Movies can be many things in our society, including means of entertainment, topics for discussion, criticism and even gateways to places we have only dreamed of visiting. However, many do not take into account the wisdom that film can bestow upon audiences everywhere. That being said, here are a few examples from some of the most popular movies:
Work hard to fulfill your potential – “Back to the Future” (1985)
My favorite movie taught me many valuable lessons over the years. Some include: “The flux capacitor is what makes time travel possible” or “A bolt of lightning can produce 1.21 jigawatts of electricity” and “Don’t let your grandpa hit you with his car or else your mom will fall in love with you in 1955.” But the most important lesson comes from Doc Brown himself, who said, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” Wise words from a guy everyone thought was crazy.
Don’t allow stereotypes to define who you truly are – “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
In what’s arguably considered to be the greatest teen movie of all time, five students in detention not only transformed how they saw each other, but how everyone else saw them. They realized that they were much more than “a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal.” They realized that no one should be allowed to dictate who they really are, and they walked out of detention that day with a high amount of respect for each other and for themselves. (Cue fist pump and typical ‘80s soundtrack).
Always fight for what you believe in – “X-Men” (2000)
Some don’t realize it, but when the first X-Men comic was released in the ‘60s, it served as a unique commentary of the civil rights movements that were in full swing during that time. With Professor Xavier and Magneto viewed as allegories for Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the main conflict between the two powerful leaders has always been the testy relationship with mutants and the human population. While they’ve come to blows (literally) on how to handle the issue, both the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants will stop at nothing to fight for their rights in a world that fears them, which is something that we, as non super-powered humans, should always be willing to do.
No matter what happens, family is forever – “Home Alone” (1991)
Let’s be honest: Kevin McAllister had every reason to dislike his family. They spent the whole first half of the movie being unnecessarily cruel to him by calling him names, eating his cheese pizza and threatening to feed him to a tarantula. At one point, his uncle even called him a “jerk”— an act that no one, not even his parents, seemed to have a problem with. I mean, Kevin’s not the most well-behaved kid in the world, but a grown man saying that to a child seems a bit excessive. Despite all of that, Kevin realizes that even though they took off for France without him and left him behind to fight off dangerous thieves, he’ll always love his family and wouldn’t trade them for the world. Well, unless social services forced him to, that is.
Obsessions can be unhealthy – “The Prestige” (2007)
The plot of “The Prestige” has more to do with the complicated relationship between the two main characters, who are magicians, than magic itself. If you haven’t seen this movie (to which I say, “fix your life and get on it”), I won’t dig too deep into the story for your sake. All I’ll say is that the fixation the two protagonists share for one another can be summed up by the forgotten genius Nikola Tesla, who pleads to his client Angier that no good will come from his obsessions, which proves true for both him and rival Borden.
Enjoy life – “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
We all know the quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once and a while, you could miss it.” Ferris says it throughout the movie and proves the truth behind it as he teaches his bestie Cameron how to enjoy his existence. The importance of this quote, however, didn’t hit me until I started going through my “awkward teenager” phase in high school. Every day is a unique experience despite the common routines that school, work and Netflix-binging tend to lock us into. Everything we see, say and do will be different each morning we step out of bed – so instead of just focusing on what remains the same, we should celebrate the differences, no matter how big or small they are. Just like the great lyricist Aubrey Graham once said, “You only live once,” so why wait any longer?
