The Top Movies of 2003

By Anthony Kuzminski

The Top Ten

1. Lost In Translation

No other movie from 2003 gave me chills up and down my spine the way Sophia Coppola's tale of two lost souls in a foreign land did. I love each and every inch of this film. Bill Murray gives one of his best performances as a B-list actor in Japan to shoot a commercial. He is comical, charismatic, conflicted and reserved. There is so much he says with his eyes, always a sign of a truly great performance. He has money but not happiness. Scarlett Johansson is equally adrift and her performance ranges from contentment to seclusion to disillusionment to a smile and tears at the end. People so often obey the code of silence when in relationships, yet when these two strangers find each other in a strange land, they are able to shatter that silence through laughter, honesty and even karaoke. They open up to each other with such crystal clear honesty and tenderness, its impossible not to fall in love with these characters. They admire each other and never do they lead the other on. There is a great scene where Johansson asks Murray if married life gets any easier as time goes on and he simply says "No", but along with the downside he tells her about the highs one can get from other things in life like children. Sofia Coppola gets definitive retribution against those who vilified her for her role in “Godfather III”. While she may have been hesitant in that film, as a director and writer she is confident and willing to push the envelope through her words and in her ingenious direction. I have seen this film three times and each time, the final scene gives me goose bumps. I was talking about this dialogue free scene with someone and goose bumps appeared all up and down my arm. There is something so incredibly authentic and unique about this astonishing film. It's a film for those who feel lost and can't find their way home. Somehow, these two characters find their way through their week of bonding. There is no lust here, just pure veneration and love. Through each other, they are able to take a step back and see themselves for who they are and they see the cracks in the sidewalk they need to repair in their lives.

1. Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King

This final film based on J.R.R. Tolkien's books is epic, glorious and everything it needed to be to top off what many would argue if the finest trilogy ever constructed. The third and final installment of this epic franchise not only delivers but also exceeds expectations. Even the non-believers admit this third film is the most glorious of the three. It also has done something that no other big budget film has been able to do: master CGI. None of the special effects look like they are computer generated. You watch all three of these films in awe of their sheer beauty. However, what takes these films to another level is the incredible humanity and heart behind the story. We live and love these characters. At the end of this film you are exhausted, relieved and heartbroken that your journey with these characters has ended. Sean Astin, as Sam, gives the performance of a lifetime as he carries his friend through the depths of hell. Director Peter Jackson has made a film that will still be timeless one hundred years from now.

1. In America

The most emotionally exhausting film I saw in 2003 in which we follow a young Irish immigrant family's struggle to get through daily life as foreigners in New York City. However, overshadowing the entire story is the death of a child. Jim Sheridan made the picture perfect home movie by writing the screenplay with his two daughters. The real life sisters (Sarah and Emma Bolger) take the film to another level, as their performances are where the heart and soul of the movie lie. In a supporting role, Djimon Honsou rightfully received an Oscar nomination, which he should have received six years ago for “Amistad”. The oldest daughter narrates the film and speaks of how, before her brother died, he gave her three wishes to use in her time of need. The third wish hit me so hard that it brought tears to my eyes. The final ten minutes allow you, along with the main characters, to release all of the built up emotion you have carried with you throughout the film. Many people missed this film in theaters but will find it on home video and cable and I'll bet it becomes a modern classic.

1. Better Luck Tomorrow

Every few years there is a young filmmaker who rocks the cinema world with proclamation of “Here I am!” In the early 90's Tarantino did it with "Reservoir Dogs" and “Pulp Fiction”. In 1997 Paul Thomas Anderson did it with "Hard Eight" and "Boogie Nights". In 2003 Justin Li did it with his film, “Better Luck Tomorrow”, about Asian teens and the stereotypes they play to their advantages to form a crime ring out of their high school. Not only is the story mesmerizing but also the look of the film is stunning. I never knew a film that cost merely $250,000 could look this good. Like Anderson's voyage through the world of porn, Li takes the viewer through the hardships and trials of extraordinary young lives as they face simple challenges with great consequences. As great as the rise in power is documented, equally powerful is the fall from grace these teens exhibit. One can only imagine what Justin Li will do when he is given a budget.

