Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Movies reflect human needs: Resilience

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

ThemeMovies reflect human needs...

Resilience


Image from storyblocks.com

Resilience -- an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. For many of us, the changes brought about in 2020 were not easy to adjust to, but adjust we did (whether we liked it or not). Each time we adapt, recover, overcome, it strengthens our resilience.

We need resilience to achieve our dreams, too. If you look at the movies I listed for that post, the people or characters adjusted to or overcame obstacles.

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. (Helen Keller

It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life's story will develop. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Optimism also goes along with resilience since it is an inner sense that even if everything doesn't turn out all right, I will be all right. 

  • This is a fictional film, but I've met people like that... people determined to live on their own terms, party during hurricanes, and face hardships with courage.
  • I mentioned this one in the post about Play. Based on a true story, the family in this film show resilience as they adjust to life after losing wife and mother.
Joy  (2015)
  • Based on a true story, entrepreneur and inventor Joy Mangano, (Jennifer Lawrence) was raised in a dysfunctional family with little encouragement. Sometimes life seems to kick her in the teeth, but she keeps pressing forward. (My review found here.)
    • This film also fits with the topic of Dreams.  
  • The father struggles with PTSD and wants to live in isolation. His resilient daughter adjusts quickly to each situation, connects with her surroundings, and comes to recognize what she needs. (Inspired by a true story.)
Maudie (2016)
  • A bit of a slow-moving film, but in reality Maud Lewis (Sally Hawkins) moved slow due to painful birth defects that crippled her body. The movie is based on a true story and is a wonderful example of adjusting to difficulties. It's also an interesting Love story, and fits with Dreams as well. Despite her gnarled hands and stooped body, she is compelled to paint.
The Meddler (2015)
  • After her father died, writer-director Lorene Scafaria noticed how differently she and her mother handled grief. This film is somewhat based on their experiences... two women, going two different directions, yet both resilient. (Susan Sarandon is brilliant, as always, in her role as the mother.)
  • Talk about resilience. Chris Gardner (Will Smith) goes through so many hardships during this film, I was exhausted by the end. But, oh, how he magnificently adjusts to every misfortune! (Based on a true story.)
  • Another true-story film. Two sisters and their female cousin, all of mixed race (Aborigine-white), are yanked from their mothers and forced into a camp to learn domestic skills. They escape, and follow the rabbit-proof fence across the Outback, leading to home... 1,500 miles away.

What movie comes to mind when you consider resilience?


(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)

14 comments:

  1. I have seen Rabbit-Proof Fence, but I don't thing I know the others. More great movies for the to-do list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had never heard of Rabbit-Proof Fence until a couple months ago. I'm glad you've seen it too!

      Delete
  2. So many films - I immediately thought of the boxing films - Raging Bull and Rambo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't even thought about boxing films, or sports films in general. They often portray resilient characters! Thanks for reminding me of those.

      Delete
  3. My mind goes to animation like Lion King, or fairy tale movies when I think of resilience. "Leave No Trace" interests me most of the movies you list.
    https://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. While considering movies reflecting resilience, animated and fairy tale films didn't come to mind. I'm so glad you mentioned those! Thank you!

      Delete
  4. It is funny that I am drawing a blank because I think this is such a popular story arc in movies. Seeing that person stick with it and overcome obstacle after obstacle until they achieve their dreams is so uplifting. Weekends In Maine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's like knowing the answer to something but it leaves as soon as you're asked. That happens to me a lot!

      I admire characters with resilience who follow their dreams.

      Delete
  5. The Martian was a good one for resilience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, so true! It would take a whole lot of grit to survive that.

      Delete
  6. Great examples of films about resilience. The one I thought of was "Cast Away." How Tom Hanks survives on that island is quite the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's a good one! He was definitely resilient.

      Delete
  7. Trudy,

    "The Edge" with Anthony Perkins is not only about survival but resilience. Excellent action/thriller!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still haven't seen The Edge. It sounds intriguing.

      Delete