Movies About Social Issues

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 follows Randle McMurphy, a criminal who is sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation, where he clashes with the oppressive Nurse Ratched and attempts to lead a revolt among the hospital inmates. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, and Danny DeVito. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), Best Director (Forman), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman). The film has since become a cultural touchstone and is widely referenced in popular culture.

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, the film follows the life of Rocket, a young boy who dreams of becoming a photographer. As Rocket navigates the harsh realities of poverty, gang violence, and drug trafficking, he must use his wits to survive and make his dreams come true. Along the way, Rocket's story intertwines with other characters, including a local gang leader named Li'l Zé, a tough but kind girl named Angelica, and a corrupt officer of the law. The film is based on the 1997 novel of the same name, and its non-linear narrative structure and fast-paced editing style have earned it critical acclaim.

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

The Green Mile is an adaptation of Stephen King's award-winning novel of the same name. The film is set in the 1930s and tells the story of Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), a prison guard that works on death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Edgecomb's life is changed after he meets John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a mysterious man convicted of a heinous crime and sentenced to death. As Edgecomb comes to know Coffey and observe the miracles he performs, he begins to question the morality of the death penalty. With the help of his fellow guards and the mysterious supernatural power of Coffey, Edgecomb begins to question his faith in the justice system and discovers the power of redemption. Ultimately, his journey leads him to discover that even the most hardened criminals can be saved.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
Rated R

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. The movie follows the life of Alex (Malcolm McDowell), a charismatic, psychopathic delinquent whose interests include classical music, rape, and ultra-violence. After being jailed for committing a burglary, Alex is selected by the government to participate in an experimental rehabilitation program that utilizes aversion therapy. In the movie, Alex undergoes the controversial procedure, which involves him being exposed to horrific images and violent acts, and subsequently becoming unable to even think about violence. The film follows Alex as he must confront his own inner demons, eventually coming to terms with the atrocities he’s committed and his own mortality. A Clockwork Orange is a thought provoking film that examines the idea of free will and morality, and is a timeless classic in the world of cinema.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The story follows Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), an elderly Korean War veteran who is alienated from his family and angry at the world. He comes into contact with his Hmong neighbors, who are recent immigrants from Southeast Asia, and reluctantly forms a bond with them. When his neighbors are threatened by a local gang, Walt takes action to protect them, ultimately gaining redemption and solace in the process. The film is both a character study and a commentary on contemporary American society, touching on themes of racism, death and redemption.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
Rated R

Network is a satirical film directed by Sidney Lumet, released in 1976 and starring Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, and William Holden. The movie follows the downfall of a veteran news anchor, Howard Beale (Finch), who is fired from his long-time job at the fictional UBS Television Network. His reaction to the news is to announce on the air that he will commit suicide on the show in two weeks. The network executives see this as an opportunity to increase their ratings and decide to keep Beale on the air. Beale's impassioned on-air rants against the political and corporate corruption of the day become hugely popular, and the executives capitalize on Beale's newfound celebrity. Meanwhile, a young executive, Diana Christensen (Dunaway), discovers a new way to increase ratings and profits by creating exploitative programs. The film culminates with a powerful scene in which Beale confronts his audience with a scathing indictment of the media’s role in creating a false sense of reality. In the end, Beale's on-air suicide is foiled by the network's executives, but not before his message of truth has reached millions of viewers.

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Paprika Steen
Rated R

The Celebration is a 1998 Danish psychological drama film written and directed by Thomas Vinterberg. The story focuses on the gathering of a family at the home of their patriarch, Helge, for his 60th birthday celebration. During the festivities, the family are confronted with long-buried secrets and lies which reveal a history of abuse, deception and a web of dysfunctional relationships. The tension builds as each family member is forced to confront the truth and struggle to accept the consequences of the past. The Celebration is a powerful exploration of the effects of secrets and lies, and the strength of family ties in the face of adversity.

