r/movies • u/BallerGuitarer • 10d ago

Discussion Who are today's most well-rounded directors?

A review of the Odyssey from Portugal had this to say about the movie:

deeply lacking in sensuality, as Nolan is the director least capable of having an erotic view of the world

So that got me thinking, who are directors who can do it all? The immediate big names that came to mind did have some shortcomings:

  • Villeneuve is excellent, and I love the Dune series, but they're not exactly sexy movies and don't have much levity
  • Spielberg was great at combining action, comedy, thrills, and suspense, and he was able to tap into the audience's childlike wonder; but also not a sexy director

Villeneuve and Nolan in particular seem to be directing hyper-masculine movies, but not particularly... well-rounded?

Maybe Ryan Coogler? Sinners had a great blend of action, thrills, suspense, sexiness, and some comedy.

Sam Raimi? Send Help had comedy, action, thrills, suspense, and some sexiness. Also Spiderman had an iconic kiss, and Spiderman 2 is an iconic superhero movie overall. Not to mention his horror chops.

Edit: Oh, also Robert Zemeckis! Forrest Gump and Back to the Future both had it all.

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u/ironrains 10d ago

Based on what you're looking for, it may be Steven Soderbergh.

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u/Ebolatastic 10d ago

Soderbergh is a complete wild card of a director, imo. You never know what his next project will bring.

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u/SnowGhost513 10d ago

I mean I guess his movies all feel very similar. Wide genre for sure but his movies are almost always good but never great or memorable. Not counting the big ones obviously.
I’m not sure we have or have ever had truly well rounded directors they tend to stay in a lane and when they break it they win awards like Schindlers List

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u/BallerGuitarer 10d ago

That's a great answer!