Cinema so bright they have to wear shades.
Ever watch a movie and are stunned by a pair of sunglasses so chic you simply have to have them? You’re not alone. Entire Reddit forums exist to try to track down sunglasses worn in movies. There are websites dedicated to the cause. Sunglasses so associated with particular actors that if you search their name plus the word sunglasses the exact frame and brand of sunglasses they wore is instantly available to you. Meryl Streep loved the sunglasses she wore as Miranda Priestly so much you can spot them on Donna Sheridan.
Sunglasses can tell us so much about a character, add so much to the storytelling, and become instantly iconic moments of film history. So our July Watch List is dedicated to some of our favorite sunglasses of cinema.
A Bigger Splash (2015) directed by Luca Guadagnino: American couple Paul and Marianne on vacation in Italy experience trouble when Marianne invites her former lover Harry to visit. And when Harry arrives with his teenage daughter, it’s a pot waiting to boil over. Starring Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Ralph Fiennes.
Barbie (2023) directed by Greta Gerwig: Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in Barbie Land. But when the real world calls their names, they discover the agonies and ecstasies of human existence. Starring so many Barbies, but mainly Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
Bull Durham (1988) directed by Ron Shelton: A love triangle set at the baseball diamond: veteran catcher Crash Davis, up and coming pitching prospect Nuke Laloosh, and the most gorgeous baseball groupie you can imagine Annie Savoy. Starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) directed by Blake Edwards: Holly Golightly is an eccentric New York girl determined to marry up. When a young writer moves into her apartment building, her past threatens to get in their way. Starring Audrey Hepburn.
Challengers (2024) directed by Luca Guadagnino: Retired tennis player Tashi Duncan has made her husband into a world famous tennis champion. To break him out of a losing streak she signs him up for a “Challenger” tournament, where he finds himself across the court from his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. Starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor.