BEST MIKE NICHOLS MOVIES
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966) Nichols made his screen directing debut with this searing adaptation of Edward Albee’s play about a bickering couple (Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton) and their
relatively innocent dinner guests (George Segal, Sandy Dennis). Taylor and Dennis won Academy Awards here.
“The Graduate” (1967) The one-of-akind classic that largely made Nichols’ career, this comedy-drama – which earned him an Oscar, and starts a Turner Classic Movies tribute night to Nichols on Wednesday, Sept. 8 – boasts Simon & Garfunkel tunes and holds up beautifully. Dustin Hoffman became
an immediate star as Benjamin, the nervous college grad who falls prey to the wily Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), then falls for her daughter (Katharine Ross).
“Carnal Knowledge” (1971) The relationships among four people (Jack Nicholson, Ann-Margret, Candice Bergen, Art Garfunkel) form an emotional roller coaster over many years.
“Silkwood” (1983) Meryl Streep is both powerful and heartbreaking in the true story
of the nuclear plant worker determined to expose unsafe conditions.
“Heartburn” (1986) An underrated Nichols gem, this comedy based on Nora Ephron’s novel mirrors the ups and downs of her relationship with reporter Carl Bernstein. Streep and Nicholson are typically great as the couple.
“Working Girl” (1988) Nichols is in top form with this comedy about a secretary (Melanie Griffith) who uses her boss’ absence
(Sigourney Weaver) to engineer a business deal with a down-on-his-luck broker (Harrison Ford).
“The Birdcage” (1996) “La Cage aux Folles” gets a Nichols-caliber spin, with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane great as companions who stage an elaborate charade for the prospective in-laws of the Williams character’s son.
“Wit” (TV, 2001) Nichols began an association with HBO by directing Emma Thompson (who also adapted the script) in
Margaret Edson’s play about a professor’s struggle to come to terms with her cancer.
“Angels in America” (TV, 2003) Also made for HBO, Nichols tackled Tony Kushner’s award-winning play about various individuals at the crest of the AIDS crisis. Nichols earned an Emmy (as he had for “Wit”) by directing Streep, Thompson and Al Pacino, among many others.