crisp backdrop

Movies with crisp vibe

Chasing Mavericks

1. Chasing Mavericks

Drama Sports Competition
7.1
20121h 56min

Overview

Surfer Jay Moriarity sets out to ride the Northern California break known as Mavericks.

Themes

Loss and resilience, Secrecy and exposure, Mentorship and independence, Dedication under pressure, Ambition versus risk, Memory and ritual

Available on

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

Haute Cuisine

2. Haute Cuisine

Comedy Drama Satire Political Drama
6.4
20121h 35min

Overview

The story of Danièle Delpeuch and how she was appointed as the private chef for François Mitterrand.

Themes

Service vs authority, Culinary ambition under scrutiny, Political dining as diplomacy, Gendered roles in cuisine, Tradition and innovation, Professional jealousy within kitchens

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Fandango at Home Free
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

For a Good Time, Call...

3. For a Good Time, Call...

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Relationship Drama
6.0
20121h 27min

Overview

College "frenemies" Lauren and Katie move in together after losing a relationship and rent control, respectively. Sharing Katie's late grandmother's apartment in New York City, the girls bicker with each other until one fateful night, when Katie's noisy bedroom activities make Lauren barge in and discover a dirty little secret. This revelation brings them closer together, and Lauren (the brains) and Katie (the talent) concoct a wildly successful business venture. As profits swell, the girls reevaluate their hopes and dreams and realize that just because someone pees in your hair in college doesn't mean she won't be your best friend 10 years later.

Themes

Economic survival through hustle, Loyalty versus ambition, Boundary testing in close friendship, Public scrutiny and parental pressure, Secrecy and disclosure, Romance within ambiguous boundaries

Available on

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

Lawless

4. Lawless

Crime Drama Western Organized Crime Historical Drama
7.2
20121h 55min

Overview

In 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia, run a multipurpose backwoods establishment that hides their true business — bootlegging. Middle brother Forrest is the brain of the operation; older Howard is the brawn, and younger Jack, the lookout. Though the local police have taken bribes and left the brothers alone, a violent war erupts when a sadistic lawman from Chicago arrives and tries to shut down the Bondurants operation.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Violence as control, Corruption and bribery, Prohibition era crime, Front business deception, Transition to legitimacy

Available on

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

Chalet Girl

5. Chalet Girl

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
6.3
20111h 37min

Overview

While working a job at an exclusive ski resort to support her Dad, Kim learns to snowboard and is so good at it that she enters a competition with a huge cash prize. She has to dig deep to overcome her fears, but her life gets more complicated through her spoken-for boss, Jonny.

Themes

Economic pressure shaping choices, Public competition as turning point, Mentorship enabling skill growth, Romantic entanglements complicate decisions, Social status expectations, Memory of trauma affecting performance

Available on

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

The Secret World of Arrietty

6. The Secret World of Arrietty

Fantasy Animation Family Supernatural Fantasy Anime
7.6
20101h 34min

Overview

14-year-old Arrietty and the rest of the Clock family live in peaceful anonymity as they make their own home from items "borrowed" from the house's human inhabitants. However, life changes for the Clocks when a human boy discovers Arrietty.

Themes

Secrecy drives adaptation, Coexistence with humans, Displacement and relocation, Protecting a hidden home, Fragile domestic boundaries, Human curiosity threatens life

Available on

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

American Gangster

7. American Gangster

Drama Crime Organized Crime
7.8
20072h 37min

Overview

Loosely based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina, who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War, before being detained by a task force led by Newark Detective Richie Roberts.

Themes

Class inequality, Family loyalty under pressure, Monopolistic distribution and legitimacy, Social climbing via crime, Deception and power dynamics, Corruption and law enforcement

Available on

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

Surf's Up

8. Surf's Up

Animation Comedy Family Family Animation Vacation Family
6.7
20071h 25min

Overview

A young surfer enters his first contest, hoping a win will earn him respect. But an encounter with a laid-back local forces him to rethink his values.

Themes

Penguin ambition, Anthropomorphic animal portrayal, Surfboard craft, World cup pressure, Rivalry and domination, World champion legacy

Available on

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

The Guardian

9. The Guardian

Action Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
6.9
20062h 19min

Overview

A high school swim champion with a troubled past enrolls in the U.S. Coast Guard's 'A' School, where legendary rescue swimmer Ben Randall teaches him some hard lessons about loss, love, and self-sacrifice.

Themes

Discipline under pressure, Survivor guilt shaping duty, Loyalty and duty tension, Mentorship through hardship, Leadership forged in crisis, Memory of loss guiding action

Available on

Amazon Video
Philo
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Imagine Me & You

10. Imagine Me & You

Drama Comedy Romance Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
6.8
20061h 33min

Overview

During her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she realizes that despite her happy marriage to Heck, she is falling for Luce. As she questions her sexual orientation, Rachel must decide between her stable relationship with Heck and her exhilarating new romance with Luce.

Themes

Desire vs commitment, Identity exploration within marriage, Romance across boundaries, Friendship complicates attraction, Honesty vs restraint, Social expectations of love

Available on

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