Top 10 Real-Life Films

If you are thinking of a career change, our list of the top real-life films might help you.

The Devil Wears Prada

When The Devil Wears Prada was released in 2006, it attracted a lot of attention, not only for its star-studded cast—Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway—but also as a film adaptation of the 2003 novel of the same name. The story follows Andrea Sachs, or Andy, who becomes the second assistant to Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine. Though Andy has little experience in the fashion industry, she is ambitious and eager to build her career. However, she quickly realises the intense pressure of the job and adapts both professionally and personally. As she gains the respect of her colleagues and boss, her career begins to take off—but at the cost of her personal life. When Andy sees herself becoming more like Miranda, she ultimately decides to leave and pursue a different writing career with a better work-life balance.

The film presents a critical yet somewhat realistic portrayal of the fashion industry. While it offers immense opportunities for career advancement, it also demands exceptional dedication, long hours, and personal sacrifices. Success in the industry often requires putting one’s private life on hold to navigate high expectations and intense competition. It’s a demanding field that isn’t for everyone, but for those passionate about fashion, travel, and fast-paced work, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. And just like in the world of fashion, whether you’re working in high-stakes industries or enjoying a game with Stay Casino sign up bonus, dedication and focus are key to success. Both fields offer the excitement of competition and the possibility of great rewards for those who are willing to invest their time and energy.

Personal shopper

Making a career out of fashion is a dream for many, and in Personal Shopper, Maureen (played by Kristen Stewart) has already achieved it—at least on the surface. She works as a fashion shopper in Paris, assisting a high-profile designer and mingling with famous clients. However, she finds little joy in her work and views it solely as a way to support herself. Her real passion lies in the supernatural, as she attempts to communicate with spirits following the death of her twin brother.

Olivier Assayas’ 2016 film received widespread critical acclaim and won him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, in a rare tie with Cristian Mungiu. Interestingly, Personal Shopper is not just a film title but also a real profession. Personal shoppers work as fashion consultants in department stores, for wealthy individuals, or directly for designers. The role requires strong industry knowledge and an excellent sense of style to help clients make purchasing decisions.

There is no formal training or degree required to become a personal shopper, but experience in the fashion industry—such as internships, retail work, or styling—can be a great way to build connections. Many start out independently, finding their own clients before securing full-time positions, if that’s the goal. The best way to know if this career is right for you is simply to give it a try—just as Maureen did, only to realise that fashion wasn’t her true calling after all.

Wedding Planner – In love, engaged, overbooked

Ever since The Wedding Planner hit cinemas in 2001, many have dreamt of becoming a wedding planner. In the film, Jennifer Lopez plays Mary Fiore, a highly skilled professional who navigates crisis after crisis in her job. However, her own love life is less successful—until she meets Steve Edison, with whom she shares a romantic evening. Things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that Steve is actually the groom in the wedding she’s planning. Though initially furious, Mary and Steve find themselves drawn to each other again. In an emotional finale, Steve calls off his wedding, and he and Mary finally reunite.

While the love story’s realism is up for debate, one thing is certain: wedding planning is a thriving profession today. Many couples turn to professionals to handle the logistics, stress, and intricate details of their big day. If you have strong organisational skills and a passion for creating unforgettable events, this career path could be worth exploring.

“Croupier” – the deadly game of chance

For a long time, Jack, played by Clive Owen, worked as a croupier in a casino, managing games and ensuring fair play at the tables. However, his true ambition is to become a writer. When his literary career stalls, he reluctantly returns to the casino, where he meets Jani, a gambler with a dangerous plan to rob the house. Drawn into the intrigue, Jack finds himself both an observer and a participant—fueling inspiration for his next novel.

While Croupier is a gripping neo-noir thriller, it offers a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the profession. Even today, more than 25 years after its release, the role of a croupier remains largely unchanged. It’s not an ordinary job—working nights in a lively casino comes with both excitement and challenges. You meet fascinating people, and the fast-paced environment ensures there’s never a dull moment. However, the role demands intense concentration, and modern salaries are often modest. For those passionate about gaming and the casino atmosphere, though, being a croupier can still be a rewarding career.

Taxi Driver

The 1976 film Taxi Driver remains one of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic works. With Robert De Niro delivering a career-defining performance and a young Jodie Foster in a controversial role, this psychological thriller explores the fractured mind of Travis Bickle, a lonely taxi driver in New York. Preferring to work the night shift, he encounters the city’s dark underbelly, reinforcing his growing alienation and violent tendencies.

