Mainstream Hollywood movies aren't usually the place to look for useful lessons in life. Escapism, romance and excitement maybe, but the blockbusters aren't often noted for philosophical gems. The films that have left me thinking more deeply about my existence have mostly been a bit more off the wall, a relatively recent example being the lovely Paterson. A far cry from the superhero genre that seems so dominant at the moment, a genre that has never manage to spark my interest. If I'm asked who my favourite fictional superhero is I always go with Catherine Cawood from Happy Valley - if you're fighting crime, looking after your alcoholic sister ans orphaned grandson and all the while coping with the aftermath of your daughter's rape and suicide then that make you a proper hero in my eyes.
But sometimes it happens and there is one big name production I've seen in recent years that provided a phrase, and an attitude, I've often found helpful since. Recalling that recently got me wondering what other famous movies have offered similar guidance - and surprised myself with the two I came up with.
I certainly don't think these three films are amongst the best I've ever seen, although all of them have their strengths, but each one has made me think about life a little differently, despite all of them being very much 'entertainments' rather than art films. They certainly don't offer up much by way of diversity, with all the central characters being male, white and middle class (of sorts). None of them would pass the Bechdel Test, although I did see someone suggest that the earliest of the trio has a brief moment that technically qualifies it. None of them pretend to be other than what they are. And the first two could legitimately be described as schmaltzy.
First on my list is also the best known. It's a Wonderful Life is one of those sickly sweet tales that gets wheeled out at this time every year and never loses it's popularity. Partly because James Stewart is always so watchable, but perhaps also down to it's reminder that often it's the smallest of actions that can have big consequences and that we don't always realise the impact we, as individuals, have on the lives of others. Interconnection, interdependence.
Four years after that Jimmy Stewart starred in Harvey, a daft comedy that's riddled with flaws and stereotypes, and relies heavily on the Stewart's charm to carry it through. Is Elwood P Dowd, Stewart's character, a delusional alcoholic, or the nicest man you could wish to meet, or both? There's a key quote that sums up the 'philosophy' on offer :
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' – she always called me Elwood – 'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.
Dowd, and his imaginary friend Harvey, get people to talk, to unburden themselves. Sometimes all we have to be is nice. Oh, and maybe believe in a bit of magic too. Reality isn't always a welcoming place.
Finally the film that set me off on this thread, released three years ago. Bridge of Spies is based on a true story, but 'Hollywoodised' of course. Tom Hanks is the box office name (is Hanks a modern day Jimmy Stewart? - discuss), but Mark Rylance's captured Russian KGB officer is the heart of it all. When they first meet, in prison, lawyer Hanks is explaining what he can do to help the spy, and Rylance gets his first of three chances to utter those three words - Would it help? If you haven't seen the movie, and don't think you'll have the time, you can see what I mean in this YouTube compilation of the three utterances of those words.
Stoic philosophy in three words. And an acting masterclass from Rylance in defining a character with just one short phrase. Since seeing it I've been surprised how often that little mantra has come in handy (and I don't lead anything like a stressful life nowadays!). The bigger surprise is remembering that I owe it to Hollywood.
There are others I've taken lessons from, but none I can think of were as mainstream as the above trio, as consciously mass market and 'popular'. Sometimes inspiration can come from the most unlikely places. I think Elwood P Dowd would agree, though I can't speak for Harvey.
Anyone else had a similar moment of revelation?
