has become an accomplished author and he is back in the neighborhood to write. They share a connection, however the connection seems more intense then Zach can handle. He can’t be falling for a guy, can he?

12. Romancing The Stone Starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas

Bestselling romance novelist Joan Wilder (Turner) needs to get out of comfort zone when her sister is kidnapped in Columbia. She will have to go through a challenging and romantic adventure as she meets and joins forces with adventure lover Jack Colton (Douglas). Directed by the Back to the Future series’ director Robert Zemeckis.

13. Before Sunset starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

*** Spoilers about Before Sunrise, beware!!!!!!

Before Sunset is the sequel to Before Sunrise. In the first movie Ethan Hawke’s Jessie and Julie Delpy’s Celine had met on a train and decided to get off and explore Vienna together. The very next day, they had to say goodbye as she had to go back to France and he had to return to the States. They promise to see each other in 6 months. The second film starts in Paris, 9 years later. Jesse and Celine haven’t been able to meet as they arranged. Jesse has written a book about their relationship and has become very successful. Paris is the last stop of his book tour. As they walk around Paris and catch up, old feelings come to surface.

14. Blood and Chocolate starring Hugh Dancy and Agnes Bruckner:

Vivian (Bruckner) is a shape-shifter- she can turn into a wolf. Aiden (Dancy) is a graphic novels writer who is Hungary for research. When he meets Vivian, he is immediately smitten. But Vivian may not be all that willing for a romance with her secret.

15. The Holiday starring Kate Winslet

 

Journalist Iris (Kate Winslet) has been desperately in love with Jasper (Rufus Sewell) for years. However Jasper is more interested in being friends with benefits and occassionaly using her as his editor and critic. While Jasper is not a main character, he plays a big part on Iris’ actions and decisions. The movie also stars Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers.

16. Misery starring James Caan and Kathy Bates:

Based on the novel by Stephen King, Misery is about a bestselling writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) and his obsessed fan Annie (Kathy Bates).When Sheldon has an accident and rescued by Annie, he has no idea that Annie will be his biggest nightmare and there will be one hell of a hostage situation.

17. Purple Violets starring Patrick Wilson and Selma Blair

Patti (Blair) is trying to be an accomplished writer. She doesn’t have the best husband in the world and when she runs into her college boyfriend, who is now an accomplished writer, sparks start flying all around. Written and directed by Edward Burns, who is also co-starring with Debra Messing.

18. The Leading Man starring Jon Bon Jovi and Thandie Newton:

Playwright Felix Webb has a problem. He is in love with somebody else- actress Hilary (Thandie Newton) in his play. It doesn’t help matters that he is married with kids. He wants to get rid of his wife, also a playwright, Elena (Anna Galeina) as quickly as he can. He sees solution in the form of Robin Grange (Jon Bon Jovi)- a Hollywood star who will be starring in his play opposite Hilary. He wants him to seduce his wife. Being mischievous, seductive and sexy by nature, Robin agrees. After all, Elena is beautiful. But of course trusting Felix might be a mistake as he might try to seduce Hilary in the process as well. Now Felix wants to get rid of Robin, for good…