11 loneliness movies that will make you think

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Deep discourse on a complex topic from Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese and other famous directors of our time.

11. Lobster

• Ireland, UK, Greece, France, Netherlands, 2015.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

The film is set in a future where people have no right to be alone. David, the main character, checks into a hotel, where he must find a mate within 45 days. If he fails to establish a relationship, then, according to the laws of society, he will be turned into an animal. David's attempts to start a romance fail, and then he escapes into the forest, where he finds a detachment of lone rebels who disagree with the reigning regime.

As conceived by director Yorgos Lanthimos, the main idea of the film is that society disapproves of lonely people. After watching this eccentric dystopia, there is invariably an unpleasant aftertaste and many ideas that need to be pondered by each of us.

For the original concept and no less brilliant embodiment, the film received the jury prize of the Cannes Film Festival in 2015.

10. The Great Gatsby

• Australia, USA, 2013.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Nick Carraway moves to New York and visits his second cousin. A few days later, he finds himself at a party with a certain Mr. Gatsby, who every week throws magnificent festivities, but does not show himself to the guests. Nick meets Jay Gatsby and learns that with his lush parties he is just trying to attract the attention of his beloved, whom he has been dreaming of for more than one year.

This film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, one of the most significant works of the "jazz age". The elaborate costumes and decorations immerse the audience in that era. And the combination of retro visuals with modern soundtracks enhances the intoxicating effect of viewing the picture.

9. Love knocking down

• USA, 2002.
• Thriller, drama, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Barry Egan is an insecure neurotic. Loneliness pushes a man to a strange act. He makes phone sex and ends up being victimized. Barry's psyche is finally shattered, and hopes for a happy love are inexorably crumbling. During this difficult period, the hero meets Lena, who is destined to change his life.

The main character in the film was played by Adam Sandler. A role like this is not a standard task for a comedian. Despite this, he managed to flawlessly enter the role and show the audience all the facets of his dramatic talent. Probably, such an organic comedian in the image of a sad neurotic is due to the fact that the director and screenwriter Paul Thomas Anderson composed the plot of the film specifically for Sandler.

8. Lost in translation

• USA, Japan, 2003.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Bob Harris is an aged and out of touch actor. He comes to Tokyo to star in a commercial for brandy. Here he meets a restless girl Charlotte, who came to accompany her husband, a glossy photographer. Bob and Charlotte escape from loneliness together: they get to know the locals and burn sleepless nights, cursing the jetlag.

By the standards of Hollywood, Lost in Translation is an extremely non-standard film. The viewer will not see sharp plot twists, dynamic action and special effects. But this is perfectly offset by its unique atmosphere. The story of the confused Bob and Charlotte, their complex and subtle feelings play with special colors against the backdrop of gloomy and alien Tokyo.

The author of the picture is Sofia Coppola, known for her sensual films. Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray played the main roles in the film. And after this film, Bill became Sofia's mascot actor and appeared in her other films more than once.

7. Outcast

• USA, 2000.
• Drama, melodrama, adventure.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Chuck Noland is a delivery service inspector. On Christmas Eve, he is torn from his beloved and sent on a business trip to Malaysia. After promising that he will be back by the New Year, Chuck gets on board the plane. But something terrible happens on the way: the ship crashes. And Chuck is the only one who managed to escape. His boat is washed ashore on a desert island. Now the hero has to survive and get out, and most importantly - not to go crazy with despair and loneliness.

This is a poignant picture of re-evaluating your life path and how a truly lonely person feels. The drama of the film is enhanced by the lack of musical accompaniment. And one of the undeniable advantages of the picture is the strong play of Tom Hanks, who managed to show all the facets of human despair.

By the way, there are many interesting stories connected with the production of the film. For example, fans have been talking for years about how the actual ending of the movie has been changed. And they are still trying to figure out what was in the unopened package by Chuck.

