Film is a great healer. And for everyone reading this article there will have come a time when you have turned to a movie to find solace from the troubles of life. Because, let’s face it, life sucks. For some this film will be an old favourite, perhaps one that reminds them of their childhood, or maybe just a film that for whatever reason makes them happy. Those are the kind of films I want to talk to you about.
There are those that think that ‘feel-good’ films are somehow substandard. This may be because their stories are simple in nature or because they are popular. But I think this is pretty lofty thinking. Film is a great democratic dreamscape and the very fact that they have the power to soothe and spark optimism in you is a rare and special gift, and one that we should respect and be grateful for. Not only that but it is one we should spread around, in the hopes that these films can bring others the joy they bring to us. So it is with that mind I have created this list, a prescription if you will, of what I believe are the greatest ‘feel-good’ films, in the hopes that they will bring a smile to your face when you need it most.
10. Love, Actually (2003)
I meet more people who hate Love, Actually than like it. But the thing is this, there is no greater optimism than that found in a Christmas romance. Romantic films are perhaps the second greatest feel-good genre, with Christmas films coming in at number one. So Love, Actually is perfectly primed for positivity. The sheer number of romantic stories alone mean that at least one is bound to please you. Even if the Prime Minister falling in love with the tea girl doesn’t do it for you, maybe Andrew Lincoln throwing himself under the bus of heartbreak will.
Love, Actually works on a grander level than most rom-coms because, while there are happy endings in this film, there’s also sad news aplenty. Being set at Christmas, the film reminds us of that most loneliest of times, when we are most in need of a loved one, and the eternal optimist, Richard Curtis, concludes with many of his characters still alone. There is a rich melancholy that we can sink into. But a melancholy which reminds us that although the present might look dim, the possibilities for the future are endless. While people may poke fun at the silliness and grand optimism that Love, Actually dishes out, its positivity and joy is greater than many films could even hope of offering up.
9. Wall-E (2008)
For good reason Pixar makes two appearances on this list. Purveyors of quality animation, they are almost always more keenly identified as magnificent storytellers. Wall-E is the simple tale of a self-aware robot who has been left on earth alone to clean-up after the human race, long after his peers have all but rusted. Expanding on an archetype we recognise from ET and Short Circuit, Wall-E is much more than a part of someone else’s story; he is the story.
Wall-E’s innocence is an endearing quality and his wish for someone to love is something we can all sympathise with. Eve fulfills that need he has, and many scrapes are entered into in his quest to win her over. But this film is about more than just a quirky romantic comedy between two robots. Wall-E is all about the very simple desire to be loved and the lengths we will go to find it. More than that it is about the fact that kindness and courage is a greater strength than any skill or power could give you. Something we all need to be reminded of once in a while.
8. The Back To The Future Trilogy (1985-1990)
There are many adventure franchises that could have appeared on such a list as this but none of them would have made it to the top ten as Back To The Future has. Marty McFly is an incredible character: cool, charismatic, and adventurous to boot. But Marty has a weakness, like many other characters on this list. While he has no problem showing off his strengths, he lacks the true courage he needs to be himself.
Back To The Future and its sequels are hugely entertaining films. But I believe their power to inspire their audience is just as strong. What could be more inspirational than the story of a teenage boy being handed responsibility for not only his own existence but the existence of his loved ones? The very notion that we don’t like our parents and would have preferred someone else’s is one we have all (guiltily) thought of. Back To The Future does the research for us and, in its own way, shows how fragile the lives of our family and friends are. It asks what we would do to help and protect them, and tells us this: life hangs on a moment, it can all change so easily, so make your choices wisely.
(This year marks the 30th anniversary of Back To The Future so cinema and outdoor screenings are going on, keep an eye on your local showings.)
7. Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Singin’ In The Rain is iconic. There is no one who is not familiar with the image of Gene Kelly hanging from a lamppost in the pouring rain. But what do you know of the story? Singin’ In The Rain is set in 1920’s Hollywood. Talkies have arrived and the silent movie star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is a laughing stock in his first sound picture, The Duelling Cavalier. But with the help of his musician friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) and new love interest Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), he sets about re-making the film into a musical.