1. The Station Agent

This is a wonderfully quirky film with some of the richest characters to ever appear on celluloid. The story does not matter because the characters of this film are so rich and deep that I was disappointed when the movie was over. I felt like I was leaving the party too early. It's a simple film of a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who loves trains and inherits property next to a station in a small New Jersey town. Here he reluctantly befriends hot dog stand owner Joe (Bobby Cannavale) and an emotionally distant Olivia (Patricia Clarkson). It's a simple story in which we get to see all of the characters show wearing different emotions on their sleeves. Every frame of this movie is genuine. The emotion is so real that you feel like you are sitting there right next to them while they discuss their lives. These three main characters are so distinctive that I could watch them do almost anything and it would be compelling.

1. School of Rock

Not only does Jack Black rock, but so do the kids in the best family film of the year. Every year there is one major Hollywood film that hits every note perfectly. In 2003, this was it. The story and restrained direction by Richard Linklater elevates this film above typical Hollywood schmaltz as Black pretends to be a substitute teacher after he gets kicked out of his band. Little does he realize that his new band is before his very eyes. Besides pure enjoyment, there are great lessons to be learned, such as the one Black gives to an overweight girl who feels she should not be a singer because of her weight. She has been chosen as one of the back up singers, but she feels she is unqualified because of her weight. Black goes on to tell her that Aretha Franklin is not thin, but she's beautiful and powerful with her voice. The sincerity of his explanation is extraordinary and proves this film has meat at its core. This is simply a magnificent comedic film where I smiled from beginning to end. That is the single greatest compliment I can give a movie.

1. Whale Rider

This import from New Zealand is the second best family film of the year. Like "School of Rock" the film relies on young actors. Not only does lead actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (Pai) startle you, but she is also completely deserving of her best actress nomination at the Oscars. The entire film sinks or swims on her performance. The film is based upon the tradition of the Maori culture and the belief that the first grandson of each generation will be its leader. When Pai's twin brother dies at birth, she becomes the apparent heir, even though her grandfather refuses to acknowledge her destiny. I remember seeing it last summer and telling everyone that this was not a film they should see but one they needed to see. Despite its ridiculous PG-13 rating, this one is for all ages, a wonderful coming of age story about how tradition can thrive with open minds.

1. Kill Bill

An homage to martial art films, oodles of blood, Uma and that razor-sharp Tarantino dialogue proves that six years between movies was worth the wait. No one could pull off a film like this except Tarantino. Only someone who can merge his countless influences into a blender and make it his own could make a film like this work. This may have ranked higher if it was released in its full 3-hour version and not two parts.

1. The Swimming Pool

The next time you consider getting some weak Hollywood murder mystery at your local video store, put it down and rent this. An exhilarating thriller that slowly builds up to two unexpected twists. The film showcases top-notch performances by Charlotte Rampling (playing a reticent writer) and Ludivine Sagnier (as the sexpot whom Rampling has a love-hate relationship). The build-up of the final act is pure Hitchcock. Even after the film ended, I found myself pondering it and being continually surprised.

1. Documentaries (4 way tie)-Capturing The Friedman's, Spellbound, Fog of War, Stevie

I'm not sure if these films are starting to get a higher profile because of reality TV or if the bar is being raised. Either way, the four films below are better than anything you will see on reality TV at any given point. This was an extraordinary year for documentaries and each of these is so unique and genuine that they will share the #10 spot on my list:

