I just read a comment by someone who said he had only laughed three times since Tuesday. That's not enough laughter, so it got me thinking that there are probably plenty of us who need an emotional recharge. We need to keep our resolve to face some tough times ahead, but we'll manage better if we can also keep our optimism and our ability to laugh. So, to that end, I'm looking for suggestions for films that will keep up our spirits: one comedy, one
non-political drama, one film to inspire, and one wildcard. To get things started, here are four films off the top of my head:
Comedy: Even though I've probably seen it 12 times, I still laugh every time I watch Airplane. Alright, alright, one of the Zuckers campaigned for Bush; apparently he needed more material for another film, and figured he'd get more in a Bush administration. So, because of that and because a little while ago somebody tried to hit me with a rubber nose, I'm changing my comedy pick to Sleeper
Drama: To me, no film has ever captured the feelings of love, wanderlust and the deep emotional effects of stories like Wings of Desire.
Inspiration: One of the conceits of fiction and cinema is that it can inspire us to believe that we too can possess the courage to stand up for our convictions and the ability to achieve excellence. For that, plus a hell of a lot of comment on social class, I recommend Chariots of Fire.
Wildcard: It's a really uneven film, and some of it's just plain weird, but for some reason, The Great Dictator popped into my head. The scene with Hynkel and Napaloni on the barber chairs is brilliant, and Chaplin's closing speech, while in a different key from the rest of the film, is still great.
What films do you recommend to fight off the glum feelings about Tuesday's election? We all need a break from politics sometimes, and a lot of us need to recharge emotionally, so remember, try to keep your suggestions upbeat, fun and inspiring.