As Covid-19 causes havoc across the world, as a script writer for hire, online screenwriting expert and UK script consultant I’ve decided, for the next few months to write blogposts looking back at films that are either cheerful or life affirming. I’m trying to stay away from my usual taste in dystopian horror, conspiracy thrillers and hardboiled action (we’re getting enough of all that on the news at the moment).
Today, I’ve listed some films that I’ve already blogged about, which might prove a tonic to those worried about what the world’s battling against at the moment.
I’ve been blogging about films, screenwriting and filmmaking for over five years now, usually at the rate of one or two blogposts per week. Looking back through this website I can see how few comedies, or feel good films that I’ve actually written about. So hopefully, this is something I can rectify over the coming months. I know, at the very least I need to write a more in-depth articles on ‘Withnail and I’, and I really need to cover ‘Cinema Paradiso’, and ‘Local Hero’ too.
Bill Murray always cheers people up and I recently wrote about St Vincent and Quick Change, a nice bitter sweet double bill to get you laughing on the inside.
Nic Cage, is he kind of an action star? And Russell Crowe? A few years ago he was taking ‘tough guy’ parts too, but see the sweeter side of both actors with Raising Arizona for Cage, a lovely life affirming screwball comedy from the Coen Brothers. Try also, watching Crowe tug on the heart strings in the uplifting true story Cinderella Man.
Fantasy films can be cheerful and life affirming too, I’d recommend the Time Bandits, great for children and adults too, also try The Monster Squad, it’s a cheeky, cheerful, children’s horror film. It’s old fashioned and fun (I prefer it to ‘The Goonies’).
The teenage years are a rich source of comedy films, while the yanks have ‘Ferris Bueller’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’ I’d recommend the Scottish Gregory’s Girl, wonderful, hilarious and a bit mystical in parts. An American film called Breaking Away is also worth watching; it has a realistic feel, is funny, and really tugs at the heart strings too.
Woody Allen used to be the go-to guy in the 70s, 80s and 90s for intelligent comedy, he’s always in the news for the wrong reasons now, and while he’s been found innocent of all charges it does sometimes taint his films, but I won’t ‘cancel’ Woody, and you won’t find a better comedy (or romance) than the lovely Broadway Danny Rose.
Another film that never fails to cheer me up is Hear My Song, a gorgeous, funny and rousing slice of British whimsy.
Finally, Mystery Train speaks to me, a wonderous film, with a real generousness of spirit.
Over the coming weeks and months I’ll put my thinking cap on and write more about films to make you feel good.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire, UK Script editor and script doctor for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant and freelance script writer for hire and online screenwriting expert. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour
His directorial debut, the rubber reality horror thriller Markham will be released in 2020.