With Restless, Gus Van Sant’s first film since Milk, on the way here in a week or so, we figured now was a good time to look at the filmography of one of our favorite working directors. He’s hit Oscar gold with Good Will Hunting and Milk, made major mistakes with Psycho and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, helmed all-time classics with My Own Private Idaho and Drugstore Cowboy, crafted an early landmark indie work with Mala Noche, won at Cannes with Elephant and, of course, made some seriously underrated, little scene films (looking at you, Finding Forrester, To Die For, Paranoid Park and Gerry). What will Van Sant’s latest film be? Hard to say, but some are calling it a distant cousin to Harold and Maude and The Royal Tenenbaums while others are calling it his best work since Paranoid Park. We’re stoked either way. For now, check out our breakdown of Van Sant’s incredible catalog …
1. My Own Private Idaho (1991) – A+
2. Elephant (2003) – A+
3. Good Will Hunting (1997) – A+
4. Milk (2008) – A
5. Mala Noche (1986) – A
6. Drugstore Cowboy (1989) – A
7. Finding Forrester (2000) – A
8. To Die For (1995) – A
9. Paranoid Park (2007) – A
10. Gerry (2002) – A-
11. Last Days (2005) – B-
12. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993) – C
13. Psycho (1998) – D
Check out the trailer for Van Sant’s Portland-shot new drama, Restless, about a terminally ill teenage girl (Mia Wasikowska) who falls for a young dude (Henry Hopper) who attends funerals he shouldn’t be at and thinks he’s pals with a ghost who was a Japanese kamikaze pilot in World War II. The style of the trailer is brilliant and we’re sure Van Sant’s direction is great. Whether or not first time screenwriter Jason Lew’s script is worthy of the Van Sant treatment remains to be seen. We think this one will probably fall in the middle of the pack as far as the quality of Van Sant’s films go. So, in other words, it’ll be fucking great. The movie hits NYC and LA on September 16 and hopefully spreads out generously from there. Looks like a great fall season flick in the spirit of many of Van Sant’s films. Check the trailer:
