deliberate backdrop

Movies with deliberate vibe

The Upside of Anger

951. The Upside of Anger

Comedy Drama Family Drama Buddy Comedy
6.8

20051h 58min

United States, Germany

Director: Mike Binder

After her husband runs off with his secretary, Terry Wolfmeyer is left to fend for herself -- and her four daughters. As she hits rock bottom, Terry finds a friend and drinking buddy in next-door neighbor Denny, a former baseball player. As the two grow closer, and her daughters increasingly rely on Denny, Terry starts to have reservations about where their relationship is headed.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Parental absence, Romance under scrutiny, Family disruption, Drinking as coping, Adult choices vs tradition

Available on

Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Palindromes

952. Palindromes

Comedy Drama Coming-of-Age Drama Awkward Comedy
6.7

20051h 40min

United States

Director: Todd Solondz

Aviva is thirteen, awkward and sensitive. Her mother Joyce is warm and loving, as is her father, Steve, a regular guy who does have a fierce temper from time to time. The film revolves around her family, friends and neighbors.

Themes

Reproductive autonomy, Foster care vulnerability, Parental control and fear, Family deception and coercion, Conflicted adolescence under pressure, Ideology-driven violence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Jacket

953. The Jacket

Drama Mystery Science Fiction Thriller Fantasy
7.1

20051h 43min

Germany, United States

Director: John Maybury

A war-hardened veteran is trapped in a mental hospital where his mind is forced into the future, revealing his own death. As reality blurs, can he unravel the mystery that holds his life in the balance?

Themes

Time travel consequences, Memory erosion under amnesia, Ethics of experimental treatment, Coercion and care in institutions, Hope amid altered timelines

Available on

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

The Ballad of Jack and Rose

954. The Ballad of Jack and Rose

Drama Family Drama
6.5

20051h 51min

United States

Director: Rebecca Miller

Jack Slavin is an environmentalist with a heart condition who lives with his daughter, Rose, on an isolated island. While Jack fights against developers who wish to build in the area, he also craves more contact with other people. When he invites his girlfriend, Kathleen, and her sons, Rodney and Thaddius, to move in, Rose is upset. The complicated family dynamics makes things difficult for everyone in the house.

Themes

Environmentalism conflict, Island isolation, Incest tension, Illness shaping decisions, Family boundaries tested, Peeping tom suspicion

Available on

Apple TV
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

955. Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Drama Romance Comedy Feel-Good Romance Family Drama
5.7

20051h 56min

United States

Director: Darren Grant

Charles, an attorney, and Helen, his devoted wife, seem to have everything – money, a beautiful mansion – the American Dream. However, as Helen prepares to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, her life takes an unexpected twist when she comes home to find her clothes packed up in a U-Haul van parked in the driveway. Charles is divorcing her and kicks her out. Helen moves in with her grandmother Madea, an old woman who doesn't take any lip from anyone. Madea helps Helen through these tough times by showing her what is really important in life. Helen is forced to rediscover love, life, and religion in her pursuit for happiness.

Themes

Loyalty vs self-preservation, Family influence on choices, Economic leverage and dependence, Faith as recovery, Abuse of power in marriage, Redefinition of love and commitment

Available on

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

Why We Fight

956. Why We Fight

Documentary History Social & Political Documentary Political History
8.0

20051h 38min

Canada, Denmark

Director: Eugene Jarecki

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.

Themes

Public manipulation, Military-industrial complex, Perpetual wartime policy, Veterans and casualties, Economic incentives of war, Policy dominance and influence

Available on

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

Spanglish

957. Spanglish

Drama Comedy Family Drama Awkward Comedy
6.4

20042h 10min

United States

Director: James L. Brooks

Mexican immigrant and single mother Flor Moreno finds housekeeping work with Deborah and John Clasky, a well-off couple with two children of their own. When Flor admits she can't handle the schedule because of her daughter, Cristina, Deborah decides they should move into the Clasky home. Cultures clash and tensions run high as Flor and the Claskys struggle to share space while raising their children on their own, and very different, terms.

Themes

Class inequality, Immigrant struggle, Language barrier, Mother-daughter bond, Cultural clash, Deceit and betrayal, Privilege vs duty

Available on

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

Hawking

958. Hawking

Drama TV Movie Historical Drama True-Story TV Movie
7.4

20041h 30min

United Kingdom

Director: Philip Martin

The story of Professor Stephen Hawking's early years. It is 1963, and our young cosmologist celebrates his 21st birthday. At the party is a new friend, Jane Wilde - there is a strong attraction between the two. Jane is intrigued by Stephen's talk of stars and the Universe. But she realises that there is something very wrong when Stephen suddenly finds that he is unable to stand up.

Themes

Illness and resilience, Mentorship under doubt, Romantic support in crisis, Topology as tool, Pursuit under constraint, Phd thesis, Cambridge university

Available on

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

Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids

959. Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.2

20041h 25min

United States, India

Director: Zana Briski

Documentary depicting the lives of child prostitutes in the red light district of Songachi, Calcutta. Director Zana Briski went to photograph the prostitutes when she met and became friends with their children. Briski began giving photography lessons to the children and became aware that their photography might be a way for them to lead better lives.

Themes

Economic precarity, Child exploitation, Education as opportunity, Outsider mentorship, Marginalization of youth, Art as empowerment

Available on

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

The Merchant of Venice

960. The Merchant of Venice

Drama Romance Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.0

20042h 12min

Italy, Luxembourg

Director: Michael Radford

Venice, 1596. Bassanio begs his friend Antonio, a prosperous merchant, to lend him a large sum of money so that he can woo Portia, a very wealthy heiress; but Antonio has invested his fortune abroad, so they turn to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and ask him for a loan.

Themes

Economic leverage through debt, Racial and religious tension, Loyalty and status, Mercy vs law, Disguises and deception, Courtroom power dynamics

Available on

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