5 (very dated) films about ad agency copywriters

Copywriters hardly ever make it into starring roles.

You can’t really blame Hollywood — for the most part, copywriters are a bunch of anxious introverts who constantly doubt themselves and avoid social contact wherever possible. Not exactly leading role material.

That being said, if you find yourself with an abundance of time and an inkling to indulge in a movie night which features characters working a job you can actually relate to, then take your pick from this curated list.

1) Melancholia

Artful drama

Of course this is the first choice — it’s indulgently beautiful, artfully made, and heart-piercingly poignant.

Kirsten Dunst is the copywriter, under pressure from her creative director to come up with ‘the line’. Her character is caught in a crippling depression and, on top of that, the world is ending.

Like, literally ending.

If you haven’t seen this, y’alls better watch it and then message me to tell me what you thought.

I’ll be waiting.

2) What Women Want

Light-hearted (vaguely sexist) rom-com

I’m not going to shit you up — there’s a lot of really gross things to unpack here, but today we’re only talking about the copywriting aspect.

When Helen Hunt (hired for diversity) joins an ad agency as creative director. She comes up against friction from Mel Gibson, who is the lead copywriter and also ‘the man’.

A hairdryer-related accident renders Gibson with the ability to hear the thoughts of women. He initially uses it to bone Marisa Tomei but eventually channels his gift into a Nike ad campaign targeted at women, thereby winning Helen Hunt’s heart.

Whatever.

3) Agency

classic Thriller

Here’s an over-the-top thriller romp that takes itself very seriously.

The premise involves a copywriter finding out that his employers are using brainwashing tactics to trick the public into voting for a dodge AF president.

Sound familiar?

Say no more.

Agency has Lee Majors in it, so you know it’s good.

4) Picture Perfect

90’s romantic comedy

Picture Perfect is a slice of 1997 rom-com joy starring Jennifer Anniston and Kevin Bacon.

Jen’s character comes up with a winning pitch but misses out on the client account because (according to our mate Kevin) she isn’t engaged.

Jen fakes a relationship to get back on the account and eventually falls for the guy she’s pretending to date. Spoilers.

I remember being enamoured with this film as a teen, but on recent rewatch, it makes my feminist ideals flare up.

5) Lover Come Back

Charming retro Comedy

This 1961 flick is set in an ad agency and plays on a classic case of mistaken identity. Shit gets a bit convoluted, so you’ll have to bear with me here…

Doris Day’s character is super pissed that Rock Hudson keeps winning ad campaigns by using girls and booze.

She tries to get him fired but he bribes the witness by casting her in a TV ad for a non-existent product. The ad runs by accident and now Rock needs to actually make the product.

Doris tracks down the scientist tasked with inventing the product to try and win the account, she actually meets Rock but doesn’t know it’s him. Hilarity ensues.

I’ve already got a headache.

Emma CownleyApril 24, 2020