The musical genre is one that can be relied upon to spark optimism in its audience, and Singin’ In The Rain is the greatest film of its kind. Not only is it filled with dynamic song and dance numbers, but its story is entertaining and inspirational. The title song, by its very nature, is all about continuing on even when times seem gloomy. And that’s what this film is about. It is about pushing ahead when times are bad. Sure it’s a little too happy, but the characters’ driving optimism to continue on regardless makes this an infectious and unforgettable delight.
6. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s A Wonderful Life is a tremendous film and one which frequently finds its way into the top 100 films of all time. If you are reading this in America, I do apologise, you will probably have seen it more times than the years you have been alive. But to the Brits and the rest of the world, you definitely need to see this film.
It’s A Wonderful Life is the quintessential ‘what if?’ film. George Bailey (James Stewart) is an everyman but he is also a hero to the people who know him. His life hasn’t been as interesting or adventurous as he had hoped, and his responsibilities have driven him to the edge. On the brink of suicide, an angel called Clarence comes down to show him how important his life has been. George’s story is a remarkable one and one which teaches an important lesson: even the most ordinary of people can make the greatest impact. It is a film renowned for its optimism and will never fail to disappoint when you are feeling low.
5. Amélie (2001)
Amélie is undoubtedly the most beautiful-looking film on this list. Jeunet’s trademark style means that the world of Amélie Poulain is a rich and colourful dream. But that is nothing compared to the story of Amélie herself. An introverted Parisian waitress, Amélie daydreams of a better life, where the good guy always wins, where she is a hero, but most of all, one where she meets the friend and lover of her fantasies.
Amélie made great waves on its release and it ultimately made a star of its lead: Audrey Tautou. This is for the simple fact that Amélie is a joyous film. It is about the dreams and the fight of the underdog, the person many of us feel we are. Amélie is creative and adventurous but she lacks courage, and we follow her as she makes steps toward becoming a stronger, better person. We can even pretend for a moment that we can be as unique and special as she. This film is an important lesson in being true to yourself, never mind how weird that makes you. It is also a reminder that we should defend the little guy, but never put ourselves last. Amélie is most likely the film you are least familiar with on our list and I fervently hope that it is one you watch.
(Amélie was originally titled Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain but was most likely renamed when it was marketed outside of France.)
4. Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo is a simple, straightforward story, but thanks to the inspired storytelling of the Pixar company it is also a rich and important one. You will know it best as the film about the fish with short term memory loss (Dory, voiced by Ellen Degeneres) rather than the film about a father trying to find his son. That is because Dory is perhaps the character in Finding Nemo who has the greatest impact on us as the film’s audience.
Dory’s memory loss and ultimate lack of fear means she never questions or has time to question her choices. She is free of worry and because of this embraces life wholeheartedly, meaning that she is the one who drives the adventure, and she is the one who ultimately finds Nemo for Marlin. Her emotion and bravery make her one of the greatest cinematic characters of all the time, and spending time in her company is truly inspirational. When I hear that people won’t watch Pixar films because they are made for children, I am sad that they are missing out on such wonderful stories. So, if you are one of those people, do yourself a favour and watch this film. You won’t regret it.
(The film’s sequel, Finding Dory, will be released in 2016. And will be written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who not only made Finding Nemo but, interestingly, made Wall-E also.)
3. Harvey (1950)
This is James Stewart’s second appearance on this list, and for a good reason. Stewart’s fame has reached far beyond the end of his life and career for the simple fact that onscreen and off he was a good-hearted and kind gentleman. While his other roles may have left a greater impression on cinema history, his true nature was never more present than in Harvey as the delightful Elwood P. Dowd.
Harvey is a film about its namesake, a Pooka (an imaginary, invisible creature, and in this case a giant rabbit) called Harvey. Elwood is his good-natured friend who, perhaps because of Harvey’s influence, is as placid and as kind as you could imagine. The film follows Elwood’s plight when his family try to have him committed to a mental hospital. But so agreeable is Elwood that he goes with the flow, confident that no one will do him any harm and that pleasing people will make things go more smoothly.
