Inspired by Rachel Boynton’s 2005 documentary of the same name, the intriguing picture stars Bullock as “Calamity” Jane Bodine, the campaign manager of the struggling Bolivian politician Pedro Castillo who battles it out against her professional adversary Pat Candy (Thornton), who happens to be representing the opposition's campaign. Jack-of-all-trades David Gordon Green directed the 2015 comedy-drama Our Brand is Crisis, which touts an impressive A-list cast including Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, and Anthony Mackie, and chronicles the entanglement of Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS), a renowned American political campaign strategy group, throughout the 2002 Bolivian presidential election. These are some of the best movies based on documentaries.
Both of these exceptional pictures are based on distinguished documentaries, with filmmakers once again bringing their remarkable stories to life.
Viewers were on the edge of their seats as they watched high-wire artist Philippe Petit defy the odds and walk between the Twin Towers in the biographical drama The Walk, while actor Sean Penn went on to win the Academy Award for his exceptional performance as gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk in the touching drama Milk. Those who have successfully adapted these narrative flicks have stood out from the pack and prove that audiences can’t get enough of a riveting tale. It’s not uncommon for the entertainment business to draw on already established and admired works for insight and direction, and documentaries have proven to be a convenient source of creativity.
Oftentimes these pictures have captivated moviegoers so much that they receive the full Hollywood treatment and become a full-length feature film (or TV series, as in Dispatches From Elsewhere), superbly bringing their original source material to the big screen. Some of cinema’s most outstanding and eye-opening documentaries have enlightened and inspired audiences with their thought-provoking perspectives.