Why Some Competent Directors Are Consistently Great While Others Are Hit-And-Miss

It is well-documented that some directors, including Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese, consistently deliver memorable films, while others may have more inconsistent career records. This article explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, focusing on aspects such as script selection, personal involvement, and directing talent.

Script Selection

One critical factor in a director's filmography is the quality of the scripts they work with. While Nolan, Tarantino, and Scorsese are known for their strong screenwriting skills, others must rely on external sources, such as books, plays, or pre-existing screenplays, and then hire writers to adapt them. Despite this, the best among them excel in guiding and shaping the final product, often to great acclaim. However, this talent does not guarantee success, as evidenced by the occasional flop in their careers.

Personal Involvement and Vision

The most successful directors often play a crucial role in the creative process by writing or co-writing their screenplays, allowing them to maintain a clear vision throughout production. In contrast, directors who are more dependent on external scripts may experience more variance in their work. Christopher Nolan, for example, has a singular vision that is often reflected in plot structure and narrative techniques, while Martin Scorsese's films are influenced by his own unique style and thematic concerns. This consistent vision can lead to more united and cohesive films.

Factors Beyond Control

While personal vision and talent are undoubtedly significant, external factors such as the quality of actors, production crew, and financial support also play a role in the final product. Just because a director has a clear vision and expressed passion for a project does not mean the results will always be a success. Sometimes, even the greatest ideas can fail due to unforeseen circumstances or poor decisions.

Subjective Nature of Greatness

Another challenge in evaluating a director's consistency is the subjective nature of what constitutes "greatness." Even seasoned filmmakers may have contradictory opinions about their work. For instance, Martin Scorsese, a personal favorite for many, has controversial films like Cchaos and Insomnia that fail to meet the expectations set by his blockbuster hits like The Last Temptation of Christ and Taxi is key; one critic's masterpiece may be another's disappointment, highlighting the varied interpretations of success.

The Role of Fame

Beyond personal talent and vision, a director's fame and reputation can contribute to their perceived consistency. When a director is allowed creative freedom, they can produce films that reflect their unique style and vision, often leading to a series of films that share similar thematic and stylistic elements. This alignment can create an impression of consistency, as seen with Scorsese's signature films that share thematic and stylistic similarities.

Unified Driving Vision

Ultimately, the single biggest factor that improves the odds of making a "great" film is a unified and driving creative vision. While the likelihood of creating a "great" film is statistically low, having a clear and consistent vision can increase those chances. Directors like Nolan, Tarantino, and Scorsese, by virtue of their fame and the ability to make the films they want, often have the creative freedom to deliver a consistent body of work.

In conclusion, while some directors are consistently great, this is often a result of their ability to maintain a singular vision, personal involvement in the creative process, and the ability to adapt and shape external scripts. However, the subjective nature of what constitutes greatness and the myriad factors beyond control mean that even the best directors occasionally produce films that fall short of expectations.