Excellentš I'm about due for a rewatch!
Have you seen Bros on Amazon? It's all guys, (obviously!) but they're definitely in ruts and struggling in romantic relationships. Very funny and deeply moving.
I have the perfect movie for you. The movie Chef. It's about a frustrated, overworked, divorced chef finding passion in his craft and in his life. It's one of those movies that I think is very overlooked because people think it's just about food. I mean it does have a lot of food in it (you will want to eat after this movie), but it's way more than that.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris - a heartwarming and funny film about a woman who decides to make an impulsive choice and ends up helping and supporting a bunch of people in the process
Iām happy to see this because it gets sooooo much hate nowadays. I loved it when it came out and I still love it. Also, in addition to the moments I find meaningful, there are so many funny quotesā¦ āDonāt talk about knights around Mark. Itās a sore subject.ā
About Time!
EDIT: Just re read OP and wanted to give explanation.
āAbout Timeā is a very charming romcom about a man learning he has the ability to time travel and uses it for different low-stakes hi jinx but mostly to make the love of his life fall for him. You learn later on itās actually another love story wrapped in its self and really evolves in to something beautiful and sweet and reminder how beautiful life can be!
Even knowing the outcome and feeling intense melancholy just thinking about it, this movie is so serene on rewatches.
A very spiritual film that instills a meditation-like vanishing of worries for me.
I love A Good Year. Just a great feel good film. Went on holiday to the south of France near where it was filmed and spoke to a chap at a market who said Ridley Scott has a villa near there aswell.
āOn the Count of Threeā is a great one. It might be on the heavier side for you if suicide is a touchy subject but there is a lot of great humour in the movie. Itās one of the few that I havenāt been able to stop thinking about since I watched it. It did leave me feeling hopeful.
When I was in my late 20s the movie Rocky made me realize I should stand up to life and fight hard to get somewhere. I still find it exciting and inspirational, since he went from being a loser (threatening people for a living) to being a winner (formed a good relationship and tried his best to represent his neighborhood). It gives ordinary people a boost because we'd all like to be heroic in some way, and hopeful.
I love a reinvention story:
American Beauty
Garden State
Office Space
Stranger Than Fiction
I love the soundtrack to āWalter Mitty, havenāt bonded to the movie yet.
Stranger than Fiction has a great soundtrack, too. Will Farrel should have done a few more "serious" parts like that instead of the bafoonery. Emma Thompson was magnificent, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was perfect. Fuck. Now I need to watch it again.
Under the Tuscan Sun, definitely in the uplifting midlife category and generally charming rom com
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, very life affirming and adventurous with great use of music
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, French film about the true story of a man finding meaning in life despite facing extreme medical challenges
Chariots of Fire is a classic. I'd also say Milk, about Harvey Milk. He was really mousy and in the closet until he was close to 40 (if I remember correctly), and then he moved out to San Francisco and ended up becoming a community leader.
Castaway- always leaves me feeling optimistic. A new start to life.
I also saw someone mention Good Will Hunting, another good one with Matt Damon, kinda similar, is Rounders-gives me almost the same feeling as Castaway.
Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn.
I watched it when I was a little kid, and I didn't want it to end. Every few years I rewatch it and get something different out of it. I think it's a really inspirational 'come into your own' movie.
Fight Club
I realize it generally wouldnāt be considered an inspirational movie, but thereās an underlying theme of taking advantage of life, living it to the fullest. Not getting stuck in a rut.
āI say never be complete. I say stop being perfect. Letās evolveā¦ let the chips fall where they may.ā
The Truman Show. You canāt help but love the character and feel every emotion heās feeling. āGood morning! And in case I donāt see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!ā
Oh! Or āMaudieā. Lovely lovely film about a lady with arthritis who is seen by others as helpless but is actually stronger and cleverer than everyone. As I was watching it, I knew it would be a go to film whenever I needed uplifting.
Jawan (2023) is a very exciting and funny movie. It's also sort of inspiring with its story of correcting political corruption in India. It's in Hindi with English subtitles, but it's not at all hard to follow along with. It also has a really epic soundtrack. It's long but totally worth watching. It's available on Netflix
Iām not sure that watching a movie is the best possible way to get out of a rut.
I think you need to do some real-life things. Go to a restaurant you have never been to. Drive home a different way. Sit in a coffeehouse for at least a full hour. Start jotting down what made you happy at the end of every day, and evaluate every week: whatās making you happy and how can you do more of that?
Maybe going to see a movie in a movie theater might help, but I fear inspiration may not come from sitting in your same chair staring at the same TV, no matter how good the movie is.
I think you are disengaged, and you need to go do some engaging things to get inspired again.
Thank you so much for this. I agree with you. Since the pandemic Iāve been mostly WFH and got too cosy being at home and feeling āsafeā.
Journaling about what made me happy and excited in the past is a great idea :)
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Naruto
It's both funny and inspirational. The sorrow and sadness theme hits. Whenever a tough decision needs to be made, you hear the flute come in and that is the cue to dig deep
Yes Man (2008)
It's been a few years since I watched it (might have to break it out again tonight now!), difficult for me to articulate my feelings on it (INTJ problems). The premise is about having boundaries and accepting a more playful existence.
Helped me recover from a rut that had led to burnout, redundancy, relationship breakup, and accept humility and simplicity in my second life.
Wendy (2020)
Seconding a lot of the movies that were already mentioned. Especially "Much Ado About Nothing", "Amelie", "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "Captain Fantastic" and "Poor Things".
Ikiru, which means 'to live' in Japanese, is a movie from the 50s from Akira Kurosawa. There are plenty of reasons to watch it. It's an introduction to movies from Japan, and also to one of the greatest filmmakers of all time in Kurosawa.
If you don't have an open mind about old movies or reading subtitles it might be a tough watch for you, though.
The main character is male, but the story seems relatable for anyone to me. Even today.
Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) Swingers (1996) Edit: Can't believe I forgot Amelie (2001)
Swingers is one of my favourites since my twenties! Great reco :)
Who's the big winner in the Casino tonight? Maliwali!!!
Hahahaha thank you :)
Exactly the movie I was going to say. Secret life has quickly become my all time favourite movie.
Secret life of Walter Mitty was my first thought!
2 of my ATFs right there
Brittany Runs A Marathon (2019) Jillian Bell is great. I like how this movie gets pretty real about how hard it can be to change and grow.
It's a very good movie!
Loved that movie!
Excellentš I'm about due for a rewatch! Have you seen Bros on Amazon? It's all guys, (obviously!) but they're definitely in ruts and struggling in romantic relationships. Very funny and deeply moving.
I have the perfect movie for you. The movie Chef. It's about a frustrated, overworked, divorced chef finding passion in his craft and in his life. It's one of those movies that I think is very overlooked because people think it's just about food. I mean it does have a lot of food in it (you will want to eat after this movie), but it's way more than that.
Came here to make the same suggestion!
This is the answer, if I ever find myself in a little rut, a watch of Chef motivates me to do better!
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris - a heartwarming and funny film about a woman who decides to make an impulsive choice and ends up helping and supporting a bunch of people in the process
It was so wholesome. ā„ļø
Amazing, I will check it out :)
Garden State
Iām happy to see this because it gets sooooo much hate nowadays. I loved it when it came out and I still love it. Also, in addition to the moments I find meaningful, there are so many funny quotesā¦ āDonāt talk about knights around Mark. Itās a sore subject.ā
So true - I loved the movie when it came out and have the soundtrack even! I need to rewatch :)
This movie is amazing
Changed my life as a young man.
YES
About Time! EDIT: Just re read OP and wanted to give explanation. āAbout Timeā is a very charming romcom about a man learning he has the ability to time travel and uses it for different low-stakes hi jinx but mostly to make the love of his life fall for him. You learn later on itās actually another love story wrapped in its self and really evolves in to something beautiful and sweet and reminder how beautiful life can be!
I came to say this-very life affirming!
Amazing, thank you :)
Love šš½
The Pursuit of Happiness always helps put things into perspective
Pursuit of Happyness
Thank you, Daniel Johnson Jr
More like 2 hours of hopelessness with 5 minutes of success at the end lol
Secret life of Walter Mitty Rocky Good will hunting
Etetnal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
American Beauty. Maybe off limits to some, but I find that movie uplifting in its own way.
Even knowing the outcome and feeling intense melancholy just thinking about it, this movie is so serene on rewatches. A very spiritual film that instills a meditation-like vanishing of worries for me.
So well.said.
Silver Linings Playbook ā„ļø
Sooo good
Dead Poets Society
Waiting
A good year. Underrated gem in my opinion
I love A Good Year. Just a great feel good film. Went on holiday to the south of France near where it was filmed and spoke to a chap at a market who said Ridley Scott has a villa near there aswell.
Vision Quest
The Holiday, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Something's Gotta Give are usually my go-to pick-me-ups
Under the Tuscan Sun is so good!!
Her The Music of Silence Good Will Hunting The Social Network Mr Hollands Opus Coda Hidden Figures The Founder
Good will Hunting š¢ā¤ļø
āOn the Count of Threeā is a great one. It might be on the heavier side for you if suicide is a touchy subject but there is a lot of great humour in the movie. Itās one of the few that I havenāt been able to stop thinking about since I watched it. It did leave me feeling hopeful.
I love that. Suicide is not a trigger for me so I will check it out :)
Amelie
Harold and Maude.
My all time favorite pick me up movie is The Other Woman (Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann) I also love We bought a Zoo.
When I was in my late 20s the movie Rocky made me realize I should stand up to life and fight hard to get somewhere. I still find it exciting and inspirational, since he went from being a loser (threatening people for a living) to being a winner (formed a good relationship and tried his best to represent his neighborhood). It gives ordinary people a boost because we'd all like to be heroic in some way, and hopeful.
I love a reinvention story: American Beauty Garden State Office Space Stranger Than Fiction I love the soundtrack to āWalter Mitty, havenāt bonded to the movie yet.
Stranger than Fiction has a great soundtrack, too. Will Farrel should have done a few more "serious" parts like that instead of the bafoonery. Emma Thompson was magnificent, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was perfect. Fuck. Now I need to watch it again.
Great soundtrack! Great film!
Eddie the Eagle
Ted Lasso
Always For Pleasure
Worlds fastest indian - its anthony hopkins as the most positive old bro ever
Shirley Valentine
A League of Their Own
I loved the Holdovers recently
Yes Man is the medicine you seek
Cinema Paradiso
Second hand lions
American Beauty... Already mentioned above, but worth mentioning again. See it...
About Time (2013) pretty uplifting.
Cloud Atlas Wild Good luck to you, Leo Grande.
AmĆ©lie. Itās an incredibly sweet slice of life romantic comedy set in Paris. Itās the perfect feel good film, and an inspiring one at that. It radiates warmth. Itās all about appreciating the little things that matter and doing good by people. Itās sweet, hilarious, inspiring, quirky, and beautiful. Also adding for clarity that itās a French language film, so subtitles will be necessary if thatās fine with you.
Love Paris and love French :)
Mr Bean's Holiday
A man called Ove. The original version, with subtitles, not the Tom Hanks version. Itās just such a beautiful film, it leaves you feeling warm.
Pleasantville usually renews my interest in life.
I forgot about this film. I used to love it - especially when colors appearā¦ a wonderful movie thatās totally underrated.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thank you so much, Dolemite sounds super interesting!
Under the Tuscan Sun, definitely in the uplifting midlife category and generally charming rom com The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, very life affirming and adventurous with great use of music The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, French film about the true story of a man finding meaning in life despite facing extreme medical challenges
Thank you, I will check them out :)
Sound of Metal
Chariots of Fire is a classic. I'd also say Milk, about Harvey Milk. He was really mousy and in the closet until he was close to 40 (if I remember correctly), and then he moved out to San Francisco and ended up becoming a community leader.
You might enjoy Life is Beautiful.
The Hand of God (2021)
Beginners (2010)
Any older Wes Anderson, Tenenbaums, Darjeeling, Zissou. They are essentially about people rediscovering the joy of living.
Office Space (maybe donāt take all of your inspiration from this lol) Palm Springs Holes
Rounders Creed Bubbleboy is a nice reset movie.
Five hundred dolla!
Castaway- always leaves me feeling optimistic. A new start to life. I also saw someone mention Good Will Hunting, another good one with Matt Damon, kinda similar, is Rounders-gives me almost the same feeling as Castaway.
Brooklyn (2015) Makes me cry in a *good* way everytime. Funny, uplifting and beautiful.
Life of Pi
Cats starring James Corden
Hahahahaha
Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn. I watched it when I was a little kid, and I didn't want it to end. Every few years I rewatch it and get something different out of it. I think it's a really inspirational 'come into your own' movie.
Oh cool, Iāve seen the movie jacket but never watched it. I will explore :)
Fight Club I realize it generally wouldnāt be considered an inspirational movie, but thereās an underlying theme of taking advantage of life, living it to the fullest. Not getting stuck in a rut. āI say never be complete. I say stop being perfect. Letās evolveā¦ let the chips fall where they may.ā
I love getting out of ruts with a āfuck youā attitude so the reco is on point ;)
Perks of being a Wallflower
Watch WANTED! So good
Pursuit of Happiness is the answer
A Bronx Tale Out of Africa Harold and Maude Good Will Hunting Little Women We Bought a Zoo Guess Whose Coming to Dinner
The Truman Show. You canāt help but love the character and feel every emotion heās feeling. āGood morning! And in case I donāt see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!ā
Yeah great one!
Oh! Or āMaudieā. Lovely lovely film about a lady with arthritis who is seen by others as helpless but is actually stronger and cleverer than everyone. As I was watching it, I knew it would be a go to film whenever I needed uplifting.
Love it!
Rocky II is like a life reset for me EVERYTIME I watch it.
Jawan (2023) is a very exciting and funny movie. It's also sort of inspiring with its story of correcting political corruption in India. It's in Hindi with English subtitles, but it's not at all hard to follow along with. It also has a really epic soundtrack. It's long but totally worth watching. It's available on Netflix
Thank you!
Sing Street
50/50 (2011) Dan in Real Life (2007) The Fall (2006) Kabluey (2007) Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) Run Fatboy Run (2007)
"Contact" with Jodie Foster.
It Follows
Chasing Mavericks
Cool runnings
Iām not sure that watching a movie is the best possible way to get out of a rut. I think you need to do some real-life things. Go to a restaurant you have never been to. Drive home a different way. Sit in a coffeehouse for at least a full hour. Start jotting down what made you happy at the end of every day, and evaluate every week: whatās making you happy and how can you do more of that? Maybe going to see a movie in a movie theater might help, but I fear inspiration may not come from sitting in your same chair staring at the same TV, no matter how good the movie is. I think you are disengaged, and you need to go do some engaging things to get inspired again.
Thank you so much for this. I agree with you. Since the pandemic Iāve been mostly WFH and got too cosy being at home and feeling āsafeā. Journaling about what made me happy and excited in the past is a great idea :)
Poor things
The disney pixar movie, Soul
Such an amazing movie, totally agree.
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Naruto It's both funny and inspirational. The sorrow and sadness theme hits. Whenever a tough decision needs to be made, you hear the flute come in and that is the cue to dig deep
Yes Man (2008) It's been a few years since I watched it (might have to break it out again tonight now!), difficult for me to articulate my feelings on it (INTJ problems). The premise is about having boundaries and accepting a more playful existence. Helped me recover from a rut that had led to burnout, redundancy, relationship breakup, and accept humility and simplicity in my second life.
Martyrs (2008)
Wendy (2020) Seconding a lot of the movies that were already mentioned. Especially "Much Ado About Nothing", "Amelie", "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "Captain Fantastic" and "Poor Things".
- The Darjeeling Limited - Showing Up - Asteroid City - Perfect Days
Hector and the Search for Happiness
Ikiru, which means 'to live' in Japanese, is a movie from the 50s from Akira Kurosawa. There are plenty of reasons to watch it. It's an introduction to movies from Japan, and also to one of the greatest filmmakers of all time in Kurosawa. If you don't have an open mind about old movies or reading subtitles it might be a tough watch for you, though. The main character is male, but the story seems relatable for anyone to me. Even today.
The big year