a) Capturing the Friedmans – Have you ever been driving on an expressway only to slow down to watch the wreckage from an accident? This is what watching this movie is like. I remember the first time I saw it. I left the theater disturbed. I felt filthy. The second time I saw it (on a beautifully constructed DVD) I came to the realization that this may be one of the paramount documentaries of all time. What makes it so unbelievable is how it came to be. Andrew Jarecki was simply set to make a film about child entertainers. One of them, David Friedman, had a brother and father convicted of child molestation in the late 1980's. Even more mesmerizing was the family's decision to videotape their lives after the events of the accusations. I sat there in the theater thinking “What normal family would do this? Who would video tape their entire lives, the good and bad parts and then keep the tapes?” Forget reality television, this is the real thing. By interviewing people who worked on the case and showing these old home movies, Jarecki simply puts the audience in awe. Even if you feel uncomfortable watching this film, it is one of the most astonishing documentaries you will ever lay eyes on.

b) The Fog of War – Erroll Morris may be the greatest living documentary filmmaker alive today. Most people give all they have to give on one great documentary never reaching those heights again. Morris proves he can handle any subject and make it into a spellbinding documentary. Former Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara, who served under JFK and LBJ, gives several history lessons, eleven of them to be exact, about how countries find themselves at war and what they should do in the future to stop themselves from going to war. The film also has archival phone conversations between McNamara and the presidents debating the war. These conversations are gripping and spine chilling because of the events that followed (most specifically the Vietnam War). In the time we are living, this is an eerie piece of art that one could only wish political leaders would watch.

c) Spellbound - This film engages you so much I found myself and everyone else in the theater sitting up in their seats as these children spell off against each other. It's tense, emotional and a fascinating portrait of the sacrifices that children and the families make so their children can be the best they can be.

d) Stevie - A haunting and unsettling film from the creators of "Hoop Dreams". Unlike the optimism of the two teens covered in "Hoop Dreams", "Stevie" is a distressing portrait of a human who went off course many years ago and now finds himself in deep trouble. The director was a "Big Brother" to this person back when he was a teen. He goes back ten years later to find him and see what became of him. Sadly, the results are worse than one can imagine.

Grand Jury Prize (Runners up)

1. Elephant

Gus Van Zant's understated film re-enacting much of the Columbine shootings. It is a simple yet effective story. It's short and told from multiple points of view. To some the film may seem senseless and full of violence, yet it showcases an issue in American culture we would rather not recognize. The film's title "Elephant" is a metaphor for size of the problems America has with gun control, but is unwilling to face or take on.

1. 21 Grams

"Amores Perros" from 2002 was a well-intentioned and meaningful film that only delivered on 2/3rds of the story. In this film, they deliver. “21 Grams” is the most non-linear storytelling of the year as three characters' lives come into contact with one another through chance and heartbreaking circumstances. Sean Penn, Benecio Del Torro and Naomi Watts are electrifying in this dark tale of three lost souls. The first time I saw this film, I was unaware that it would be non-linear to the extent that it was. However, twenty minutes into the movie, I understood why it was constructed this way. These three actors demonstrate vast range in each of their performances as their characters reach extreme highs and tremendous lows. This is the performance Sean Penn should have received an Oscar nomination for.

1. Master & Commander

This is a rare, action-adventure film that balances action and relationships with equal screen time. It's part epic and part Saturday matinee. A glorious and sweeping classic deserving of all the praise it has received. Aside from jaw dropping fights on the ships, the relationship between the Commander and the ship's scientist/doctor was one of the year's great relationships on celluloid.

1. Seabiscuit

Without a doubt, “Seabiscuit” was Hollywood's feel good movie of the year. Gary Ross pushed himself to the brink bringing this story to the screen with perfectly pitched performances by Chris Cooper, Tobey Maguire and the vastly underrated Jeff Bridges. All of these men had terminal wounds they never thought would heal. However, the war torn horse, Seabiscuit, gave them something more to believe in.

