Ang Lee is a legendary filmmaker who has been creating highly original movies since his career started. He is very selective with his projects, and is always exploring new methods of filmmaking. Lee has directed groundbreaking movies and taken special effects to new levels. With his recent film, Gemini Man, he explored the de-aging style of special effects, and although the film wasn’t a huge success, the visuals were absolutely stunning. When he directed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, he set the bar for special effects and stunt choreography. At the same time, Lee is always using his masterful directing to tell interesting, thought-provoking stories.
Lee was born in the Pingtung County of southern Taiwan to a family focused on education. Lee was interested in drama and art from a very young age. He earned an MFA in film production at New York University, and his thesis film caught the attention of the William Morris Agency. Unfortunately, Lee was unemployed for several years, but he spent his time practicing his craft and submitting screenplays to competitions. He caught the eye of Hsu-Li-kong, a studio manager, and Lee was hired to direct his first feature film, Pushing Hands. Since then, Lee’s talent has been recognized, and he has become a leading figure in the industry. From Brokeback Mountain to Sense and Sensibility, let’s dive into this prominent filmmaker’s best movies, ranked.
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9 Ride With The Devil
USA Films
In 1999, Ang Lee took on the western genre with Ride With The Devil. The film takes place during the Civil War and follows a group of men who join a guerilla warfare unit known as the Bushwhackers. Lee captures the Civil War era with precision, and he tells a fascinating story filled with a good blend of action and drama. It is a thought-provoking story that focuses on liberty, freedom, and justice. The cast includes Tobey Maguire, Jewel, Skeet Ulrich, and more.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Taking Woodstock
Focus Features
Taking Woodstock tells the story of how the legendary music festival, Woodstock, was set into motion. The film focuses on Elliot Teichberg (Demetri Martin) working at his parents’ motel in the summer of 1969. To his surprise, he somehow sparks the flame that leads to the epic festival, introducing several interesting characters. It is an entertaining story, filled with several comedic moments that perfectly captures the free-spirit nature of that time.
7 Lust, Caution
Lust, Caution is an emotional film, set during World War II era, following a young woman, Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) who is put to the task of assassinating a special agent named Mr. Yee (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai). Along the way, emotions develop, along with sexual desires. The film focuses on its complex characters and tells an interesting story of war and politics. At the same time, it is a very thought-provoking film highlighting physical relationships.
6 Eat Drink Man Woman
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Ang Lee co-wrote and directed this film that focuses on family life and the power of food. The story follows a Master Chef (Sihung Lung) who struggles to keep up with the lives and relationships of his three complex daughters. Eat Drink Man Woman is filled with some great culinary scenes that would intrigue any foodie. At the same time, it is a very entertaining film that explores the complicated dynamics of family.
5 Sense And Sensibility
Sony Pictures Releasing
Ang Lee focuses, once again, on family dynamics with Sense and Sensibility, based on Jane Austen’s novel of the same name. The period film follows a mother (Emma Thompson) and her three daughters who are left with next-to-nothing after the death of her husband (Tom Wilkinson). Although the circumstances may be dire, the film shows you the importance of family staying together. The costume and set-design are visually stunning, and the film is dramatic, romantic, and endearing from start to finish. Incidentally, this was Lee’s English-language directorial debut.
4 Life Of Pi
20th Century Fox
Life of Pi was a groundbreaking film that won Ang Lee his second Oscar for directing. The story follows a young man (Suraj Sharma) who is lost at sea in a small boat that is also carrying a Bengal tiger. The film is an excellent story of survival that also explores deep topics, including God, life, and nature. At the same time, the special effects were masterful and the imagery from beginning to end will blow you away.
3 The Ice Storm
Ang Lee showcases the family dynamics of middle-class suburbia in The Ice Storm. The story follows the Hood family, who are all dysfunctional in their own ways. They explore love, drugs, and infidelity, showing the audience that there can be many secrets within a seemingly normal family. The film is a very interesting character study that features fantastic performances from Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and more.
2 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Columbia Pictures
Although Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may be remembered by many for its special effects, it is also a fantastic story. The film follows Jen (Ziyi Zhang) who embarks on an epic quest to deliver the Green Destiny sword. Along the way, the young warrior meets several foes, and we see some of the greatest, gravity-defying fight sequences in cinematic history. This epic adventure film was nominated for ten Oscars and won four, including Best Foreign Language Film.
1 Brokeback Mountain
Ang Lee deservingly won his first Oscar for directing Brokeback Mountain. The film is a heart-breaking love story between two cowboys over the course of decades. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver magnificent performances in the leading roles. Lee totally captures the emotion of two individuals struggling with love that they have to keep secret. At the same time, Lee showcases the stunning landscapes of Wyoming. It is an emotional and heartbreaking story of love, Lee’s best film of his career thus far, and, more significantly, one of the best queer films that helped change the mainstream.
