charged backdrop

Movies with charged vibe

321. The First Beautiful Thing

The First Beautiful Thing
Comedy Drama Family Drama
7.0
20102h 2minItaly
Director: Paolo Virzì

Overview

The film tells the story of the Michelucci family, from the nineteen-seventies to the present day: the central character is the stunningly beautiful Anna, the lively, frivolous and sometimes embarrassing mother of Bruno and Valeria. Everything begins in the Summer of 1971, at the annual Summer beauty pageant held at Livorno’s most popular bathing establishment. Anna is unexpectedly crowned “Most Beautiful Mother”, unwittingly stirring the violent jealousy of her husband. From then on, chaos strikes the family and for Anna, Bruno and his sister Valeria, it is the start of an adventure that will only end thirty years later.

Themes

Public image vs private life, Intergenerational caregiving, Jealousy and family disruption, Memory through time, Motherhood and family identity, Enduring family ties

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

322. An Education

An Education
Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.2
20091h 40minUnited Kingdom
Director: Lone Scherfig

Overview

Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny is a teen with a bright future; she's smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, a charming but much older suitor, motors into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of adult life that she won't soon forget.

Themes

Trust and betrayal, Age difference dynamics, Education vs romance, Family expectation pressure, Self-discovery under manipulation, Class aspiration tension

Available on

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

323. The White Ribbon

The White Ribbon
Drama Mystery Historical Drama Whodunit
7.8
20092h 24minItaly, Germany
Director: Michael Haneke

Overview

An aged tailor recalls his life as the schoolteacher of a small village in Northern Germany that was struck by a series of strange events in the year leading up to WWI.

Themes

Abuse of power, Fear of the unknown, Gendered power dynamics, Puritanical authority, Landowner dominance, Village surveillance

Available on

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

324. Redline

Redline
Animation Action Science Fiction Anime Vehicle-Driven Action
7.5
20091h 42minJapan
Director: Takeshi Koike

Overview

A daredevil driver is determined to compete in Redline, the most popular race in the galaxy. The race only occurs every five years, but in order to participate he must overcome the mafia, the government and even love.

Themes

Spectacle over substance, Sporting corruption and fixed outcomes, Power dynamics under pressure, Popularity as leverage, Displacement and refugee resilience, Loyalty vs deceit

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

325. The Ugly Truth

The Ugly Truth
Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
6.4
20091h 36minUnited States
Director: Robert Luketic

Overview

A romantically challenged morning show producer is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

Themes

Gender dynamics under pressure, Performative dating, Self-help culture, Ratings-driven romance, Manipulation in dating advice, Opposites attract

Available on

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

326. Looking for Eric

Looking for Eric
Drama Comedy Relationship Drama Ensemble Comedy
7.1
20091h 56minUnited Kingdom, France
Director: Ken Loach

Overview

A man trying to put his life back on track gets some advice from an unexpected benefactor -- the ex-footballer Eric Cantona.

Themes

Family under pressure, Role model influence, Social satire, Intergenerational reconciliation, Crime exposure and public humiliation, Coping under crisis

Available on

Amazon Video
AMC+ Amazon Channel
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

327. OSS 117: Lost in Rio

OSS 117: Lost in Rio
Crime Action Comedy Spy Action Parody
6.8
20091h 40minFrance
Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Overview

In 1967, OSS 117 is sent to Brazil in order to retrieve a microfilm list of French Nazi sympathizers, only to once again unknowingly set foot into a bigger international intrigue.

Themes

Power and authority, Hippie counterculture, Prejudice under pressure, Gender role disruption, Secret agent tension, Cultural clash with humor

Available on

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

328. Crows Zero II

Crows Zero II
Action Adventure Crime Comedy Martial Arts Action
7.2
20092h 13minJapan
Director: Takashi Miike

Overview

Genji and his victorious G.P.S. alliance find themselves facing down a new challenge by the students of Hosen Academy, feared by everyone as 'The Army of Killers.' The two schools, in fact, have a history of bad blood between them. And the simmering embers of hatred are about to flare up again, burning away any last remnants of the truce they had so rigorously observed until now.

Themes

Rivalry between schools, Gang codes under pressure, Friendship tested by violence, Ambition and status pursuit, Destructive loyalty, Power struggles and truces

Available on

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

329. LOL (Laughing Out Loud)

LOL (Laughing Out Loud)
Comedy Adult Comedy
6.2
20091h 43minFrance
Director: Lisa Azuelos

Overview

Lola is a striking teenaged girl who is on the cusp of adulthood and longs to rush into the adult world of independence, freedom and sexual exploits, but is tenaciously held back by her mother.

Themes

Romantic deception, Family dynamics under strain, Pursuit of independence, Peer relationship complications, Parental boundaries and control, Adult secrecy and dating

Available on

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

330. Doubt

Doubt
Drama Psychological Drama
7.5
20081h 44minUnited States
Director: John Patrick Shanley

Overview

In 1964 Bronx, two Catholic school nuns question the new priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled African-American student.

Themes

Moral ambiguity, Racial tension, Authority boundaries, Institutional doubt, Gossip and perception, Duty and secrecy

Available on

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