Films To Make You Smile!

Okay, so we'll pretend that this post is not procrastination at its finest. I am supposed to be writing a piece for my Creative Writing module portfolio - due in January *gulps* - that will hopefully, eventually, become part of a novel. BUT I am slightly stuck - hence therefore, here I am.

Confession: I, along with one of my bestest friends Benjamin Oakes, have spent the majority of the past twenty four hours quoting what has to be one of the greatest films of all time - Mary Poppins. Yes, you read that right. Yes, I really am nineteen. Yes, I probably do have an obsession that is borderline (scratch that - completely over the line) unhealthy with Disney and just generally films that many people abandon along with their childhood. I am, however, unashamed. For me, these films serve an important purpose - a purpose that perhaps, ironically, grows more important the older you get. I am talking about escapism. The ability to, even when life is a bit rubbish - especially when life is a bit rubbish - lose yourself for a couple of hours in a world that is far from your own, a world where magic perhaps does exist and a happy ending is a guarantee rather than an elusive impossibility. So here we go - my list of the best films to stick on when you fancy reminiscing, are looking for a distraction, or just need a bit of a break from real life:

·        Mary Poppins

Let's begin with the one that started it all - the fabulous Mary Poppins. Not a musical but not not a musical, this one ticks the boxes for all ages. Until last night - when Ben and I watched the film for, like, the gazillionth time - I had not realised how funny Mary Poppins actually is. George Banks, the stern Edwardian father who eventually melts into a slightly mad singing sensation, is hilarious: "Give me The Times, please...no, I do not know the number!" (Possibly an inside joke, but still.) Ditto his wife, Winifred - we all love a good feminist. The song and dance sequences are fantastic, from the world renowned 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' to the softer 'Feed the Birds' - which, I will confess, has me welling up every time. By the closing 'Let's Go Fly a Kite', I defy anyone not to feel suitably uplifted.

 

·        The Sound of Music

Sticking with the supremely talented Julie Andrews, we have the wonderful The Sound of Music - as my sources (Ben) tells me this was released in 1964 whilst Mary Poppins followed in 1965, perhaps this should have been first, but no matter. This film has it all: the history (set in Nazi dominated Austria at the outbreak of World War II); the family (Mr Von Trapp and his seven children); the nanny (Maria); the love story (Maria, Mr Von Trapp; Liesl and her sweetheart Rolf); the comedy; the tragedy; the surplus happy ending - and, of course, the song and dance routines. Feel good, heart warming - watch it. Again. Right now.

 

·        Dirty Dancing

Definitely not a Disney/childhood film, but a good 'un nonetheless. We all know the story: girl meets boy, girl falls in love with boy, girl and boy overcome a host of obstacles before ultimately ending up in each other's arms - only this one has a whole lot of dancing and a pretty brilliant soundtrack thrown in there too. It also helps that the leading male is more than a little attractive.

 

·        Tangled

Stay with me for a second. Anyone with young children will probably be aware that Tangled is a 2011 Disney interpretation of the classic Rapunzel. Only it's had a bit of a makeover - in my opinion, a makeover for the better. As an auntie to a fantastic three year old nephew and wonderful one year old niece, I have probably been exposed to this film more than is healthy over the past year or so. So I've had time to think about it. Tangled is what would probably be considered a modern fairytale. Yes, Rapunzel is still locked away in a tower, quite vulnerable and far from worldly wise - but she is also far from a 'damsel in distress'. As far as Princesses go, she could be described as quite the feminist: she knows what she wants; she intends to do everything necessary to get what she wants; and she is prepared to fight to get this - fight for herself, rather than completely relying on some strong, handsome Prince do it for her. Here, Disney has caught up with modern day reality. I would be more than happy for my niece to watch this film and think - because, let's face it, the majority of little girls do - "I want to be like her". Again, just as an aside, Tangled also features some pretty great song and dance routines (as you may have guessed by now, I am quite the fan of these.

 

So here ends my whistle-stop tour of excellent films for escapism.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Over and out.