A Heartfelt Defence Of Joel Schumacher

TV & Film

Apr 30

Joel Schumacher was a prolific filmmaker who worked on a wide range of movies throughout his career. However, because the Internet is an awful place, usually when his name is mentioned it is with scorn over his ill-fated Batman films. It is very easy to forget however that over his 80 years, he helmed some fan and critically acclaimed films.
Films like…

7. The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys is a classic horror-comedy that tells the story of a group of teenagers who discover that their town is infested with vampires. Joel Schumacher directed the film with a deft touch, balancing the scares with the humour and creating a memorable cast of characters. The film also boasts an incredible soundtrack that includes songs by INXS, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Tim Cappello.

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6. Falling Down

Falling Down is a gritty and intense thriller that stars Michael Douglas as a man who snaps and goes on a violent rampage through Los Angeles. The film explores themes of alienation, anger, and societal breakdown, and features some unforgettable scenes and performances. Schumacher's direction is taut and effective, building tension and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

5. A Time To Kill

Sorry to get a bit heavy here. A Time to Kill is a powerful drama that tells the story of a young lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) defending a black man (Samuel L. Jackson) who has killed two white men who raped his daughter. The film tackles issues of race and justice head-on and features an all-star cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland. Joel Schumacher's direction is nuanced and sensitive, allowing the story and the performances to take centre stage and showing what he could evoke from the actors when not hamstrung by studio interference.

4. Flatliners

A unique psychological horror-thriller that stars Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon as medical students who conduct experiments on themselves to explore the afterlife. The film is visually striking and explores some weighty philosophical themes, including the nature of death and the consequences of playing God. Schumacher's direction is stylish and inventive, making Flatliners a standout entry in the horror genre and one that stands up even now when compared to some of its contemporaries. Not to mention it stands head and shoulders above its 2017 remake.

3. St. Elmo's Fire

A well-known, oft-imitated, coming-of-age drama about a group of college graduates who struggle to find their way in the real world. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, and Ally Sheedy, among others. Again, here we see Schumacher's direction being sensitive and insightful, capturing the anxieties and uncertainties of young adulthood. While this genre is now overdone and can appear trite and cheesy – it’s easy to forget that this film was a trailblazer at the time, and indeed still had an impact on modern cinema.

2. Phone Booth

Phone Booth is a tense and claustrophobic thriller about a publicist (Colin Farrell) who finds himself trapped in a phone booth by a sniper (Kiefer Sutherland). Amidst a sea of globe-trotting action films, Phonebooth takes place almost entirely in one location, but Joel Schumacher's direction keeps the tension high and the pace brisk. The film is a masterclass in suspense and features standout performances by Farrell and Sutherland.

1. Kiss From A Rose Music Video

Anyone disagrees with this and it’s instant hands. Instant.

Joel Schumacher was a versatile and talented filmmaker who left a lasting impact on the industry. Whether he was making horror comedies or gritty thrillers, he always brought a unique vision and a sense of passion to his work - not to mention the gilt-edged Rolodex of actors who worked with him again and again. Yes, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin are not great. But he alone is not the reason for that. Hollywood is a big nasty business, so let’s remember that rarely is anything ever just one person’s fault.

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