Minnie Driver's Closet Picks

While in New York this spring for the release of her new book MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: A MEMOIR IN ESSAYS, celebrated actress and passionate cinephile Minnie Driver stopped by our office for a trip inside our film closet.
Her picks:
• ALL ABOUT EVE
• BETTY BLUE
• AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE
• UNCUT GEMS
• DOWN BY LAW
• WITHNAIL AND I (mentioned)
• LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Shop Minnie's Closet Picks! www.criterion.com/shop/collec...

[@vector8310]

This is hands down the most coherent, expository yet passionate installment of Closet Picks. Minnie Driver would make a fantastically compelling film studies professor. And my soul mate.

[@CR055FIRE]

your simping is so heinous and melodramatic you should be punished legally

[@StrudelShaft]

@@CR055FIRE give over, I was just thinking to myself how Vector and Minnie are destined to be together.

[@jackgrant9766]

Film Studies has nothing to do with movies. It's all about how cinema is racist sexist homophobic and oppressive, and how Hollywood is corrupted by capitalism. We don't watch films in film studies courses... the "professor" pulls up a youtube clip and shows us how evil Chaplin really was, and how racist and sexist John Wayne must have been... Then, as if by slight of hand, they show us how pure and noble Soviet Cinema was, and is... it's madness.

[@stan4now]

You have to take your place in line, like the rest of us. And watch for dreams of Minnie as your anima, your true soul mate.

[@wendellbatts2477]

@@CR055FIRE LOL

[@ElliotCoen]

Uncat jahms! Love Minnie. See her in the collection soon… 👀

[@XJoe360]

Good will hunting criterion release when?

[@minkey9366]

This was the best one so far, by far, at least for me. Can we please just have more Minnie Driver?

[@TheBluRayCritic]

What a lovely articulate woman. One of the best Closet Picks in a long time.

[@kevinkoch6900]

Finally someone who actually named the movie titles for us instead of holding up a glaring case and trying to guess. Great video Meeem. Lol

[@joeterp5615]

Lol - this is the first of these videos I’ve seen (not sure why KZbin recommended to me) - and I just left a comment about how I wish she had been aware of the reflection and had held these at a better angle! Interesting to know this is persistent in this channel’s videos and that some are even MORE frustrating (when the title isn’t even said out loud).

[@LittlePrairieLibrary]

Like they could just throw up a caption at the bottom for a bit, right? How hard is that?

[@ct6852]

Love listening to her speak. There's never a word out of place...and it's almost bizarre, in a great way. Also...she's hilarious on talk shows.

[@PentameronSV]

0:16 - *ALL ABOUT EVE* _dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz_ (1950) 0:46 - *BETTY BLUE* _dir. Jean-Jacques Beineix_ (1986) 1:39 - *AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE* _dir. Jane Campion_ (1990) 2:20 - *UNCUT GEMS* _dir. Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie_ (2019) 3:12 - *DOWN BY LAW* _dir. Jim Jarmusch_ (1986) 4:32 - *LA CAGE AUX FOLLES* _dir. Edouard Molinaro_ (1978)

[@aslan9334]

Merci!

[@peaterrepeater4441]

Betty Blue, Never saw the movie but the book stayed with me since I’ve read it decades ago.

[@oswaldconjugation3647]

@@peaterrepeater4441 What!? It was a book?

[@peaterrepeater4441]

@@oswaldconjugation3647 yep, written by Philippe Djian, who in my opinion wrote a lot of good books.

[@f.w.2054]

Someone should remind her that there were great films made from 1900 to 1949!

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Thanks Minnie for actually talking to the viewer and holding the dvd covers clearly for us to see. This approach and the sharing of knolwedge and opinion were excellent and showed how it should be done. Great choices too.

[@andygrabia8292]

I would watch her talk about movies all day every day. Just brilliant.

[@LazaroTV]

this is the best one. I just watched it twice. It could've gone on for hours and I'd have been just as enthralled.

[@inyostudio]

she has aged gracefully. love what she said about Sandler getting snubbed for an Oscar. this year, Pachinko and its main actress Minha Kim, were also snubbed from the Emmys.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

Aged gracefully? So much plastic surgery! Her face is unrecognizable, and not in a naturally-aged way.

