5. Roger Dodger (2002)
Campbell Scott started off in big studio films like “Dying Young” and “Singles” and then moved on to independent films and stayed there forever. However, there was a certain moment when it felt like he was starting to get bigger mainstream recognition, albeit for an indie film. His performance in “Roger Dodger,” a sharp, dialogue-driven drama that offers a thought-provoking critique of modern masculinity through the lens of a mentor-protégé relationship, is outstanding. He plays a cynical, manipulative advertising executive who prides himself on his ability to seduce women with ease.
It’s a very tricky role where the wrong actor could turn the character into a caricature or make him too annoying. Scott finds an insanely good balance here, and his performance alone makes the film worth watching. But the movie is about more than that. His teenage nephew Nick, played by Jesse Eisenberg in a breakout role, comes to him seeking advice on women. Roger takes him under his wing for a night out on the town, which helps us to understand Roger’s personality and worldview even more.
The script is amazing, full of witty, memorable, and authentic dialogues that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Sure, the direction could’ve been a little better, but with a script like that and a performance like that, it’s easy to forgive flaws.
4. The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)
This would make a great double feature with “Roger Dodger,” even though they’re about completely different people. As for why because first of all, you will see the range Campbell Scott has, and second, you’ll see another riveting film about the complexity of human relationships.
“The Secret Lives of Dentists” is more about a marriage, though. Scott and Hope Davis play a married couple who both work as dentists (hence the title), and the film uses this as a metaphor for marriage. Just as when you have a dental problem and don’t go to the dentist, it starts to hurt more and more. Here, Scott’s character suspects his wife of infidelity but can’t bring himself to talk to her, which causes more problems for them both. The unspoken tensions and resentments are so well explored here, as are the mundane details of the daily life of a married couple.
All these things bring a sense of realism to the story, even though there’s also a Denis Leary character who acts as some sort of Tyler Durden to the leading man. The performances are all strong, subtle but moving, capturing the nuances of a marriage in crisis. Scott particularly shines as the man who tries to hold in his true feelings and doesn’t want to get lost in the voices inside his head. Leary is also good, bringing some humor, which helps the film to not get too depressing. It’s a deeply human movie that explores the silent struggles within a troubled marriage really well.
3. The Door in the Floor (2004)
It makes sense to follow a strong marriage drama with another emotionally charged but also little humorous marriage drama. Based on the first part of John Irving’s novel “A Widow for One Year,” the film centers on the lives of Ted and Marion Cole, played by Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger, a couple struggling to cope with the tragic loss of their two sons. It has deeply affected their lives and relationship, and their marriage is now held together by a fragile thread of shared pain. Then, a young writer named Eddie enters the picture, and when he becomes entangled in their dysfunctional relationship, it leads to painful revelations.
Bridges is often strong, so no need to talk about him, but Basinger gives one of her absolute best performances. It feels like she never particularly got enough recognition because her supermodel looks and celebrity persona overshadowed her career as a film actress. But her performances in this, “8 Mile,” and even in “9 ½ Weeks” show how much raw emotional intensity and complexity she’s able to bring to her roles.
The direction is strong, using the idyllic yet isolated setting of the Coles’ seaside home well as a poignant backdrop to the unfolding drama. And just like “Secret Lives of Dentists,” this is yet another movie that doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of human relationships. It’s never easy to adapt John Irving, whose novels have so many little details that are hard to capture on screen, but here they delivered an impressive job. In many ways, it reminds one of the socially provocative dramas of the 70s.
2. Romance & Cigarettes (2005)
One of the least critically acclaimed films on the list, which is why it’s ranked so high because it doesn’t deserve any of the criticisms. Simply because it’s a very bold, very inventive, and unusual film. It also doesn’t take itself too seriously but somehow has its affecting moments. It also manages to mix romance, comedy, drama, and, of course, the musical genre really well. No wonder John Turturro’s unconventional take on the musical genre alienated some critics.
It’s full of eccentric characters, lip-sync songs to popular pop tunes that Turturro probably loves, and just a wild narrative that keeps on giving. Then again, these are also what makes the film so strong. These characters are all fun and portrayed brilliantly by the cast. Behind all the chaos, there are also deeply human stories and emotions. It’s also very, very funny! Christopher Walken singing “Delilah” or Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet (in one of her best roles) fighting together are some of the scenes that it is impossible not to smile at while watching.
In the end, as it can be seen from the title, this is a film that celebrates love in all its messy, contradictory forms and defies easy categorization. For a unique film like this with an amazing ensemble like that, one wonders why it didn’t get a bigger cult following. Turturro is usually hit or miss when it comes to his directorial efforts, but he nailed it here. It’s also another reminder of what a gigantic loss James Gandolfini was. His presence is certainly missed.
1. Thirteen Conversations about One Thing (2001)
From a Turturro-directed film to a Turturro-starring film. Who knows why this profound, somewhat philosophical film didn’t get seen by many? The late Alan Arkin gives one of his best performances and won some critics’ awards. Matthew McConaughey was famous enough, but audiences back then probably preferred to see him in studio romantic comedies rather than films like this one. It’s a pity because it’s a compelling and complex film about personal dilemmas and existential questions.
The film explores the ideas and themes of happiness, fate, and the interconnectivity of lives through the stories of several characters in New York, each going through troubled times in their lives. The structure is brilliant—you get to see different perspectives on the same themes, and the characters are all fully developed and flawed. The stories don’t get messy at any point, unlike some other “interconnective” films; they flow organically, and along with these people, we also ask questions about the meaning of life.
The script is full of great dialogues, and its atmosphere slowly takes you in. But no matter how well-written the dialogues are, you always need excellent actors to deliver them in the best way possible, and this movie has plenty of them. Arkin is the MVP, but McConaughey, Clea DuVall (probably her best performance too), and John Turturro are all exceptional. Jill Sprecher has made good films before and after this as well, but one wishes she had directed even more. This is a meditative, beautiful, and thoughtful film that is certainly among the best of the early 2000s.