Movies off the Beaten Path

Since college classes are taking up 127% of my brain power right now, I figured I would post about an easy, fun topic-- movies! Here are a few films that the majority of people probably haven't seen, but absolutely should.

1. Leave No Trace

A troubled veteran raises his young daughter in the woods, hiding from society, until one day their peaceful existence is shattered.

Leave No Trace is the most realistic movie I've ever seen, and I mean that in the best way. The dialogue sounds unscripted, the emotions are genuine and understated, the camerawork and score don't draw undue attention to themselves, and there are no pat answers to the thorny problems the characters face. Plus, it's filmed on location in my old stomping grounds, the verdant wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, which gives it bonus points in my book. Don't let the PG rating fool you-- it's a haunting, heart-wrenching story that will stay with you for a long time.

2. The Personal History of David Copperfield

If your local movie theaters are reopening and you're looking for a way to support them, this movie is well worth your money. Of course, no adaptation can do Dickens' tragicomic masterpiece complete justice within the span of two hours. But The Personal History does provide great entertainment while showing both respect and affection for its source material. The overall spirit of the story, along with lots of minute details, is preserved. And best of all, the filmmakers found a brilliant way to incorporate Dickens' unique writing style and delightful turns of phrase, in spite of the visual medium.

3. The Spitfire Grill

A young woman just released from prison starts working at the diner in a small town in Maine, but a cold, judgmental reception from most of the town's citizens.

The Spitfire Grill is such an incredible, overlooked movie. It has moments of beauty, light, and wonder, but it also acknowledges life's darkness and pain. The dialogue, humor, acting, and score are all excellent. I especially appreciated that all of the actors looked like normal, everyday people, a breath of fresh air amid Hollywood's supermodel-only casts. It has a powerful message and a hopeful ending that feels deserved.

4. Mother India

A young Indian bride discovers her mother-in-law paid for her lavish wedding by mortgaging the family land to a greedy moneylender, leading to a struggle against poverty and oppression that will last the rest of her life.

Mother India was my first exploration into the world of Indian cinema, and I'm so thankful I watched it. It involves some tonal acrobatics-- slapstick humor in one scene, gut-wrenching tragedy in the next, and a large-scale Hindustani musical number in the next. But somehow, it doesn't feel unbalanced. The acting is phenomenal-- when a movie can feature a man using his face to open a door and make it pathetic, not ridiculous, you know you're in good hands. The characters are deep and multilayered, and the story is gripping and unpredictable.

#favorites #life #thoughtprovoking