[@patricenz]

She's only halfway through her life and in her prime! Say that of George Clooney. Listen to her podcast and be happy 😊

[@usquebaugh1]

I also enjoyed an anecdote she shared about what Sandler told her about his love-making technique (while briefly impersonating him :) "I can do it fast, or I can do it slow". 😆

[@brucecmoore2881]

She is beautiful.

[@HockeyNationHD]

@@Anthony-hu3rj She literally looks exactly like herself, only older. I see no telltale signs of obvious plastic surgery. She looks her age, and looks like herself, and is still pretty.

[@BlueSoulTiger]

Delightful. Authentic. Funny. just Wonderful. Thank you Minnie Driver!

[@robertaustin6916]

This was the most passionate and entertaining segment I have watched. Loved how she discussed the films she grew up watching.

[@macdara77]

I've been waiting for someone to finally pick Betty Blue! The Director's Cut remains one of my all time favourites. Thank you Minnie!

[@brewer9565]

Charm, wit, intelligence,...what a treasure of a person she is,

[@Mst3kfan1994]

4:20 - 4:31 Love the way Driver gestures and mouths, "Have a drink!"

[@boleatrus]

Thank you Minnie - at last, someone picks Down By Law. A hidden delight on many levels. Ellen Barkin throwing Tom Waits' shoes out the window; " We all escreama for ice-a Creama"; beautiful shots of pre-Katrina New Orleans; the opening sequence with "Jockey Full of Bourbon" playing; and so much more...

[@Telstar62a]

Roberto Benigni dancing with Nicoletta Braschi at breakfast at her tiny roadside restaurant

[@fenwayify]

Minnie has her own "hidden" gem amongst all those special films she selects. Her movie, "Circle of friends" fits in quite well in the astute commentary on life category and she's rather compelling in her performance. Minnie has long been a personal favorite of mine, including her Carlotta in "Phantom of the Opera." How I'd have loved to travel in her orbit...

[@ArthephiusX]

Grosse Pointe Blank. Minnie does a smash, grab, and scarper with every scene and line that she has in that movie.

[@HansDelbruck53]

Down by Law is a classic that even many cinephiles to this day are unaware of. It will forever be one of my very favorite movies. See it. You'll be glad you did.

[@dtptcn]

Same here. I saw it in theater when it came out.

[@Ihavthring9]

Seen it twice

[@AvecPoesie]

The utterly eloquent way she articulates herself just healed my wounds. 🖤

[@stan4now]

And makes us laugh. Tipped a few myself watching a good flick.

[@heleneh.6055]

She has one of my favorite voices of all time. Plus, I love the relaxed, confident way she carries herself.

[@Cadinho93]

Nothing brings me more joy than seeing people go to the criterion closet and acting like a kid in the candy store. Excellent picks! 🎥👌

[@seminalzing6358]

Do you get money for KZbin comments? Like i don't understand..why make the same comment over and over

[@OngoingBox]

Such descriptions. Makes me want to watch movies! This was a good one.

[@Ernie1978]

Minnie Driver never disappoints as a human being. She has never disappointed me with her choices either.

[@Dylanbolton69]

Love Minnie Driver but I’d also love to see Laura Dern in here

[@reddykilowatt]

Finally some love for Betty Blue. Opinions tend to be sharply divided on it but it is one of my faves too.

[@Theomite]

I didn't even know chicks watched that movie. I thought it was just guys.

[@richardholland5112]

@@Theomite It's my mums favourite film

[@28Pluto]

@@Theomite News flash! "Chicks" love film and are just as deeply passionate about all sorts of films. I don't think you even understand what 'Betty Blue' was about if you don't understand that females might like it. Get a clue, kid.

[@Theomite]

@@28Pluto I thought it was romantic tragedy about how the passion stemming from mental instability can engulf an otherwise unremarkable person. But it has a lot of nudity and sex (mostly from a beautiful woman with a scruffy loser artist) and so I figured that would alienate most female viewers as exploitative and vulgar and the ending would make Betty some kind of "fallen woman", thus offending them further. As a guy, most of us watched it because of the copious nudity and sex that spread via word of mouth.

