A FEW WEEKS BACK, Margaret Roach and I started talking about dark movies–the depressing, emotionally draining, deeply resonant ones that aren’t always what you want to take on, but can be just the ticket for certain moods. Well, with apologies to T.S. Eliot, we’re about to enter the cruelest month, the hard, cold days of February. (Even the radio weatherman today said, “If you can just get through the next month, you’re home free.”) What time could be better for some dark and stormy cinema?
I’ve written before about my affection for the 70s period piece The Ice Storm, directed by Ang Lee, and based on the novel of the same name by Rick Moody. There’s always the ultimate hipster sister movie of all time, Sofia Coppola’s debut film, The Virgin Suicides. Or for some laughter in the dark, you might try the brilliant and black comedy, The Opposite of Sex. Or take Margaret’s suggestion and rent Sweetie, director Jane Campion’s moving masterpiece of dysfunctional sisterhood.
What dark movies suit your dark days?
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Moll Flanders. I love that movie and the book.
Short Cuts.
Happiness.
None of them have to do with sisters though.
Great suggestions. When’s movie night??
It’s those cold dark days when I want warmth and humour..
However if I really had to nominate it would be Schindlers List and Sophies Choice… extraordinary movies.
I love The Celebration. It is full of dark family secrets.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154420/
Fair enough, Mary. I crave romantic comedies when it’s grim outside, too–but sometimes, I just want to hunker down with something that’s bleaker than wherever I am! And Norah–I’ve been meaning to see The Celebration–off to put it on my Netflix queue!
My best dark movie (somehow “best” feels like the wrong word there) has to be The Squid and The Whale. The tale of two (pre)teen boys raised by detached and narcissistic academics, who dole out hugs, love, and understanding about as frequently as they pause to remember they even have children at all. Heartbreaking, excruciating, and resounding. A recent movie that seemed dark at first glance, but is actually flooded with light is Lars and The Real Girl. I loved, loved, loved it.
Hi Amy–I liked that one, too, though I thought the director’s follow up movie–”Margot at the Wedding” (not to be confused with “Rachel Getting Married”–didn’t work so well. And ditto about “Lars”–improbably terrific!