My 10 Greatest Inspirational Movies of All Time (Part I)

When we talk about inspirational movies, we're usually talking about sports films. However, there's a wide range of movies that didn't involve sports that were also inspiring. For my list, the rules are simple.

One, I have to have seen the film.

Two, the film needs to have have an impact on me in a visceral way. I know that sounds strange when you're making a list of inspirational films, It's just, how many times do you see movies like Brian's Song, released in 1971, on that list, and the writer is under thirty. Not that it isn't a good story, but come on.

Like most lists, this is completely subjective. And I'd love for your feedback as to movies I missed and ones that I should have included.

One final note. A movie doesn't have to be about someone achieving something, whether they become champions or famous, to be inspirational. That needs to be said, because I'm sure a number of people will look at some of these choices and may wonder how they're inspirational. That's why a list like this is subjective.

These films inspired me, and as such, have probably been watched multiple times.

FRIEND SUGGESTIONS

I put a request out on my Facebook for suggestions, and these are the ones I received. A number of them I either haven't seen or they didn't make my Top Ten, but they're all terrific films. If you're looking for an inspirational movie this weekend, try one of these!

The Lives of Others, Blindside, The Duff, Dirty Dancing, Amelie, Fight Club, Rocky IV, Beaches, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Passion of the Christ, When The Game Stands Tall, For The Love of the Game, About Time, Magnolia, Schindler's List, El Camino, Seabiscuit, The Thin Red Line, Pride and Prejudice (the miniseries, and it gets included because it's awesome), Ever After, A Walk to Remember


HONOURABLE MENTIONS

These were films I considered but, for a variety of reasons, didn't make it into the Top Ten. Nonetheless, I recommend all of them. (Obviously)

Dead Poets Society, Rocky II, Aspen Extreme, Cinderella Man, Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Hoosiers, Slumdog Millionaire (my greatest experience ever in a movie theatre)

The hardest to leave off this list was Dead Poets Society. I LOVE that film, and it is still one Robin Williams' finest performances. But it came out when I was fifteen, and probably too young to appreciate it by the time I saw it.

Hoosiers was also difficult to leave off the list. I categorize it as my favourite sports film of all time, but in terms of inspiration, there were, for me, just a few better choices. Still, it's a wonderful film. Six months from now, if I were to do this list again, it might be on it.

THE LIST 
I don't give a description of every film, you can find that anywhere, but I do not my favourite moment in the film.

Be warned, SPOILERS AHEAD!

#10 OCTOBER SKY




I never get tired of this one. A young Homer Hickham defies the odds and wrestles with his family to pursue his dreams. Based on a true story.

FAVOURITE MOMENT: The final rocket, when his dad comes to watch. There are a number of great scenes, especially with his teacher who inspires him, but I loved it because it was so earned. Awesome.

#9 FINDING FORRESTER



Yes, yes. I'm a writer. But it's difficult to create inspirational "writer" movies because the act of writing is so stationary and non-visual. (Oh, look at her at that keyboard!) But this is probably the best one out there. (Though I enjoyed Wonder Boys as well)

FAVOURITE SCENE: When William Forrester appears at the school to defend Jamal, and reads his work in front of Jamal's teacher.

#8 FIELD OF DREAMS




There are going to be more sports movies on here than in other genres because they tend to be inspirational and because I'm a sports nut. Baseball (along with boxing) are the two most cinematic sports, and both have a long literary history as well.

In this case, an in-his-prime Kevin Costner gives a tremendous "every man" performance as a man seeking something more.

FAVOURITE SCENE: "Hey dad, wanna have a catch?" Tears. Honestly. One of my favourite scenes of all time.

#7 GOOD WILL HUNTING



First, let's just all take a second to give thanks that the way they do trailers now (and they're much more expensive) are about twenty times better then they used to be. Wow.

Okay, rant over. On to the movie.

Look, we all know about Damon and Affleck, and they're both great in this film. (Affleck doesn't get enough credit for his work here.) But this is Robin Williams' film. He's the anchor. Skarsgard is excellent, and Minnie Driver doesn't actually look like she hates everyone, but this is about Williams, who won a best supporting role for his work here.

I wrote about Williams a year ago. And as someone who has always battled depression, his death affected me greatly. How ironic then, that two of his films (Dead Poets was #12 for me) continue to inspire us.

FAVOURITE MOMENT: A lot of people may cite the "it's not your fault" scene, and I'd have no quibble with that, but I liked the scene when Williams tells Damon he's going to put his "cards on the table" again. Mentoring relationships do not work one way. As much as he's helped Damon, Williams has also been inspired to "go for it" again. Terrific film.

#6 SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION




Shawshank is probably the best Stephen King story ever. (Yes, that's surprising isn't it.) Beautifully acted, it wasn't a hit when it arrived at theaters, but found its popularity on the home market. It is today, on of our treasured films. And if you ever feel like the world has consigned your fate, watch this. You won't regret it.


FAVOURITE MOMENT: "I guess it comes down to a simple choice. Get busy living. Or get busy dying."

What he said. Be inspired.

I'll list my TOP FIVE tomorrow.

Robin Williams, Depression, and One Writer's Life

“Robin Williams was found dead last night, due to self-asphyxiation. The beloved actor and comedian was 63. According to his publicist, he’d been struggling with depression.”