[@nickc.44]

Minnie is mesmerizing. I’m going to watch the all movies she picked right after all the movies she’s in.

[@cicobuffy]

I just want her to carry on talking about awesome movies she so clearly loves and thinks about

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Minnie Driver is one of my favorite underrated actress. My favorite movies from her are Big Night, Tarzan (Jane Porter) and Princess Mononoke (Lady Eboshi).

[@somraksprosty4174]

she played Eboshi?? wow 👍

[@xmobius0ne]

I just watched Princess Mononoke not too long ago and had no idea she was Lady Eboshi! Her portrayal of Jane in the Disney Tarzan movie is my favorite version of the character

[@twomindz79]

Grosse Point Blank!

[@stevenscott953]

These videos are my absolute favorite, and Minnie Driver is a gem.

[@adamcollins4345]

Out of all the “Closet Picks” I found this the most insightful and fascinating to listen to…why doesn’t Driver get her own segment in this format?! Excellent

[@ericlewis3444]

RE YOU KIDDING ME? She chose 4 of my favs and she's in at least two of my favs. Minnie 4 ever

[@lizjohnson9274]

Minnie Driver is someone who is brave enough to show all sides of herself. She is so many things and someone who I have always identified with. I now discover we love a lot of the same films! Her autobiography was a real pleasure ❤️

[@dorphlthewise1]

She was in a great sitcom called Speechless, which became a staple in my household. One of the few things everyone in the family would sit and watch together.

[@fromthehaven94]

While another show gets renewed- despite a controversial cast departure- Speechless went away much too soon. I liked that it was irreverent at times.

[@robertlucic7598]

One of the greatest joys of our time is getting Minnie Driver to laugh. I would almost rather listen to her talk about the films than watch them.

[@markchristou3352]

I never watched "Withnail and I" thanks for the suggestion Minnie Driver you look great

[@neonmcmeat6807]

You're in for a rare treat Mark! Enjoy.

[@Theomite]

It took me a couple views to really sync up with it, so if you don't get it the first time around, don't be afraid to rewatch it a couple times.

[@fiarandompenaltygeneratorm5044]

I loved it. Very Funny. Criterion needs to re-issue it.

[@orionfoote2890]

Nice to see a kiwi classic go in the bag - I’m stoked that she would like AAAMT - lovely to see her on the closet picks; she’s a terrific actor.

[@laurentderycke5694]

Minnie Driver is an uncut gem screaming for ice cream, loved this.

[@emgee44]

Why isn’t she in more movies or on TV, so underrated. I bet she’s such a laugh and smart and funny to work with.

[@elbowspeak]

Down By Law was a mind blowing teen choice for me as well. I hadn't know a movie could be like that. The mood, the pacing, the dialogue, the characters... it was a different languorous, sweaty world. And I loved it. I was already a Tom Waits fan in the mid-80s. Roberto was new and led me into his slapstick comedies. And this movie also helped me get into the Lounge Lizards, expanding my interest avant garde jazz. A Jarmusch masterpiece.

[@coolhrv]

I wish I could be in the room as everyone watching this who hasn't seen them already checks out DOWN BY LAW and WITHNAIL & I for their first time.

[@1965zimmy]

Withnail & I (perhaps the finest film available to humanity) is desperately due for a Criterion rerelease.

[@richardholland5112]

Feel the same way about Betty Blue

[@haret0n]

feel the same about an angel at my table

[@mattmontada8539]

She knows what’s up when it comes to Uncut Gems 😎👌 Great vid as always! Loved her picks, especially Down By Law 😄

[@zakwan10]

An absolute legend! A couple of these films I have never heard of, Betty Blue, now I must watch it.

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

_Down By Law_ is absolutely one of my all-time favorites... love _All About Eve,_ too! _Withnail & I_ is another gem.

[@nikolailevin5214]

an...uncut gem?

[@connornm321]

I’m absolutely obsessed with her and everything she says in this, adore Minnie so much

[@DamienHurts]

I ADORE THIS WOMAN AND HER WONDERFUL PERSONALITY. She's so great

[@selwynandrews9665]

I love you Minnie!

