When making a best of the year list I have to take into account and make a balance of two things; what was my favourite and what is technically the best. With 2007 in particular both lists were quite different but by creating a balance of the two I have come up with the definitive list of what I think are the top ten films of 2007.
10. The Bourne Ultimatum
Amnesia-ridden Jason Bourne returns in what was the best film of summer 2007, kicking major ass in pretty much every department imaginable. With the same kinetic energy and thrilling set pieces as the first two, this final instalment does the franchise proud.
9. This Is England
Director Shane Meadows’ (Dead Man’s Shoes) story of racism in the 1980’s is a powerful and impactful piece of British filmmaking that puts up a strong fight against our friends across the pond. Two amazing lead performances, in particular an impressive debut by Thomas Turgoose, and some of the most powerful scenes in recent memory, amongst many other things, secures it at the number nine spot on the list.
8. Rescue Dawn
The true-life story of Vietnam prisoner of war Dieter Dengler is as powerful and emotional to watch as I imagine it was to actually experience first hand. Christian Bale is on top form as usual in one of his career’s best performances. Werner Herzog is a master filmmaker in every respect and this just goes to prove that once again.
7. Michael Clayton
Writer of the Bourne franchise tries his hand, along with still writing the script, at directing and an impressive debut it is. George Clooney gives one of the best performances of 2007 in what is one of the most intelligent films of recent times, a taut and intriguing thriller about corporate corruption that left me thoroughly impressed.
6. American Gangster
A return to form for director Ridley Scott and two top performances from Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. An epic on a small scale or a small film on a big scale; either way this is thoroughly engaging and exciting stuff and overall one of the strongest films of 2007.
5. No Country for Old Men
After a little hiatus of top quality filmmaking the Coen brothers are back to what they do best; making excellent films. The brothers’ trademark wit and charm is stamped all over this one as usual but we get to see a more grown and mature side to the twosome. At times blackly funny while at others deadly serious but overall the film is handled very well resulting in what is one of the most chilling cinema experiences in a while.
4. Death Proof
One of my personal favourites of 2007 but not quite the best this sickeningly under appreciated, underrated and under seen fifth film from writer/director Quentin Tarantino is, in my opinion, more than worth a look and more. Kurt Russell is back as the iconic Stuntman Mike, one of my favourite characters of the last few years, hunting groups of good-looking, chit-chatting woman. It may not be part of the intended Grindhouse experience but on it’s own it works perfectly well.
3. Zodiac
David Fincher’s decade-spanning tale of the effect a serial killer police case has on the lives of three men certainly didn’t break any box-office records but impressed me enough to think of it as one of the best films of 2007. What sets this apart from other films of its kind, including Fincher’s previous Se7en, is the open-ended approach and the questions left unanswered. This may have frustrated a lot of people but it’s one of the reasons I admired it as much as I did. A truly original way of telling a well-told story.
2. Inland Empire
My personally favourite film of 2007. This got mixed reviews for the most part, some naming it “a masterwork” while others calling it “a self indulgent bore”. I am most definitely in the former group. This surreal, weird, wonderfully confusing piece of cinema is straight out of David Lynch’s mind with no filters applied along the way. It doesn’t make much, or any, sense but for me that’s part of its appeal. A masterpiece.
1. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
So here we have the very best film of 2007, the tale of Jesse James and Robert Ford, the man who would eventually cause his demise. The film is less about the outcome, as evidently we know that before the film starts, and more about how it happens. It takes it’s time telling this interesting story, allowing for the audience to be mesmerized by the cinematography, take in the masterful musical score and to soak up the amazing acting performances along the way. This is impressive stuff, especially because this is only Andrew Dominik’s second film in his career and hopefully he will go from strength to strength from now on. There were few films in 2007 that even came close to the quality that this film provided and I doubt 2008 will be able to either.
