5 Most Impactful Movies
Movies are easy one of the most simple things humans can bond over in the modern era. Whether it’s a first date, night in, out with friends or premier of an anticipated new film, everyone can bond over watching movies. And as much as humans make movies, movies make humanity. We are influenced directly by what we consume as a society that it is impossible to ignore the impact movies leave on us. In this article, I will look at 5 different movies and analyze how each one impacted us as a society.
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber
Summary
One day, Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) begins to get severe headaches while he is away at college. These headaches then make him blackout, and while unconscious Evan travels back in time to old memories. During this time, he changes little things from his past that drastically changes his present, and when he wake up his reality is altered for better or worse because of the small changes that occurred in his past.
“You can’t change who people are without changing who they were.”
Why was it Impactful?
The Butterfly Effect demonstrated to people how much they should cherish those that they have in their lives. Even though people always want to go back and change something in the past, this movie showed that looking into the past is not the answer. This film also had an impact on society, being that most people today know what ‘the butterfly effect’ is because this movie popularized the term and made everyone more socially aware and conscious of their everyday little decisions that are in fact not all that little. And who knows, maybe if this movie never were to be released, our world could be very different?
Get Out (2017)
Directed by Jordan Peele
Summary
Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) is an African American man and his Caucasian girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams), go away for a weekend to meet Rose’s parents at their private home upstate. Upon arriving, Chris notices that the family is being overly nice, and passes it off for them just being nervous about the couple’s interracial relationship. But, as the weekend continues, Chris uncovers more and more disturbing facts about her and her parents. The once extra friendly, polite setting ultimately leads to Chris’s nightmare and suffering.
“Just because you’re invited, doesn’t mean you’re welcome”
Why was it Impactful?
This movie is great just based off of the story alone, it is suspenseful and thematic and has a new perspective about a race dynamic that we do not get often from new movies. However, I believe this movie got the praise it did for the cinematography. From the unique angles used to momentous sound design to the impeccable acting, and all-around amazing production, the experience you get from watching the movie is like no other. Having the viewers so immersed in the story and in the film makes the story so much more impactful and surreal. With almost 200 nominations and 148 wins, including nominations from the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, it is no doubt that the impact from Get Out was widespread and successful.
As Good As It Gets (1997)
Directed by James L. Brooks
Summary
Melvin Udall (Jack Nicolson) is a romantic novel writer that has obsessive-compulsive disorder and lives his life heavily introverted, rude and mean to everyone he comes into contact with, and has an overall very blunt pessimistic view of life. A sudden chain of events occurs in his life that force him into having to change his everyday routine, from his neighbor being hospitalized, leading him to have to take care of his unpredictable dog, his everyday waitress taking off of work for a family sickness and more. All of these events make Melvin change his habits and adapt, something he once thought was impossible because of his disorder, and overall leaves him with a positive new outlook on life.
“If you look at someone long enough you’ll discover their humanity.”
Why was it Impactful?
One of the main reasons I believe that As Good As It Gets is such an impactful movie is because the point of view we get is so unique. It is rare that we get the perspective of the antagonist. Usually, we would get the view of his nice neighbor or the kind waitress, but seeing the raw, unfiltered ways of Melvin Udall is refreshing. In addition, the exposure we get about mental illnesses is huge for society. The film is not about Melvin overcoming OCD but rather him learning to live with it and him having a mental illness is not what consumes his character. There are a few scenes that demonstrate OCD accurately, such as his soap scene, where he throws away a bar of soap after one use because he cannot reuse soap, or his scenes when he leaves his house and he has to lock his door five times. Especially in the ’90s, mental illnesses were not talked about much, so having one portrayed on screen accurately is a big step for society and great exposure and awareness not only for OCD but all mental illnesses.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Directed by Chris Columbus
Summary
After being kicked out of his house by his own soon to be divorced wife, Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is cut to limited access to see his kids. In an attempt to spend more time with them Daniel disguises himself as an old British nanny for his wife and kids named Mrs. Doubtfire. Through this process, Daniel and the family become closer than ever and he becomes an overall better parent. But, after an overlapping of plans for Daniel and Mrs.Doubtfire, his plan leaves him exposed.
“You know, some parents, when they’re angry, they get along much better when they don’t live together… Sometimes they get back together. And sometimes they don’t, dear. And, if they don’t, don’t blame yourself.”
Why was it Impactful?
Mrs. Doubtfire was an instant family classic after release, it had all that one could want, comedy, warm-heartedness, some romance, and Robin Williams of course. But, the reason why this movie, in particular, was so impactful on society over the others was because of the unique family dynamic it had. Not many movies at the time featured a ‘broken family’, but this movie broke that stereotype that every home always has to be happy. But more than that I think this movie helped the kids watching it. Those that grew up in a home that did not have a mom and dad that were together were able to relate to the film and feel less different than everyone else, or like something was wrong with their family.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Summary
Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalemet) is a 17-year-old in 1983 Italy. He soon falls in love with his father’s 24-year-old summer intern, Oliver (Armie Hammer). The movie follows their relationship from the first meetings, to their secret very intimate relations and all in between. Both of them discover how much they desire another, and the conflict both internal and external about them both being men.
“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster than we should that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty and have less to offer each time we with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing so as not to feel anything — what a waste!”
Why was it Impactful?
Call Me By Your Name is impactful to society because it is the first love story, solely about a gay couple that became popular and mainstream. The film is fairly recent so its test of lineage has not been done, but, just from the release, and overall good reaction from the audience shows a significant change in society. If this was to be released 50 or even 20 years ago, the director would have gotten severe backlash and criticism. Besides the story giving the LGBQT+ community much-needed representation, the cinematography in Call Me By Your Name is breathtaking and hides a bunch of symbolism within the works.
Originally posted: https://taylorjfolland.wordpress.com/2019/10/10/5-most-impactful-movies/