[@YouHaveBeenWatchingFilms]

Absolutely adore Minnie Driver, her recommendation alone made me revisit the director's cut of Betty Blue

[@StonefieldJim4]

Brilliant! Minnie is committed to every word she shares. Wonderful selection.

[@soonerfanjim]

She has always been an absolute beauty.

[@IvanMtl]

I love Minnie Driver! Return To Me is one of my favorite romantic comedies and is really a buried treasure. It has a terrific cast, and it just looks like everyone is having fun maiking it. It was directed by Bonnie Hunt, who is in it as well, and she and James Belushi are just so great in it.

[@liabw05]

Love that movie!! 🥰

[@IvanMtl]

@@liabw05 You and me both, Rebekah! I have watched it more times than I can remember. Such a great cast, great chemistry between everyone, and just a really clever idea as its plot.

[@liabw05]

@@IvanMtl exactly! The humor was on point! Everyone’s chemistry was great! The father’s gang of older men are so charming and funny! Especially the gorilla habitat happening in the background. Such a great way to tell the story. I think I’ll watch it this wkd! Haha 🤩

[@professorabronsius]

Minnie is a master describing her favorite films. It’s what every polite guest should do when entering this sacred film closet.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Amazing what I had last night. By chance I blindly collect a copy of the FUNERAL and it blew me away. A treat of beauty. Greater than I expected!

[@BillCoffin]

This entire series is such a joy to watch, but I really, really enjoyed Minnie Driver's commentary here.

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

Finally gotta get around to watching Uncut Gems. Sandler's dramatic roles have always been his best.

[@new_memeplex]

Thoughtful and articulate. Thank you, Minnie.

[@terribrown5629]

Love Minnie, love her selections. Brilliant.

[@petermotta1623]

As usual, another great actress looking for pearls. Bravo Minnie

[@daviddee9336]

Uncut gems is currently ahead of its time. In years to come it’ll be better appreciated. Such a tense experience from start to finish.

[@cynthiahamil9801]

Thank you for giving us a list of some of your favorite films! I will add these to my Netflix list! Thank you so much!

[@Advent3546]

Such an underrated actress. Though my favorite performance of hers is still Lady Eboshi in Princess Mononoke.

[@guely55]

Haven't seen her for a while and forgotten how much i love her. Brilliant and in such a great shape: what a woman!

[@MrSegrist]

Dang! I thought I was all tapped out on Criterion Collection purchases for this July sale at B & N, but after her recommendations, I realize I need to pick up a few that weren't on my list. Thank you, Minnie!

[@mirkovic]

Woah Ms Driver would make an AWESOME movie critic, does one of the greatest reviews in this channel

[@bluerev]

This was wonderful. Very well thought out and articulated accompanying comments.

[@MoreMovies4u]

Awesome selections, Minnie!

[@jamieellul6331]

Lovely talk through Ms. Driver.

[@OIP_1]

minnie you absolute legend! this gave me a lot of happiness

[@stan4now]

Great selection. The best movies inspire, energize, open our eyes, ears and mind. Same as the movies Minnie's starred in.

[@luismaldonado4989]

Wow. Minnie Driver looks really good! She’s really aging gracefully. Still hot.

[@xmobius0ne]

Her portrayal of Jane Porter in the Disney Tarzan movie is my favorite version of the character and was my first crush

[@mostrecommendedmovies]

0:16 ALL ABOUT EVE - Joseph L. Mankiewicz. “Required watching. It is clever and sharp and clearly at the time when women gave as good as they got.” 0:46 BETTY BLUE - Jean-Jacques Beineix. “Beatrice Dalle was like somebody drew her and she came to life. This embodiment of everything that I wanted to be as a woman.” 1:39 AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE - Jane Campion. "The landscape of New Zealand, this power and grace and beauty of this place." 2:20 UNCUT GEMS - Josh Safdie & Benny Safdie. "I do not understand why Adam Sandler was not nominated for an academy award and why he did not win." 3:12 DOWN BY LAW - Jim Jarmusch. "Jim Jarmusch captures this part of the unbridled imagination that you have when you're young." 3:12 WITHNAIL AND I - Jim Jarmusch. "I would watch it when I was a teenager and it was exactly what I dreamed being an adult would be like." 4:32 LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - Edouard Molinaro. "It makes you laugh at the absolute mortification of the way people behave. It was one of my father's favorite movies." 4:32 THE BIRDCAGE - Mike Nichols. "I love the Birdcage."