1. Together

Every year there is one film that is so simple, yet moves me so deeply that it stays with me. I saw this film in June and as I have been compiling my list, I have always remembered this underrated and incredibly heartbreaking and poignant film from the director of "Farewell, My Concubine". It's an unpretentious story of a father who makes extreme sacrifices for his son, a world-class violin player, by moving to Beijing so they can find the finest teachers for the child's talent. The back-story is not revealed until the end of the movie, but it's worth the wait as it proves this is more than just your ordinary “father knows best” film. Watching this film you witness first hand the sacrifices people make for those they love.

Semi-Documentaries

In a year where documentaries shined like they never have before, we also had a number of films done in a documentary-like manner. Here are the best of the best.

American Splendor

In one of the wittiest and most ingenious films ever made, Paul Giamatti gives the performance of a lifetime as cult comic artist Harvey Pekar. In fact, I feel Giamatti looks and sounds more like Pekar than Harvey Pekar does. The film blends animation and interview footage with the real life people these stories are based on. Tom Petty once said, "Even the losers get lucky", and he couldn't be more right. No other film had as much originality as this one did in 2003.

A Mighty Wind

God bless the creators of this film. No other comedy troupe, which has given us “Best In Show” and “Waiting For Guffman”, makes such consistently hilarious movies. However, this time out, they made things a little more challenging for themselves by having to actually write folk songs, as the basis for the film is a grand folk concert for television. The end result is a film that is extremely witty and amusing but also has great affection for folk music. Instead of going a South Park route with the musical material, they put in great time and energy to compose songs worthy of the folk era from the sixties. They have more devotion for this music than antipathy and it shows in the writing.

Monster

This is a perfectly constructed film about a very tough subject, hence why everyone is talking about Charlize Theron's performance and not the film. It's an arduous film to watch and for that reason alone, many people left it off their year-end lists. However, Theron, who is a natural beauty in real life, came from out of nowhere in the performance of the year. Sure, the make up people did a great job, but never once do you think you are watching her in this film, she embodies this character so much that when you see real life footage of the actual Aileen, it is not only scary but haunting. This film will forever be remembered for Charlize Theron's blistering and haunting performance in which she does the impossible feat of actually getting under the skin Aileen Wuornos.

Thirteen

As a brutally honest portrayal of thirteen-year-old girls and the challenges posed to them to fit in, this story is heightened by the fact that so many people know someone who is near this age or at it. I recently read an article where it said raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree. Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter give their all in their performances. This is a film that very easily could have turned bad if it were not for the top-notch performances. While they may not reach the levels of Theron's performance in “Monster”, they come close.

Seven Reasons Not To Bash Hollywood

Every year people have a good time beating up Hollywood for making movies that have no redeeming value. Sometimes this is true; however, just because Hollywood is churning out more films than ever before, I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Plus, there are times when they spend their money wisely.

Big Fish

Only a visionary like Tim Burton could have brought this wondrous tale of a Father and Son trying to patch up their difference to the screen. The film is so rich with stories and characters that I wish it had been longer.

Elf

This is the best Christmas movie to be released since "A Christmas Story". It's effortless but incredibly joyful and unbelievably funny. Jon Faverau's sturdy direction and Will Ferrell's performance will be watched for years to come.

Old School

There is nothing astonishing about "Old School", but the casting and comic timing in the performances of Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson are just right. During my second viewing of the film, on DVD, I found myself persistently laughing. When a movie makes you laugh the second time around, it's always a sign of a first-rate comedy.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Johnny Depp won a SAG award for great reason; this was one of the most rewarding action films ever made. It's a perfect B movie on every scale, but Depp's performance puts it over the edge and into a league of its own. People will be studying this film for years just for Depp's performance. Whoever thought that a first rate action movie could be made from a theme park ride?

The Rundown

The year's best action film that no one saw was funny, entertaining, witty, perfectly cast and given one of the worse release dates possible. The Rock is surprisingly good as a bounty hunter paying off a debt. Sean William Scott is also quite witty as a character other than Stifler. Plus when you add Christopher Walken to the mix, you have one of the most entertaining popcorn films I have ever seen in recent memory. Why this film was regulated to a mediocre fall slot when it should have been released during the summer, I will never understand.