I can still see the bottle. It’s clear, with white labels and green and black writing. The aspirin are small and white. The plastic bottle is full. I’m sitting on our spare bed, a cheapie I picked up when we moved to Ottawa. It was supposed to be for guests, but two weeks ago I moved into the spare bedroom. After five quick months, my marriage is over. I am a failure. I do not blame my wife. All we do is argue. I cannot seem to find happiness. 

I stare at the bottle. I do not know how many I will have to take. Twenty? Thirty? It doesn’t matter. I’m twenty-six years old. I sell newspapers over the phone. I make ten dollars for every subscription I sell. Some days I sell only one. I have never sold more than eight.

My wife is in her first year of teaching. She is doing well. Her career is under way, and I pushed for us to move here.

“I’ll find something,” I’d told her. “There has to be a youth job here.” 

This is all I’ve found, and I’m angry about it. Angry that my dreams have been flushed into two hundred and fifty cold calls a day selling a cheap newspaper. There’s more to it than that, but I’m not aware of those things yet. I am only aware of The Sadness. It has become a visceral thing. A companion. I do not know how else to explain it.

My friend shows up an hour later. I am still staring at the bottle. I am surprised, but tuck it away. I ask why he’s here. Who drives three hours in the middle of the night?

“She was worried. Really worried.”

I smile. I assume that I am going a bit crazy, but the pills suddenly seem a distant memory. No one is allowed to see The Sadness. I have made it my rule.

“I’m fine.”

He stays until he believes me.

Another image. Two years later. My basement apartment is dark. It’s winter. Snow covers my only window. My parents are knocking on the door. They’ve driven six hours to see me. They’re worried. I do not let them in. An empty beer bottle sits on my coffee table. My computer flickers in the corner. I feel guilty. I am a failure. The Sadness has come, and for two weeks it does not let me go. I fear it will never let me go.

Robin

Time passes. I leave the church. I have tried their suggestions. I have gone to the altar. I have laid my heart bare before God. I have asked for help. But I am not good enough. I read and begin to understand my struggle, but the church is dismissive, though I know they mean well.

I am being oppressed. I am sinful. I am not committed enough. Depression is spiritual. I listen. I try hard. But The Sadness has become my shadow.

Another year passes. I am learning how to deal with my problem. I read books that inspire me. I write. And I watch films that make me laugh. Of those, no one is funnier than Robin Williams. Some are good, some are bad, but he is a constant. I watch Dead Poets Society often. It makes sense to me. But I cannot blame the Darkness on my father. My parents love me and support me. I am a failure, but it is not their fault, no more than it was the fault of my wife.

Some days I am filled with happiness. I love those days. On those days, I make myself seen. I try to spread joy and laughter. I try to live an extraordinary life, as Keating (RW) has told his students. I dream of making it as a writer. I dream of overcoming my failures. Of proving my worth. I watch Rudy when I need a lift. I watch Robin when I need to smile. And when I feel my shadow begin to overwhelm me, I watch my favourite film.

GWH

Good Will Hunting is just a movie, a fable. But for me, narrative is more than that. The characters in my favourite books are my friends, as are the ones in my favourite movies. They know that I am a failure, but they remain the same. Here, Robin is a counselor, a teacher. He is the kind of counselor I wish I had, the kind of mentor I need. I am not closed to counseling, but I am a youth worker. An aspiring writer. I cannot afford it. I can barely afford my apartment.

Robin will win an academy award for his performance. I do not know whether he is simply a great actor or that he knows what it means to have a shadow, but I feel the movie, and it feels true. So does the pain in his eyes. That is what I need. Someone who has learned to deal with The Sadness and live, and not live just another life, but an extraordinary one.

And now, he is gone.

NOW

Robin’s death fills me with great sadness. His legacy is unique and yes, extraordinary. My wife, too, feels it. There is the sense of a light being extinguished, which makes no sense as most of us did not know him, but it’s there anyway. The grieving on social media is real. Some trolls suggest that he is ‘selfish’ and ‘made a choice.’ They are roundly criticized by a more enlightened population, but their page views have gone up, and they have received more attention. Human parasites will always exist.

The images of my early struggles remain. Like pictures people once kept in their wallets. They come to mind easily and quickly, though not without pain. I have learned to deal with my struggles over the years. The Sadness remains, and on certain days, it is all I can do to get through the day. I do my best to not let others see my shadow. That is the rule. It has always been the rule.

But I am lucky. Five years ago I married the girl of my dreams. She understands. Some days, I still feel like a failure, like she has married someone who simply cannot get over himself. Those days are hard, and I wish I was ‘normal.’ But such a thing does not exist, not for me or anyone else. We all have struggles.

As for the funniest man in the world, I do not know what to think. I do not know if things could have been different. Sometimes, The Sadness visits in such power that we are helpless before it. Religious people do not like to hear this. Neither do I. Sometimes the truth is hard.

If I could say something to him, though. If I had been allowed to speak to him, I would have thanked him for helping me through so many rough times, when his smile – his laughter, his jokes – overcame The Sadness for me. And then I would have told him this:

“You have lived an extraordinary life. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.”

Rest in peace, My Friend. You have blessed us beyond imagining. You will be missed.

-Steve