My Favourite Films About Mid-Life Crisis of All-Time

Not many genres have gained appreciation of depression. Since the 1970’s, depressed people have often made for memorable movies. Whether it’s grieving janitors, wallflower teenagers or depressed screenwriters, the genre has created many characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about grief which deserve to be celebrated.

1. Kramer vs. Kramer

Divorce is a devastating process that caused families to face mid-life crisis. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriages that caused grim damage. I recall the sad night when she had heated arguments with her great husband that had proved to be a shocking sight. In a sad incident, my aunt had tense arguments with her dire husband that caused feelings of resentment. Following the sad separation, it was easier said than done for my aunt to easily move on. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big impact of divorce on broken families that face disaster as powerfully as “Kramer vs. Kramer”. Ever since its release in 1979, Robert Benton’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about mid-life crisis. With the greatest film of his career, Benton used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a marriage ending in despair. “Kramer v. Kramer” was a bold film in cinematic history becoming one of the first mainstream movies to address divorce. Benton has always had an aptitude for using montages in his movies, and “Kramer v. Kramer” showcased her strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Ted is aware that his wife is leaving him causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Dustin Hoffman, who embodies a man stuck in a broken marriage facing destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Kramer vs. Kramer” my favourite film about mid-life crisis of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about divorce, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about couples ending marriage causing grim damage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies which engage by giving a meaningful message.

2. Adaptation

Writer’s block is a painful process that causes authors to face mid-life crisis. I have often faced trouble putting my pen to paper coming up with original ideas as a writer. I have often noticed that writer’s block causes me to face big bouts of depression. As someone that has witnessed grim writer’s block causing depression, I adored “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie demonstrated hardships that depressed screenwriters often go through. Jonze uses captivating voice-over narration to capture a screenwriter afflicted with severe depression. For instance, the opening scene in which Charlie begins sweating profusely being unable to put words on his typewriter causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Nicolas Cage, who portrayed the mind of a dark screenwriter. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about the writing process which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most Charlie Kaufmann movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as stories that Charlie seeks to publish, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made great movies which audiences commonly cherish.

3. Birdman

Broadway actors are figures that fascinate my father today. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a father that was a huge fan of big actors that acted on stage. Fascinated with Broadway, he would marvel at the clever way in which actors created a stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu’s Oscar-winning movie captured mentally unstable theatre performers. Inarritu effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the mind of a mentally disturbed theatre actor that faces tension. For instance, the scene in which Riggan faces a breakdown arguing with his alter-ego in his apartment causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, who embodied an actor facing self-destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Broadway theatre to appreciate it. A bold portrait of frightening mental health struggles experienced by ambitious actors seeking success on stage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage making movies that deliver a meaningful message.

4. Ordinary People

Family tragedy can often cause people to face mid-life crisis. Several years ago, my family faced grief when my uncle passed away causing sorrow. His devastating death left my grandfather emotionally affected. Adopting a pessimistic attitude, my grandfather lost interest in activities that he had once valued. As someone that has seen families facing emotions that are painful, I adored “Ordinary People”. Released in 1980, Robert Redford’s movie captured impact of depression on ordinary families. Redford effectively used flashbacks to capture a family haunted by the loss of a loved one causing depression. For instance, the final scene in which Calvin has a moment of silence with his son Conrad grieving loss of a loved one causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Donald Sutherland, who embodied a father unable to overcome painful loss. Ultimately, what makes “Ordinary People” an extraordinary film is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of painful grief faced by ordinary people, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has made great films audiences consider extremely special.

5. Manchester by the Sea

Grief is an emotion that has impacted my friend deeply. Several years ago, my friend’s mother passed away from Cancer causing sorrow. Left devastated, my friend couldn’t cope with a terrifying tragedy that left him affected. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t move on from the death of his mother that left him terrified. As someone that witnessed a friend face grief following family tragedy, I adored “Manchester by the Sea”. Released in 2016, Kenneth Lonergan’s movie captured a grieving janitor affected by a family tragedy. Lonergan has always had an aptitude for making compelling family dramas, and “Manchester by the Sea” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Lonergan uses captivating flashbacks to capture a grieving janitor. For instance, the scene in which Lee Chandler reunites with his wife several years after a tragic accident causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Casey Affleck, who embodies a grieving man impacted by family tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “Manchester by the Sea” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about depression which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of grief that causes fragile families to fall apart, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has commonly produced meaningful art.

6. Silver Linings Playbook

Bipolar is a disease that impacted by aunt’s identity. Years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with bipolar causing sorrow. Afflicted with illness, she found it hard to find silver linings in a disease affecting her happiness. Few films I’ve seen have captured how Bipolar changes people’s life outlook as powerfully as “Silver Linings Playbook”. Released in 2012, David O. Russell’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Bipolar disorder. O. Russell effectively used captivating montages capturing the life of a depressed man with severe Bipolar disorder. Assisted by Bradley Cooper who is amazing in the lead role, O. Russell created a portrait of depression that’s compelling. A phenomenal portrait of mental illness, it’s a poignant reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies contributing towards audiences’ emotional happiness.

7. Revolutionary Road

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about broken marriages on a doomed road, it’s worth discussing Revolutionary Road. Since its publication in 1961, Richard Yates’ book has become a literary classic. In 2008, Sam Mendes beautifully adapted the book in his movie “Revolutionary Road”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Revolutionary Road” stand out is its depiction of suburban families in 1950’s. Mendes used breathtaking montages to capture a couple that experiences marriage tragedy. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is fantastic in the lead role, Yates created a powerful portrait of a marriage spiralling out of control. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about marriages that crumble, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies which audiences consider to be extremely special.

8. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a legendary book about mid-life crises that has built a lasting legacy. Ever since its publication in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book has become a classic. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann did a great job of adapting the book in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Great Gatsby” stand out is its depiction of the 1920’s. Luhrmann uses voice-over narration to capture the life of a mysterious millionaire overcoming poverty in the 1920’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Luhrmann honours an iconic book published years ago. A great adaptation of a famous book about millionaires that are mysterious, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured bold movies about individuals experiencing mid-life crisis which audiences consider precious.

9. The Descendants

Alexander Payne is a fantastic filmmaker that has often made movies about families facing pain. Payne has built an image of being a director that thrives at capturing families facing emotional damage. Payne’s strength for making movies about families facing resentments is clearly evident in his film “The Descendants”. Released in 2011, Payne’s movie captured a family impacted by a boating tragedy. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Descendants” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Payne effectively uses tragicomedy to capture a family impacted by tragedy. Assisted by George Clooney who is amazing in the lead role, Payne created a powerful portrait of families facing pain. As strong as Matt’s bond with his daughter, it’s a dazzling reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences commonly treasure.

10. American Beauty

Few movies ever made about broken families facing mid-life crises are as beloved as “American Beauty”.  Since its release in 1999, Sam Mendes’ movie has become a classic. Mendes’ film forever changed the genre through its depiction of suburban families facing trauma. Mendes effectively used voice-over narration to capture a dysfunctional American family facing tension. Although I’ve always loved the movie, it has aged poorly. Sexual assault allegations levelled against Kevin Spacey have tarnished the film’s legacy. Nevertheless, it remains a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Lester Burnham’s desire to find beauty, it’s a beautiful reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies about mid-life crisis causing tragedy which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking which I value highly.