Stuck On You

The Farrelly brothers are the best working comedy directors out there today. Conjoined brothers (Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear) do everything together including going to Hollywood to break into the big time. The Farrelly brothers have a sweet touch to many of their films, which elevate them above the other “toilet humor” films they inspired. Plus, there is a scene involving a Teddy Bear that had me laughing so hard tears rolled down my face. Nobody else pushes the envelope with comedies like the Farrelly brothers. They are hilarious, yet they have a silver lining of sweetness in each of their films, which is too often left out of most “gross-out” comedies. They are head and shoulders above every other comedy writer and director currently working.

X-Men 2

"X-Men 2" is the rare sequel that surpasses the original in almost every aspect. The original "X-Men" looked like it was going to be a disaster from the lousy trailers to the recasting of an integral character (Wolverine) to a studio that would not fork over enough money to make the film more than one hundred minutes. However, director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") somehow made it work. With the second one, the cast was all back and the studio gave Singer whatever he wanted. What you have is a fully realized action masterpiece that left us all hoping for "X3".

Chuck Jones Award (Best Animated Feature)

Finding Nemo

The beauty of the Pixar films is how dialogue driven these films are. Just as much time is put into the script as is the special effects and animation. They continually thrive in making films for people of all ages. Pixar is continually raising the bar with each animated feature and they are meeting it or surpassing it each time out.

The Triplettes Of Belleville

I planned on giving the animation award to only “Finding Nemo”; however, I was shocked at how much I loved this movie. It's about a grandmother and her grandson, who is competing in the Tour de France. When he is mysteriously kidnapped she teams up with the three Triplettes of Belleville, a female jazz group. There is a cross Atlantic journey, the mob, great songs and virtually no dialogue. There are less than a handful of sentences uttered the entire film. Not only that, but the animation style of the film is totally unique. I'm not saying it's better than “Finding Nemo”, but it's equally as enjoyable and adventurous.

Under appreciated

The Hulk

Ang Lee's character driven film is far better than anyone gave it credit for. I truly was expecting the worse when I saw it, but what I witnessed was a film that went into the character's inner demons, in great depth. For some, there was not enough action, but Lee paced this film perfectly showcasing the action sequences right along with the personal drama at the core. While I did have issues with some of the CGI in the film, one can only hope that future installments of Spiderman, Batman and Superman delves as deeply into the psyche as deeply as “The Hulk” did.

Independent Dark horses

28 Days Later

Danny Boyle brings back the zombie movie genre. Boyle ("Trainspotting") rediscovered himself in one of the years most ingenious and flat-out scary films. It takes the simple premise of a virus gone wrong and shows the challenging effects it has on London. One of the best horror films in years, this will one day become a legendary midnight movie.

All The Real Girls

David Gorden Green's (“George Washington”) beautifully subtle film showcases the challenges of true love, sacrifice and maturity in small town America. Many films are about innocence, but this film seems to push the envelope in that department. It takes place in a small town where Noel, played by Zooey Deschanel, befriends her older brothers best friend and sometimes player, Paul (Paul Schneider). The question arises; does Paul really care about her or is he just playing her? However, there is something so incredibly honest and truthful about this film that it stands above the other inadequate teen comedies about the same subject. Also surprisingly effective is Patricia Clarkson (again), who plays a clown for children's parties. This is a film that houses numerous layers, which are deeper and richer with each viewing.

Bend It Like Beckham

There is nothing revolutionary about this film other than it does everything right. Sure it's predictable, an Indian girl disobeys her strict family's wishes to play soccer. She falls for her soccer coach, who her best friend (Keira Knightley) is in love with. I think it's safe to say that everyone knows how it ends, but the trip getting there is completely enjoyable. When you see a film like this, you realize how easy it can be to make a really good film.

