7 directorial debuts of famous actors
"Dances with Wolves"
- 1990
- Great Britain, USA
- Adventure, drama, western
- Director Kevin Costner
- Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Robert Pastorelli
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
Lt. John J. Dunbar requests a transfer to the western frontier after being wounded, where he finds himself the only man in an abandoned fort. As he tries to settle into his new service, he is confronted with the harsh nature and utter loneliness. Gradually, Dunbar begins to interact with the Lakota tribe, observing their life and relationships within the community. The unhurried way of life, the absence of the usual army rules and the trust from the Indians change his perceptions of the world. The deeper he immerses himself in their lives, the more distant he becomes from the former military reality.
Kevin Costner made the movie because he was smitten with Michael Blake's novel and wanted an adaptation that the studios didn't believe in. He put up his own money, produced the project and played the lead role. His debut earned him seven Academy Awards, including a statuette for best director.
"It's a beautiful story. Kevin Costner is great here. Personally, I discovered this movie after Yellowstone and didn't regret spending time on it one bit, " okaycurly
"A long, long, long, slow, slow, unhurried, interminable movie. But a good one. Good and of high quality. It was curious to follow the development - or rather, the sluggish flow))))) - plot, pleased unobtrusive, mild humor", — MouseJerry
"Costner is like he was made for westerns..." — bison23
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"Sling Blade"
- 1996
- USA
- Drama
- Director: Billy Bob Thornton
- Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, John Ritter
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
Karl, who spent many years in rehab after committing a crime, returns to the town of his childhood. He tries to start a quiet life, gets a job and organizes his life. Gradually Karl gets acquainted with the boy Frank and his mother, who take him into the house. However, an aggressive man appears near the family, whose behavior makes the atmosphere more and more tense. Karl's inability to understand the new moral dilemma leads to a difficult choice.
Billy Bob Thornton adapted his own short film and made his debut completely under his own skin, demonstrating a distinctive acting and directing style. The movie earned him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and was a surprise festival success.
"Great movie, such a solid hidden gem all of a sudden for me. BBT coulda, clump-acting!" — bezdelneg
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"Play Misty for Me"
- 1971
- USA
- Drama, thriller
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Starring: Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, Jack Ging
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
Dave, a popular radio host from California, has an affair with a fan whose calls seem innocent at first. The communication quickly escalates into a compulsive attachment and then into a dangerous obsession. The woman begins to interfere in his personal life, creating a threat to Dave and his girlfriend. The character tries to get out of the situation, but each attempt only increases the tension. Gradually it becomes clear that she is not going to stop.
Clint Eastwood chose the story of a stalker to get away from the image of a hero of westerns and show himself as a serious director. The debut was shot on a low budget, but became a critical success and cemented Eastwood's reputation as an independent filmmaker.
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"Throw Momma off the Train"
- 1987
- USA
- Comedy, crime, thriller
- Director: Danny DeVito
- Starring: Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, Anne Ramsey, Kim Greist
- IMDb Rating: 6.3
Writer Larry suffers a creative crisis and is tormented by his ex-wife who stole his manuscript. His student Owen dreams of getting rid of his oppressive mother who is turning his life into a nightmare. In the turmoil of misunderstandings, Owen assures himself that they can "swap murders". The situation begins to take unexpected turns, and both characters find themselves drawn into a chain of absurd events.
Danny DeVito's debut was an experiment: he wanted to see if he could combine black humor and thriller in one tone. The movie received warm reviews and cemented his status as an actor capable of directing.
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"That Thing You Do!"
- 1996
- USA
- Comedy, drama, romance, musical
- Director: Tom Hanks
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
Young salesman Guy fills in for an ailing drummer at a local contest and unexpectedly turns the band's performance into a real success. The young musicians sign a contract with a studio, go on tour and rapidly become popular. Their first song soars in the charts, and the lives of the members change dramatically. Success brings not only joy, but also new conflicts: each of the guys reacts differently to the sudden fame. The path to the stage and the attention of the public quickly begin to destroy the original unity.
Tom Hanks created the movie as a personal project about the music of the 60s and chose a soft, kind tone, inspired by his own memories of radio hits. The picture became iconic and the song "That Thing You Do!" received an Oscar nomination.
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"Reality Bites"
- 1994
- USA
- Drama, romance, comedy
- Director: Ben Stiller
- Starring: Winona Ryder, Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, Janeane Garofalo
- IMDb Rating: 6.6
Lelaina is making a documentary about a group of friends experiencing growing up in the early 90s. She works in television and faces the pressures of career expectations. Her best friend Troy is trying to find himself, and an emerging successful producer Michael creates a love triangle. The relationship between the characters becomes increasingly strained, and each is trying to figure out what their path should be. Young people are simultaneously looking for themselves and afraid of losing each other.
Ben Stiller decided to make a movie that would reflect Generation X, and staked on an honest, even dramedy without exaggerations. The picture became iconic for the youth of the 90s and solidified his career as a director.
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"The Way of the Dragon"
- 1972
- Hong Kong
- Action, crime
- Director: Bruce Lee
- Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Malisa Longo
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
Tang travels from Hong Kong to Rome to help an acquaintance whose restaurant is being tried by local gangsters. He tries to resolve the conflict peacefully, but the pressure from the mobsters intensifies. In response, Tang is forced to defend the people who are counting on him. The criminals hire the best fighters to break the resistance. The conflict reaches a climax when Tang faces a strong opponent in the arena of the Colosseum.
Bruce Lee directed the movie to gain full creative control over the project for the first time: he was responsible for the script, staging the fights, directing, and starring. The picture became legendary thanks to the final scene with Chuck Norris and cemented Lee's status as an icon of the genre.
"The movie is bomb all class, and the Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris fight is an awesome 5 out of 5", — id212027600
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his "for reasons of conscience," I was reassembled as a person.