"Feelms" about FRIENDSHIP
1. "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”, Steven Spielberg, 1982.
Synopsis: A group of aliens come in peace to make an expedition on our planet. When they decide to leave, one of them is not on time to the ship and leave forgotten on Earth. Elliot (Henry Thomas), a shy and lonely boy who lives on the outskirts of a city in California, runs into this strange being in his garden, but soon realizes that he is harmless and is also scared. The kid names him E.T. and decides to help hiding him at home, as police and scientists want to capture him. Meanwhile, the goal of Elliot and his gang will be to contact the home planet of the alien so they can rescue him and he can return to his true home. A beautiful friendship will be born among E.T. and the child, which will connect their respective minds and senses in an endearing way.
An undisputed classic brought by the almost always efficient Spielberg, who teaches us the true value of friendship without prejudice of any kind, only seen through the pure eyes of a child.
2. “My girl”, Howard Zieff, 1991.
Synopsis: Vada (Anna Chlumsky) is a girl obsessed with death: her mother died and her father runs a funeral home. As she is in love with her English teacher, she enrolls summer courses about poetry just to impress him. Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin), her best friend, is allergic to bees. Vada's father hires Shelly, an expert make-up artist, and soon falls in love with her, but she will try to ruin the relationship.
A heartfelt story about friendship in childhood and first love, which will bring our memories back to our early years and will make us shed more than one tear.
3. "Beautiful Girls" (Ted Demme, 1996).
Synopsis: In a small town in New England, a group of lifelong friends prepare to go to one party on the occasion of the ten years of their high school graduation. Many things have changed; for some, adulthood is just around the corner with tasks to accomplish, but most of the dreams and fears remain untouchable in these young people who refuse to grow...
Wonderful story of true friendships and bonds, commitments and lost youth, with dialogues that exude charm and touching characters. One of the most moving and realistic independent American films of the 90's, with great performances. Very good soundtrack as well. A must-see!
4. “As good as it gets”, James L. Brooks, 1997.
Synopsis: Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is a quite unusual man, a corrosive writer of romance novels suffering from an obsessive-compulsive disorder. He prides himself on his ability to offend, reject, annoy and hurt others. Every day, Melvin takes a full fatty breakfast in the same cafeteria. The only waitress willing to serve him despite his snide comments is Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt), a single mother struggling to raise her asthmatic son. Simon (Greg Kinnear) has the misfortune of being a neighbor of Melvin. He is a famous homosexual producer in New York's art world, and his liberal way of life is a reason for the malicious language novelist to constantly attack him verbally. None of these three New Yorkers seem to have an opportunity to achieve happiness, but their fates are intertwined by the fourth character involved in this story: an ugly and insignificant dog.
A special story about the friendship between very different personalities. Moral: nothing is impossible in terms of human relations, it is just a matter of putting forward (sometimes, very hard). 😉
5. “L’auberge espagnole”, Cédric Klapisch, 2002.
Synopsis: Xavier (Romain Duris), a French student of Economics decides to spend a year in Barcelona to learn Spanish. He installs in a house where he lives with seven other European students: an Italian, an English, a Danish, a Belgian, a German and a Spanish. All flatmates are in the same situation, all of them are studying in Barcelona thanks to the European program "Erasmus university exchange".
The cult film for the Erasmus par excellence. Impossible not to feel identified with the stories and situations of the film if you've had the chance to live that unforgettable experience. Long life to the intercultural friendship! 😉
If you can think of more movies about FRIENDSHIP or fancy to say something, share your thoughts! Thank you!