The decade is quickly coming to a close. What began as decade defined by (the now ridiculous) Y2K quickly turned serious on September 11, 2001. The relatively carefree 90's turned into a decade which seems, to me at least, to be most defined by the paranoia of the Bush presidency (the patriot act, the invasion of Iraq) and the recent financial collapse, which is just now finding its way onto the screen. The films this decade reply to the seriousness of the decade both by reflecting it with the realism of the Dardenne brothers, mumblecore, and Kelly Reichardt among others and by deflecting it with escapist cinema like Avatar, Lord of the Rings, Superhero films, and many others. This has resulted in a greater disjoint between art-house and mainstream cinema than ever before.
As I sift through all the other top 10 lists which have already been released I'm struck by just how diverse they are. It seems as if all end of the year lists turn out the same, yet somehow it seems as if when contemplating ten years instead of one everyone suddenly finds the ability to express something much more personal. One of the main problems with the critical landscape (and one of the reasons its shrinking) is how uniform it is. Who needs to read 20 different critics in 20 different publications when they are all saying the same thing. At the bottom I'll put a few links to lists I find interesting. And without further ado, my picks for the 10 best of the decade, 2000-2009:
10. A Christmas Tale (2008)
Perhaps the most formally accomplished film of the decade, A Christmas Tale takes the ensemble mastery of Altman, Brechtian interludes, and some serious philosophy and creates something with a heart; an enduring work of art about a disfunctional family, and so much more. Perhaps not as unhinged as Desplechin's earlier films, this ends up being his most satisfying because its relatable.
9. Mutual Appreciation (2005)
The best of the 'mumblecore' films by the best of the 'mumblecorps' Andrew Bujalski. The most important film movement of the decade (it has already begun affecting distribution, the portrayal of modern romance/breakups, and perceptions of authorship in film criticism), yet no one who isn't spending too much much time alone watching movies has heard of it. Its a shame because these films, although loosely connected, can really get at the heart of modern relationships (mumblecore as a genre is still hotly contested, particularly by those who are perceived as being its central figures). This film has several moments that feel so real you can't help but connect with the characters in a way that will stick with you.
8. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
I think Andrew O'Hehir, the great critic at Salon, said it best "Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" brought "Lord of the Rings" viewers to art-house cinema, and art-house buffs to a fantasy flick." The film has the best of both worlds; a great and nuanced story as well as stunning special effects and sheer coolness. It was named metacritic's best reviewed film of the decade pretty much confirming its widespread appeal. If it had been filmed in English it would have made hundreds of millions of dollars.
7. Love Songs (2007)
The best musical of the decade is a small French film filled with all of the most charming French actors now working. The film has style to spare and catchy tunes enough to fill a pop album, but what really makes it special is just how emotionally resonant the film is. The songs get the audience inside the characters heads in a way that most contemporary musicals forget how to do. The reason good musicals work is because the music becomes the emotion for a particularly important scene. Getting inside someones head is impossible with film but there are ways to approximate real emotion and music is one of the most ingenious, this is basic but seemingly forgotten. I would be remiss to mention that in a decade of really great gay/lesbian crossover films this one really stands out, but others shouldn't be overlooked including: Brokeback Mountain, C.R.A.Z.Y., and Milk.
6. All the Real Girls (2003)
David Gordon Green has this decade created some of the most enduring portraits of rural life, a subject not often tackled. Great images of a town which seems to be fading in the wilderness around it are reinforced by the great cinematography of Tim Orr which brings even more greens and browns in. All of this creates an unusual setting for a romance but Zooey Deschanel's big eyes and Paul Schneider's subtle comedy carry the film which ends up being much more meaningful than its simple story lets on...
5. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Perhaps the film that has shown up on the most top 10s of the decade, this film is the only piece of art in which I really feel as if I am glimpsing a dream. Its a beautiful, difficult nightmare. Its enigmatic and takes multiple viewings to really understand the plot (such as it is) but the real joy of the film is the emotional resonance of each scene. Matt Zoller Seitz recently wrote an article about a group of directors (including David Lynch, the director of this film) who "through boldly expressive shots, cuts, sound cues and music... suggest that we experience movies as moments because we experience life that way, too." A more apt description of the pleasures of this film seems impossible.
4. Before Sunset (2004)
The sequel of the equally impressive Before Sunrise, this film returns to the same characters nine years after the first film ends. This film explores romance, alienation, and middle age in a such a compelling way. The film is sometimes called gimmicky for the way it plays out in real time, but that really just becomes a beautiful device for showing the compatibility of the two characters.
3. Once (2006)
This film is mainly known for the song "Falling Slowly" and its performance at the Oscars. It has so much more to offer. The film is a deeply affecting picture of people on the margins struggling to get by, finding joy in each other and in music.
2. The Best of Youth (2003)
This film might be the best novel as film ever created. The sheer competency of the storytelling means that the film is never boring (despite its long running time of 6 hours). At once a deep character study and love story to Italy itself the film makes few missteps (the sometimes bad makeup on characters who must age 40 years over the films running time being the most glaring, yet still puny, example). The film has been hardly seen in the United States but it is worth seeking it out.
1. Lost in Translation (2003)
Much has been made of Up in the Air this year and its parallels between travel and modern alienation. This is obviously not a fresh observation, but one doesn't have to look far to find Lost in Translation, a work which in light of Up in the Air's "timely" plot seems prophetic. Yet the film is about more than alienation, it deals with culture clashes and stardom; adulthood and midlife crises; the film has something for everyone. Perhaps the film that turned me into a cinephile, this movie has become intensely personal. I revisit it often and never fail to be moved or to want to watch it again. I can give no greater endorsement for this, the penultimate film about alienation this decade.
Some interesting end of the decade lists:
Metacritic's Best Reviewed Films of the Decade
Andrew O'Hehir of Salon gives his pick for best film of the decade
Matt Zoller Seitz ties together some of the most disparate and important filmmakers of the decade and makes some startling observations
TIFF list of best films of the decade
Time Out New York Top 50
A.O. Scott's Movies of Influence
A.O. Scott's Movies of Quality
PASTE Top 50
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