I’ve been asked a few times to select some films to feel-good to during self isolation for the next little while. I felt like that could help some people out, although there are MANY lists of this nature that are only a Google search away. Instead, I tried to pick some of my own personal go-to films if I am in dire need of a pick-me-up (today is definitely an example of one of those situations). This will be a bit more casual and bloggy than I usually prefer to write, but maybe some sort of a down-to-earth approach is needed right now. Here are ten uplifting films during self isolation I would love to share with you dear readers. Stay safe.

Big

An obvious choice, but still a strong choice. Having a Tom Hanks film from his early career days (more goofiness, less drama) is a near-lock for feeling better during all of this, and he never had a better early film than Big. He embodies a child in a grownup form perfectly. We all could use that childish innocence right now, plus that ‘80s charm that has aged well (and continues to lift our spirits). For me, Big is so endearing, because I view myself as a kid in an adult body; I’m sure most of us feel that same way. The youthful naivety in the film is a must-have currently.

Brooklyn

Maybe it’s Saoirse Ronan’s magnetic charm, or the lush tone of the film that render Brooklyn so sweet (without being too sugary). Whatever it is, Brooklyn seems to warm my heart, even with the drama between the three points of the central love triangle. There’s the etiquette lessons in eating spaghetti properly (“Splash!”), the romantic gushing, and the tasteful approach to heartbreak. There are heavy moments here as well, but we are reminded that we can push through anything with determination, and a love of life. It’s hard to find a good film completely free of conflict, but Brooklyn deals with hardships rather well, and remains soothing.

Bringing Up Baby

I’d recommend screwball comedies of all sorts. It’s nice to just be distracted for a bit, either by slapstick visuals or verbal spewing. For now, I’ve selected Bringing Up Baby, because of the heightened hijinks ensued by the titular leopard when it is running amok. The chemistry between Cary Grant’s antsy Dr. Huxley and Katherine Hepburn’s ditzy Susan Vance is half the fun here, considering their reactions to each other. Toss in Baby, and you have hastily handled situations, foolish encounters, and hilarity that will have you forgetting everything around you.

Chungking Express

I don’t know if this film would make many people’s lists of uplifting classics, but maybe I’m just strange for feeling calmed by Wong Kar-wai’s Chungking Express. The first story is much more dramatic, but full of pathetic beauty (like the consumption of expiring pineapples to await a lover’s return) that remind us that we’re human: the most evolved species, and yet we still do silly things out of hope. The second story is even more free spirited, and tangled up in the oddities that define us. Chungking Express is a dream-like film that never fails to cheer me up even a little bit; the price you pay is having “California Dreaming” in your head for the rest of your life.

City Lights

Silent comedies are always reliable in times like these, particularly because of the devotion to visual jokes and stunts as a means of resonating off the screen. Charlie Chaplin was the master of evoking even more connectivity with his audiences, as he had that knack for somehow instilling beauty amongst all of the silliness. City Lights is — without question — the strongest example of this. This romance between The Tramp and a blind flower girl also contains countless gags, but it’s the overwhelmingly gorgeous ending that will warm your heart (and even provide you with a good cry you may need).

Happy-Go-Lucky

I’m not sure what Poppy would be doing right now, but I’d like to think that she would have some sort of way to get through this virus in the best of spirits. Happy-Go-Lucky is the continual testing of main character Poppy’s overly-positive outlook on life; her permanent glee also ends up being a challenge for the pessimists around her. Sally Hawkins’ approach to the role is incredibly loveable, even when she is being arguably annoying within context. For me, Happy-Go-Lucky always leaves me feeling a bit more capable of dealing with life’s curveballs head on. What would Poppy do?

My Fair Lady

Musicals may be your thing right now. If I want to feel distracted and cleansed, I need a long musical, with all of the joy and passion I can muster. So, I’m going with My Fair Lady: a three hour evolution of the human voice through a pathetic bet. The more Eliza changes, the more the film becomes more of an ethereal experience, that somehow seems to surpass its conventional casings. Easy to watch, with a little bit of an extra movie magic, My Fair Lady is splendid all around.

Playtime

Sometimes, being uplifted is all about being distracted. The greatest visual comedy of all time, Jacques Tati’s Playtime, does the trick here for me. Every single shot has at least one or two jokes, ranging from obvious to very subtle. Seeing the every day chaos of life turned into visual puns, silly patterns, or oddball occurrences already makes mundane life seem brighter and likeable. For right now, this could be a nice way to see how it’ll all be when things return back to normal: a societal pileup that will still be a blessing to experience. If a near-three hour departure from life is what you need, then here you go.

The Princess Bride

Another obvious pick, but for good reason. Having a loved one spice up a story with absurdity is what makes The Princess Bride so widely beloved. You can just hear Peter Falk’s grandfather character making up stuff as we go along (like, the rat’s cannot just be big. They have to be rodents of an unusual size), and it makes all of us feel like spellbound children again. Toss in the fact that everyone — villains included — is likeable in this film, and you have a happiness home run. As you wish.

Singin’ in the Rain

Here’s another musical, which is chipper from the very beginning right until the end. A film all about pushing through a difficult time, Singin’ in the Rain is stuffed with breathtaking dance numbers, memorable songs, and the kind of overstuffed joy done just right that can always be relied on. A personal favourite film of mine for getting out of funks, Singin’ in the Rain is arguably the happiest film ever made (well, out of the good ones) that will never fail to put even a small smile on your face.

Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Ten Uplifting Films During Self Isolation