Despite owning hundreds of movies, I always find myself watching the same ones over and over again. Naturally, I am quite a nostalgic and sentimental person, so a lot of my favorite films are my favorite because they evoke a lot of good memories for me. Even though I enjoy exploring different genres and films, whenever I am feeling down, I always find myself gravitating towards one of my “comfort” films; much like food, these movies always have the ability to make me feel better no matter what. I have compiled a list of 4 of my all time favorite comfort films to share with you and to also give a better sense of what my taste in films is.
#1: The Trip
Starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. Directed by Michael Winterbottom. (2010)
This film is basically a mockumentary in which Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play themselves, though probably exaggerated versions of themselves, and embark on a road trip through the north of England, sampling restaurants and historical sites along the way. Despite the simple premise, the film is full of unexpected complexities. Throughout the film the characters have an ongoing conversation about success and fame and what it means to each of them, as well as giving a unique perspective on friendship, and delving into what it means to be happy. To break up these deep concepts, the main characters are constantly joking around and enjoy a hilarious, yet self-deprecating banter throughout the film, as well as demonstrating their spot on impressions of Michael Caine, Al Pacino, and Anthony Hopkins to name just a few.
As well as being funny and inventive, this film also features gorgeous scenes of the Lake District in Northern England. In almost every take, the surrounding landscape and scenery is used and gives the film even more of an edge. I find that the beauty and greatness of the mountains and sweeping landscapes only adds to the complexity of the film. Throughout the film Steve and Rob continually spar over their own fame and their work, but these wide shots of the beautiful scenery only make these arguments all the more trivial and petty, which again, adds to the persona of the film; worldly possessions and fame really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.
This film is one of my favorite comfort films simply because it reminds me so much of England. As a self-professed anglophile, and as someone who has visited England many times, the scenery, the pop culture references, and the overall style of humor really makes me miss my time in England. Despite the complexities of this film, overall it is quite hilarious and never fails to put a smile on my face, no matter what my mood may be. Truly, I find that it is a great film as well as being an endearing and realistic look at both friendship and life itself.
#2: Pride and Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Directed by Joe Wright. (2005)
Pride and Prejudice, as everyone probably knows, is a novel written by Jane Austen that has been adapted into many movies and television series over the years. The story, if anyone is unfamiliar, centers on the life of Elizabeth Bennett and her family who cross paths with a much wealthier Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Despite not getting along with each other at first, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy eventually marry and live happily ever after. In being reduced to just a few sentences, the plot of this story comes across as being pretty sappy and predictable, but actually both the text and the 2005 version of the film, I find, are quite the opposite.
I first came across this film on television quite some time ago and initially thought it was quite good. Soon it was played a lot on the Oxygen channel for some reason, as the channel itself usually airs programs that are quite the opposite of the beauty and class exuded by Pride and Prejudice, but nevertheless I found myself watching this film whenever it aired on television, and quite quickly I became hooked. After watching this film so many times, I have realized that not only do I love the actual story, but the scenery used in the film as well. To put it simply, this film is absolutely stunning. Even if the story or acting itself were terrible, which it isn’t, I would still watch this movie simply because it’s beautiful.
The chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen, who play Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, is enchanting and adds even more of an edge to this film. Their love and fixation with each other, as well as their seeming mutual dislike for each other in the beginning of the movie makes this story seem all the more believable; nothing feels forced or artificial, but exceedingly realistic.
Despite taking place in the 19th century, the dialogue in this film feels slightly modern and is not weighed down by any stuffy phrases or verbiage. Basically, the entire film feels like a modern re-telling of a classic tale, while the images playing out upon the screen looks to be in perfect keeping with the time period.
This film in particular is one of my favorite comfort films because every minute of it is beautiful. Every scene, whether indoors or out seems to be both meticulously and unintentionally stunning. Any still frame from this movie could easily be painted and made into a work of art, seriously.
I find that the beauty alone distracts me from whatever stress or sadness I may be feeling and transports me to the English countryside, which I am ever so fond of. The love story that takes center stage in this movie is also quite touching, I have always loved this scene in particular.
For these reasons and more, are why I could probably watch this film almost every single day.
#3: Trainspotting
Starring Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle. Directed by Danny Boyle. (1996)
Trainspotting, based on the book by Irvine Welsh, revolves around the lives of a group of friends in Edinburgh in the 1990s, and their addictions, most notably, heroin. Though the film focuses on quite a few characters, the protagonist of the tale is Mark Renton. Compared to his friends, Mark has a different understanding of addiction, heroin, and life itself, and, decidedly, chooses to act out against everything he’s ever known to create a new life for himself. All in all, it’s a story rife with hilarity, tremendous sadness, and a surprising clarity towards life.
This film may seem like an odd choice for a comfort film, but I have my reasons. My love of this film stems, originally, from the text. Initially, I found the book quite a challenging read because it’s written entirely in the Scottish accent, but I soon became hooked. Once I finished the book, I watched the film and found that I loved it, despite its clear differences from Welsh’s work, but I now look at the text and the film as two separate entities. During my junior year of college, I had a very hard time adjusting to campus life and school, so I quickly found refuge in both the text and the film during these times of darkness. They each gave me hope for the future, as Mark was able to overcome the obstacles of his life and start over, which is why I find myself so drawn to the story.
