For years filmmakers have attempted to create their own unique installment into the drama genre. With endless films about death, love, hate, and misfortune. The only problem is that with all these entrees, only few have been distinguishable enough, and good enough, to really be recognizable and actually seen. As an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, I understand how tough it is to emulate the human emotion, to portray the life that others lead in their most desolate hours. It’s tough, and only few filmmakers have really made drama’s that truly stand the test of time and emulate what it is so hard for many to do, portray human emotion and give a real sense of attachment for the audience towards these characters. Here are my five “Must-see” films in the Drama genre.
5. Magnolia
“Magnolia” is a special type of film that stands out amongst the other films classified as dramas. The reason being is that it runs nearly three and a half hours long, and not only does it depict suffering in a hyper-real sense, but it shows all forms of suffering, from an abusive father to his son, to a dying old man grasping to make a penance with his only son. The special thing about this film is that not only does it bring a plethora of seemingly interrelated stories together, but it ties them all together in an ending that has been dissected and contemplated for years after the film’s release. Paul Thomas Anderson writes and directs this film with a frivolous passion for the dramatic, creating a truly epic spectacle of the human condition in its darkest hours of life and death.
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
We all know Jim Carry is a very funny man. He’s a stand-up comedian and he is a comedic actor unlike anyone has ever known. The most important thing he had ever done in his career was to transform himself into not only a funny man, but to also portray and take on more dramatic roles in films like “The Truman Show” and the film on this list “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” The fascinating thing about this film is that director “Michel Gondry” blends a fascinating mix of drama, romance, and science fiction into an easily digestible soup of emotions and out there philosophy. This film speaks to a generation of dreamers, a generation of people who don’t want to forget how to be creative and think of the most unimaginable things. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” brings forth all of these ideas ten-fold and effortlessly creates a spectacle of drama and sci-fi like no other film has done.
3. Requiem for a Dream
“Requiem for a Dream” is a very sad movie. I cannot exemplify that enough. If you are in the mood for a downer, than you absolutely need to see this film. No other film that comes to mind shows the dark side of addiction and sadness like Darren Aronofsky’s sophomore effort does. A rough blend of cascading music and hip-hop editing techniques, the movie bustles into your mind and rips every fabric of your being. Yes, the movie is gruesome, depressing, real, and shocking, but it depicts a subject that is more than real in our society today. Aronofsky creates a masterpiece with this film and it will rock you, move you, and most importantly stay with you for a long time.
2. The Shawshank Redemption
Unlike the other films I’ve mentioned on this list, “The Shawshank Redemption” is in fact an uplifting film. This film gives the audience a clear view of the true grit of prison life and the unmistakable actions of officials who run our prison systems. This is one film in which I would not want to give any spoilers nor ruin the epic spectacle that is watching this film. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are a perfect duo who works so well together; I wonder why they haven’t worked together since this film. The most amazing thing about this Academy Award Winning Drama is that this was the FIRST film by writer and director Frank Darabont. He adapted this short story by Stephen King, one of our generation’s most talented horror and sci-fi writer, and created a drama unlike any other story you will see on the silver screen.
1. Forrest Gump
What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about “Forrest Gump?” This movie is happy, sad, loveable, one of Tom Hanks best performances, and most of all dramatic. The titular character, Forrest Gump, explains this film and life in general the best, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.” And the audience really never knows what they are going to get with this film. The reason why this is at the top of my list is that it shows an entire life of a man who wasn’t greedy, of a man who wasn’t mean or faced indescribable perils. He was just a simple man, observing life and the world around him as the world changed, as society changed. From his adolescent point of view, we see the horrors of war, the insanity of the Vietnam protests, and the downfall of his friends, family, and loved ones. This movie speaks to us all, to not take life to seriously and enjoy the little moments, to look at life in a glass half full type of view. Isn’t that what dramatic films should do?
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