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

Million Dollar Baby follows the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), an ambitious but struggling boxing trainer who has been passed over by almost every manager in town. When Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) reluctantly takes her under his wing, their relationship slowly develops into a powerful and touching bond. After some hard-fought victories, Maggie achieves her dream of becoming a professional boxer and earns the nickname "Million Dollar Baby." However, a devastating injury in the ring leads to a series of difficult decisions that test the strength of their friendship. Ultimately, Maggie and Frankie must confront their own personal demons in order to make the most difficult choice of all.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

Cinderella Man is a 2005 American biographical sports drama film directed by Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti. The film tells the story of boxing legend James J. Braddock, who was an underdog boxer during the Great Depression. Braddock was able to come out of poverty and become the heavyweight champion of the world. He achieved this through his strong work ethic and determination, despite the odds being heavily stacked against him. Along the way, he had to overcome personal struggles, including the death of his manager, Joe Gould, and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. Braddock was ultimately able to fight his way to the top and become the champion, thus earning him the nickname Cinderella Man. Despite his success, Braddock still faced adversity, and he had to put everything on the line to keep his family together. In the end, Braddock became a symbol of hope and inspiration to those who were struggling during this difficult time.

From Directors: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, starring Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora, Nina Jones
Rated Not Rated

The Corporation is a 2003 documentary film examining the modern-day corporation, considering its legal status as a class of person and evaluating its behavior towards society and the world at large. Through vignettes, interviews, and case studies, the documentary analyzes the nature, evolution, impacts, and possible futures of the modern business corporation. It features many interviews with corporate officers and critics of corporations, including Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore. The film also touches on a variety of corporate issues, such as corporate responsibility, globalization, employment, and environmentalism. The documentary concludes by asking viewers to assess the corporate "person" and to consider what kind of world we want to live in and how corporations can help us achieve it.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated R

Magnolia is an ensemble film that follows the intertwining lives of nine characters over a 24-hour period in the San Fernando Valley. It focuses on the characters' struggles with loss, grief, and regret as they search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world. Through its nonlinear structure, the film explores themes of chance, coincidence, and fate, exemplified by the characters' chance encounters, near misses, and seemingly inexplicable connections. The characters are all brought together in the end by a strange, unlikely incident that puts a stop to all of their suffering, if only for a moment.

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas, Mabel Rivera
Rated PG-13

The Sea Inside is a 2004 Spanish biographical drama film directed by Alejandro Amenábar. The film stars Javier Bardem as Ramón Sampedro, a paralyzed man from Galicia, Spain, who fought a 30-year campaign to win the right to end his own life with dignity. The story is based on the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro and his struggle for euthanasia. The film begins with Ramón in his late fifties, having been a quadriplegic since a diving accident 28 years prior. His death wish becomes known, and he is visited by a number of people, including a lawyer and a journalist, who try to convince him to keep fighting for his right to die. He also meets Julia (Belén Rueda) who, although married, falls in love with him and begins to visit him frequently. Eventually, Ramón wins his legal case and is granted the right to die. On the day he dies, he is surrounded by his family and friends who say their goodbyes and share memories of him. The film ends with a montage of Ramón's life and memories.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis
Rated R

The Wrestler is a 2008 American sports drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei. The film centers on the life of a professional wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Rourke), who is nearing the end of his career. After suffering a heart attack, Randy decides to turn his life around, quitting the violent world of professional wrestling and attempting to make a connection with his estranged daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Despite his best efforts, the pressures of his new life begin to take a toll on him, leading to a series of choices that could either bring him redemption or lead him back down a destructive path. The Wrestler is an emotionally powerful drama that delves into the heart and soul of a man struggling to find his own identity and save himself from an uncertain future.