You might be mistaken in thinking that Elwood is a pushover. But he is far from that. Elwood is a man who has realised that life is too short to care what people think of you, too short to waste energy convincing them that you are better than them, or some kind of person that you are not. Harvey is a film all about our desires to be taken seriously and the energy we waste in doing so. To paraphrase Elwood: in this life you can choose to be smart or pleasant. Are you going to spend all your time proving yourself to people or are you going to have the confidence to just go with the flow? The choice is yours.
2. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Not only is The Muppet Christmas Carol the greatest Muppets film and the greatest adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it may also be the greatest Christmas film of all time. A semi-musical adaptation of the original book, the film stars Michael Caine as Scrooge with Gonzo playing an onscreen omniscient Dickens. The script is smartly written, entertaining and a very funny play on the Dickens original. But more than that, it never patronises the audience; in fact it is probably the only kids film ever to use words like ‘omniscient’. And the respect the film has for its audience has never gone unnoticed.
The Muppet Christmas Carol’s is an incredibly uplifting film, for three basic reasons: one, the story of Scrooge is a wise cautionary tale that teaches us a great deal about the importance of kindness and understanding. Secondly, it is a Christmas film, and every emotion simply feels more profound at this time of year. The third and final reason for its brilliance is the Muppets themselves. Their capacity to entertain and bring joy spans the decades and goes far beyond the generation they are performing to. For myriad reasons they make us feel like the optimistic, energetic children we all are at heart, and no Christmas is complete without this wonderful film.
1. Groundhog Day (1993)
It’s Groundhog Day! Of course it is. Groundhog Day is one of the most entertaining films ever made, but also one with a potent life lesson: be kinder to others and you will find that the world becomes a better place. You will all know the story by now, but to those who don’t: Phil (Bill Murray) is a weatherman. He is grumpy and acerbic but not necessarily a bad man. After doing his duty at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Day he finds himself trapped in the town by a blizzard, and the next morning he wakes to the exact same day.
Much like Sam Beckett in Quantum Leap, Phil is being controlled by fate, or God, or whatever you want to believe it is (it probably doesn’t matter), and forced to live the same day over and over again. What follows is a series of events in which Phil first tries to see what he can get out of his predicament: money, sex, adventure. But then he ultimately loses interest and becomes depressed. It is then that he finally realises the state of his life. He may be stuck there forever, so he should at least try to make the best of it.
What Phil learns is how to be the person he always wanted to be, and not only that but the person everyone else wants him to be. The film is a powerful tale about how we should become our best selves and how it is only when we are happy with ourselves that we will find the love and respect we desire. Groundhog Day is an incredible and entertaining film and one that will doubtless make you feel better about yourself and your place in the world.
(Tim Minchin and the makers of the successful Matilda musical are working on a Groundhog Day musical, it will premiere next summer in London’s Old Vic Theatre.)
Conclusion
There are a lot of common pairings on our list but there are many commonalities that run through them all. These are all films about people who are hurting, even if they may not know it. They are films about letting go, being open to change, but also about finding the courage to make that change happen. The positive approach they have toward life, or eventually succeed in finding is one we all aspire to. And we take great joy in seeing them attain their happy endings.
Life can be hard and while it is easy to escape into a fantasy world in search of solace, these films won’t let you alone. They teach us important lessons, ones which only work if (ironically) we do one simple thing. Which is to escape from that fantasy world, from the inside of our own heads, and be courageous. To fight our problems head on is the only way we will truly gain happiness. Only when we are brave like these heroes we aspire to will we discover who we are, that we matter, and that there is a whole world of people and adventure out there waiting for us. In the words of Dory: “It’s time to let go, everything’s going to be alright.”
(As fate would have it a number of people are in great difficulty right now and someone is using film to help them. If you would like to know more about how Secret Cinema is helping the refugees in Calais follow this link here.)
What is the movie that makes you happy?
(top image: Back to the Future – source: Universal Studios)
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