10 MOVIES WE'LL ALWAYS GO BACK TO

In this era of cynicism, irony and sacred individuality, we are forgetting how simple life actually is. Not because we're not children any more, but because we've somehow learned we should withdraw from everything that makes us look carefree and happy as when we were kids.
To begin with the family. No matter how hard we believe we grow up only by breaking these old relations and patterns, it's still the place that stays true to us. Regardless of how far we go, or how special we think we are. Cause your  family, whoever that was and might be today, doesn't care how cool you are. They don't care if you hate them. You'll always know where they are, even if you run away, because they will never let you think you can't go back. That's what family is. A silly place to go back to whenever we want.

Here are some of our favourite family feel-good movies to go back to: 

1. Mrs. Doubtfire

One of Robin Williams`s genius performances. And this heart warming movie is not just about family. It is about importance of selfless love and laughter that goes with it. ''Life is too short to be taken seriously''.  The movie questions the ideal father and mother figure from different points of view and makes fun of the strict social conventions, inside and outside the family. It questions what it means to be an adult and the answer is in being true human being to everyone and accepting the responsibility that goes with it. Only if we lose our hearts in that process, we fail in life. We miss you, Robin.

Mrs. Doubtfire: [after being introduced to Natalie] I admire that honesty, Natalie, that's a noble quality. Never lose that, because it often disappears with age, or entering politics.

2. Anywhere but here

Touching story about mother-daughter relationship. And no better choice than Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman to portrait it. It's about social and financial life struggles, hardships of being a woman, growing up in unstable environment, being single parent , which only get worse when you have two completely different personalities genetically obligated to endure it together. Only to realize there is so much more to family than sharing same blood. It's a story that never gets old, so simply and unpretentiously played, that's why it is on the list as one of those rare diamonds you find and want to keep forever.

Ann: And even if you hate her, can’t stand her, even if she’s ruining your life, there’s something about her, some romance, some power. She’s absolutely herself. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never get to her. And when she dies, the world will be flat, too simple, reasonable, fair.

3.  Stepmom

Another great performance of Suusan Sarandon, and the acting chemistry between her and Julia Roberts is amazing. At first, the story about ''the other woman'', shown in such refreshing and loving way. Also, it breaks all of the stereotypes of being a stepmother, and as the movie goes deeper into the subject, it becomes much more than the story of changing family dynamics. It is the reconciliation of the old and new rules, old and new love, and accepting of course. Wonderful character and plot development and memorable moments where beauty of life beats its worst defeats.

Isabel: You know, I never wanted to be a mom. Sharing it with you... that's one thing. It's another to be looking over my shoulder for the next twenty years, knowing someone else would have done it better... someone else would have done it right.

4.  Father of the bride

Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Bryan MacKenzie at his best. When ''dad`s little girl'' decides to grow up and marry, the ordinary story just gets crazier and crazier. That's what happens when you have a perfect normal family. Let's clear out that family ceremonies can never be something normal and ordinary and comedy always happens when different backgrounds meet. Especially from the inner perspective of a  disoriented father of the bride. It brings up all those common negative hidden emotions in these great life changing events, making an entertaining story for all the generations. 

George: You worry about her meeting the wrong kind of guy, the kind of guy who only wants one thing, and you know exactly what that one thing is, because it's the same thing you wanted when you were their age. Then, you stop worrying about her meeting the wrong guy, and you worry about her meeting the right guy. That's the greatest fear of all, because, then you lose her. It was just six months ago that that happened here. Just six months ago, that the storm broke.

5. Little miss sunshine

How messed up can a family be? What is normal and what is crazy these days? This movie will lighten up your thoughts about family and life in its own dark and intelligent way. Paradox, as life can be. Little miss sunshine is a true representation of the social context we live in and modern life absurdities which have become generally accepted without too much questioning. The movie makes fun of all kinds of struggles we meet in our lives, but it never makes fun of human weakness. In fact, it glorifies it as it should. Just as life, this movie is one unpredictable adventure: scary, funny and full of love. And there's the meaning to everything. Its playful approach to all kinds of contemporary problems different generations are  dealing with is just genius. Amazing cast, a movie to remember.

Richard: Oh my God, I'm getting pulled over. Everyone, just... pretend to be normal.

6. My girl

The story revolves around young, troubled girl named Vada. A simple life story about life overcoming loss. Single father trying to rebuild his family, a daughter in need for a maternal role model but feeling threatened by father`s new beginning, a childhood friendship and the beauty of innocence, growing up and learning everything is in fact connected...Very subtle comedy drama about fragility and sweetness of life, a movie that stays in your heart like an old friend.

Vada: Why do you think people want to get married?

Thomas J. Sennett: When you get older, you just have to.

Vada: I'm gonna marry Mr. Bixler.

Thomas J. Sennett: You can't marry a teacher, it's against the law.

Vada: It is not.

Thomas J. Sennett: Yes, it is 'cuz then he'll give you all A's and it won't be fair.

7. Curly Sue

This drama comedy is a true classic, showing that family also means sticking together no matter the circumstances. Unusual story where completely different worlds meet: a homeless man, wealthy woman and an orphan girl discover common life by breaking their own rules. In the heartless world, the opened hearts meet. And the humorous aspect of it make the movie so easy to embrace, throwing our masks off and letting us enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Bill Dancer: You can cry and not feel sad, just like you can feel sad and not cry.

8. Juno

Very self concious teenage girl, with many questions about love, life and family, gets pregnant. Supported by her cool tempered father and her confused and cute yes and no boyfriend, she decides to bring life and make the best possible scenario for it. A comedy about life, yet very realistic movie about its unpredictability and uncertainty. With a light approach to everything and a very clear note in the end: everything is complicated as much as we make it.

Vanessa Loring: Your parents are probably wondering where you are.

Juno MacGuff: Nah... I mean, I'm already pregnant, so what other kind of shenanigans could I get into?

9. Jumanji

Underneath this funny and adventurous fantasy there is a common story about growing up and becoming an adult. A boy must confront his fears to become one. A father-son relationship that goes through the test of trust issues, great expectations, and poor communication. The movie plays with our perception of time, explaining the essence of the empathy: putting yourself in someone`s shoes is the only way to understand, forgive and grow. We are all children and adults in the same time. Sometimes the most realistic movies are wrapped in a veil of absurdity and fantasy. That means you must enjoy every part of this movie, unless you like to define the limits of the human imagination.

Alan Parrish: What, are you crying? You don't cry, all right? You keep your chin up. Come on, keep your chin up. Crying never helped anybody do anything, okay? You have a problem, you face it like a man.

[Peter continues to cry and Alan realizes what he just said]

Alan Parrish: Hey, hey, I'm sorry, okay?... Twenty-six years buried in the deepest darkest jungle, and I still became my father.

10. The Lion King

The Disney masterpiece. The king of the cartoons. Movie which portrays majestically the simple philosophy of life, the whole circle of it. All of the subjects we've mentioned are placed in this movie. We've watched this as kids, deeply emotionally went through it, and still feel there is so much to learn from it. The old and the young, the bad and the evil, the life and death, the meaning of family, friends, and love, the meaning lost and found.

Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long.

[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]

Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?

Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.

Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.

Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.

Each one of these movies celebrates the victory of love and forgiveness in their own particular way. Ten stories to remind us that life is full of miracles. Which one is your favourite?
Watch, re-watch & enjoy while you can, & remember, the haters gonna die in their hate.

A.B.

Invitation to Inspiration <3