From Lars von Trier, starring Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Dancer in the Dark is a musical drama directed by Lars von Trier in 2000. It follows Selma Ježková, a Czech immigrant living in rural Washington, as she struggles to make ends meet while raising her son. She works at a factory and pays for her son's expensive eye operation by saving her money and secretly stealing from her work. Despite her hardships, Selma is an optimist who takes joy in music and singing. Her life takes a tragic turn when her son's condition worsens and she is falsely accused of a crime she didn't commit. With her freedom at stake, Selma faces a difficult decision that will have a lasting impact on her and her son's life.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a 2003 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, and Laura Linney. The story follows three childhood friends in a working-class neighborhood of Boston who are reunited after the murder of one of their daughters. The movie focuses on the investigation of this murder and the ensuing emotions that it brings up in the three men. As they try to discover the truth, they are forced to confront secrets they have kept hidden from each other, secrets that will challenge the bonds of their friendship, and drive them apart. Along the way, they must also face the mysterious and dark force that threatens to consume them all.

From John Schlesinger, starring Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Sylvia Miles, John McGiver
Rated R

Midnight Cowboy is a 1969 drama film directed by John Schlesinger and starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. The film follows a naive young drifter, Joe Buck (Voight), on his journey from Texas to New York City to make his fortune as a hustler. Along the way, he meets and befriends a crippled conman, Ratso Rizzo (Hoffman), and together they face the trials and tribulations of life on the street. They strive to survive in the face of poverty, isolation, and exploitation, while trying to find a place for themselves in the world. The film was the first ever X-rated film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

From James Foley, starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 American drama film directed by James Foley, based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Mamet. The film follows four desperate real estate agents who are struggling to survive in the cutthroat world of sales. When their jobs are threatened by corporate downsizing, the agents resort to increasingly desperate measures in order to succeed. Starring an all-star cast including Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and Kevin Spacey, the film is a dark, funny, and ultimately tragic exploration of the human cost of capitalism.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, T.J. Lowther
Rated PG-13

A Perfect World is a 1993 drama directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, and T.J. Lowther. The film follows escaped convict Butch Haynes (Costner) and his young hostage, Phillip Perry (Lowther), as they journey across Texas. Butch takes Phillip with him to protect him from an abusive father, and the two quickly form a bond. As they make their way across Texas, they encounter a host of people that help or hinder them in their quest, including an old rancher, the Texas Ranger (Eastwood) assigned to hunt them, and a social worker (Dern) tasked with protecting Phillip. In the end, Butch must choose between his freedom and giving up Phillip to the authorities. The journey is fraught with tension and emotion, and ultimately leads to an unexpected and bittersweet conclusion.

From Michael Moore, starring Michael Moore, George W. Bush, Ben Affleck, Stevie Wonder
Rated R

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a 2004 documentary by director Michael Moore that examines the presidency of George W. Bush and the War on Terror, following the events of the September 11th attacks. Moore's exploration of the Bush administration's policies and decisions leading up to, and following, the 9/11 attacks form the basis of the film. He argues that the Bush administration used the attacks as a pretext to launch the War on Terror and invade Iraq, while ignoring the warnings of the intelligence community. Also explored is the US government's reaction to the attacks, from the Patriot Act to the use of torture, and the impact of the war on citizens at home and abroad. Finally, the film examines the 2004 presidential election, during which Moore reveals the corrupt money trail between the Bush family and Saudi oil interests. Fahrenheit 9/11 is an impassioned, critical examination of the Bush administration's response to the events of 9/11, and the subsequent War on Terror.

From Mike Figgis, starring Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis
Rated R

Leaving Las Vegas is a 1995 romantic drama directed by Mike Figgis and starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. The film follows Ben Sanderson (Cage), an alcoholic screenwriter who decides to move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. There, he meets and falls in love with a prostitute named Sera (Shue). In spite of their mutual attraction, the two battle their personal and inner demons as they struggle to find meaning and redemption in their lives. In the end, Ben and Sera find a kind of peace in each other's company despite their doomed fates.

From Davis Guggenheim, starring Al Gore, Billy West, George Bush, George W. Bush
Rated PG

From George Clooney, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels
Rated PG

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Tamara Tunie, Franklin Cover
Rated R

From Tim Roth, starring Ray Winstone, Annabelle Apsion, Kate Ashfield, Lara Belmont
Rated R

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, Jonah Blechman
Rated R