Movies About Dysfunctional Families

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty tells the story of a middle-aged man, Lester Burnham (played by Kevin Spacey), who is stuck in a mid-life crisis. He is unfulfilled in his marriage, job, and life in general, and decides to make a drastic change and take control of his life. He quits his job, starts working out, and begins to pursue his teenage daughter's friend, Angela. Lester's journey of self-discovery leads him on a path of rebellion, hedonism, and ultimately, redemption. Along the way, he deals with his wife's affair, his daughter's insecurity, and his own insecurities. The film is both a dark comedy and a tragedy, and ultimately reveals the beauty that can be found in the extraordinary moments of everyday life.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a 1964 dark comedy directed by Stanley Kubrick. Set during the Cold War, the film follows a rogue U.S. Air Force general who orders his bombers to launch a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, prompting the U.S. and Soviet governments to take measures to prevent a nuclear holocaust. The principal cast includes Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens. The film is noted for its satirical take on Cold War politics, nuclear warfare, and paranoia. It is also highly praised for its technical excellence and Kubrick's direction.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The story follows an estranged couple who have each other erased from their memories, only to realize that their love for each other was still strong. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as the couple, Joel and Clementine, with Tom Wilkinson, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson playing supporting roles. The story follows Joel (Carrey) and Clementine (Winslet) as they meet by chance on a train and realize they have been in a relationship before. Joel soon discovers that Clementine has had their memories of each other erased through a procedure known as Lacuna, Inc. Feeling betrayed and devastated, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure to forget Clementine. As he is undergoing the procedure, however, Joel experiences vivid memories of the time he spent with Clementine and begins to regret his decision. In the end, Joel and Clementine are able to reconnect, and both choose to remember their past relationship.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s 1978 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of four characters whose lives are affected by drug addiction and its consequences. The film follows four interrelated stories: that of Harry Goldfarb, his mother Sara, his girlfriend Marion and his best friend Tyrone. Harry and Marion are drug addicts whose habit keeps them in a cycle of poverty, while Sara Goldfarb, Harry's mother, begins dieting to achieve her lifelong dream of appearing on a game show. Tyrone is a young African-American man who deals drugs to support his mother and younger brother. The lives of the four characters spiral downwards as their addictions take over, leading to devastating consequences for each of them. The film delves into the psychological and physical effects of drug addiction, and its devastating consequences. Requiem for a Dream is an intense and heartbreaking journey into the depths of addiction and its consequences.

From Hal Ashby, starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack
Rated PG

Harold and Maude is a 1971 dark comedy directed by Hal Ashby. It tells the story of Harold, a young, wealthy, and morbidly obsessed man in his early twenties, and his relationship with the eccentric and free-spirited Maude, an 80-year-old woman. Harold, who is obsessed with death, finds solace in Maude's zest for life. The two form a strong bond and travel together on various adventures. Through their friendship, Harold discovers a new appreciation for life and the importance of living for the moment. The film is a celebration of life, love, and death and is a classic cult favorite.

From Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Abigail Breslin
Rated R

Little Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama film about a dysfunctional family that takes a road trip to California in order to allow their youngest daughter, Olive (Abigail Breslin), to compete in a beauty pageant. Along the way, the family must confront their own personal demons, while also learning to accept and love each other unconditionally. The film features an all-star cast including Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, and won two, for Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin) and Best Original Screenplay. It was a huge critical and commercial success, and remains a much-beloved classic.

From David O. Russell, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Rated R

The Fighter is a biographical sports drama directed by David O. Russell and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams. It tells the true story of boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his struggle to rise to the top of the boxing world while dealing with his half-brother and trainer, Dicky Eklund (Bale), who is also battling drug addiction. With the help of his strong-willed mother and supportive girlfriend, Micky is determined to make it to the top despite all the obstacles in his way. Despite Dicky's wild behavior and destructive habits, the two brothers eventually come together to support each other through Micky's boxing career. In the end, Micky's hard work, dedication, and loyalty to his family pays off as he overcomes the odds to become a world champion.

