3 Films you need to see before you die!

Welcome to the fourth instalment of ‘3 films you need to see before you die!’ As you can probably anticipate, these lists will be unbelievably subjective and probably challenging for some people to read. With each small collection of films, I hope to shed light on the films that have captivated me in my own life and at the same time trying to sell them as an interest to you!

So, without waffling any further, here are 3 Films you need to see before you die! In my humble and biased opinion.

1. Whiplash (2014) Dir. Damien Chazelle

To what extent can you push yourself to become the best of the best whilst still maintaining the things that are true about yourself. Whiplash is the debut feature film from Oscar winning director Damien Chazelle about a college Jazz drummer (Andrew Niemann) who sacrifices everything to become the best musician he can possibly be. This leaves Andrew spiralling out of control in an obsessive-compulsive pit of despair as he strives to seek the approval of his brutal conductor – Fletcher. Andrew is played magnificently by Miles Teller with Fletcher played by J.K Simmons who deservedly won the Best Supporting actor award at the academy awards as a result. Whiplash was only the beginning of Chazelle’s career in Hollywood, but it showed us exactly why he has the potential to go right to the very top.

Whiplash is not simply a film about a kid who has exceptional musical talent. It is about how easily someone can get caught up in what they perceive to be their ‘dream’ and in turn disregarding the people who really matter. It is clear that Andrew is an incredibly talented musician, but he is constantly reminded that he is not buddy rich or Charlie parker. He is at war with the idea of mediocrity that his father’s life has led to. His father – a high school teacher, a modest career but this is not enough for Andrew, he is certain that one can only be ‘successful’ if they are at the top of their profession. Fletcher thrives off this.

At the academy awards Whiplash swept up in the sound categories, and for me this is testament to the masterpiece that was the sound department in this movie. A sound mixing dream, a soundscape that you cannot help but become immersed in. As the band plays, you feel, hear, and can touch every instrument, you genuinely get the feeling that you are right there with them in every beat. Plus, Miles Teller must be one of the most underrated actors around, A performance of this depth is only the beginning of what I am sure will be a sincere and illustrious career in Hollywood. 

No matter how much Andrew is belittled by Fletcher, he is not deterred. However, this is the true sadness of the movie. Fletcher has broken down Andrew to the point where his approval is a drug, Andrew craves fletchers attention and approval constantly. His mastery of the drums is simply a by product of this. Andrew is no longer a musician with emotions and thoughts, he is essentially a robot with an exceptional ability to follow the music to the exact beat and tempo without fail, every time.

This was Damien Chazelle’s first feature, but it is refreshing to see a hugely talented, young director arrive on the scene and find a unique identity that the industry is craving. There isn’t a director out there who can blend music and drama as well as Chazelle and it does not matter whether it’s La La Land or First Man you are well aware that you are watching a Damien Chazelle picture.

2. Manchester by the Sea (2016) Dir. Kenneth Lonergan 

The crisis of masculinity has always been an issue tackled through film for years, but not until 2016 with the arrival of Manchester by the Sea and respectively Moonlight has it been so honestly and brutally represented in film. At the writing of this post in November 2020, it is a time where we turn our attentions to the mental health of men. 3 in 4 suicides in the UK alone are men, and the male crisis that is so often ignored is real and more pressing than ever. Manchester By the Sea is the manifestation of that male crisis, and it is distressing to come to terms with. Directed by Kenneth Lonergan, the film takes a deeper look into the mind of Lee Chandler, a working-class man unable to come to terms with the PTSD that has plagued his life since his life changing accident.

Manchester by the Sea delves in and out of the past to reveal Lee Chandler, the small time, hardworking handyman who was involved in a life changing incident not just for his own life, but for his family’s too. Manchester by the Sea expresses Lee Chandler’s personality in two ways – Pre and Post incident. Highlighting his inability as a man to cope with post traumatic stress disorder. The film is profound in displaying how one tragedy can turn a warm and affectionate family man into an enraged, impulsive, emotionally empty outsider. It is clear throughout the film, that Lee is fighting his battle all alone, therapy is never considered an option largely due to the nature of his work life, it is never deemed acceptable for a blue collar worker to be going to therapy. So, he suffers in silence, like many others do every day of their lives.

As Lee Chandler, Casey Affleck deservedly won the Oscar for an actor in a leading role. A deeply faceted and underrated actor, often considered in his older brothers shadow, Manchester by the Sea allowed Casey Affleck to elevate himself and command a level of respect in the Hollywood scene that he duly deserved. Honourable mentions must also go to the formidable Michelle Williams as Lee’s long-suffering ex-wife, and of course the young Lucas Hedges who excels in portraying the chaotic period of life that is adolescence, mixed with the loss of a family member. 

Manchester by the Sea does not have the traditional happy ending or resolve that you may have expected. However, it excels in showing real people whose lives you want to learn more about, finding a world that isn’t just authentic to the movies, but a true experience of life in all its anguish and all of its pleasure.

A film that strikes hard and leaves a lasting impact. Lonergan proves that he is a gifted writer, Manchester by the Sea is built on themes of redemption and recovery in the truest sense. A must-see movie. 

3. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Dir. David O. Russell

Personally, I have a very mixed opinion of Romantic comedy style films due to their lack of originality and general cheesiness. Silver Linings Playbook finds itself standing out in the genre as not just one of the best, but an outstanding film in general. A quirky, original, and genuinely charming drama about the relatability of mental disorders and how they should be nurtured, not vilified. Pat Solitano is the excitable, unfiltered ex teacher who has managed to escape therapy for his bipolar disorder on the premise that he is supervised under the watchful eye of his eccentric parents.  Pat (played by Bradley Cooper) is hellbent on winning back his ex-wife, ignoring the fact that she has a restraining order against him.

It is not until Pat meets Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence) that he begins to shift his attention away from his hopeless marriage recovery job. In many ways Tiffany is exactly like Pat, used and abused, self-deprecating and a little bit crazy (but all in good measure). Their connection is immediately fascinating, Pat seemingly does not know how to deal with the fact that his ex-wife may not be worth all of his efforts to win her back. Silver Linings Playbook deals with the idea that we are insistent on portraying ourselves as successful, happy, or even popular. Pat and Tiffany are ashamed of their mental illnesses and fractured pasts. This leaves them relentlessly trying to create a fake façade. It is not until they meet each other that they are able to genuinely be themselves, collectively working together to create a better future. Together. This ‘working together’ is perfectly exemplified by Tiffany persuading Pat to compete in a ballroom dance competition with her.

The dance competition means a lot to Tiffany, but it also holds significance for Pat's father (Robert De Niro), a bookie who has an obsessive-compulsive obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pat Sr. does not understand that his son's personal problems are deep rooted into him too. Plus, you get the feeling that De Niro genuinely enjoyed being a part of this movie, a caring and inherently funny father figure to supplement Pat’s wild and varied needs. Bradley Cooper is a poignant admission as Pat, matching the role's unpredictable mood swings and exuberant energy in finding a sense of acceptance in himself. 

Pat and Tiffany represent an unlikely relationship that we can't help but root for. Their love largely hinges on a shared understanding of anti-depressants and a physically charged love for Stevie Wonder but that really is a happy conclusion for them. David O. Russell is largely considered hit and miss with his filmmaking techniques, but everything about Silver Linings Playbook is a big hit.

Silver Linings Playbook is brimming with imagination and minimal on romantic clichés. It is easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last decade and has serious rewatchability.