The film paints a grim picture of the profession, emphasizing its dangers and isolation. While taxi drivers do encounter all kinds of passengers—some more unusual than others—the reality of the job is far more balanced. Depending on location and hours, the work can sometimes be challenging, but it also offers flexibility, a steady income, and opportunities to meet people from all walks of life. It requires responsibility, patience, and awareness of safety, both for yourself and your passengers. If you’re considering this career, it’s best to research the job market in your area rather than take inspiration from Travis Bickle.

Clerks – the shopkeepers

Kevin Smith’s 1994 comedy Clerks is notable for several reasons. Shot in black and white on a shoestring budget, it became a cult classic and a major success, earning over a hundred times its production cost. It also introduced the now-iconic duo, Jay and Silent Bob, who would go on to appear in several of Smith’s later New Jersey films.

The plot is deceptively simple: 22-year-old Dante works at a Quick Stop convenience store, spending his shifts slacking off and debating life with his friend Randal, who runs the video store next door. What starts as an ordinary workday soon spirals into a series of bizarre and unexpected events that upend their routine and challenge their outlook on life.

Wall Street

For many Americans, working on Wall Street represents the ultimate dream—a chance to build wealth and achieve success. Oliver Stone’s 1987 film Wall Street offers a compelling look at the realities of high finance. Starring Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas, it became one of the most iconic films of its time, chronicling the rise and fall of Bud Fox, an ambitious stockbroker lured into illegal insider trading. Ultimately, his greed catches up with him, and he faces the consequences in court.

Wall Street is just one of many films exploring the stock market’s cutthroat nature, with insider trading as a recurring theme. Given the numerous financial scandals in recent decades, it’s no surprise that Hollywood often portrays Wall Street as a breeding ground for corruption. However, the film also serves as a cautionary tale, showing how crossing ethical and legal lines can lead to ruin.

For those interested in a stock market career, Wall Street provides a valuable lesson: success depends on navigating the fine line between ambition and integrity. Those who stay on the right side of the law can look forward to a fast-paced, high-stakes career with significant rewards—though not without stress and challenges.

A Beautiful Mind

The film A Beautiful Mind tells the remarkable life story of John Forbes Nash, the brilliant mathematician who revolutionised game theory and won a Nobel Prize in 1994. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, the 2001 biopic follows Nash from his time as a student at Princeton, where he begins experiencing schizophrenic psychosis, to his secret work deciphering Soviet codes for the U.S. government. As his condition worsens, he is admitted to a psychiatric hospital and later cared for by his wife. By the late 1990s, however, Nash is largely considered recovered and goes on to achieve his greatest professional successes, including the Nobel Prize.

Watching A Beautiful Mind might not necessarily inspire you to follow Nash’s exact path, but it does highlight the fascinating world of mathematics. If you have a passion for numbers and problem-solving, a career in this field offers a wide range of opportunities. Mathematicians can develop groundbreaking theories, work in finance or insurance, teach at universities or schools, and even contribute to cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, cryptography, or engineering. The possibilities are vast for those who enjoy analytical thinking and logical challenges.

Jerry Maguire

In Jerry Maguire, the titular sports manager finds himself out of a job after speaking out against dishonesty and the lack of humanity in the industry. Instead of giving up, he starts his own agency, navigating professional and personal struggles along the way. In the end, everything falls into place—both in his career and personal life—as he finally achieves the sporting success he desperately needs.

While working as a sports manager isn’t the most common profession, it is a realistic career path for those with a passion for sports and strong negotiation skills. The role typically involves managing sports associations, venues, facilities, or equipment manufacturers. There are multiple ways to break into the field, but like Jerry Maguire, you’ll need to prove yourself before reaching the upper levels of management. That said, the ethical concerns raised in the film aren’t entirely fictional—sports management, particularly in the US, has had its fair share of controversies. However, it’s important to approach such topics with nuance rather than sweeping generalisations.

The Piano Teacher

The last film on this list is particularly interesting because it’s the work of Austrian director Michael Haneke. He created The Piano Teacher, a French-language film based on the novel by Elfriede Jelinek. Released in 2001, the film achieved unexpected success and became the most successful production with Austrian involvement that year. The story centers on Erika Kohut, a piano teacher at the Vienna Conservatory, who has an unusually close and burdensome relationship with her mother. In an attempt to break free, Erika secretly explores her independence and meets Walter Klemmer, who falls in love with her. Their passionate and unconventional affair ultimately ends in tragedy.

While Erika Kohut’s personal life is certainly not a model to follow, being a piano player or teacher remains a dream job for many. To pursue either career, you need significant talent and skill on the piano. If you want to teach, strong pedagogical abilities are also essential. With the right skills, these professions offer high levels of creativity and the opportunity to turn your passion for the piano into a fulfilling career.