Movies with Dazzling Design

By Gus Mollasis
March 2021

Magnificent movies don’t just happen—they are written, directed, acted, and lit with brilliance. Behind the scenes, an extra magic takes place thanks to the collaborative effort of many creative design artists who contribute their talents on breathtaking sets, costumes, sound, animation, and more.

Let’s take a look at seven engaging films with dazzling design.

Production Design

Look no further than the cinematic masterpiece, Parasite, winner of 2019 Oscars for best picture and production design. Written and directed by Bong Joon-ho, the film achieves visual brilliance in all facets of its production, telling the story of the have and have-nots in South Korea as seen through the eyes of two very different families at both ends of the class system. The art direction takes full advantage of this contrast—highlighting the cramped and suffocating living quarters of the poor family against the vast, open-aired space where the wealthy live and breathe in luxury. The result is a film that once seen will never be forgotten. 

Set Design

Take a flashback to the iconic Film Noir classic Mildred Pierce from 1945, directed by Hungarian-born Michael Curtiz—the man who also brought us that little gem called Casablanca. Mildred Pierce’s set design fully captures the era of 1940’s California and the restaurant set where Mildred Pierce earns her living is another character in the drama. It is here where Mildred first starts off as a waitress and eventually builds her business into a success with multiple locations. So real and authentic are the sets- you will be tempted to ask Mildred to bring you a piece of pie and cup of coffee between her shifts. The combination of great writing, directing and an authentic set – set the stage for the film icon Crawford to win her only best actress Oscar.

Make–up Design

An ungodly early call to the Hollywood set is usually met with eye rolls from those who have to get into significant make-up, but it could be the first step in the thespian’s journey to get an Oscar. Few will argue that Gary Oldman is among our finest living actors. But the role make-up had in getting him his only Oscar, portraying Winston Churchill in 2018’s The Darkest Hour is another conversation altogether. Was it Gary or was it the make-up? Actually, it was both, together giving you the illusion that you were watching the great British leader shine during his darkest hour.

Animation

Just as Van Gogh has his own category when it comes to painting, 2018’s film Loving Vincent belongs in its own category for originality. A feast for the eyes and the heart, the film tells the complex story of the genius artist in a fashion that mixes mediums as brilliantly as the master used paint. A live action cast is used alongside a green screen, but the real magic is realized by director Dorota Kobiela, a painter herself who took on the arduous task of assuring that each of the film’s 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas, created by a team of 125 artists drawn from around the globe using the same techniques as Van Gogh. Part animation, part green screen, part real life actors and 100% brilliant—it’s no wonder that this film won Best Animated Feature Film Award at the 30th European Film Awards  and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. Words fall short in describing the sheer genius and magic of this production. 

Cinematography

My Octopus Teacher from 2020 is literally a feast for the eyes and soul, largely because of the poignant storytelling and cinematography of Roger Horrocks. This masterful and beautifully shot documentary tells us, “You will never see the sea the same way.” This largely underwater odyssey is as compelling as it is surprising, introducing the fascinating ecosystem of an underwater kelp forest in South Africa where many incredible creatures survive and thrive. Dare you not to cry and be moved by the relationship that is formed by a seeking filmmaker and his special friend. Required viewing.   

Costume Design

Little Women is the quintessential period piece based on the master work by Louisa May Alcott. The stellar 2019 version was directed by Greta Gerwig and nominated for best adapted screenplay. Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh grab best actress and supporting actress Oscar nominations. The entire cast shines with memorable performances from Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet, Laura Dern. Eliza Scanlon and Chris Cooper. It is truly a sight for the senses. To pull off a period piece, you must have exquisite costumes. Period. And this version of Little Women brought home an Oscar for best costume design, proving it’s great to get the part but even better when you look the part.

Sound Design

What happens when you put an uneducated White bouncer in a car with a sophisticated Black jazz musician from an iconic nightclub and have them tour the Jim Crow South? Here’s what happens—you get 2018’s Green Book, a film that tells a story about how far race relations have come in our country in this best picture Oscar winner. Through the eyes of two men, portrayed by Viggo Mortensen and two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali, we get the greatest musical lesson of all: You need both the black and white keys to make harmonious music on the piano and in life. Get lost in a soundtrack that mixes classical, blues, jazz and soul to form a great duet—and embraces all the keys to forming a great relationship.

Special Effects

Even after all these years, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, A Space Odyssey from 1968 still holds up with its out-of-this-world special effects. Nominated for four Academy Awards, Kubrick won for his direction of the visual effects and the film is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. Star  Keir Dullea states “Not one foot of this film was made with computer-generated special effects. Everything you see in this film or saw in this film was done physically or chemically, one way or the other.” How ever it was made, please don’t waste your time seeing it on a mere mortal’s TV screen or streaming service. Instead seek out a theatre to see this masterpiece on the big and wide screen for a truly special effect that will affect you forever.