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

Happiness is a dark comedy-drama directed by Todd Solondz that follows the lives of three sisters and their families. The sisters are the highly successful Helen Jordan (Lara Flynn Boyle), her depressed and sexually frustrated sister Joy (Jane Adams), and their naive youngest sibling Trish (Cynthia Stevenson). As the film progresses, we meet the various characters in their lives, including their parents and a socially awkward neighbor, and see how their lives intertwine and how they deal with the struggles of life. The film addresses several taboo topics, such as child molestation, suicide, and depression. Despite the dark themes, the movie is ultimately a story of hope and redemption as the characters learn to cope with the difficult situations in their lives and find happiness.

From Marc Webb, starring Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Rated PG-13

500 Days of Summer is a 2009 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. The film follows the story of Tom Hansen, an aspiring architect who falls in love with Summer Finn, a free-spirited and tempestuous woman who does not believe in monogamy or true love. Tom and Summer's relationship over the course of 500 days is explored through Tom's perspective and revolves around the same key question: will they end up together? As the relationship progresses and their feelings for each other deepen, Tom begins to realize that Summer is not the perfect girl he once thought she was, and the two must decide if they have a future together. Along the way, the film humorously examines the complexities of modern romance and what it truly means to be in love.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is an off-beat comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson. The film follows the dysfunctional Tenenbaum family, which consists of three gifted siblings, their parents and their beloved grandfather. The Royal Tenenbaums tells the story of estranged family members who are brought together when their father announces he is terminally ill. The siblings, who are all now grown adults, attempt to reconnect with each other and their family. As the family struggles to reconnect, they face obstacles such as abandonment, resentment, and failed attempts to live up to their parents’ expectations. Through flashbacks and quirky dialogue, the movie delves into the past of each Tenenbaum and reveals their secrets, flaws, and hopes for the future. In the end, the Tenenbaums learn to accept each other’s differences and find a way to live together in harmony.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Benjamin
Rated R

The Station Agent is a 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom McCarthy. It stars Peter Dinklage as a reclusive, small-statured man named Finbar McBride, who inherits an abandoned train station in rural New Jersey. His solitude is disrupted when he befriends two individuals—Olivia, an artistically inclined woman, and Joe, a chatty hotdog vendor—who help him to come out of his shell and confront his personal issues. Throughout the course of the story, the three of them form a close bond and learn how to be open and vulnerable with each other, allowing them to overcome their own struggles.

From Jason Reitman, starring Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Rated PG-13

Juno is a coming-of-age comedy-drama about a young woman named Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) who becomes unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 16. Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, she decides to have the baby and give it up for adoption. With the help of her best friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby), Juno searches for the perfect couple to adopt her baby, eventually settling on the well-meaning but awkward Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner). As Juno struggles to contend with her growing responsibilities and her own ambivalence towards the idea of motherhood, she must also confront her own feelings of love and loss. Along the way, Juno learns to accept and embrace the changes that come with adulthood, and ultimately find her own unique path in life.

From Alexander Payne, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Rated R

Sideways follows two men in the week leading up to a wedding. Miles (Paul Giamatti) is an unsuccessful middle-aged writer and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) is a former actor and womanizer. The two embark on a wine-tasting road trip in the hills of California's wine country to celebrate Jack's last days of bachelorhood. Along the way, they meet two women, Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Terra (Sandra Oh), each of whom have their own issues. Over the course of the week, Miles and Jack come to terms with the issues in their lives and learn the importance of friendship and companionship. Along the way, Miles discovers a passion for wine and finds himself falling in love with Maya. However, as the week winds to a close, Miles and Jack must confront their unresolved issues and face the realities of their lives.

From Directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb
Rated PG-13

From Liev Schreiber, starring Elijah Wood, Eugene Hutz, Boris Lyoskin, Jonathan Safran Foer
Rated PG-13

From Vincent Gallo, starring Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke
Rated R

From Zach Braff, starring Zach Braff, Peter Sarsgaard, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm
Rated R

From Noah Baumbach, starring Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Rated R

From Craig Gillespie, starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, R.D. Reid
Rated PG-13

From Lee Daniels, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
Rated R

From Terry Zwigoff, starring Steve Buscemi, Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Renfro
Rated R

From Andrea Arnold, starring Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing, Rebecca Griffiths
Rated Not Rated

From Mimi Leder, starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Jay Mohr
Rated PG-13

From Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Angeliki Papoulia, Christos Passalis
Rated Not Rated

From Neil Jordan, starring Cillian Murphy, Morgan Jones, Eva Birthistle, Liam Neeson
Rated R