Deep Movies About Life

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. The film stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money-laundering operation. The story portrays the sense of hope, redemption, and freedom Andy experiences during his time in prison, as well as his friendship with Red and the struggles they face. The film is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, and was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally. The film follows German businessman Oskar Schindler, who uses his influence and wealth to save the lives of more than 1,100 Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. After the Nazi Party rises to power, Schindler becomes concerned for the Jews who face persecution and death at the hands of the Nazi regime. In an effort to protect them, he begins to employ Jews in his factories, thus providing them with the means to survive. Throughout the course of the film, Schindler faces a number of moral and ethical dilemmas, ultimately putting himself and his own safety at risk in order to save the lives of those he had come to care for. The film culminates in a scene where Schindler is honored by those he saved, who are now living in Israel.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is an iconic 1994 film directed by Robert Zemeckis. It tells the life story of a slow-witted but kind-hearted man named Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. Through a series of chance encounters, Forrest weaves through some of the most memorable events of the 20th century, meeting a host of interesting characters along the way. The film follows Forrest as he encounters famous historical figures such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and John Lennon; participates in the Vietnam War; and becomes a professional ping pong player, shrimp boat captain, and entrepreneur. Despite all the unique experiences, Forrest's true love is Jenny, played by Robin Wright, who is present in his life throughout the film. As the story progresses, Forrest learns valuable lessons about the meaning of life, love, and friendship.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal serving a prison sentence who is transferred to a psychiatric hospital. There, McMurphy engages in a battle of wills with the head nurse, Nurse Ratched, and encourages other patients to stand up to her authoritarian rule. The film also stars Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, and Christopher Lloyd. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning $108.98 million in the United States and $133.7 million worldwide. It was the second-highest-grossing film of 1975 and won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman). It also received five other Academy Award nominations. The film is seen as an allegory for the struggles between individuals and oppressive systems. It has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

"Saving Private Ryan" is an Academy Award-winning 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is set during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. It follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad as they search for a paratrooper, Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last surviving brother of four servicemen. The mission to find and bring Ryan home is driven by his mother's plea to the War Department, which gives Miller's squad the task of traveling from France to Germany to find him. Along the way, the squad must battle against the unforgiving terrain, enemy forces, and their own inner struggles. Despite the odds, Miller and his squad are ultimately successful in finding Ryan and bringing him home to his grieving mother.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Rated PG

Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, a ten-year-old girl who gets trapped in the spirit world while moving to a new home. In order to survive, Chihiro must work in the bathhouse of the powerful witch Yubaba and find a way to free herself and her parents who have been turned into pigs. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters including a mysterious masked figure, a enigmatic river spirit, and the friendly dragon, Haku. With the help of her newfound friends, Chihiro embarks on a journey of self-discovery and courage as she fights to save her family and find her way home.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Stephen King. Set in the 1930s on Death Row in a Southern prison, the film tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), the prison's elderly chief guard. Edgecomb comes to develop a deep bond with a condemned inmate, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), who is miraculously gifted with healing powers. Despite his extraordinary gifts, John is sentenced to death for the rape and murder of two young girls. Edgecomb must overcome both his own personal prejudices and the system of justice as he witnesses unusual events that could prove Coffey innocent of the crime.

From Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot
Rated R

The Intouchables is a 2011 French comedy-drama film directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano. It stars François Cluzet and Omar Sy as two men of different races and backgrounds who become unlikely friends. Driss is an ex-con from the projects and Philippe is a wealthy quadriplegic who hires him to be his live-in caregiver. Despite their differences, the two develop a strong bond and Philippe helps Driss to expand his horizons, while Driss helps Philippe to regain his zest for life. Together, they embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery, learning to accept each other despite their differences. The film was a box office success and was nominated for multiple awards.

From Rajkumar Hirani, starring Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Mona Singh, Sharman Joshi
Rated PG-13

3 Idiots is an acclaimed Indian comedy-drama film released in 2009. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, it stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, and Omi Vaidya in the lead roles. The story follows three engineering students, Rancho, Farhan, and Raju, who share a room in an engineering college and are good friends. They are all very intelligent but behave differently. Rancho is an innovative and creative thinker who constantly challenges the college's strict rules, Farhan is a timid and studious person, and Raju is an impulsive and irresponsible person. They embark on a journey to search for their lost friend, Rancho, after he mysteriously disappears. Along their journey, they encounter many obstacles and experiences, learning valuable lessons about friendship and pursuing their dreams. In the end, they find Rancho and discover the secret of his disappearance.

