We’ve heeded the proclamations that have echoed from the stone manses of the Screen Actors and Producers Guilds, and now it’s time to humor the opinions of the Writers Guild, who convened in their rented conference room at the Radisson to offer their own words on this year’s best films, before they are officially made obsolete by software that can generate a workable screenplay from any toy it scans. As one might expect from the Writers Guild, the screenplay is paramount, which means their selections do not take into account the pretty and/or monied people that actually get you Oscar nominations. But if you value such things as compellingly told stories, fully realized characters, and sharp dialogue—hey, whatever scratches your niche. Here’s your list of the year’s finest screenplays as decided by a bunch of professional writers, weirdo.
Best Original Screenplay
50/50
Bridesmaids
Midnight In Paris
Win Win
Young Adult
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Help
Hugo
Moneyball
Best Documentary Screenplay
Better This World
If A Tree Falls: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front
Nostalgia For The Light
Pina
Position Among The Stars
Senna