compact backdrop

Movies with compact vibe

A Thousand Words

1. A Thousand Words

Drama Comedy Fantasy Parody Supernatural Fantasy
5.9
20121h 31min

Overview

Jack McCall is a fast-talking literary agent, who can close any deal, any time, any way. He has set his sights on New Age guru Dr. Sinja for his own selfish purposes. But Dr. Sinja is on to him, and Jack’s life comes unglued after a magical Bodhi tree mysteriously appears in his backyard. With every word Jack speaks, a leaf falls from the tree and he realizes that when the last leaf falls, both he and the tree are toast. Words have never failed Jack McCall, but now he’s got to stop talking and conjure up some outrageous ways to communicate or he’s a goner.

Themes

Fragile relationships under strain, Integrity under pressure, Consequences of deceit, Deception amid social climbing, Speech as leverage and burden, Self interest and care

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cyberbully

2. Cyberbully

Drama TV Movie Psychological Drama Family TV Movie
5.4
20111h 30min

Overview

A woman tries to help her teenage daughter when she becomes the victim of online bullying.

Themes

Reputation under scrutiny, Online harassment dynamics, Institutional response to cyberbullying, Trauma and coping in youth, Peer influence and conformity, Privacy versus visibility online

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Submarine

3. Submarine

Drama Comedy Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.3
20111h 37min

Overview

15-year-old deep-thinking Welsh schoolboy Oliver Tate struggles to initiate and maintain a relationship with Jordana, his devilish, dark-haired classmate at their Swansea high school. As his parents' marriage begins to fall apart, similar problems arise in his relationship with Jordana.

Themes

Coming of age, Peer pressure and belonging, Parental strain, Secret romance dynamics, Family instability and trust, Bullying and reputation

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Fish Tank

4. Fish Tank

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.3
20092h 3min

Overview

Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life.

Themes

Economic precarity, Deception and secrecy, Exploitation and manipulation, Mother-daughter tension, Adolescent rebellion, Escape through art, Belonging and isolation

Available on

fuboTV
The Roku Channel
Kanopy
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

State of Play

5. State of Play

Thriller Crime Mystery Political Thriller Detective Mystery Crime
7.1
20092h 7min

Overview

When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.

Themes

Corruption and accountability, Corporate influence on policy, Media ethics and transparency, Investigative journalism under pressure, Political power and oversight, Loyalty and betrayal in politics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Rudo & Cursi

6. Rudo & Cursi

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama
6.7
20081h 42min

Overview

Two brothers living a hard life of manual labor in rural Mexico have a simple dream: saving enough money to build their mother her dream house. But fate has other plans. A friendly game of soccer leads to first Rudo, then to Cursi being taken on by the nation’s top talent scout. Suddenly, they find themselves living the high life of star athletes: fame, fortune, fast cars and beautiful women.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Family obligation and aspiration, Class mobility, Temptations of fame, Sibling rivalry, Opportunity vs risk

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Forever Strong

7. Forever Strong

Drama Action Sports Competition
7.1
20081h 52min

Overview

Hotshot rugby player Rick Penning was the star player of his Arizona high school team until a fateful brush with the law forces him to ponder the consequences of his actions in a Salt Lake City juvenile detention center.

Themes

Brotherhood and belonging, Discipline and leadership under stress, Deception within teams, Peer pressure in sports, Consequences of actions, Family expectations and conflict

Available on

Apple TV
fuboTV
The CW
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ratatouille

8. Ratatouille

Animation Comedy Family Fantasy Family Animation
8.1
20071h 51min

Overview

Remy, a resident of Paris, has quite a sophisticated palate. He would love to become a chef so he can create and enjoy culinary masterpieces to his heart's delight. The only problem is, Remy is a rat. When he winds up in the sewer beneath one of Paris' finest restaurants, Remy finds himself ideally placed to realize his dream. He forms an unusual alliance with the restaurants rookie employee, and together they work through challenges stemming from Head Chef Skinner, Remy’s colony, and renowned food critic Anton Ego, who strikes fear in the hearts of chefs all throughout France.

Themes

Belonging under professional tension, Class inequality through gatekeeping, Creative merit vs status, Underdog ascent via skill, Founder's motto as legitimacy

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Freedom Writers

9. Freedom Writers

Crime Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.6
20072h 3min

Overview

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Themes

Educational equity at high school, Gang violence dynamics, Diary entries shape identity, High school pressure, Racial segregation pressures, Cross-cultural empathy in class

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Child

10. The Child

Drama Family Drama
7.4
20051h 36min

Overview

A poor young Belgian mother wants her petty thief of a boyfriend to be gainfully employed to raise their newborn child, but he has other ideas.

Themes

Economic precarity, Deception and coercion, Parent child bond, Legal jeopardy, Exploitation in adoption markets, Poverty and desperation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.