Do you have a favorite movie that you can watch over and over again, and experience the same emotional reaction every single time?
I have two favorites that are particularly tear inducing – “Field of Dreams” (I wrote about this several months back), and one I revisited the other day, “The Shawshank Redemption“.
I only caught the last 20 minutes of it, but since I knew the story very well, I didn’t need to see the first 120 (it’s a long one).
It’s about the enduring bonds of friendship, dignity and humanity through hardship, and, most importantly of all, the power of hope.
It’s often said that the true measure of a person is how they respond to tough times, so watching the two main characters, Andy and Red, come out of the other side of their respective ordeals with their friendship, dignity AND hope intact never fails to move and inspire me.
Each time I see this, I have my own “redemption”, a cleanse of any residue of what I call “yuppie angst” (which also morphs occasionally into the “under toad“) – that focus on minor annoyances that can sometimes pull you away from what really matters.
There are two quotes in particular from the movie that really get the job done- the first, when Red decides to overcome his fears and reunite with Andy:
“Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’ “
The other comes later, when Red finds a buried box from Andy containing money and a letter, which beckoned him to Mexico and also said this:
“Remember, Red. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies.”
That one-two punch always does it for me. Keep living and keep hoping.
Ah, the power of a good story……well done Mr. King!
Let’s continue this conversation – what movies do it for you time after time after time? I’ll add another one to get this going, on behalf of my wife – “Notting Hill”. She never fails to crack up when Hugh Grant takes his stand with Julia Roberts at her press conference.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
For me, it’s Gladiator. I love the story of the man who lost everything pushing on against all odds. I’m not much of a Crowe fan after the hotel phone incident he had, but I can’t let go of this movie.
I echo your sentiments of Shawshank, though. It was the last rated R movie in my collection as I was selling them all off. The story is so great I get goosebumps a minimum of 3 times per viewing.
OK, I hate to expose my taste for lowbrow humor… but “Amazon Women on the Moon” never fails to crack me up.
On the more “serious” side, “The Matrix” trilogy, especially the end of the third where Agent Smith can’t understand why Neo continues to fight, and Neo simply says that it’s because he chooses to… man, I’ve got that jolt in my stomach just writing about it!
Terry,
As you might expect my list is a bit eclectic.
1. The Terminator – one of the most romantic movies ever “I came across time for you, Sarah Conner!” Also people just do not give up, even when it seems totally hopeless. (And, just a rousing good sci-fi flick.)
2. Terms of Endearment. I think the Deborah Winger character is very irritating and really don’t care she’s dying (sorry) – what makes me tear up is when Jack Nicholson shows up at the motel to support her Mother – totally out of his self-absorbed, oblivious element – but giving it a go.
3. Ditto Notting Hill (and I also love Pretty Woman. Yes, I know it’s totally ridiculous, but…it almost makes you believe that a lonely good looking billionaire can find redemption through love…especially – ahem – if you’re Richard Gere.
Thanks Jesse, Lyman and Mary!
Jesse, Gladiator is a great movie, because of Crowe.
Lyman, I really got into the forst Matrix but haven’t seen the other two – I take it they’d be worthwhile to rent?
Mary, oh gosh I forgot about Terms of Endearment. That scene at the hospital with her kids…. faucet time. My wife can also watch Pretty Woman a million times (that Richard Gere…….).
All the best!
They are, Terry… well, the third is, but you’ve got to see the second first.
Since they were filmed at the same time, they aren’t as self-contained as the original.
Thanks Lyman – sounds like I need two rentals, a comfortable couch, and a big tub of popcorn!