by Roy Exum
posted December 7, 2008
 Roy Exum |
So the other day, in my morning readings, I came across a list of “The Top 25 Inspirational Movies of All Time” and, being in the market for that sort of thing these days, I eagerly lapped it up, taking pride in the fact I’ve already adored 19 of those that made the list.
Now the thing you’ve got to remember is that we all have an opinion and, more times than not, we all differ a bit in what we think. The list, although done by the wizards at MovieFone, was somewhat skewed for me the minute I saw it left off “The Gingerbread Man” with Russell Crowe. But a far-greater insult was my acute sensitivity that I have never had the guts to watch the movie that tops the list, one called “My Left Foot.”
Well, a copy of the movie is now on its way to me because, much to my chagrin, Daniel-Day Lewis and Brenda Fricker both won Academy Awards and it is hailed as an all-time classic. I have racked my brain and I really don’t remember it when it came out in 1989.
This may be because the movie, no matter how stirring, is about an Irish guy with cerebral palsy. It is a true-to-life story about a man named Christy Brown, who could only move his right foot, but, with a fabulous mom at his side, became an accomplished painter and author. Trouble is, I found long ago - with my satchel of hurts - I have to avoid things I sense are going to give me a whipping.
On the other hand, I have watched No. 9 on the list, the movie “Hoosiers,” at least 25 times from start to finish, can recite one line after another, and have a battered VHS tape of it secreted away with my most favorite things. It’s right next to “The Sound of Music,” if you must know.
Another movie moment that is indelibly tattooed on my brain came from No. 10, “The Grapes of Wrath.” I think I first saw it in junior high school and … well, I still cry every time I watch Tom Joad, played by Henry Fonda, vow, “I’ll be everywhere. Wherever you look, wherever there is a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there is a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there.”
How about “The Diary of Anne Frank,” when the Gestapo finally bursts into her hideout, and her voice-over literally knocks you to your knees when Millie Perkins recites, “I still believe, in spite of everything, people are basically good at heart.”
Oh, I could go on and on. Is “Rocky II” better than the original “Rocky?” Did the directors have any idea how they would influence college football when they were making “Rudy?” Is “Brian’s Song” not listed because it was a made-for-TV movie? Where’s “Seabiscuit?” What about “A Beautiful Mind?”
Who is the best at worming their way into my heart – Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Stewart or – believe it or not – Sally Field? Is Denzel Washington the greatest actor who ever walked?
The movie that had the greatest impact on my life – that is not on the list - was probably one starring Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte called “The Prince of Tides.” I had a date the first time I saw it and we both still remember I got up to leave three of four times before it was over.
I slipped back to the theater by myself in each of next three days to watch it again, trying to get a handle why it absolutely mesmerized me after I had already read the book by Pat Conroy. That’s how strong the acting and the movie was for me.
I just love stuff like this. So if you want to do something extra special for somebody you love, slip a DVD of one of MovieFone’s “Top Inspirational Films” into their Christmas stocking. Here’s the list and I hope just reading it does for your memory what it did for mine:
“My Left Foot,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker, 1989.
“Glory,” starring Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, 1989.
“The Miracle Worker,” starring Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft , 1962.
“It’s A Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reid, 1946.
“Rocky,” starring Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers, 1976.
“Schindler’s List,” starring Liam Neeson and Benjamin Kingsley, 1993.
“The Best Years of our Lives,” starring Dana Andrews, Frederic March and Harold Russell, 1946.
“Norma Rae,” starring Sally Field, 1979.
“Hoosiers,” starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper, 1986.
“The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Henry Fonda, 1940.
“The Bridge on the River Kwai,” starring Alec Guinness and William Holden, 1957.
“Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington, 1983.
“Hotel Rwanda,” starring Don Cheadle, 1994.
“Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts, 2000.
“Field of Dreams,” starring Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones, 1989.
“Philadelphia,” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
“A Raisin in the Sun,” starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee, 1967.
“The Shawshank Redemption,” starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, 1994.
“The Diary of Anne Frank,” starring Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, and Shelley Winters, 1959.
“Chariots of Fire,” starring Ben Cross and Ian Charleston, 1981.
“Mr. Smith Goes To Washington,” starring Jimmy Stewart, 1939.
“Rudy,” starring Sean Astin, 1993.
“In The Heat of the Night,” starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, 1967.
“Stand And Deliver,” starring Edward James Olmas, 1988.
“Forrest Gump,” starring Tom Hanks, 1994.
royexum@aol.com
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I love many of the movies you list but I’m wondering if you’ve seen Simon Burch. It’s offbeat and simple, but I thought it was a wonderful movie.
Linda McDonald
Hixson
Lindamac2005@yahoo.com
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I think another very touching movie is "Dead Poet's Society" (1989/Robin Williams). I was a little surprised that it didn't make that 25 movies list with its great "Carpe Diem" line, or when the boys stand on their desks with "Oh Captain, my Captain".
I think it is a very inspiring coming of age movie.
Jamie Alder
Chattanooga
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