The Director's Series: Ron Howard, No. 5

 


Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey.

Backdraft (1991)
Starring: Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Robert De Niro, and Donald Sutherland
Director: Ron Howard
About: Howard is an interesting director who doesn't really get enough credit. Yes, his films are probably more commercial than some on this list, but they're also quite varied in tone, style, and story. That's the case here with Backdraft, a film with an impressive cast, an immersive story, and a technical style that led to three Oscar nominations. I am moved by the depth of story and character here, but the technical achievement is also fun. Russell is good here, but Baldwin gives perhaps his best performance while pros like Glenn, De Niro and Sutherland really round it out. This is a fun and action-packed film, but it's also really well made. That's why it's held up with audiences for more than 30 years.

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