Okay, I have to admit this: I've never seen anything by this guy, so I'm wondering which film I should go ahead and watch first. For right now, it's between Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth. I want to see both films eventually (and don't worry Hellboy fans, I'll get to those too), but between the two I listed, what do you think I should go with as my first del Toro film?
shareThe director is there to bring the script to life. While he/she is a pivotal part of the process, it's still ultimately the screenwriter(s) who "created" the movie (so to speak). The blocking, vocal inflections, convincing chemistry and other factors the actors bring to the film are generally all at the mercy of the director. However in the world of film (as opposed to theatre) the screenwriter is generally there to make sure his/her particular vision is realized. The amount of say they have however, depends on the stipulations in the contract. All that being said, deciding that only the films Del Toro directed can be considered "his" makes no sense. They are partly "his" of course, but just as much as they belong to the screenwriter and the reverse is true for the films he has written (but not always directed). If it was about a film he strictly produced, that comment can be applied - but not to one he had a heavy hand in creating (directing or writing/adapting for the screen).
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