Must-Watch Movies That Will Tug at Your Heartstrings
Here’s a curated list of movies that promise an emotional rollercoaster, exploring themes of love, family, and self-discovery. Get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even re-evaluate your own life choices.
Blue is the Warmest Color (《阿黛尔的生活》)
If love came with an expiration date, what would you set it to? Blue is the Warmest Color, released in 2014, resonated deeply with audiences, leaving many heartbroken. Adèle and Emma’s love is portrayed as both intensely passionate and tender, yet ultimately succumbs to differing values and an eventual estrangement. This film immerses you in the tumultuous sea of their relationship, exploring the highs and lows of love. Even viewers without personal experience in same-sex relationships are sure to find universal truths about love and relationships within this poignant story.
Me Before You (《遇见你之前》)
Louisa Clark, a cheerful and outgoing young woman, finds herself unexpectedly unemployed after the café she’s worked at for six years closes down. This leads her to a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a once-adventurous and successful businessman whose life was irrevocably altered by a tragic accident. Despite Will’s initial coldness, Louisa’s unwavering care and optimism gradually chip away at his hardened exterior. As their bond deepens, Louisa uncovers a heartbreaking truth that challenges everything she thought she knew.
La Famille Bélier (《贝利叶一家》)
In the Bélier family, everyone except 16-year-old Paula is deaf. Paula discovers a passion for singing and joins the school choir, but her newfound dream clashes with her family’s reliance on her to help run their farm. Torn between pursuing her own aspirations and fulfilling her familial responsibilities, Paula and her family must navigate these challenges and discover a deeper understanding of their love for one another. La Famille Bélier received widespread acclaim, earning six nominations at the César Awards, with the lead actress winning the Most Promising Actress award. Join the Bélier family and experience the enduring power of family love.
After the Storm (《比海还深》)
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda masterfully conveys profound emotions through understated visuals. These emotions stem not only from the interactions between characters but also from the audience’s own self-reflection triggered by the narrative, particularly regarding regrets and missed opportunities in familial relationships. Kore-eda’s subtle yet penetrating approach to portraying human nature allows him to tap into deeply personal and often untouched areas within the viewer’s psyche. After the Storm may present a flawed father figure, but ultimately, it reminds us that love runs deeper than the ocean.
Still Alice (《依然爱丽丝》)
Julianne Moore delivers a powerful performance as Alice, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As Alice’s memory begins to fade in her early 50s, she struggles to cope with the frustration and confusion of losing her cognitive abilities. Kristen Stewart, as Alice’s youngest daughter, returns home and helps her mother confront her illness, leading to a reconciliation and a strengthening of their bond. Still Alice is a moving portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship and the resilience of the human spirit.
Room (《房间》)
How long can a person endure being confined to a small room? Everyone deserves freedom, yet Jack and his mother, Joy, are deprived of this fundamental human right. For Jack, who was born in the room, it’s all he’s ever known. But for Joy, it’s a prison from which she desperately seeks escape, placing all her hopes on her son. Brie Larson’s Oscar-winning performance as Joy captures the anxieties and torments of a mother striving to maintain balance between her own needs and her child’s, while suppressing her own despair and trying to bring light into their confined world, ultimately leading them to freedom.
The Nice Guys (《耐撕侦探》)
Starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, The Nice Guys is a hilarious buddy cop comedy. Ryan Gosling fearlessly embraces a goofy, unglamorous role as a hapless, womanizing alcoholic.
Bad Moms (《坏妈妈》)
Bad Moms explores the pressures and expectations placed on modern mothers. Mila Kunis plays a stressed-out mom who’s had enough of the demands of motherhood. While her love for her children remains unwavering, she’s overwhelmed by the need to balance her career, family, and the judgments of other moms. With her girlfriends, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, releasing pent-up frustrations through hilarious escapades.
The Boy and the Beast (《怪物之子》)
“You’re never alone in this fight!”
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, The Boy and the Beast tells the story of Ren, an orphaned boy who stumbles into the world of beasts and is taken in by Kumatetsu, a gruff and solitary warrior. Kumatetsu gives Ren a new name, Kyuta, and mentors him on his path to becoming stronger. The Boy and the Beast captures the awkwardness and struggles of growing up, evoking a sense of nostalgia and igniting a fire within the viewer’s heart.
Hardcore Henry (《硬核亨利》)
Hardcore Henry is a unique and intense cinematic experience. Filmed entirely from a first-person perspective, this action film throws you headfirst into a non-stop thrill ride. The innovative perspective, combined with a compelling plot and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, makes Hardcore Henry a must-see for action fans. Be warned, though – the intense visuals might challenge your equilibrium!