Bittersweet Movies to Watch during Mental Health Awareness Month
A lot of films that discuss mental health can be very heavy - but sometimes you want to watch a movie that deals with a serious topic, but isn't a complete downer. While the following movies are certain to bring on the water works at points, they are also sure to make you feel uplifted, hopeful, and bring on the laughs.
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Trapped in a day-long Saturday detention in a prison-like school library are Claire, the princess; Andrew, the jock; John, the criminal; Brian, the brain; and Allison, the basket case. These five strangers begin the day with nothing in common, each bound to his/her place in the high school caste system. Yet the students bond together when faced with the villainous principal, and they realize that they have more in common than they may think, including a contempt for adult society. |
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Wealthy teenager Charlie Bartlett is failing miserably at fitting in at his new public high school. The school is run by the world-weary Principal Gardner. As he begins to better understand the social hierarchy, Charlie's honest charm and likability gives him the position as the resident 'psychiatrist.' Along with his partner and fellow student, Murphy Bivens, Charlie dishes out advice and the occasional prescription to other students in need. Along the way, he decides to take some of his own advice, find romance, and learn to accept who he is. |
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A devoted family man who married his high school sweetheart, Cal had a great house and a stable job when his wife, Emily, left him to be with another man. When Emily announces that she's filing for divorce, Cal finds himself awkwardly thrust into the dating scene and begins drinking his nights away at the local pub. Just when it's starting to look as if there's no hope for Cal, confirmed bachelor Jacob Palmer decides to add some much-needed excitement to the sulking, newly single father's life. Before long, Cal's rough edges have all been smoothed out; he's mastered the fine art of flirting and develops a distinct sense of style that sets him apart from the pack. But even after all of these changes, Cal can't help but feel like something substantial is missing from his life, and decides that the only way to set things straight is by listening to his heart. |
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Struggling since his father, a firefighter, died during his childhood, twenty-something Scott squanders his life on drugs, alcohol, and casual hookups. Meanwhile, Scott's younger sister prepares for her life as a put-together college student. When his mother brings home a churlish new boyfriend, Scott must face his demons head-on and grow if he is to make a change |
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A uniquely funny and moving story about Greg, a high school senior who avoids deep human relationships as a way to safely navigate the social mine field that is teenage life. In fact, he describes his best friend Earl, with whom he makes short-film parodies of classic movies, as being 1more like a co-worker'. But when Greg's mom insists he spends time with Rachel, a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer, Greg discovers just how powerful and important true friendship can be. |
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When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week. Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide. |
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An awkward yet intelligent young boy begins to make his transition into adulthood over the course of one transformative summer in this bittersweet coming-of-age comedy-drama. Sensing that he's drifting away from his mother Pam during a summer vacation with her, her domineering boyfriend Trent, and Trent's daughter Steph, 14-year-old Duncan gets a job at a water park, and gains some much-needed self confidence under the guidance of happy-go-lucky park employee Owen, who approaches life from a fresh new perspective. |
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A medical school dropout named Wallace who has been repeatedly burned by bad relationships. So Wallace decides to put his love life on hold. It is then that he meets Chantry an animator who lives with her longtime boyfriend Ben. Wallace and Chantry form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. Still, there is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend? |