Truly, there are many reasons as to why I love this film so much, but I think the main reason is that it is just so completely fucked up, to the point that it’s just plain intriguing. In one scene Mark and his friend, Sick Boy, shoot a dog with an air rifle so that it attacks its owner, in another a baby dies from SIDS, and then in another scene Mark finds that he has slept with a 14-year-old, unbeknownst to him. It’s just shock after shock, and depravity at its finest, but I somehow find myself unable to be disgusted from it. I find that within these many depravities and the overall perversity, there is such depth to this story and the characters, and all of these transgressions just act as mechanisms that further the story and the ongoing change that is happening within each character.
The way in which this film is directed, is completely genius. Danny Boyle truly encapsulates Irvine Welsh’s work in such interesting ways which gives this movie such an originality, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. A great example of this creative license is in the scene where Mark overdoses.
The way in which Mark sinks into the carpet and Boyle then films Mark’s point of view from inside the carpet is so inventive, as if, within his current state, he has turned to nothingness and is devoid of any sort of feeling or thought and just dissolves into the carpet. Such clever directing makes this film a treat to watch.
In spite of the gritty source material and the overall theme of the story, the cinematography is also something to marvel at as well. Though this film isn’t beautiful in the conventional sense, like Pride and Prejudice, there are many scenes which beauty can be found.
In such simple scenes as these, it just goes to show that beauty can really be found in the ugliest of places.
Overall, this film is a comfort film for me because the story is so compelling. Each and every character is so unique and has so many problems, yet despite this, they can still be happy. The Scottish accent and the slang as well is always fun to listen to, as I’ve never seen a film shot entirely in Scotland with all Scottish actors before. I also just love how grimy and disgusting most of the film is. It’s so completely out of the context of my own life, yet I find myself so intrigued by the way in which all of these characters live and the horrible things that they do. Above all though, the last scene of the film is probably my favorite part of the entire film.
In this scene, Mark finally decides to break the cycle, and, in turn, be a terrible person for the very last time to further his own life, and it’s fantastic. This scene always gives me chills! The music, the way in which Spud pleads with Renton before he leaves, Renton’s last speech, and just the fact that he left Spud’s share of the money behind for him, giving the audience a small glimmer of the kindness that has always been inside Renton, and the change that is to come for him as a person just really makes this movie. And finally, the scene where Mark crosses the Waterloo Bridge in London is so metaphorical it’s outstanding. He’s both literally and figuratively crossing a bridge into his own future, while simultaneously burning bridges with all of his friends. It’s clever film making like that that truly makes me appreciate films and what they can teach us, and that is why I never get tired of watching this film.
#4: Spirited Away
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. (2001)
Spirited Away is the story of a young girl named Chihiro who is upset about having to move to a new home. When her parents decide to take a short cut while driving to their new house, they stumble upon what they believe to be an abandoned theme park, but soon they find that this is not the case, and all sorts of madness and magic ensue. By the end of this tale, Chihiro becomes much more independent, mature, and ready to move.
This movie is one of my all time favorite films for many reasons. First and foremost, my attachment to this film stems all the way back to 2005/2006. Back then, my brothers and I were very close to my cousins and we would always sleep over their house which was great. At night, my eldest cousin and I would stay up late and watch anime on Cartoon Network, shows like Naruto, One Piece, Full Metal Alchemist, and Shin Chan, and, occasionally, Spirited Away, when Cartoon Network used to air it. These were some of the best times of my life. I was still relatively young and naive and this was before everything in my life began to change. Whenever I watch this film now as an adult, I am instantly reminded of the good times I had with my family and the overall simplicity of life that I was fortunate enough to enjoy back then.
For me, this movie is a comfort film because of how beautiful it is, a common theme in this blog post. The animation and the colors are all absolutely stunning. Everything is so rich in detail and saturation, it’s like watching 2 straight hours of artwork.
The creativity and originality displayed throughout the entire film is quite extraordinary as well. The creatures and the characters that are featured throughout the film, particularly No Face and what he is surprisingly capable of is great to watch. Never before have I seen a film such as this.
What I love most about this film is the great lengths that Miyazaki went to tell such a simple tale. The entire movie is really a a metaphor for growing up and all the crazy scenarios that Chihiro is put through is to remind the audience that obstacles and hard times are imperative to growth and understanding. This story could have been told in such a typical way, but by opting for something completely unconventional, Miyazaki makes us forget that this film is teaching us all valuable lessons and instead transports us to this mythical, magical, Japanese bath house.
This is a film that I could watch all of the time, simply for its stunning animation and story. I love that this film reminds me so much of my own childhood, but I also find myself watching this movie a lot for other reasons too. The more I watch it, the more I am able to come to different conclusions about characters, scenes, or metaphors. This movie is really a cinematic masterpiece, story wise and animation wise, and I implore everyone to watch it.
This concludes my long-winded list of my favorite comfort films. I hope that this list may give you a glimpse into how varied my taste in movies is and what I pay attention to most while watching a film. If you have any suggestions or if you want to share what your most beloved comfort films are, let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
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