The factors that need to fall into place to create an excellent film year can never be predicted. Sometimes, even after the fact, it might be impossible to individually pinpoint what leads to a standout year at the cinemas. However, what is beyond reproach is the body of work that ineffable alchemy creates. 1999 is one such year when everything seemed to fall into place exactly right.
Placed in isolation, 1999 is an interesting film year. It sits at the end of a great decade of independent, mid-sized and blockbuster filmmaking and comes right before Hollywood will forever be changed with the start of theSpider-Man,Harry Potter,X-MenandThe Lord of the Ringsfranchises. The year featured many films that would redefine the industry. It saw the posthumous release ofStanley Kubrick’s final film, introduced the world to British trioGuy Ritchie, Jason Statham and Vinnie JonesviaLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, ushered inSofia Coppola’s directorial debut and saw the return ofStar Warsto the big screen. While commiserations are owed toDavid Fincher’sFight Club,Alexander Payne’sElectionand many more great films,these are the films from an electric 12 months that remain perfect 25 years later.
10’Being John Malkovich'
Directed by Spike Jonze
Perhaps the most out-there film of 1999,Being John Malkovichintroduced audiences to the surreal minds ofSpike JonzeandCharlie Kaufman. In the film,John Cusackplays puppeteer Craig Schwartz, who, while working as a clerk, finds a portal that leads him into the mind of Academy Award nomineeJohn Malkovich. When inside, Schwartz can control Makovich’s mind and body. Besides Cusack and Malkovich, the film also featuresCameron DiazandCatherine Keener.
An absurdly surreal and hilarious film,Being John Malkovichreceived near-unanimous critical praise.The inventiveness of the premise and executionwas consistently highlighted, as was Charlie Kaufman’s script and his ability to perfectly balance many weighty ideas. Catherine Keener received an Academy Award nomination for her performance and Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman were nominated for the film’s directing and screenplay, respectively.
Being John Malkovich
9’Eyes Wide Shut'
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick’s final film,Eyes Wide Shut,was one of twoTom Cruisedramatic roles this year. The film starred the at-the-time real-life couple Tom Cruise andNicole Kidman,alongsideSydney Pollack,Todd FieldandMarie Richardson. In the erotic thriller, Tom Cruise plays a successful doctor whose beliefs are shaken when his wife (Kidman) reveals that she considered having an affair and leaving him and their daughter a year earlier. Cruise’s Bill Harford then spends a night exploring a masked orgy at an unnamed secret society.
Eyes Wide Shuttackles several transgressive topics head-on, most especially those related to sex. The film analyzes the primal desires of both genders and earnestly examines sexual depravity and amorality. Despite being something of a box office success,Eyes Wide Shutdeveloped a reputationfor being confrontational and even inaccessible, making it fodder for a very particular type of viewer.
Eyes Wide Shut
8’Magnolia'
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson’s third film,Magnolia, is an epic ensemble film about the lives of several San Fernando Valley inhabitants. The large ensemble cast includes Tom Cruise,Philip Seymour Hoffman,John C. Reilly,Julianne Moore,Philip Baker Hall,William H. Macy,and more. Anderson began writing the script to give a more grand treatment to ideas and characters that are not usually afforded that luxury. The writing process then evolved into him writing certain characters and scenes for specific actors.
The film received widespread praise, mostly for Anderson’s script and the strength of its characters. Out of the excellent ensemble, Tom Cruise was singled out for the most praise, and he received his third and, so far, last Academy Award nomination. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson’s script for the film was also Academy Award-nominated. Almost three decades later, the praise still rings true, andMagnoliais as essential as when it debuted.
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7’Notting Hill'
Directed by Roger Michell
With the release ofPretty Womanat the start of the decade,Julia Robertsstaked her claimas the next great rom-com movie star. To cap off a decade that produced many more excellent romantic comedies, she combined her unending charm with that ofHugh Grant— who had recently announced his arrival withFour Weddings and a Funeral— to produce the box office hitNotting Hill.
The film portrays the unlikely romance between an American movie star (Roberts) and a British bookseller (Grant).Notting Hillwas an immediate critical success upon arrival andremains a crucial Gen X rom-com. However, in the years since, its reputation has continued to grow, and it is now regarded asone of the best in the genre. A charming and endearing film, Roberts and Grant’s performances rubber-stamped their already confirmed rom-com reputations.
Notting Hill
6’The Blair Witch Project'
Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez
Made on an initial budget of $60,000,The Blair Witch Projectwas a critical hit and became one of the most successful films ever made with itsnearly $250 millionbox office return. The film uses found footage to tell the story of three film students on a hike to shoot a documentary about the Blair Witch, a local myth.The Blair Witch Projectbecame a standout horrorfilm of the decade and has influenced many films in the genre.
