Over the years, many movie stars have decided to step behind the camera and experiment with their cinematic visions. Some of them perfected their craft so much that today they are praised for their directorial abilities as well as their acting. Others decided to direct and act in their own movies from the start.
This list presents to you the best movies directed by movie stars. Whether these movies were exceptions in their acting career, like Marlon Brando’sOne-Eyed Jacksand Ryan Gosling’sLost River, or one of the many directed, like Clint Eastwood’sUnforgivenand Takeshi Kitano’sHana-Bi, they won’t disappoint you.
Hoffawas written by David Mamet and directed by Danny DeVito, who also stars in the movie in the secondary role of Bobby Ciaro, an associate of Jimmy Hoffa. It’s Jack Nicholson who plays the leading role of the union leader of the Teamsters, while Armand Assante portrays the Italian mobster Carl “Dally” D’Allesandro.
Hoffais dominated by an impressive and ultra-detailed performance by Nicholson, who is confident and charismatic enough to step into the shoes of the famous American union leader. At the same time, the movie benefits from the epic screenplay by Mamet.
Related:All David Mamet Movies, Ranked
29Lost River
Written, co-produced, and directed by Ryan Gosling,Lost Riveris a solid and esthetically beautiful directorial debut for the Canadian actor. The movie will bring the audience on a journey between the real and magic. It stars Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan, Iain De Caestecker, Barbara Steele, and Eva Mendes.
Lost Riverbenefits from incredibleneon-lit cinematographyby Benoît Debie that perfectly conveys the movie’s mood. At the same time, even if slightly derivative, the plot and development keep the audience engaged and glued to the screen. The cast is impeccable.
28The Two Jakes
Written by Robert Towne and directed by Jack Nicholson, who is also starring in the movie,The Two Jackesis the sequel of the neo-noir masterpieceChinatown. Nicholson comes back in his iconic role of private investigator Jake Gittes, this time tasked by wealthy businessman Julius Berman (Harvey Keitel) with investigating his wife infidelity.
The Two Jakesis not on the same level as its predecessor, but it still has its own strength, despite its troubled production history. Nicholson is great at constructing the movie’s atmosphere, while Vilmos Zsigmond is always flawless.
272 Days in Paris
2 Days in Pariswas edited, co-produced, written, and directed by Julie Delpy, who also starred and composed the music for the movie. The movie revolves around a New York couple consisting of the photographer Marion (Delpy) and the interior designer Jack (Adam Goldberg), who travels to Paris after a negative vacation in Venice.
2 Days in Parisis a witty, funny, and deep movie that shows the unparalleled creativity ad versatility of Julie Delpy. At the same time, Adam Goldberg perfectly balances out Marion with his rendition of Jack.
Yentlwas co-written, co-produced, and directed by Barbra Streisand, who also stars in the role of Yentl Mendel, a woman living in Pechev, a small town in Poland in 1904. Her father, Rebbe Mendel (Nehemiah Persoff), teaches her Talmud, despite the community prohibiting teaching it to women.Yentlwon an Oscar forBest Original Songat the 56th Academy Awards.
Yentlis extremely powerful and engaging, thanks to its great screenplay and well-crafted songs that elevates this musical. At the same time, Barbra Streisand gives us a convincing performance and solid directing.
25Wildlife
Co-written, co-produced, and directed by Paul Dano, Wildlife is based on the homonymous 1990 novel by Richard Ford. It sees Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan interpreting, respectively, the professional golfer Jerry and the housewife Jeanette; everything changes when Jerry is fired from his job. The movie’s cast includes Ed Oxenbould and Bill Camp. It is also the debut of Dano as a director.
Wildlife is an amazing debut for the American actor: every shot is perfectly designed and executed. At the same time, the emotionally charged screenplay allows Gyllenhaal, and especially Mulligan, to give their best.
24Lady Bird
Written and directed by Greta Gerwig,Lady Birdis a well-craftedcoming-of-age moviethat focuses on the relationship between a high school senior named Christine (Saoirse Ronan) and her mum Marion (Laurie Metcalf). The movie’s large cast also includes Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, and Lucas Hedges.
Lady Birdshines for the impressive performances of all cast, with Metcalf delivering maybe the strongest one. At the same time, Gerwig writes an incredible screenplay that mixes in an engaging way drama and comedy. If this wasn’t enough,Lady Birdis also exceptionally shot and beautifully photographed.
23The Town
Co-written by Peter Craig, Aaron Stockard, and Ben Affleck, who also directed and starred in the movie,The Townis an amazing crime story. Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, this film sees Doug MacRay (Affleck) and his crew of robbers planning and executing hits, until something changes their trajectory forever.
The Townis characterized by solid directing by Affleck, who calibrates every shot perfectly in order to enhance the story. At the same time, the performances by the ensemble cast are noteworthy. An incredible heist movie.
Related:10 Heist Movies With the Craziest Plot Twists
22One-Eyed Jacks
One-Eyed Jackswas directed by Marlon Brando, who also stars in the role of Rio, a bank robber in 1880. After stealing gold from a bank in Sonora, Mexico, Rio’s accomplice and mentor, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden), betrays him. Rio ends up in prison, planning revenge.One-Eyed Jacksis Brando’s first and last movie as a director.
This one-of-a-kind western is characterized by impeccable cinematography by the hand of Charles Lang, which captures the natural landscapes perfectly while providing deep colors in the most detailed shots. Brando givesa strong performancebehind and in front of the camera.
21Braveheart
Co-produced, starred and directed by Mel Gibson,Braveheartis the loose film adaptation of the life of William Wallace, the Scottish knight and rebel who fought against the English crown for the independence of Scotland. Mel Gibson stars as the revolutionary, while Catherine McCormack plays his wife Murron. We also find Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, and Brian Cox.
Braveheartis directed exceptionally well by Mel Gibson, who gives the deserved epicness to the story, especially in the battle scenes. At the same time, Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and environment are beautifully captured by the cinematography of John Toll.
