My Favourite Films About Grief

Not many genres have gained appreciation of depression. Since the 1970’s, stories of grieving people have 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. Ordinary People

It’s challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit crushing lows when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper experienced murder. Her devastating death left family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from heartbreaking loss of housekeepers that tragically died. Few films I’ve seen have captured how painful deaths destroy families as powerfully as “Ordinary People”. Following its release in 1980, Robert Redford’s movie has stood test of time as the greatest film ever made about grief. With the greatest film of his career, Redford used innovative cinematic techniques capturing families facing despair. Redford is one of those filmmakers that has always had aptitude for making family dramas, and “Ordinary People” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Redford effectively used flashbacks to capture a family haunted by a death causing tragedy. 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 greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Donald Sutherland, who proved how great of an actor he once was before he tragically passed away. Ultimately, what makes “Ordinary People” my favourite film about grief of all-time is its broad appeal. Unlike most movies about broken families which are targeted to a small audience, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. A phenomenal portrait of ordinary people impacted by passings of family members that are painful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a great genre that has made bold films about grief that audiences consider to be special.

2. Cast Away

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my life changed when my family experienced a bombing causing damage. I recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing in Saudi Arabia. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bombing without a scratch alive. As someone haunted by a bombing that left my family cast away, I adored “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured loneliness faced by a man stranded on an island without human contact. Zemeckis effectively uses silence to capture loneliness of a man stranded on an island. For instance, the scene in which Chuck Noland faces silence when he first lands on the island following the plane crash causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Tom Hanks, who portrays a man seeking to overcome loneliness on an island. Ultimately, what makes “Cast Away” a classic is its message. The film delivers a message about survival resonating with everyone. A captivating portrait of courageous men surviving on islands that are cast away, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies which deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.

3. Her

Technology has always been a part of my identity. As far as I can remember, I’ve been a heavy technology user. In an attempt to feel less alone, I’ve often used my phone. My addiction to technology is fuelled by a simple desire to battle my depression. As someone that’s a heavy technology user, I adored “Her”. Released in 2013, Spike Jonze’s movie captured a depressed writer forming a relationship with his phone. Jonze has always had an aptitude for making movies about depression, and “Her” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Jonze uses captivating montages to capture the depression faced by a lonely writer that is coping with a devastating divorce.  For instance, the scene in which Theodore faces a breakdown after he discovers Samantha is leaving him causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who embodies a depressed writer facing conflicted emotion. Ultimately, what makes “Her” a masterpiece is its message. Despite its strange concept of a man dating his phone, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about technology addiction which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Theodore’s love for his phone, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making well-known movies in a league of their undeniable own.

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. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Depression is a powerful emotion that shaped my personality. This depression first began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with stress, I faced a nervous breakdown that impacted my academic success. I felt humiliated having a nervous breakdown in a school in front teachers that I had always appreciated. As someone that has experienced depression as a teenager, I adored “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. Released in 2012, Stephen Chbosky’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about depressed teenagers. With the most personal film of his career, Chbosky captured lonely teenagers afflicted with depression causing despair. For instance, the scene in which Charlie has a nervous breakdown after bidding sad farewell to his friends causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance by Logan Lerman, who embodied the conflicted emotion faced by a teenager with severe depression. Ultimately, what makes “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Charlie’s desire to be a wallflower teenager, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made timeless films which audiences commonly treasure.

6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Grief can often cause family tragedy. Several years ago, my housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Left devastated, my family never recovered from death of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. As someone witnessing family tragedy, I adored “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. Released in 2017, Martin McDonagh’s movie captured family tragedy. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” stand out is its depiction of revenge. McDonagh uses captivating symbolism capturing mothers seeking vengeance for daughters’ killing. Assisted by Frances McDormand who is amazing in the lead role, McDonagh created a captivating drama. As precious as billboards protesting murder, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences commonly treasure.

7. Hereditary

Families affected by grief 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 emotions of grief about which audiences commonly care.

8. 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.

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 grief 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 grief. Mendes effectively used voice-over narration to capture a grief-stricken 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 beauty sought by Lester Burnham, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies that offer wisdom about grim consequences of grief which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of film criticism.