Largely improvised, it blurred the lines between real and fake for most audiences. To aid the film’s found footage technique, the marketing leaned into the plot’s sense of authenticity by creating newspaper articles and news segments about the “missing” students. Thanks to its excellent marketing and positive word-of-mouth,The Blair Witch Projectbecamea sleeper hit and a seminal entry in modern horror. It introduced the found-footage subgenre and revolutionized movie marketing, becominga true before-and-after in modern entertainment.
The Blair Witch Project
5’The Insider'
Directed by Michael Mann
Following their collaboration on 1995’sHeat, which was inspired by real-life events,Michael MannandAl Pacinoreunited for a more factual drama in 1999’sThe Insider. The film was based on a 1996Vanity Fairarticle and adapted by Mann andEric Roth.Russell CroweandChristopher Plummerjoined Al Pacino for the film.
The Insider centers on a60 Minutessegment about tobacco whistleblowerJeffrey Wigand. The film depicts the struggles he andLowell Bergman, a CBS producer, encountered as they defended his testimony against allegations from both Wigand’s former employer and CBS. A lot of praise was afforded toMann for his entertaining direction of the material. The script was furtherpraised for its ability to entertain and provoke anger.The Insiderreceived seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Insider
4’The Matrix'
Directed by The Wachowskis
Every so often, there comes a film that completely redefines the capabilities and limits of its genre. In 1999,The Wachowskis’The Matrixwas just that. The film is a science-fiction, martial arts action tale that depicts a dystopian future where humanity is trapped in a simulated reality called The Matrix. Already an action star on the rise thanks to roles inPoint BreakandSpeed,The MatrixcertifiedKeanu Reevesas an action movie star and box office draw. Joining him in the film’s cast wereLaurence Fishburne,Carrie-Anne Moss,Hugo WeavingandJoe Pantoliano.
The Matrixspawned a multimedia franchise of sequels, comic books, animated entries and video games. It examines the subjugation of humans by the machines controlling the simulation and the resistance fighting against the machines.The Matrix’s stunt work, aesthetic and special effects have been repeatedly praised andhave influenced a generation of films since its release.
The Matrix
3’The Sixth Sense'
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
“I see dead people.“M. Night Shyamalan’s third feature film is also his most often quoted. StarringBruce Willis,Haley Joel Osment. andToni Collette,The Sixth Sensefollows a child psychologist played by Bruce Willis, whose patient (Haley Joel Osment) claims to be able to see and communicate with dead people. The psychological thriller was widely praised for its performances and Shyamalan’s screenplay and direction.
In addition to a Best Picture nomination,The Sixth Sensereceived individual Academy Award nominations for Collette and Osment. The film, which was made for $40 million, was a box office hit, making over$672 millionon the way to being the second-highest-grossing film of the year. Twenty-five years later,The Sixth Sensestill reignsasone of the horror genre’s most exciting entries.
The Sixth Sense
2’The Talented Mr. Ripley'
Directed by Anthony Minghella
1999’sThe Talented Mr Ripleyis the second adaptation ofPatricia Highsmith’s first novel in herRipleyseries. The film starsMatt Damonas Tom Ripley, a low-level con artist sent to Italy by a rich shipbuilding magnate (James Rebhorn) to convince his son, Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), to return to America. When in Italy, Ripley quickly becomes seduced by the lifestyle Dickie and his girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), have grown accustomed to, leading him down dark paths.Cate BlanchettandPhilip Seymour Hoffmanround out the film’s main cast.
Despite multiple adaptations of bothThe Talented Mr Ripleyand the other novels in Highsmith’s series,Anthony Minghella’s film remains the most famousRipleyadaptation. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including for Minghella’s script and Jude Law’s supporting performance. Sun-kissed, seductive, and genuinely tense,The Talented Mr. Ripleyis among the best thrillers of the ’90s.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
1’Toy Story 2'
Directed by John Lasseter, Ash Brannon and Lee Unkrich
It is very rare for a sequel to be considered perfect, especially a sequel to a film as beloved as 1995’sToy Story. Again featuring the voice talents ofTom Hanks,Tim Allen,Don Ricklesand many more, Pixar’sToy Story 2sees the toys on a journey to save Woody from a toy collector who steals him.
Instantly acclaimed and revered as a modern animation classic,Toy Story 2grossed almost$500 millionat the box office, out-grossing its predecessor and becoming the third-highest-grossing film of the year. The film was widely praised for its ability to maintain the spirit of the original without re-treading the story. It was immediately popular, and over the years, many fans and critics have argued thatToy Story 2is equal or superior tothe franchise’s first film.
