There are innumerable types of art, from literature and music to dance and sculpture, but art isn't just about aesthetics. It allows us to experience alternate lives, thoughts, and emotions. In the words of author Toni Morrison, "the best art is political and you ought to be able to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time."
Cinema is arguably the most popular medium of expression today. Although films are usually crafted with the intention of entertaining audiences, their narratives often paraphrase complex concepts in easily digestible formats. Movies can raise awareness about issues, subvert societal norms, as well as inspire viewers to action.
10 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) Inspired Activists Around The World
Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was released to widespread acclaim. Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell earned dozens of nominations, winning Golden Globes, Oscars, BAFTAs, and several other awards for their respective performances.
Mildred refuses to allow her circumstances to define her character. She instead fights tooth and nail for the justice she has been denied. She never surrenders her moral integrity even once, demonstrating a level of willpower that shakes the very foundation of Ebbing's incompetent police system. McDormand was delighted to hear "that activists all over the world have been inspired" by Three Billboards.
9 Chariots Of Fire (1981) Is One Of The Most Hopeful Sports Dramas Ever Made
Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson, is based on the real-life experiences of two British runners at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Their personal philosophies might be radically different, but their message of hope is the same. The film won four out of seven Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture.
Chariots of Fire is filled with inspirational speeches, slow-mo runs on the beach, and a theme tune that has since become an indelible part of popular consciousness. The complex interplay between spirituality and athletic rivalry makes Chariots of Fire one of the best sports dramas ever made.
8 I Love You Phillip Morris (2009) Highlights The Possibility Of Love In The Most Unorthodox Setting
Ewan McGregor plays the eponymous character in I Love You Phillip Morris, but the bulk of the film revolves around Jim Carrey's character, Steven Jay Russell. Russell develops a romantic bond with Phillip while they're both in prison, explaining why he breaks out multiple times after Phillip is released.
Variety mentioned that I Love You Phillip Morris was "less of a comedy than a hilarious tragedy," highlighting Jim Carrey's endearingly heartwarming performance. Russell isn't the most ethical person by any moral metric, but his enduring love for Phillip is unquestionably inspiring.
7 Bend It Like Beckham (2002) Is An Inspiring Tale About An Aspiring Soccer Player
Gurinder Chadha's Bend It Like Beckham revolves around a British Indian woman and her love of soccer. Jess Bhamra's conservative parents don't like the idea of their unmarried daughter "running around half naked in front of men." Jess, however, continues to follow her passion with a fiery intensity, effortlessly leaping over every obstacle thrown in her path.
The Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus calls Bend It Like Beckham "inspiring [and] compassionate, with a sly undercurrent of social commentary." Jess bends the rules of her society without actually breaking them, until her parents have no choice but to concede to their daughter's wishes.
6 Good Will Hunting (1997) Deals With Heartwrenching Topics Without Losing Its Sense Of Hope
Good Will Hunting earned Matt Damon and Ben Affleck their first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, with Robin Williams winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film's unorthodox subject, uplifting tone, and stunning performances were commended by both critics and audiences.
Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Good Will Hunting is stuffed [...] with heart, soul, audacity, and blarney," praising the onscreen chemistry between Williams and Damon. Sean Maguire teaches Will Hunting to let go of his self-hatred and stop blaming himself for something that was never his fault.
5 English Vinglish (2013) Proves That Anyone Can Accomplish Anything With The Right Mindset
English Vinglish follows an Indian housewife on her quest to improve her English language skills and gain the respect of her family. The movie was a massive triumph at the box office, earning more than nine times its production budget.
Protagonist Shashi Godbole overcomes the heteropatriarchal odds stacked against her, demonstrating that anyone can accomplish anything they set their minds to. English Vinglish isn't a rollercoaster as much as it is a choppy boat ride. Shashi navigates the waves of fate with tenderness and grit, inspiring both her family and the audience.
4 The Truman Show (1998) Allows Its Hapless Protagonist To Go Free
The Truman Show is all about Truman Burbank, a man whose entire life turns out to be a reality TV program. Truman spends thirty years in Seahaven, completely oblivious to the fact that his friends and family are actors and his hometown is a massive television set.
The Truman Show is a masterfully designed thought experiment, exploring a range of intricate concepts from metaphysics and existentialism to spirituality and human psychology. By the end of the film, Truman manages to escape his fabricated world and enters the real world, thereby receiving the greatest gift a human being can possess: free will.
3 Lion (2016) Ends In Tears, But They're Not Unhappy Ones
Lion, directed by Garth Davis, is based on Saroo Brierly's autobiography, A Long Way Home. Starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, Lion was widely acclaimed for its heartfelt depiction of Brierley's search for his long-lost parents. Patel won the BAFTA for his performance and was nominated for an Academy Award.
The Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus describes Lion as "undeniably uplifting," while renowned novelist Salman Rushdie claimed that "to say it's an emotionally affecting movie is to understate its power absurdly." Lion ends in tears, but they're not unhappy ones.
2 Erin Brockovich (2000) Teaches Viewers The Value Of Protecting The Environment
Julia Roberts portrays the titular character in Erin Brockovich with her trademark energy and pathos. She obtained a record number of awards for the role, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actor's Guild Award. The film chronicles Erin Brockovich singlehandedly standing up against a power company accused of polluting a town's water supply.
Critic Owen Gleiberman had nothing but praise for Roberts' performance, "her flirtatious sparkle and undertow of melancholy." Interestingly, the real Erin Brockovich had a cameo role in the movie, playing a character named Julia R. Erin Brockovich successfully converts its dry subject matter into an exciting adventure that never fails to inspire.
1 Forrest Gump (1994) Is As Unique & Inspiring As Its Charming Protagonist
Arguably Tom Hanks' most recognizable role, Forrest Gump tells the inspirational tale of the titular Forrest as he overcomes numerous odds while keeping a positive outlook on life. The movie went on to win six Oscars, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert proclaimed that he had "never met anyone like Forrest Gump in a movie before."
In any case, it's pointless trying to define his character because any description is automatically going to come up short. Forrest is sweet, charming, and thoroughly relatable. His line comparing life with a box of chocolates remains one of the most inspiring quotes in cinema history.