Films on Ambition: A Dramatic Journey

Description: Chris Gardner's relentless pursuit of a better life for himself and his son, despite overwhelming odds, is a testament to the power of ambition and resilience.

Fact: The film's title misspelling is intentional, reflecting the real-life sign Chris Gardner saw. Will Smith and his son Jaden played father and son in the film.

Description: Andy's ambition to succeed in the cutthroat world of fashion journalism under the tyrannical editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly, is both humorous and insightful.

Fact: Meryl Streep based her character on Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The film's title is a playful twist on the book's original title, "The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel."

Description: Daniel Plainview's ruthless ambition to dominate the oil industry in early 20th-century America is portrayed with chilling intensity, exploring themes of greed, power, and family.

Fact: The film's title is taken from a line in the novel "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair, which inspired the film. Daniel Day-Lewis prepared for his role by studying the lives of oil tycoons.

Description: Nina's ambition to perfect her role in "Swan Lake" leads her down a dark path of obsession, blurring the lines between reality and madness.

Fact: Natalie Portman trained for a year to perform the ballet sequences, losing 20 pounds for the role. The film's psychological intensity was inspired by "The Red Shoes."

Description: Jordan Belfort's wild journey from a penny stock trader to a Wall Street legend is a cautionary tale of ambition, excess, and the consequences of unchecked greed.

Fact: The film's budget was significantly increased due to the real-life expenses of the lavish parties depicted. Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, adding to the film's authenticity.

Description: Billy Beane's ambition to revolutionize baseball through statistical analysis showcases the clash between traditional methods and innovative thinking.

Fact: The film was based on the book by Michael Lewis, which itself was inspired by the real-life story of the Oakland Athletics. Brad Pitt prepared for his role by spending time with Billy Beane.

Description: This film chronicles the creation of Facebook and the intense ambition of Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of success.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to capture the natural progression of the characters' relationships. Aaron Sorkin's screenplay was based on the book "The Accidental Billionaires."

Description: King George VI's struggle with his stammer and his ambition to lead his country through WWII is both poignant and inspiring.

Fact: The film was initially rated R for language, but was later changed to PG-13 after an appeal. Colin Firth's performance was so convincing that many believed he actually had a stammer.

Description: A young drummer's ambition to become one of the greats is tested by his ruthless instructor, pushing him to the brink of physical and mental collapse.

Fact: The film was shot in 19 days, with many scenes done in one take to capture the raw energy. J.K. Simmons' intense performance was inspired by his own experiences with demanding teachers.

Description: Stephen Hawking's ambition to understand the universe, despite his debilitating illness, is a story of intellectual ambition and personal triumph.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne met with Stephen Hawking several times to prepare for the role. The film's title comes from Hawking's book of the same name.