Category Archives: Could Be Sad

1996, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Drama, Not Feel Good, Violent, War

The War At Home (1996)

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From NetFlix:

Starring Emilio Estevez (who also directed), Kathy Bates and Martin Sheen, this gripping war drama follows the battles encountered at home as a result of those on fought the battlefield. Vietnam impacted the everyday life of average American families in unimaginable ways: soldiers didn’t always return home alive, and when they did, they were often met with anger, not gratitude – even from their own families

There are several excellent films that deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Besides this film see also two versions of the same story: Brothers (2005) and Brothers (2009).

This particular film is in some sense the most difficult of the three because of the lack of support the returning veteran gets in this case. Martin Sheen is exasperating as the father. Brace yourself.

2009, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Drama, Not Feel Good, Redemption, Violent, War

Brothers (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When severely traumatized Capt. Sam Cahill (Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire) returns home alive from a military mission in Afghanistan after he was presumed dead, he learns that his brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), has gotten dangerously close to his grieving wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his kids. Mare Winningham and Sam Shepard also star in this wartime drama about human frailty and battles fought on the home front. Jim Sheridan directs.

“Brothers” from 2009 is an almost exact but Americanized version of the equally well-done Danish film Brothers (2005).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is never easy to see (let alone experience). The two version of “Brothers” deal with Afghanistan. Don’t miss as well the sad film directed and acted by Emilio Estevez The War At Home (1996) which left me stunned. I would like to know if any of our soldiers actually had to endure what happens to Capt. Sam Cahill while a prisoner in Afghanistan.

All three of these films are well-written, well-acted, and difficult to watch.

2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Due to a genetic disorder, handsome librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) involuntarily zips through time, appearing at various moments in the life of his true love, the beautiful artist Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams). Also starring Ron Livingston as Gomez, the soul-stirring romantic drama was adapted from the best-selling Audrey Niffenegger novel by Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter behind the beloved weepy Ghost.

Finding a film suitable for everyone, children included, is a rare event. This sweet, gentle fantasy romance is easy to watch. If at first it seems confusing, stay with it. Eventually you will take the disappearances and reappearances of Henry for granted.

Rachel McAdams was Della Frye in State of Play (2009) and Clare Cleary in “Wedding Crashers”.

Eric Bana was Henry Tudor in “The Other Boleyn Girl” and Avner in “Munich”.

Great date film!

2008, Could Be Sad, Crime, Drama, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Violent

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Stuck in a terrible job, recent college grad Art Bechstein (Jon Foster) struggles to enjoy the last summer of his youth. Things begin to look up when he meets a beguiling couple (Sienna Miller and Peter Sarsgaard) who show him a new side of his hometown, Pittsburgh, and of himself. But as he and his new friends get into increasingly intense situations, Art is forced to choose between family, friendship and love.

Thanks to NetFlix for suggesting this sweet, sad, jewel of a surprise. John Foster (as Zack in 15 episodes of “Accidentally On Purpose”), Peter Sarsgaard (as David in “An Education”), and Sienna Miller (as Camille Foster in “Camille”) are pitch perfect. Also Nick Nolte is perfect as the gangster father.

Perhaps it is easy to play an emotionally hesitant role as does John Foster, but in this case it was exactly what was needed as a contrast with Sarsgaard’s somewhat out of control character. And Sienna Miller is just plain sweet.

More I will not say because there are some surprises along the way. Definitely not for children: there is sex and violence. Nonetheless it is a sweet film.

2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All

The Boys Are Back (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe’s rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching — and often hilarious — tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.

In this film Clive Owen is as I have never seen him. Gone (well, almost) is the grinning bad boy. Instead he plays well a caring father left to his own uncertain devices. Both sons do an amazing job of acting. The younger gets it right as a little boy. The older teenager gets it right as an adolescent who wonders if his father even loves him. In some ways it is a very ordinary film. But for me the underlying truth is that kids suffer from divorce no matter what our permissive experts tell us.

And is Australia really that beautiful ?

2009, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Drama, Love Story

Up in the Air (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman’s smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.

For at least one reason this film made me unhappy: I don’t look a bit like George Clooney. Now let’s get serious. Although I used to think he was just another Hollywood pretty boy, lately I have read that his acting has improved with age and indeed in this film he is perfect. I cannot say why without spoiling the film for you. At the very least, during the film assume nothing.

If nothing else this film captures perfectly the current depression of 2008 through (let’s hope) 2011. Remember, if your neighbor loses his job, it is a recession. If you lose your job, it is a depression. If you have ever been laid off from a job, this film will really resonate.

There are some laughs, but this film is only partly a comedy. In addition it offers genuine human value.

