During the summer of 2020, I became interested in film. Since then I have become well-versed in the world of cinema, and I have developed a stronger appreciation for the work that goes into making a film. I have been working my way through the classics, the box-office hits, independent films and the new releases. In the first few months of 2024, my knowledge surrounding cinema has continued to expand—keep reading to learn about my favorite watches of this year (so far), in order of preference.
“All of Us Strangers” (2023)
“All of Us Strangers” is a 2023 film directed by Andrew Haigh, starring Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott. The plot surrounds Adam, a screenwriter dealing with the pain of his parents passing away while he was a child. Adam begins to hallucinate his parents, while also developing a relationship with his neighbor Harry. I had been waiting for an opportunity to watch this film, because I was excited about the cast. “All of Us Strangers” definitely exceeded my expectations. The acting and storyline is raw and real, the cast completely understands how to portray difficult relationships. While the film disappointingly received zero Oscar nominations, it has gotten much-deserved praise and recognition. The film is available on Hulu and is also available to rent on YouTube.
“Room” (2015)
“Room” is a 2015 film directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the film features a talented cast including Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. “Room” is based off of a 2010 book of the same name, written by Emma Donoghue. While the film is not based on a true story, its heartbreaking storyline affected me and many other viewers. The plot follows a woman known as “Ma” being held hostage alongside her five year old son, Jack. Since Jack had never experienced the world outside of captivity, once the pair gained their freedom, everything was completely new to him. “Room” induced a multitude of emotions for me: fear, sadness and relief when Jack and Ma got to live the life they had always hoped for. Brie Larson earned an Oscar for “Best Actress” due to her outstanding performance. “Room” is a flawless film that perfectly encapsulates a close bond between mother and son. The film can be watched with an HBO Max subscription or rented on platforms like Amazon Prime and YouTube.
“Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)
“Little Miss Sunshine” is a 2006 film directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathon Dayton. The cast includes familiar faces like Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Paul Dano. The plot follows a dysfunctional family that has embarked on a road trip. Their end destination being a Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant that the youngest family member—Olive—is competing in. This movie made a big impact on me because of its message: families are not always perfect. The family in this film is dealing with their fair share of issues, but they still support and love each other unconditionally. “Little Miss Sunshine” was also well received by the box office, earning a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film can be watched with a Hulu subscription, or rented on YouTube.
“Saving Face” (2004)
“Saving Face” is a 2004 romantic comedy film directed by Alice Wu. In contrast to the other films on my list, this film has a feel-good plot. The plot follows Wil—played by Michelle Krusiec—and her journey navigating a relationship with her traditionalist mother. I fell in love with this movie because, like other movies on my list, it shows that family can sometimes be tumultuous. Wu understands family and relationship dynamics greatly, which she once again proved in her 2020 Netflix film “The Half of It.” The film received an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been described as “charming” by movie critics. “Saving Face” is available to rent on YouTube and Amazon Prime.
Ultimately, all of these movies have made a huge impact on me and others. I recommend these movies to anyone who is searching for a heartfelt, meaningful storyline.