My Favourite Films About Broken Families of All-Time

Not many characters make movies that are as engaging as dysfunctional families. Broken families often make for memorable movies. Whether it’s suspects of murders, ordinary people or men with mental disorders, 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 dysfunctional family films that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Kramer vs. Kramer

Divorce is a devastating process that caused families to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage that caused 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 close 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 that divorce has 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 broken families. With the greatest film of his career, Benton used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a grim 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 sad 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 broken families of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about divorce, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 40 years after the release of a classic film about couples ending marriage, it’s a great reminder of a genre making movies which engage by giving a meaningful message.

2. Boyhood

Childhood is a crucial time in life that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of growing up in youth that shaped my persona. I remember that I was an aimless child daydreaming that was unconcerned about the future. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my emotions of growing up in childhood as powerfully as “Boyhood”. Released in 2014, Richard Linklater’s masterpiece captured a child growing up over the course of 12 years. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Boyhood” stand out is its innovative cinematic techniques. Linklater’s decision to shoot the film over the course of 12 years using the same actors is risky but paid off. Linklater effectively uses the technique to create a portrait of a dysfunctional family over 12 years. For instance, the scene in which Mason bids emotional farewell to his mother as he leaves for college causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Ellar Coltrane, who captures a child growing up. Ultimately, what makes “Boyhood” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of a boy growing up over 12 years of childhood, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that made movies which are treasured in modern-day Hollywood.

3. Knives Out

Social class has impacted my family. Years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they found that their housekeeper was a thief. I remember he was a generous housekeeper regarding my grandparents in a kind manner. However, my grandparents were shocked to discover he had stolen jewelry. As someone haunted by memories of a housekeeper taking knives out, I adored “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Rian Johnson’s murder mystery captured a dysfunctional family. Johnson effectively uses humour to capture a dysfunctional family impacted by murder. For instance, the scene in which the members of the Thrombey family have a tense meeting causing a dilemma following the death of their patriarch is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Daniel Craig, who embodies a dedicated detective investigating a dysfunctional family. Ultimately, what makes “Knives Out” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most murder mysteries, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A magnificent mystery about housekeepers with knives out, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies about broken families which definitely deserve to be talked undeniably about.

4. 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.

5. Ordinary People

Family tragedy can often cause people to face depression. 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 today, 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 manufactured commemorated films audiences consider extremely special.

6. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Autism impacted my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. The disorder affected my relationship with family under pressure. Few films I’ve seen have captured a disorder that’s hard to escape as powerfully as “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”.  Released in 1993, Lasse Halstrom’s movie captured the impact of Autism on a broken family. Halstrom used captivating montages capturing hardships a broken family is facing. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is excellent in the lead role, Halstrom created a dazzling dysfunctional family drama. An astonishing depiction of Autism, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies which offer tremendous wisdom about the lives of downtrodden broken families achieving tremendous stardom.

7. Monsoon Wedding

Dysfunctional families that face trauma are common in India. India has built an image of being a country where families often face tragedy. The terrifying hardships that dysfunctional families in India are facing are beautifully explored in the film “Monsoon Wedding”. Released in 2001, Mira Nair’s magnificent Bollywood masterpiece captured Indian families. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Monsoon Wedding” stand out is its sensitive depiction of India. Nair uses mesmerizing musical montages to capture the beauty of the country. Assisted by Naseerudin Shah who is amazing in the lead role, Nair created a powerful portrait of families in India. A dazzling depiction of families arranging weddings in India causing a dilemma, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies worth seeing in the modern-day Cinema.

8. Hereditary

Dysfunctional families are often seen in horror movies. The horror genre has often told compelling stories of families facing trauma. The power of horror movies that capture family tragedy is clearly evident in the movie “Hereditary”. Released in 2018, Ari Aster’s horror movie captured a family impacted by tragedy. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Hereditary” stand out is its depiction of family trauma. Aster effectively uses foreshadowing to capture a family reacting to a terrifying tragedy. Assisted by Toni Collette who is extraordinary in the lead role, Aster created a compelling horror movie about dysfunctional families. A powerful portrait of families experiencing fear, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre producing memorable movies about dysfunctional families about which audiences undeniably care.

9. The Farewell

Families follow unique traditions in China. In Chinese culture, families confront death in a different way than in the West. When relatives are about to die, the family must keep it a secret from them. The way in which Chinese families deal with relatives that are unwell is beautifully depicted in “The Farewell”. Released in 2019, Lulu Wang’s movie offered a powerful portrait of a Chinese family. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Farewell” stand out is its strong depiction of families in China. Wang uses captivating montages to capture hardships families in China are facing. Assisted by Awkwafina who is amazing in the lead role, Wang honours families in China. A fantastic portrait of hardships Chinese families face, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which audiences commonly embrace.

10. American Beauty

Few movies ever made about broken families facing adversity 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 forever 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 brilliant reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated movies about broken families facing adversity which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I value highly.