My 10 Favorite Movies of 2019
I always enjoy looking back at the end of the year to reflect on my experiences. What changed me? What did I do well? Where can I improve? One part of that process for me each year is to reflect on the movies I watched. I don’t just see movies as entertainment, but I also see them as opportunities for empathy - to join into an experience.
In 2019, I felt we were given one of the strongest years of film in recent memory. I wouldn’t have said that most of the way through the year. But as the calendar continued to turn, I saw film after film that impacted me in profound ways. We had legendary directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Terrence Malick making some of the best films of their respective careers. That alone is mind-boggling. Adam Sandler reminded us once again why he’s one of the best actors in the business, and Nia DaCosta, Greta Gerwig, and Marielle Heller were among the many female directors who knocked it out of the park this year.
Below, you will find my ten favorite feature films that were released in 2019, with a few honorable mentions. But before we get into the list, I must give a few caveats.
One, I live in northern Indiana. We often don't get the Oscar-buzzy movies until January. I even waited a bit longer than usual to write this post, but there are still some major films that I have not seen. A few of them I expect to make their way onto this list, but I don't think it's fair to put a film on the list that I have not actually seen. So, I will continue to update this list throughout the month of January. If I add any new films, I will acknowledge which films were added and removed from the list you see here.
Two, I don't want this particular post to get too bogged down by review material. For any of the films on this list that I have already reviewed, I'll provide a link to the longer review in case you'd like to read my full thoughts on the film. Some of these reviews were posted here on my site, and others were posted for film outlets to which I contribute. I highly encourage you to check out both Filmotomy and InSession Film, as each site has many great writers who do a fantastic job of covering the year in movies. For this post, I'll just give a short blurb for each finalist containing the reasons why I enjoyed that particular film.
Three, let me be clear - these are my personal favorites. If you don't see a film on here that you loved, don't take that as me slighting any film. I thought this was a year full of incredible filmmaking from a wide array of artists. These are the 10 films that I saw this year that resonated with me the most, but that doesn't mean they are the only films that struck a chord with me.
With that, let's get into the list!
Honorable Mention
5. Uncut Gems
4. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
3. Little Woods
2. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
1. I Lost My Body***
My Top 10 of 2019
Look, I’m not the biggest Marvel fan in the world. I’ll fully admit that. But you have to give credit where credit is due. Endgame wrapped up this monumental journey, not just in a satisfying way, but in a profound one. The technical skill on display was fantastic, and this was one of the most emotional Marvel films I’ve seen.
Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, and a replica of the Sistine Chapel - need I say more? This is such a beautiful film and the acting is incredible. I resonated so much with the religious themes. And the production design is out of this world. But at the end of the day, this film is about Pryce and Hopkins.
Speaking of films with unforgettable lead performances, Marriage Story boasts two of the year’s best from Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. Director Noah Baumbach continues his run of success, and the film’s editing is astounding. If you’re looking for a film that fires on all cylinders, this one fits the bill.
7. 1917**
When I heard that Roger Deakins would be the cinematographer on a war film that is edited to look like one take, I knew it was a film that I had to see. My expectations for the film’s technical wizardry were met and exceeded, as there were multiple gripping moments throughout the film. I’m not sure the “one-take” idea works to the film’s advantage at every point, but the cinematography and the music especially combine to create on of the year’s best film experiences.
Brad. Pitt. This might be the best performance I’ve seen from the legendary actor. James Gray’s story goes where many films have gone before - to outer space. The difference here is that, the farther out we go, the more the story turns inward. This is an incredibly compelling film.
Here is where the list reaches another level. Every film from this point on is an all-time great for me. I wasn’t sure Greta Gerwig would be able to top Lady Bird, but she showed me. Never doubt this woman, because she’s simply one of the best directors working today. And while Saorise Ronan is fantastic, Florence Pugh steals the show as Amy March.
4. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Marielle Heller is also one of the best directors working today, and she absolutely knocks this one out of the park. Great performances from Matthew Rhys and Tom Hanks support a beautifully-told story. Heller is making a career out of considering the difference between truth and fake. Here she gets at the need we all have for authentic connection with the people around us.
3. The Farewell*
Lulu Wang’s personal film that is “based upon an actual lie” was such an emotional watch for me. My grandmother on my Dad’s side passed away in 2019, so the story about a family coming to terms with the health of their matriarch moved me deeply. It’s also a fascinating look at the differences between Western and Eastern thinking, and the directorial skill and acting on display are fantastic across the board.
Scorsese going back to the mob movie. Pacino, DeNiro, JOE PESCI - just on paper this film is nuts. I had the pleasure of watching it on the big screen. Yes, it’s long, but it has to be. And Thelma Schoonmaker is the best editor there is for a reason. Her work here is otherworldly. The movie zips along until its incredible ending. I don’t know how he does it, but Scorsese continues to reinvent himself.
This is why I go to the movies. This is my kind of movie. The legendary Terrence Malick gets back to the astronomical level at which he worked with The Tree of Life. The music is stunning. The cinematography is gorgeous. And the story is heart-wrenching. This film deals with religion, politics, and love. It’s amazing, and in a year of many strong films and multiple great ones, this was my personal favorite.
*January 8, 2020: The Farewell was added at #3 which moved Little Woods out of the Top 10 and Dolemite is My Name off the Honorable Mentions.
**January 11, 2020: 1917 was added at #7 which moved Once Upon a Time in Hollywood out of the Top 10 and Knives Out off the Honorable Mentions.
***January 11, 2020: I Lost My Body was added to the Honorable Mentions which moved Parasite off the Honorable Mentions.
Thanks for reading! You can also see this list on my Letterboxd account where I stretched it out to my 25 favorite films of the year. That version of the list also includes documentaries.