Until I started to write this review I had not realized that Jason Bateman, who plays George Clooney’s smarmy boss, was the star of the outrageous TV series “Arrested Development”. What a character transformation !

“Up In The Air” is an unqualified “must see”.

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Hebrew and Arabic, Lawyers, Love Story, Not Feel Good, True Story, War

Lemon Tree (2008)

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From NetFlix:

A Palestinian widow (Hiam Abbass) fights to keep her lemon grove from being uprooted when Israeli security forces declare it a threat to the Israeli defense minister living next door (Doron Tavory) in this foreign-language drama based on a true story. Teaming with a young lawyer (Ali Suliman), the widow takes her case to the Israeli Supreme Court. But in the process of seeking justice, she’s forced to hide the forbidden bond growing between them.

Quiet, beautifully acted, subtle cameo portrait of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. For the most part the film is an indictment of the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians: the woman’s lemon grove is really no threat, the defense minister comes off as nothing more than a hypocritical politician, the odds in court are obviously stacked against the widow. However, the poor woman is besieged on all sides because even her own culture of women as second class (embodied in local almost bullying pressure) will not allow her a fulfilled life. Note, on the other hand, that the Israeli women are more high-maintenance and powerful. If you are fortunate enough to watch this small gem I would be interested in hearing your impression of the very last scene.

Subtitles available for the Hebrew and Arabic.

Don’t miss it!

2005, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Danish, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Not Feel Good, Redemption, Susanne Bier, Violent, War

Brothers (2005)

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From NetFilx:

When army major Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) is presumed dead on a mission to Afghanistan, his wife (Connie Nielsen) and transient younger brother (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) are drawn together. Michael is eventually found and sent home, but his harrowing experience as a prisoner of war changes the family forever. Winner of a Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, this Danish drama inspired a 2009 English-language remake from director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot).

Danish directory Susanne Bier has made many films such as “Things We Lost In The Fire”. In this review and the other two reviews we are recommending three of her films: “Open Hearts”, “Brothers”, and “After the Wedding”. The language is Danish with subtitles. Susanne Bier directs fine films.

There is a newer film “Brothers (2009)” which is an American rewrite of the 2005 Danish version. I have read reviews of the newer version which say that the original Danish version is the better of the two.

In any case, this is in certain parts a tough film to watch, but well-acted and always worth the viewing effort.

2002, Could Be Sad, Danish, Drama, Love Story, Susanne Bier

Open Hearts (2002)

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From NetFlix;

Cecile (Sonja Richter) and Joachim (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), a happy couple living in Copenhagen, find their relationship changed forever when Joachim is hit by a car and paralyzed. Joachim grows increasingly bitter, and as his doctor, Niels (Mads Mikkelsen), consoles Cecile, the two become romantically involved. This also threatens Niels’s marriage to Marie (Paprika Steen), who can’t bear the thought of losing her husband.

Danish directory Susanne Bier has made many films such as “Things We Lost In The Fire”. In this review and the other two reviews we are recommending three of her films: “Open Hearts”, “Brothers”, and “After the Wedding”. The language is Danish with subtitles. Susanne Bier directs fine films.

2006, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gay theme, Love Story, Non-physical Violence, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Redemption, War

The Secret Life of Words (2005)

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From NetFlix:

After surviving the war in Yugoslavia, taciturn nurse Hanna (Sarah Polley) heads to Ireland for some rest and relaxation. But when she hears about an oil-rig accident off the coast, she agrees to tend heroic burn victim Josef (Tim Robbins). Personalities clash aboard the derrick as Hanna contends with Josef, a Russian soldier (Sverre Anker Ousdal), a lively Spanish chef (Javier Cámara) and other oddballs in this compelling character study.

Where to begin with this superb but disturbing film ?

If anything, this is a story of a severly damaged woman little by little returning to life due to her nursing the burn survivor Tim Robbins on the almost deserted oil-rig. It is also the story of his gradual return to life physically and mentally. His character has a wonderful talent for words. From the very outset he is determined to break through Hanna’s defenses, initially just because he is a very accomplished flirt. Both he and she have some horrible history which eventually emerges.

Some of the other actors are notable. I won’t say what role she plays (it is part of the mystery surrounding Hanna) but Julie Christie is still a beautiful woman with those startling blue eyes. It took me awhile to place the cook Jose Cámara. He was one of the men who was a caretaker for a comatose girl friend in the Almodóvar film “Hable Con Ella”.

I have some nitpiks: It would have been impossible in my opinion for the burn victim to have located Julie Christie’s character. Also Kathy and I found the ending to be too good to be true.

Challenge: Who or what was the childlike voice narrator ?

The next paragraph is a spoiler, but I owe it to you. WARNING: if vivid descriptions of war atrocities bother you, do NOT watch this film.