The Cooler

This simple film produced three unanticipated performances worthy of Oscar nomination, although only one of them snagged one. William H. Macy is a loser so down on his luck that a Casino boss hires him to simply bring bad luck to people. Baldwin is the old school casino boss looking for a way to keep his best “cooler” with him and that brings in Maria Bello. Bello falls for Macy and therein lies the heart of the story. You empathize with Macy and his actions so much that you hope for him to win. One thing I noticed in this film is how good Macy is in every role he does that we often do not recognize him because we never see him give a performance that is anything but impressive.

Girl With The Pearl Earring

Scarlett Johansson plays a maid to a painter (Colin Firth) and his family. Tension arises when the maid inspires the painter. What is surprising is that she has a great eye and can talk about art with him. This film surprised me by how involving and interesting it turned out to be. The painting is a famous one and the story behind the art turns out to be a fascinating journey highlighted by Johansson's second Oscar-worthy performance of the year.

Man on the Train

Ninety minutes with glorious dialogue and never once did I realize I was reading subtitles in this subtle dialogue driven French film from Patrice Leconte. Two men cross paths, one a schoolteacher and another a criminal. Each other long for what the other has. One has adventure but wants the quiet life. The other has a quiet life but yearns for adventure. However, in the end, their chance meeting ends poetically with them together in the same situation.

Pieces of April

Shot on digital video, the film showcases a family falling apart at the seams as wild child, April (Katie Holmes), makes Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family. Patricia Clarkson gives a spot on performance as a cancer patient who knows this may her last Thanksgiving, but makes sure she adds a bit of comedic relief to what could have been an otherwise unbearable subject. What I respect about this film is how it shows that sometimes the past does not matter; what matters is the here and now. It is important to let the past be just that and move forward.

Raising Victor Vargas

Peter Sollett tells a beautiful story of a sixteen-year-old boy who sheds his tough guy image to impress a girl. The film takes place in a Dominican neighborhood of Lower East Side Manhattan. The look and feel of the film reminds me of Spike Lee's “Do The Right Thing”. The extreme heat from the summer sun drips from the screen as you watch it. However, instead of racial tension, family tension runs this film. The beauty of the film is that it was cast with non-actors and most of it was improvised, so you truly believe the dialogue and the issues and tensions raised during the wonderful family drama.

Russian Ark

Shot in the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, the film recreates numerous historical events in Russian and European history. What's the big deal you ask? Well, the entire movie has no edits. It was one seamlessly flowing shot that lasts 96 minutes. Nothing better sums up this film other than the tagline used on posters to promote the film; “2000 Actors, 300 years of Russian History, 33 Rooms at the Hermitage Museum, 3 Live Orchestras, 1 Single Continuous Shot.” I'll admit that this may be a tad arduous for some people, but this film must be seen to truly appreciate the unimaginable challenges they faced to make this film a reality.

Over hyped

Cold Mountain

While this film is unbelievably gorgeous and dazzling to watch, it's simply not one of the five or ten best films of the year. There is nothing really wrong with it, other than there are about thirty better films made this past year, Anthony Minghella helms a harrowing tale of the Civil War unknown to most Americans. Within the small towns devoid of men, internal wars were tearing them apart. Performances by all of the leads (Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger) are strong and sufficient; I just felt more moved by every other film on this list.

Mystic River

“Mystic River” was the one of the few universally praised films of 2003 by critic's circles. The film is full of commanding performances and near flawless direction, yet it's missing some key plots points. I know I am in the minority, but is it me or does this plot have more holes than a screen door? It's a beautifully realized film that I would recommend to people, however, in the end I felt there were too many contradictions in the story to overlook. I admire this film but just don't feel it was one of the five best of the year. Laura Linney's one standout scene comes from out of nowhere, Tim Robbins character is ready to crumble if someone so much as sneezes in his direction but when he's interrogated by two cops, he spins them on their heads. It's a good film, just not a great one.