9. Gloria
The first time a film named after a character called Gloria graced cinema screens was back in 1980, with the release of the classic John Cassavettes drama starring Gena Rowland in the titular role. The most recent film to use that name for its title might not be a remake but it nevertheless bears a strong resemblance to its namesake, not least its intense focus on the life of a middle-aged woman in flux. Just as Cassavettes demonstrated an intuitive grasp of delivering engaging character studies, so too does Chilean director Sebastian Lelio demonstrate a masterful understanding of how to reveal a character to the audience with sincerity and affection. We see divorcee Gloria's attempts to find romance in the bars of Santiago and her subsequent relationship with a married man - doomed to failure - and thanks to a truly exceptional performance from Paulina Garcia there's an earnestness and credibility to her hopes and despair. Lelio avoids sentimentality and melodrama and delivers something considerably more honest and authentic.