[@michaeljordan6008]

She was wonderful. Thanks, Minnie.

[@Buttsmoker]

Down By Law is the perfect movie. Easily my favorite ever

[@eddiepelosi6136]

This is brilliant..just love Minnie Driver

[@deffjaytron]

Mini Driver is such a wonderful talent. Really enjoyed what she had to say here.

[@ozzyisthirsty8105]

A wide and great selection, you can tell she loves cinema

[@PatrickAbel]

Loving the Uncut Gems appreciation. One of my favorites.

[@bodensick]

You are the best, Minnie. Love your love for great film. Miss you on the screen...hey, producers...put this talented woman to work

[@rigsby1454]

Utterly agree on the Sandler call. That was a powerhouse performance

[@trouble1600]

I miss seeing Minnie Driver in films.... Come back to us.

[@stemikger]

I love her soooo much!!

[@vincentkosik403]

love her and great selections..talent knows it wnether view it thank you

[@stevedotson1001]

Great closet session. I think Terry Nichols Birdcage is so much better than the original. I would like to see Kusterica do a version, based on the original. His use of music and pace - would be magic.

[@prayerposition1]

That was fantastic!

[@michelepastele5347]

I love Minnie! Why cant we see more of her? She was fabulous in The Riches!! Looking forward to her new book!

[@jaysterling26]

The Richies..what only 2 series? Criminal. Also, with her mellifluous voice I could listen to the 'phone book recited by Ms Driver...of course, the 'phone book would have to be published first...hold on ...a book..will it have an audio version?? ( ^

[@donnatrudeau889]

Very cool choices Minnie! I have never seen Betty Blue but will give it a look based on your suggestion! See ya!

[@NancyinNYC]

What I love is that I share not a single one of these picks with Minnie Driver and am still utterly smitten by everything about her commentary, from content to delivery to the sheer nerdy joy of her fangirldom.

[@f.w.2054]

They should allow the everyday, unknown movie viewer like me in the Criterion closet to pick out my favorites! These guests can all afford to buy the whole room! My picks would be Cassavettes Box/Viridiana (Bunuel)/Stalker(Tarkovsky)/Trilogy of Life(Pasolini)/Films of the 30s(Duvivier)/Silent Films(Ozu)/Road movies(Wenders)/The Servant(Losey) and Winter Light(Bergman). I would be much more appreciative, because I can seldom afford to buy the pricier box sets!

[@andrewwilson3365]

Minnie Driver great female Thespian. Cool closet pick video. "What makes a man, without hope, cling to a few more minutes of existence?".........hoping that The Third Man will be re-released in the Criterion Collection 😁

[@Dnll88]

She is awesome.

[@robsutherland5744]

She gained so much respect for making a Jane Campion selection. I was just waiting for someone to do that.

[@MrUndersolo]

Fantastic list! Loved Betty Blue and An Angel at my Table!

[@dylancheekfit]

Such a beautiful description of Jim Jarmusch. Perfectly said.

[@zerodreaming]

This is a good one. Great picks!

[@fanorama1]

Excellent choices and commentary.

[@gerardtuxen5069]

Yes Minnie, a superb selection

[@eily_b]

I was born 1971 and I have a feeling we watched and loved the same movies in our teens. 🥰 Love Minnie Driver. - But please, Criterion, could you insert the movie titles and directors in the lower third? Would be much appreciated. Minnie told us the titles but still... would be helpful.

[@TinLeadHammer]

And place the lights better to avoid glare.

[@proximacentaur1654]

Minnie Driver is a star.🌟

[@5StarFlix]

Would LOVE to see Big Night get a Criterion release.

[@adamcole4623]

I was thinking about this film again recently, having just finally bought Babette's Feast on DVD. They're bookends for me, and probably the best food films there are.