“This film, set in the near future, brings to life the inevitable sadness and the beauty of the human experience as we follow a relationship between a man grieving a lost marriage and his new-found AI companion.”
2. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Jo Jo Rabbit, she adds, delves deeply into profound themes, all through the naive and wildly imaginative eyes of a child heavily indoctrinated with Nazi ideals.
“There’s a lot to unpack in this film, but at its core, it’s one of the most beautiful coming-of-age stories I’ve ever seen,” she says.
“Go in with an open mind and have a large tissue box at arm’s length. Trust me, you’ll need it. Side note: the soundtrack is spectacular.”
3. Spirited Away (2001)
“I must have seen this film over a dozen times just in the past couple of years,” she says. “I love how it takes me out of my own world and into something so completely fantastical that I lose track of reality almost completely.”
“Throughout the film, as is true in many of [Miyazaki’s] movies, you are able to see the good in villains and the flaws in the heroes,” she says. “It’s a reminder that no one is perfect and that everyone deserves to be seen with kindness and consideration.”
4. Thelma & Louise (1991)
The plot resonated with her. “Two women, on the open road, fighting for freedom. On some level, I can relate,” she explains.
“It’s about the chasm between truth and equity. It’s the complete rejection of mediocrity and of social norms for women in a time not so distant from our own, and in the end, the power of choice.”
5. 8 Mile (2002)
“Everything, from the cinematography to the rap battles, brings up a very particular feeling of ‘keep on the grind’ for me,” she says.
“Set in and around [the US city of] Detroit, you can almost touch the desperation in every scene and when he hits the mic, you can just as easily imagine yourself in the room,” she says.
“I love the energy of this film and of course, the music is insane. Give it a watch when you need a healthy dose of motivation. It’ll get you there.”
