Category Archives: Feel Good Not For Children

2011, British, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Gay theme, Love Story, Optimistic

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

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From NetFlix:

To make the most of their meager retirement savings, a group of British seniors relocates to India to live out their golden years at the Marigold Hotel. But upon arrival, they discover that the once-lavish resort has wilted considerably.

For those of us in the senior set used to British film and TV, this feel-good fantasy is a welcome relief from today’s film violence, gloom, and never ending series of super heroes. You may have to suspend a bit of disbelief and just accept the several happy results. But isn’t that what a feel-good movie is all about?

In addition you get to enjoy a colorful travelog through the best parts of the city of Jaipur in India. All those magical sights alone are worth the time spent watching the film.

Because I was disappointed in myself for not being able to name all these British actors whose faces are so familiar, I review them:

  • Judy Dench we all know from “As Time Goes By”.
  • Tom Wilkinson was Archie in “The 44-Inch Chest”.
  • Bill Nighy, the tall thin man who played the long-suffering husband Douglas Ainslie, was Dr. Black in “Doctor Who”.
  • Penelope Wilton, who played Nighy’s unhappy wife, was Isobel Crawley in “Downton Abbey”.
  • Maggie Smith is, well, Maggie Smith.
  • Ronald Pickup, the wannabe gigolo Norman Cousins, has been a support actor in many performances such as Jeffrey Livingstone in “The Jury II”.
  • Celia Imrie, the sad Madge Hardcastle who tries to pass herself off as Princess Margaret, is also a familiar supporting actress in such roles as Lady Glenmire of”Cranmore”.

Possibly I am prejudiced by my age group, but I say DON’T MISS IT!

2002, Basically Sad, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Magic Realism, Quiet, Redemption, Sex Scenes, Slow, Unusual

Till Human Voices Wake Us (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Dr. Sam Frank is haunted by his first love, an unforgettable romance that ended in loss and terror. Years later, he’s become an expert in the psychology of repression but remains a loner. Then, a beautiful stranger on a train changes everything.

At the end of this quiet, slow, sad love story, do not expect everything to have made sense. Just appreciate the parallel between Sam’s boyhood first love and his encounter as an adult with Helena Bonham Carter. Expect a semi-happy ending of acceptance with a bit of magic realism thrown in.

2011, Crime, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, French, Love Story, Optimistic, Wonderful acting

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Not to be confused with the tale by Ernest Hemingway, this unsettling drama recounts the violent criminal assault and robbery committed against a middle-aged couple, and their discovery that a person they knew orchestrated the attack.

Ignore the NetFlix description. This French film set in Marseille is ultimately a feel-good story in which optimism and kindness triumph. You can find the full plot in the Wikipedia article. If anything the film dramatizes the difficulty of life in Marseille, but actually in any area beset with unemployment, for the younger generation.

As a short version: the husband in the older couple is a loyal unionist who loses his job during a layoff which also effect a certain young employee. Whereas for the older man this layoff is not a tragedy (he owns his house, his wife works), the younger man has an irresponsible young mother (you will be shocked) and two school age younger brothers for whom he is responsible. Out of desperation that younger man robs and assaults the older man, his wife, and another older couple. Accidentally the older man discovers who the culprit is. As the film progresses the older man comes to understand the young man’s difficulties. Finally I will tell you that the culprit is sentenced to 15 years (which will mean 2 or 3 years). Beyond that you have to discover for yourself the heartwarming developments.

French with English subtitles. DO NOT MISS!

2011, Bullying, Circus, Disturbing Image, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Sex Scenes, Trains

Water for Elephants (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena’s cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.

After reading Sara Gruen’s popular novel “Water for Elephants” it is easy to see that the original story had to be adapted for a film. For example, in the book we read about Jacob’s life in a nursing home when he is in his nineties. Frankly, I preferred the film.

Someone once opined that one successful way to make a movie is to just tell a good story. Indeed this is a captivating story that held my attention for several reasons. August was so out of control that I kept waiting for the explosion. Jacob and Marlena made such a good couple that eventually they had to somehow get together.

You do see at least indirectly some cruelty to animals, especially Rosie the elephant. Mostly you see the bloody results of August’s anger toward Rosie, which could be difficult for young children.

And the ending is so goody good good that I just snickered a bit. Great film!

2011, Complicated, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Fantasy, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Trains

Source Code (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man’s mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier’s primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.

Jake Gyllenhaal has done it again, or at least his agent has. Somehow Gyllenhaal finds vehicles that for the most part suit him perfectly.

Although Michelle Monaghan does a perfectly acceptable job as Jake’s love interest, Vera Farmiga does an outstanding job as a conflicted member of the military whose human values eventually trump the self-promotion of the ever preening Jeffrey Wright (Dr. Rutledge).

WARNING: Although this film rates as a “feel good”, it is probably NOT for children because (without spoiling anything) there is one disturbing film shot involving a human body that is a shocker.

Why see this great film ?

  • Fun flirtatious love story
  • Clever sci-fi plot
  • Heart-warming interaction between Jake and his dad
  • Exciting action
  • Feel-good film

If any of the above interests you, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !

2010, Comedy, Cooking and food, Drugs, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Medical Theme

Life As We Know It (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Caterer Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and network sports director Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) discover a reciprocal hatred during an ill-fated first date — but are forced to put their feelings aside when their mutual friends die and they become the guardians for orphaned Sophie. Now, Holly and Eric must learn to live with each other and juggle their promising careers while taking care of the little girl in this romantic comedy.

