deliberate backdrop

Movies with deliberate vibe

The Weather Man

921. The Weather Man

Comedy Drama Dark Comedy Relationship Drama
6.5

20051h 41min

United States

Director: Gore Verbinski

A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.

Themes

Family reconciliation, Midlife crisis, Illness and mortality, Career versus family, Public perception, Parental pressure

Available on

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

The Tiger and the Snow

922. The Tiger and the Snow

Comedy Drama Romance Romantic Comedy Relationship Drama
7.0

20051h 54min

Italy

Director: Roberto Benigni

Love and injury in time of war. Attilio de Giovanni teaches poetry in Italy. He has a romantic soul, and women love him. But he is in love with Vittoria, and the love is unrequited. Every night he dreams of marrying her, in his boxer shorts and t-shirt, as Tom Waits sings. Vittoria travels to Iraq with her friend, Fuad, a poet; they are there with the second Gulf War breaks out. Vittoria is injured. Attilio must get to her side, and then, as war rages around him, he must find her the medical care she needs. In war, does love conquer all?

Themes

Unrequited love, Medicine as lifeline, Illness as disruption, War as obstacle, Falling in love under pressure, Literature professor identity, Poet companionship under fire

Available on

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

Caché

923. Caché

Mystery Drama Thriller Mind Game Thriller Unreliable Perspective Mystery
7.3

20051h 58min

France, Austria

Director: Michael Haneke

George, host of a television show focusing on literature, receives videos shot on the sly that feature his family, along with disturbing drawings that are difficult to interpret. He has no idea who has made and sent him the videos. Progressively, the contents of the videos become more personal, indicating that the sender has known George for a long time.

Themes

Class inequality, Social surveillance, Parental responsibility, Concealed past, Appearance vs reality, Memory and guilt

Available on

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

The Greatest Game Ever Played

924. The Greatest Game Ever Played

Drama Sports Biography
7.4

20052h

Canada, United States

Director: Bill Paxton

A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.

Themes

Economic mobility pressure, Based on true story, Class barriers in golf course, Golf tournament prestige, Merit vs pedigree, Caddie mentorship access

Available on

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

A History of Violence

925. A History of Violence

Drama Thriller Crime Domestic Thriller Organized Crime
7.4

20051h 36min

Germany, United States

Director: David Cronenberg

An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.

Themes

Family strain, Diner violence fallout, Dual identity pressure, Public scrutiny and consequences, Robbery aftermath pressure

Available on

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

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

926. Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Action Martial Arts Action
6.8

20051h 47min

Japan

Director: Ten Shimoyama

Even though Gennosuke and Oboro are from rival ninja villages, they are secretly in love. At an annual conference with the Lord, it is dictated that a competition--a fight to the death--will take place between the five best shinobi from each village. Gennosuke and Oboro's love is made even more impossible when they each got picked as the leader of the five to represent their respective villages.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Forbidden love, Political manipulation, Honor code pressure, Rival clan feud, Concealed loyalties

Available on

Amazon Video
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Pride & Prejudice

927. Pride & Prejudice

Drama Romance Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.8

20052h 7min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Joe Wright

In the Bennet family, five daughters are growing up, and their parents are deeply concerned with marrying them off well. When a young and wealthy gentleman moves into a neighboring estate, the family’s life is turned upside down, as they see the new neighbors as potential suitors.

Themes

Family relationships, Sisters expectations, Marriage negotiations, Social hierarchy, 18th century, Romantic competition

Available on

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

Just Like Heaven

928. Just Like Heaven

Drama Comedy Romance Fantasy Romantic Comedy
6.7

20051h 35min

United States

Director: Mark Waters

David just wants a fresh start in his new San Francisco apartment, UNTIL Elizabeth walks through his walls, swears it’s her place, and no one else can see her, forcing him to dig into her past before she disappears for good.

Themes

Urban isolation, Grief versus openness, Memory and belonging, Unseen connection, Work-life tension, Life-or-death decisions

Available on

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

The Notorious Bettie Page

929. The Notorious Bettie Page

Comedy Drama Historical Drama
6.5

20051h 31min

United States

Director: Mary Harron

Bettie Page grew up in a conservative religious family in Tennessee and became a photo model sensation in 1950s New York. Bettie's legendary pin-up photos made her the target of a Senate investigation into pornography, and transformed her into an erotic icon who continues to enthrall fans to this day.

Themes

Trauma and resilience, Objectification vs agency, Personal independence, Spiritual rebirth, Art vs exploitation, Public scrutiny and stigma

Available on

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

Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story

930. Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story

Drama Family Family Drama Parent-Child Family
6.8

20051h 46min

United States

Director: John Gatins

Ben Crane believes that a severely injured racehorse deserves another chance. He and his daughter Cale adopt the mare and save it from being sacrificed by the owner.

Themes

Family pressure under hardship, Infertility as obstacle, Duty to care animals, Generational bonding through work, Trust and responsibility conflict, Financial strain by caregiving

Available on

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