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is a 1995 epic war film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. The film tells the story of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who leads the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. Wallace rallies his countrymen to fight for their freedom and ultimately sacrifices his own life in the process. The film features incredible battle scenes, poignancy, and intense emotion throughout. Braveheart is a classic tale of freedom, courage, and justice that resonates with audiences to this day.

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a biographical drama directed by Milos Forman and released in 1984. The film follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest composers in history. Starting with his childhood, it follows Mozart as he moves to Vienna and quickly becomes the city’s most celebrated composer. Despite his fame, Mozart faces envy and jealousy from those who cannot understand his genius. The film culminates with a court trial in which Mozart faces accusations that he plagiarized his own work. Through the struggles and triumphs of Mozart's life, Amadeus presents a deeply personal portrait of the composer and his music.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind tells the story of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash, a brilliant academic whose life was derailed by severe mental illness. After showing signs of paranoia and delusions, he is diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggles to continue his research, maintain his marriage, and stay sane. With the help of his wife, friends, and the medical community, Nash is able to find his way back to a productive life. The film follows his journey of self-discovery, redemption, and perseverance.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir, written by Andrew Niccol, and starring Jim Carrey. It tells the story of a man whose life is a reality television show broadcast around the world, without his knowledge. Truman Burbank (Carrey) was adopted as a baby by a corporation and placed inside a simulated town and given the role of the star of the show. Forced to live his life inside a closed artificial world, Truman gradually discovers the truth and decides to escape. He ultimately succeeds in outsmarting the show's creators, who were desperate to keep him from leaving. The film explores themes of imprisonment, surveillance, and media manipulation. It was a critical and commercial success, and received numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted debt collector for a loan shark in Philadelphia. When heavyweight champion Apollo Creed visits Philadelphia, his managers want to set up an exhibition match between Creed and a struggling boxer, touting the fight as a chance for a "nobody" to become a "somebody". The match is supposed to be easily won by Creed, but someone forgot to tell Rocky, who sees this as his only shot at the big time. With the help of his trainer Mickey Goldmill, Rocky desperately trains for the match. During this time he finds love with Adrian, the wallflower sister of his beefy friend Paulie. Rocky's determination pays off and he goes the distance with Creed, lasting the full 15 rounds and going the full distance in what is an epic and inspiring match. Rocky's performance impresses everyone and earns him the admiration and respect of not only his friends and family, but also the whole city of Philadelphia. He has become a real somebody.

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. When free-spirited English teacher John Keating (Williams) arrives at Welton, he encourages his students to challenge the status quo and to "make your lives extraordinary" by seizing the day and living life to the fullest. Through his unconventional teaching methods, he encourages the boys to go against the school's traditions and to look at life through a new perspective. Though he is initially successful in inspiring the boys to pursue their passions, they are soon met with resistance from the school's strict administration and their own individual struggles. The film culminates in a poignant and powerful finale as the boys strive to maintain their newfound sense of freedom.

From Tate Taylor, starring Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated PG-13

The Help is a 2011 American period drama film directed and written by Tate Taylor, adapted from Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s, the film depicts the story of a young white woman and aspiring journalist, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, and her relationship with two black maids, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson, who are hired to help raise white families. As the civil rights movement begins to gain momentum, Skeeter courageously challenges social conventions and risks losing her friends to conduct interviews with the maids. Through her courage, the maids are finally able to tell their stories, which ultimately brings about a change in the segregated town. The film explores its themes of racism, discrimination, and courage by depicting the relationships between the maids and their employers, and the struggles of the African-American community in the Jim Crow South. The film received positive reviews, with critics praising its acting, direction, and themes.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel
Rated PG-13

Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Paul Haggis. The film stars Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of an underappreciated boxing trainer, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), and his protégé, Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank). Maggie has dreams of becoming a professional boxer, but Frankie initially refuses to train her. Eventually, however, Maggie convinces Frankie to take her on as an apprentice and the two develop a close bond as Frankie helps her become a successful boxer. The film was highly praised for its performances and its exploration of themes such as persistence, sacrifice, and friendship in the face of adversity. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Swank.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Rated PG-13

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 biographical drama film that tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a single father struggling to make ends meet for himself and his five-year-old son. After losing his job, Chris decides to pursue his dream of becoming a stockbroker and enrolls in a highly competitive internship program. Despite facing many obstacles along the way, Chris never gives up hope and ultimately succeeds in achieving his dream. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about the importance of family, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.

From Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan, starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor
Rated R

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film, directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan and written by Simon Beaufoy. It stars Dev Patel as Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and is accused of cheating. The story begins with Jamal being tortured by police officers, who are trying to get him to confess how he is able to answer all of the questions correctly. Through flashbacks, Jamal explains the events of his life that have helped him to answer the questions correctly. The story follows Jamal's journey as he moves from poverty to riches, and along the way he learns the truth behind his brother's death and his mother's past. Despite facing many challenges, Jamal is determined to find his long-lost love Latika in order to win the game and gain his freedom. The film is a powerful and heart-warming story of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of love and friendship to triumph over adversity.

From Julian Schnabel, starring Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny
Rated PG-13

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a biographical drama directed by Julian Schnabel. It tells the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), a French journalist and editor of French Elle. After a stroke paralyzes him, Jean-Dominique is confined to a hospital and diagnosed with Locked-in Syndrome, a condition which leaves him mentally alert but completely paralyzed. He is trapped inside his body, unable to speak or move except for one eye. With the help of his speech therapist, Henriette (Marie-Josée Croze), Jean-Dominique learns a unique form of communication which allows him to communicate with others through blinking. He also begins to write a memoir, using his eye to dictate the words to a transcriber. The film follows Jean-Dominique’s journey as he learns to adapt to his condition and the struggles he faces to reclaim his life. Despite the physical limitations that come with his condition, Jean-Dominique still finds joy and beauty in his life and is able to come to terms with his new reality.

From Boaz Yakin, starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst
Rated PG

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film based on the true story of African American coach Herman Boone and his attempts to unify his newly integrated football team at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Coach Boone, a former U.S. Marine, is brought in to coach the team and faces the antagonism of some of the players, including the team's captain, Gerry Bertier. Eventually, Boone is able to instill a sense of pride, responsibility, and respect into the team and leads them to a 13-0 season, culminating in a victory in the 1971 Virginia state championship game. Along the way, the team learns to overcome their differences and come together as a family to overcome adversity. The film stars Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, and Ryan Hurst.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White
Rated PG-13

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The film follows the story of Chuck Noland, a FedEx engineer who is stranded on an uninhabited island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. With no hope of rescue, he must rely on his own will and resourcefulness to survive. Through the course of his grueling journey, Chuck must learn how to fend for himself, build shelter, navigate the ocean, and find food. Along the way, he also discovers a newfound appreciation for life and the strength of the human spirit. The film received critical acclaim for its gripping story and Hanks’ powerful performance, and was a box office success.

From Danny Boyle, starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Sean Bott
Rated R

"127 Hours" follows the true story of Aron Ralston, an experienced climber who decides to take an off-the-grid adventure in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. On his journey, he becomes trapped by a boulder and is forced to make a daring escape in order to survive. As he fights to stay alive and reflect on his life, Ralston discovers the power of friendship and the strength of the human spirit. With the help of his friends and family, Aron eventually finds the courage and fortitude to free himself and go on to lead a more meaningful life.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy
Rated PG-13

Seven Pounds is a 2008 American drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and written by Grant Nieporte. The film stars Will Smith as a man who sets out on a journey of redemption by drastically changing the lives of seven strangers. The film follows Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who takes it upon himself to change the lives of seven strangers. After an incident in Ben's life, in which he is responsible for the death of seven people, he sets out to redeem himself by helping others. As he embarks on his journey, Ben falls in love with Emily, a heart transplant patient. He decides to donate his own heart to her in order to save her life, sacrificing his own in the process. The film explores themes of love, redemption, and compassion, and shows the power of selfless acts of kindness. It is ultimately a story about a man's search for redemption and his transformation from a man of guilt to one of love and compassion.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chi McBride, Stanley Tucci
Rated PG-13