If you are searching for a good date movie AND you are wild about infants and children, then I have a good film for you. If anything this film shows in a realistic way just how all-consuming a task it is to raise a child, let alone to also want a career. In a way, the only contrived part of the scheme was that a dead couple’s will could stipulate guardians for the orphans without the consent of those guardians. And how realistic is it that the man and woman guardians (who supposedly dislike each other) would consent to the idea AND share the house of the deceased parents ? Who cares! It is a fun film with lots of pleasing sight gags.

Katherine Heigl, who plays the woman Holly, played opposite Gerard Butler in “The Ugly Truth”. Josh Duhamel, who plays the man Eric, so far seems to be mostly Major Lennox in the Transformers films. Josh Lucas had significant roles in The Weight of Water (2001) and Around the Bend (2004).

In some way I resent these films in which the characters, of course, live in a million dollar house deep in wooded suburbia. But then wife Kathy says people watch movies for escape. Good luck on that mortgage!

2008, Drama, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Military, Quiet

The Lucky Ones (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Three soldiers injured in the Iraq War return to native soil, only to find that their tour of duty has taken its toll on the home front. Hoping to repair their tattered lives, Colee (Rachel McAdams), Cheaver (Tim Robbins) and T.K (Michael Peña) set off on an impromptu cross-country road trip. While Colee seeks to repay her dead boyfriend’s family, Cheaver dreams of a big win in LasVegas, and T.K. tries to regain his confidence.

Low key and feeling like an independent film, this story rings true. Three sympathetic characters gradually relate more and more with one another. Each has his or her story to tell and their stories do take on some unexpected twists.

Almost nothing that happens seems contrived with one exception. T.K. was wounded with shrapnel in his genitals and is on leave and currently impotent. On this topic many matter of fact discussions are centered. His “cure” was a bit hard to accept.

Without spoiling I will only say that the ending was perfectly believable, very probable, and for me a disappointing solution to their problems.

Tim Robbins (Mystic River (2003), The Secret Life of Words (2005), “The Shawshank Redemption”), Michael Peña (“The Shield”, “Million Dollar Baby”), and (Rachel McAdams (State of Play (2009), “The Time Traveler’s Wife”) all do a fine job.

2010, Based on true facts, Comedy, Drugs, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Medical Theme, Mostly About Sex, Nudity

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy’s memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.

Sex, sex, sex, what fun!

However, there is a bit more to the film. For one thing, the film takes a huge satirical swipe at Big Pharm (most notably Pfizer-Zoloft versus Eli Lilli-Prozac) and especially the antics of its salesmen. More sadly the film highlights the plight of those suffering from Parkinson’s for which presently there is no cure.

Which brings me to ask if this story is just a fairy tale for grownups. Jamie’s encounter with the husband of a Parkinson’s victim in Chicago is frankly brutal and really impressed me about the difficulty of having a partner with Parkinson’s disease. Is it realistic to believe that the womanizer Jamie could settle down to care for Maggie in what could be a horrific future ?

Unfortunately the Wikipedia article does not tell us whether the author Jamie Reidy was involved in any way with Parkinson’s disease.

When this film was made in 2010 Anne Hathaway (“Rachel Getting Married”, “The Devil wears Prada”) was 28 years old and Jake Gyllenhaal (“Donnie Darko”, Brokeback Mountain (2005)) was 30 years old.

At any rate just enjoy the sex scenes, the ribald script, and the feel-good nature of the film. Viagra, anyone ?

2010, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story

The Switch (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Still single and increasingly attuned to the cacophony of her biological clock, 40-something Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides that if she can’t find a mate she’ll still pursue motherhood with the help of a sperm sample that’s not quite as anonymous as she thinks. As the baby grows up, Kassie’s best friend, Wally (Jason Bateman), agonizes over whether to reveal that he secretly replaced the donor sample with his own DNA.

For me Jason Bateman will always be the character Michael Bluth from the crazy TV series “Arrested Development” (which those of you who enjoy “crazy” might really like). His role as Wally the man afraid to take chances is the important role in the film despite the fact that Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum help out. Thomas Robinson as the little boy Sebastian plays his part perfectly.

Some things are contrived. For example, the scene in which a drunken Wally switches Patrick Wilson’s sperm sample for his own just did not work for me.

Probably the theme is not for children. However, I found this to be a sweet feel-good with a nice ending and a welcome relief from violence. Enjoy!

2010, Based on true facts, Boxing, Drama, Drugs, Feel Good Not For Children, Prison, Sex Scenes, Sports, Violent

The Fighter (2010)

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From NetFlix:

After a string of defeats, Mickey Ward rediscovers his fighting will with help from trainer and half-brother Dicky (Oscar winner Christian Bale) — a once-talented pugilist and small-town hero now battling drug addiction.

What makes this film so amazing are the performances of Christian Bale as the drug-addicted self-deceiving brother and of Melissa Leo as Alice Ward, the mother of the boxer Mickey Ward.

What shocked me at first was how Amy Adams presented Charlene Fleming as such a “tough broad”. But then, almost all the Lowell women were portrayed in exactly the same way. Throughout the film the F-word was ever present as were all the other usual swear words. Mickey’s sisters were a sight to behold.

Manipulative in the extreme, Alice Ward struck me as repellent. But true to her character she fights to the end to maintain control over her 9 children and her long-suffering husband. Only when Dicky goes to prison will Alice admit to his addiction.

Did Dicky really ever admit to himself that he was not God’s gift to Lowell ? According to the film he finally sees the light. But I could not find any information (such as a Wikipedia article) on just how historically accurate this film was. If you find something, let me know.

The real Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund are shown during the end credits.

Well worth the watch.