6. Best offer

• Italy, 2012.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Art expert Virgil Oldman is a masterly deceiver. He appreciates the original objects of art, but skillfully convinces the owners that it is a fake. And in the end he buys the item for next to nothing. Once a mysterious stranger turns to him and asks to evaluate her property. She lives in a mansion full of masterpieces, but she herself suffers from a rare ailment and does not show herself to the expert. And at some point Virgil realizes that he is inevitably attracted to a strange girl

The film is characterized by mystery and sophistication. And also an ornate, almost detective story, the denouement of which will surprise every viewer. The impression of the picture is enhanced by the play of talented actors. Geoffrey Rush is amazingly accustomed to the role of a lonely collector-crook. The story of his character is able to touch the quick and make you cry.

The film was shot by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore. He is famous for his works, including the "New Paradiso Cinema", which is ranked 51st in the rating of the best films according to the IMDb website.

5. She

• USA, 2013.
• Melodrama, fantasy, drama.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The film is set in the world of the future. Theodore is a writer and a very delicate person. He is painfully going through the divorce. To heal his wounds, the man decides to seek the help of artificial intelligence. He installs an operating system named Samantha and discovers that she is a virtual dream girl. Understanding and wise Samantha soon becomes the beloved of Theodore, who cannot realize that this relationship has no future.

The film was directed by Spike Jonze, who is famous for his extraordinary work. "She" is no exception. The concept of the film is very original: the director decided to predict where people will move in their attempt to make life as comfortable as possible. Therefore, the plot of the picture is very unpredictable, and the events and actions of the heroes awaken a lot of feelings in the viewer. That is why the film received four awards from the prestigious film awards for Best Original Screenplay.

4. The Truman Show

• USA, 1998.
• Science fiction, drama, comedy.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Truman lives in a world created for him. Every day it is broadcast to viewers on TV. The poor man does not suspect that his whole life is a deception until he meets Sylvia. She is imbued with sympathy for Truman and tells him the truth, but he is not inclined to believe in it. Exactly before the onset of the thirtieth birthday. Truman recalls the girl's words and begins to critically look at his life, noticing too many inconsistencies. Truman is now obsessed with leaving the simulation.

The dystopian painting has replenished the gold fund of Hollywood films and served as a source of many references in the works of other directors. In addition to the extraordinary idea, the film was immortalized by the high-quality work of the director and cameraman, who managed to skillfully convey the "fake" of Truman's world.

And, of course, the tape deserves attention thanks to the acting. Truman was played by Jim Carrey, who was previously famous as an inimitable comedian. Jim wanted to prove to everyone that he was capable of complex dramatic roles - and he did it great.

3. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

• USA, 2004.
• Melodrama, fantasy, drama.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

Joel suffers from a breakup with Clementine - the love of a lifetime. His torment is intensified by the realization that his beloved "erased" Joel from her memories thanks to a special memory cleaning service. Then the hero decides to change his life so that he no longer experiences the pain of loss.

The film captivates with a languid and very intimate atmosphere, as well as a confusing and incomprehensible plot. And the performance of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, who played the main roles, deserves the highest praise. The actors in their entirety were able to show the various shades of feelings that a person experiences while in a relationship.

2. Taxi driver

• USA, 1976.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

Travis Bickle is a Vietnam veteran. He suffers from insomnia and therefore works as a taxi driver on the night shift. The riots of New York at night cause shock and righteous anger in the man. And he decides to become the right hand of God and cleanse the earth of unworthy people.

"Taxi Driver" is a movie "forever" from Martin Scorsese. The leading role was played by Robert De Niro, who at the highest level managed to play a desperate and lost man. Due to the acute social themes and brilliant artistic performance, the film has become a classic of world cinema.

1. Joker

• USA, Canada, 2019.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Arthur Fleck works as a clown in gray and criminal Gotham. A man lives with his mother and dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. He also has a rare mental disorder: in a fit of anxiety, he begins to laugh, and this laugh cannot be stopped. In the evening of a hard day, three guys attack Arthur in the subway. Trying to defend himself and losing control, the man kills the offenders. From that day on, he becomes the hero of the city.

The incredibly powerful film became a fan favorite in 2019, despite lukewarm reviews from critics. The painting became the highest grossing R-rated tape in history.

It is noteworthy that this deep drama was directed by Todd Phillips, previously known for his comedy works "Hangover in Vegas" and "Starsky and Hutch". In "Joker" the author paid tribute to his great colleague - Martin Scorsese, creating many ideological echoes with the films "Taxi Driver" and "King of Comedy".