My Favourite Films About Resilience of All-Time

Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as overcoming adversity. Since the 1990’s, stories of people overcoming odds have made for great movies. Whether it’s professors, genocide survivors or leaders, the genre has created several characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about overcoming odds that deserve to be appreciated.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

Hope is something that I’ve often found hard finding. As far as I remember, I’ve never been a hopeful person. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began to fail classes in high school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with the tense pressure posed by high school studies, I faced intense anxiety. During a painful time, it was really hard for me to see a bright light shining at the end of the pitch-black tunnel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how hope allows prisoners in dark jails to achieve redemption as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Following its release in 1994, Frank Darabont’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about resilience. With the greatest film of his career, Darabont used innovative cinematic techniques to capture prisoners in jail facing despair. Darabont has always excelled at making great movies about prisons putting people in grave danger, and “The Shawshank Redempton” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Darabont used voice-over narration to capture the strong bonds between a pair of close inmates forming friendships in prison.  For instance, the scene in which Red recounts his memories of laying eyes on Andy Dufresne in prison for the first time facing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Morgan Freeman, who portrayed a inmate forming friendships in prison. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” my favourite film about resilience of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most prison movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about inmates questioning whether they should get busy living or get busy dying forming lasting bonds in a scary prison, it’s a bold reminder of a great genre that deserves tremendous celebration.

2. The Pianist

The Holocaust is a subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He took great pride in teaching students about a genocide. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie honoured a Jewish pianist that survived WWII. With the most personal film of his career, Polanski captured a real-life Jewish pianist that survived warfare. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the best moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a Jewish pianist that survived tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. 90 years after a Jewish pianist managed to survive ghettos in WWII, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate producing movies audiences commonly value.

3. The Pursuit of Happiness

Fathers shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have always shared bonds with my father. A role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. I appreciate sacrifices he has made in business in order to ensure my pursuit of happiness. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father in the pursuit of happiness, I adored “The Pursuit of Happiness”. Released in 2006, Gabriele Muccino’s movie captured dedicated fathers. Muccino uses captivating montages to capture a father working hard in business to ensure his son’s happiness. For instance, the final scene in which Chris receives the joyous news that he has been hired for his job by a renowned company in media is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Will Smith, who embodied a father seeking to ensure his son’s bright future. Ultimately, what makes “The Pursuit of Happiness” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with stockbrokers to appreciate it. As strong as Chris’ pursuit of happiness, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies contributing towards greater awareness of sacrifices that are made by parents in competitive business.

4. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that always fascinated my teacher. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor interested in a disorder which was cruel. He always sought to educate students about an illness causing lives to deteriorate. As someone recalling a teacher fascinated with a disorder affecting the mind, I adored “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Ron Howard’s biopic depicted the life of Schizophrenic mathematician John Nash. Howard used stunning unreliable narration to capture the anxiety faced by a troubled mathematician. For instance, the scene in which John Nash faces a breakdown when he realizes that his roommate is a figment of his imagination causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Russell Crowe, capturing mathematician that achieved fame years ago. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” a beautiful masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking tribute towards a mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made one-of-a-kind movies leaving a lasting legacy commonly behind.

5. 12 Years a Slave

Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a friend taking interest in slavery. He sought to educate people in my school about a time he came to celebrate. My friend believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture a historical tragedy that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve seen have captured slaves with a strong drive to survive a time that was grave as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning movie captured a real-life slave’s survival. McQueen beautifully used production-design to capture slaves facing a decline. For instance, the scene in which Solomon discovers that he bas been deceived by friends that sell him into slavery causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the survival genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who embodies a slave in American history. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a survival classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about slavery, it tackles strong themes everyone can relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after Solomon Northup miraculously survived slavery, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has made movies that inspire people to overcome frightening adversity.

6. The Revenant

Hugh Glass is a legendary frontiersman that survived catastrophe. During the 19th Century, Glass was attacked by a grizzly bear that caused tragedy. Through a sheer miracle, Glass survived the worst disaster imaginable. In 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu honoured the frontiersman with strong commitment to survive in his film “The Revenant”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Revenant” stand out is its visuals. Inarritu uses breathtaking visuals to capture a frontiersman seeking to survive catastrophe. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is exceptional in the lead role, Inarritu honours a commemorated fur trader that survived calamity centuries ago. As strong as Hugh Glass’ desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre that has made movies audiences consider extremely special.

7. The Martian

The Martian is a legendary book about resilience that has earned recognition. Since its publication in 2011, Andy Weir’s book has become a literary classic. In 2015, Ridley Scott celebrated the book about space survival in his movie “The Martian”. Unlike most movies in the survival genre, what makes “The Martian” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Scott effectively uses humour to capture a brave astronaut seeking to survive a disastrous planet. It’s refreshing to come across humour in a genre that has always followed a serious tone. Assisted by Matt Damon who is fantastic in the lead role, Scott created a powerful space survival epic. As strong as Mark Whatney’s desire to survive a doomed planet, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has managed to get a huge following by making memorable movies which are impossible to commonly forget.

8. Hidden Figures

When it comes to the most resilient women in NASA’s space history, it’s worth discussing the hidden figures. During the 1960’s, three African-American women participated in NASA’s space program. The women broke barriers of colour to become legendary figures. In 2016, Theodore Melfi honoured the hidden figures in his movie “Hidden Figures”. What makes “Hidden Figures” stand out in the space genre is its empowering depiction of women. Melfi uses captivating montages to capture obstacles black women working for NASA in the 1960’s were facing. Accompanied by Taraji P. Henson who is excellent, Melfi honoured hidden figures in history. A heartfelt tribute towards Africa-American women that participated in NASA, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made timeless movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

9. Good Will Hunting

Therapists are towering figures that shaped my identity. When I was diagnosed with anxiety, I began seeing a therapist that taught me how to overcome adversity. Through his wisdom, I overcame challenges posed by Autism. As someone treasuring a therapist I found inspiring, I adored “Good Will Hunting”. Released in 1997, Gus Van Sant’s movie depicted therapists. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Good Will Hunting” stand out is its depiction of therapy. Gun Van Sant used naturalistic dialogue to create a meaningful therapist relationship. Assisted by Matt Damon who is extraordinary, Gus Van Sant created a compelling therapist depiction. As strong as Will Hunting’s desire to find meaning, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies which are worth celebrating.

10. Forrest Gump

Few movies ever made about individuals overcoming a bump in their lives are as beloved as “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured a man with intellectual disability overcoming adversity. Zemeckis used narration to capture a disabled man facing tension. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is extraordinary in the lead role, Zemeckis created a captivating movie. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s unrealistic depiction of a man overcoming his disability has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Forrest Gump’s love for Jennie, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about resilient people overcoming adversity which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.