Feel good movies | Unframed

Unframed's feel-good flicks to beat the November blues

by the Unframed's team - November 2017

With Wellness Week underway, and November Breakdown luring in the distance, the members of Unframed have all chosen one of their favourite ‘feel-good’ movies or TV shows to beat the blues, along with a brief reason for why they’ve chosen it. Some you may know, or some may be new to you – either way they have been chosen with care and good intent, for your enjoyment.

So rug up, find a friend and some ice-cream, and treat yourself to a therapeutic mini-marathon to beat the blues.

Augustin Denis: (500) Days of Summer, Marc Webb (2009)

Beyond being an interesting commentary in the form of a rom-com, it is a heartfelt movie about learning how to let go of stuff you can’t do anything about, may they be the end of a romantic relationship or any disappointment. What is especially nice is that the movie does not depict the act of letting go as sad but as a way to progress and to allow for growth and the discovery of new experiences.

Chloé Almodovar: How I Met Your Mother, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas

How I Met Your Mother is a series of 9 seasons and 208 episodes aired from 2005 to 2014 – all this time for Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) to tell his children how he met their mother. Flashbacks, absurd situations, comedy and love… It is impossible not to smile when watching an episode, especially any episode of the first two seasons. The sweet couple Lily and Marshall, the womanizer Barney and the independent Canadian Robin are all colorful and moving characters. “The Pineapple Incident” summarizes the spirit of the series: funny, relaxed and chill!

Camille Numa: Little Miss Sunshine, Jonathan Dayton and Valérie Faris (2006)

Little Miss Sunshine is a heartfelt comedy, balancing heavy dramatic moments with innocent comedic highlights. The acting is A+, despite the characters being stereotyped and having their own flaws. Nevertheless, it allows the film to explore the complexity of family bonds. It is definitely a film that makes you think a lot after you’ve watched it and you might experience some bitter sweet emotions but it remains a feel good movie!

David Yang: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson (2009)

“And so it begins.” What better movie to escape from the messiness of daily life than Fantastic Mr. Fox? It is 87 minutes of pure wonderful color palettes, charming characters, fantabulous symmetry, impressively stylish stop motion, awesome sense of rhythm, plans plans plans, Wes Anderson humour, and unique theme-evoking soundtrack. It was Wes Anderson’s first animated film, but it certainly did not feel like it: what are you still waiting for? Join Mr. Fox and outfox the three meanest farmers in his valley! (Before you tackle your own troubles with a whistle and a click*) *reference intended.

Camille Numa: Hunt for the Wilder People, Taika Waititi (2016)

Hunt for the WilderPeople is a road-trip film mixing comedy and adventure. The main highlights of the movie are the beautiful sceneries of New Zealand nature and quirky humor. It insists on the importance of friendship and overcoming differences but it remains simple and definitely really enjoyableto watch.

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Little miss sunshine (2006)

Julie Hébrard: My Neighbour Totoro, Hayao Miyazaki (1988)

Between dreams and kindness, My neighbor Totoro makes us go back to our childlike innocence. This animation movie is one of the most fabulous Miyazaki’ movie and at the end of the screening, you’ll probably sing the song of the film with a huge smile. So take a big plaid and a hot chocolate and let yourself become immersed in the beautiful world of Totoro.

Julie Hébrard: Princess Bride, Rob Reiner (1987)

When you’re in a bad mood, there is nothing better than a lovely love story. Princess Bride was released in 1987, adapted from a book by William Goldman. It’s a mix of adventures, passion, secrets and of course, love – all interpreted by amazing characters. Thanks to their humour, you won’t stay moody for much longer!

Sarah Zhang: Black Mirror - “San Junipero”, Charlie Brooker

Black Mirror isn’t the first series that necessarily comes to mind when one thinks of feel-good stories, but the Netflix-owned anthology series exploring the intersection between technology and horror takes a slight departure with the episode San Junipero. The result is an evocative romp through the hazy neon lights of the 80’s as well as the digital paradise of the early 00’s that follows a tale as old as time, the love story. It explores this timeless trope while truly staying within classic Black Mirror themes. What is perhaps most remarkable is the intimate and nuanced microcosm crafted around the central relationship that seems to transcend time. “San Junipero” is an episode that boasts a triple trifecta-punchy and fresh visuals, parable-like social commentary, and a classic romance.

Julie Hébrard: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Stephan Elliott (1995)

Warning: crazy movie here! Priscilla is not just an ordinary movie; it tells the tale of three drag queens who cross Australia in a bus named “Priscilla” to perform in a casino. During their trip, they face many roadblocks, notably the judgment of the others regarding their sexual orientation. The wonderful landscapes of Australia and the offbeat humour of the film will provide you with a great time.

Julie Hébrard: The Angels’ Share, Ken Loach (2012)

“I would walk 500 miles”. This Ken Loach’ movie lets you discover the whisky-tasting world through a surprising point of view – you travel around Scotland with a group of ex inmates. Mixing the hard reality of rehabilitation and a beautiful story of whisky and friendship, this movie is paired just perfectly with an ice cream under a duvet.

Louis Noirault: Baby Driver, Edgar Wright (2017)

Wright had already shown us how he mastered his very own style of comedy with the Cornetto trilogy, but with Baby Driver he made an even bolder move by merging his dynamic style with an omnipresent and energetic soundtrack. Whether one likes this style or not, one cannot be insensitive to the feeling of wholesomeness that the succeeding tracks convey.

Pauline Mornet: Please Like Me, Josh Thomas

Gay sex, good food, coloc life, and unapologetically addressing issues like breast cancer, abortions and STDs. The mini-series Please Like Me is so accurate in its depiction of adulthood that you laugh not at the show but at your own fumbles in life. PLM deals with four friends in their mid-20s in Melbournian suburbia as they blunder through sex, love, life and responsibilities. Yet behind the facade of lightheartedness, Josh Thomas’ autobiographical work addresses serious themes with gripping honesty, accuracy and with an admirable sense of humour. Each episode is 20 minutes long, available on Netflix and honestly worth your while.

Quentin Pithois: American Beauty, Sam Mendes (1999)

This movie represents for me a 2h20 long moment of inspiration. Very poetically, Sam Mendes incites us through his characters to accept ourselves, to relativize life and to enjoy it. This wonderful story makes us perceive our existence in a positive way and not care about minors problems, which we definitely all need.

Jennifer Ferengja: Tallulah, Sian Heder (2016)

Because you always feel better when you see that other people’s life is almost as messed up as yours, Tallulah is a good call. Money, love and family aren’t always a guarantee… and you know what? She doesn’t care. This anti-heroine, without any motherly instincts, compassion, or even morality, makes life look like a game, and you, like the winner. So forget about the happy endings and learn how to steal a baby just to find a purpose to your life… PS : Ellen Page is waiting for you on Netflix.

Maxen Owen: Captain Fantastic, Matt Ross (2016)

Idealistic and rebellious, this is a movie that might make you drop a tear at some moments but ultimately it will take you on an adventure of optimism and happiness. Viggo Mortensen playing the role of an eco-warrior dad living an isolated life in the woods and trying to educate his genius kids in an alternative way; teaching them philosophy, literary classics, and politics is a rather exhilarating thing to watch. This is not just some sort of boho hippie movie, it’s a utopia that is too good to be true, and the director knows it, but it will make you reconsider how society works from top to bottom in the space of a few hours.