MovieChat Forums > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Discussion > Best Existential Films?

Best Existential Films?

posted 19 years ago by GotaFeeling
24 replies | jump to latest

There are some films that just make you glad to be alive, and live YOUR life, that seem to comment on something beyond simply the main character's situation. A lot of my favorite movies have this as their theme.

I wanted to start a thread where we list some movies along those lines for people who have already worn out their JVV tapes...

1. JVV--You already know.

2. The Big Lebowski--No transformation here, but The Dude is obviously just happy to be alive and not too concerned about the material world. Except for his rug, of course.

3. Blade Runner--In this one the machines with short life spans are more interesting than the humans with much more time to enjoy something that only the machines seem to truly appreciate. I felt like Roy Batty was _driven_ to madness and murder by the realization that he did not have "enough life". One of the great existential films I have ever seen...

4. Leaving Las Vegas--OK so this is an odd choice. But it just feels like life captured on celluloid. These two people in a dark place found a light in each other and just ran with it. The scene where she poured the vodka over her breasts to that "I'm Gonna Love You, Like Nobody's Loved You" song was perfect. Sad but still life afirming in a weird way.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind--Yeah, relationships are far from perfect. But the good outweighs the bad...

These movies made me happy in a more thoughtful way than mere entertainment. I thought I could do with more of The Dude's contentment, the passion of the characters in Leaving Las Vegas, and I found myself sharing the epiphany of the characters in ESOSM. Blade Runner and JVV are the main two, though, movies that made me think: Life is truly a gift.

Anyone have any movies to add? I would love to unearth something I have not seen along these lines.

Can never have enough of these type of movies. Sadly, 99% of them go the other way....

[–] Kiften 17 years ago

For me, Donnie Darko would be one. He was one of the few truly good people in that movie, and in the end, I don't know if it was even recognized. Yet he still acted good.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dhv7 17 years ago

OK... gotta post one.

Like others who are posting here, my wife and I find that "Joe Versus the Volcano" is one of our favorites of the special few movies you're calling existential films that we can watch happily again and again, and find ourselves moved and inspired each time.

For us, that special list isn't complete without a film our family here in Dallas has made a tradition of watching during the Christmas holidays every year since the mid 90s. That film is "Scrooged" (1988) with Bill Murray and Karen Allen (supported brilliantly by Alfre Woodard, Bob Goldthwait, David Johansen, Carol Kane, and others.)

It, too, manages to weave satire, social commentary, and romantic comedy into a fable that is magically greater than the sum of its parts. It's clever, silly, sarcastic, a little corny, occasionally surreal... and the sense of redemption and depth of humanity the film finally conveys never fails to touch and move us.

Oh, and it's hilarious.

"Put a little love in your heart."

[–] GotaFeeling 17 years ago

I have started a ton of threads in my time here but this one has turned out the best. Out of those mentioned that I have seen, Groundhog Day (I can't believe I missed that one!), King Kong, Scrooged, American Beauty and Donnie Darko stand out the most. I love pretty much all the films mentioned and the ones I haven't seen... well, I guess I will have to see them soon!

Speaking of Bill Murray stuff, since he seems to gravitate toward these types of scripts... The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (sp) would certainly qualify as well, especially the ending.

[–] texagander 16 years ago

Nice list going so far, though i am a little puzzled at the mention of king kong:D (all good though)

I'll 2nd "I <3 Huckabees," "American Beauty," and "Blade Runner"

It is hard to pin down exactly what one means giving the varied uses of the term "existial art." And pretty much any good movie has some themes of existentialism, even most bad movies will touch on existenial themes. But, i think these movies fall under most existential umbrellas:D, and they are all good: Ikuru, Dark City, The Matrix, Grand Canyon, Whale Rider, Ran, House of Sand and Fog, Deadman, Being John Malkovich, Fight Club, One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, Broken Flowers, Apocalypse Now, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Clerks, and Pi.

Also, don't for get It's a Wonderful Life=D

Scrooged was a nice catch:) I always forget about that movie for some reason, even though it's great.

[–] hawk102256 16 years ago

Author and lecturer, Joseph Campbell instructed his students at Sarah Lawrence College, "If you really want to help this world, what you'll have to teach is how to live in it." All the films mentioned here, do exactly that!

These films are classic, existential, esoteric in content and help us to define our place in the universe. Too many of us live life in the fast lane, taking our lives for granted, neglecting our health, trying to control everyone and everything and getting caught up in trivial pursuits.

Films like "Joe Versus the Volcano" teaches us to look at life's bigger picture, to live in the moment, cherish our uniqueness, learn from our struggles, be less judgmental, and recognize the good in every situation.

From my perspective, the following films are the best at inspiring us to live our lives fully and to awaken our true nature and inner wisdom, which lies deep within us and is waiting to be revealed.

1- Joe versus the Volcano
2- Its a Wonderful Life
3- A Christmas Carol
4- The Wizard of Oz
5- American Beauty

Enjoy! To your Success, Frank Nicoletti, Author of "You're the Best" c 2001

[–] teddyp555 16 years ago

I believe that Vanilla Sky / Abre Los Ojos could be considered in this category. Vanilla Sky really gives me that "enjoy the little moments in life" feeling that can be very inspiring.

[–] t_resident 16 years ago

8 1/2

Stalker

Solaris

Forrest Gump

Apocalypse Now

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Sans Soleil

The Seventh Seal

Persona

Taxi Driver

Waking Life

Mon Oncle Amerique

[–] the_hemptations 16 years ago

great, great thread. I just finished JVV for the millionth time and now find that I can watch the scenes in any sequence and love it.

The Matrix was a great suggestion which I overlooked because of its seriousness, but it definitely gives me the breathe deeper, live harder, EMBRACE mind-set. the Truman Show absolutely on all counts. Yes on I <3 Huckabees, but in a different more open-ended way.

I'd also like to make a potentially silly suggestion: 50 First Dates. It gets me all slap happy and excited about love and moments. Fits the bill, but perhaps not at the same level as a lot of the other suggestions.

I'll be racking my brain all week about this, will post again if I think of more.

Oh, ok, how about Pleasantville?

[–] artist457 16 years ago

hook? i think its a great story about a man who gets wrapped up in his own busy life and completely forgets who is, in this case the legendary character peter pan. he writes off his youth entirely,and neglects his kids and wife.
until he's forced to take action to save his family from the evil captain hook, in doing so he rediscovers his past and is enlightened.

[–] ghetarr2001 16 years ago

great topic