What’s a narrative without at least one character going through a change? Whether it’s Tony Stark going from conceited rich guy to superhero rich guy or something a little more internal (not that Stark shied from showing us his emotions as the MCU went on), most movies have either a protagonist or an antagonist experiencing great change.
Then there are the movies where that’s what it’sallabout. In other words, what follows are deeply character focused pieces, and they all have something in common: at least one character starts off as kind of a jerk. And, by film’s end, they’re either less of a jerk or not a jerk at all. It’s all about baby steps.
10Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog Day
While director Harold Ramis and lead actor Bill Murray notoriously clashed behind-the-scenes, the resultant product ofGroundhog Dayis one to be appreciated. The plot follows a weather man who suddenly finds himself living the same day over and over again.
As Phil (‘Phil?!') Connors, Murray is fully in his element. The film also benefits from believably organic and wholesomely endearing supporting performances from Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, and Stephen Tobolowsky. The core concept is rather ingenious, and it’s not surprising it has been replicated so many times since the film’s original release date. After all, what better way is there for a jerk to change their ways than by being forced to relive the same day over and over and over?
Stream it on Netflix and AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
9As Good as It Gets (1997)
Jack Nicholson turned in quite a few amazing performances throughout his career, and his Melvin Udall inAs Good as It Getsmay very well be the best of the bunch. Udall is a loner, a bigot, and pretty much ignorant of other people’s feelings all around. But, with the help of a waitress he wants to impress, Udall finds it within himself to help his homosexual neighbor who needs a ride to see his estranged parents.
The film is about as human as it gets. And, considering it’s a movie that has a bigoted character learning to be less homophobic (amongst other things), it’s a work that’s ahead of its time.
Rent it on Amazon, Google Play, and YouTube
8Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting
Just one of several movies thatmade 1997 a great year for cinema, Gus Van Sant’sGood Will Huntingis one of the most heartwarming narratives ever committed to celluloid. The story follows a young man whose brilliance is only held back by his laziness. But, with the help of a teacher, his therapist, and some lifelong pals, young Will Hunting may very well be able to pull himself from his funk.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s script and starring turns are, of course, the biggest thingGood Will Hunting(and its legacy) has going for it. And for good reason, their performances read as organic to real life as their excellent script. But, much credit must also be given to Robin Williams for bringing therapist character Sean Maguire to such vivid life.
Stream it on Max, Max Amazon Channel, and DIRECTV
7How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Ron Howard’s box office smashDr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmasisn’t the only Jim Carrey movie to feature his character improving, but it is the most successful. The narrative, of course, follows the ostracized Grinch as he descends upon Whoville to ruin everyone’s nice day.
What Carrey accomplishes in this film is no small bananas. He makes the prosthetic covered Grinch both endearing as an individual and decidedly Carrey-esque. And, considering how much makeup and fur he was acting through, that latter bit is especially impressive.
Stream it on DIRECTV
6Pay It Forward (2000)
Pay It Forwardis one of those aughts studio films that had no set-pieces, but instead a heartfelt tale at its center (in other words, the type of movie studios don’t shove lots of money at anymore) . The narrative follows a Las Vegas-based single mother whose son’s new teacher introduces an interesting concept: “pay it forward.” What this does is have one individual who has received a kindness (like from a stranger) turn around and then do the same for another individual. Perhaps Arlene McKinney can utilize this lesson her son has learned to improve her own life.
The premise at the core ofPay It Forwardis lovely, but it’s a movie that too often blatantly goes for tears. This can make it read as a Saturday afternoon movie…just one with a budget. But, as far as feel-goodery goes, there are worse picks.
Rent it on Apple TV, Amazon, and Google Play
5Erin Brockovich (2000)
Steven Soderbergh’sErin Brockovichis easily one of the best biopics to come out of the 2000s, perhaps even beyond that. Julia Roberts is impeccably-cast as the title character, a single mother who loses a court case then tells her lawyer that he promised her a job, and now he’s going to make good. So, what Brockovich does with her filing job at the real estate office is some digging into Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which has been poisoning a local town’s residents for years.
Julia Roberts is the main sell ofErin Brockovich, as it’s as much a star vehicle for her as it is a compelling true story. But then there’s the supporting work from Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart, which impressively nearly matches Roberts at every turn.
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Stream it on DIRECTV, Amazon, and Apple TV
4About Schmidt (2002)
About Schmidt
One of Alexander Payne’s best movies is also fronted by one of the final performances from Jack Nicholson.About Schmidtstars the Hollywood icon as Warren Schmidt, who has just retired from a long career in the insurance industry. Now that he’s home full time, he realizes how unhappy he is with his wife, and how little faith he has in his daughter’s upcoming marriage. When his wife dies, Warren decides to drive cross-country to put a stop to the nuptials.
Naturally, the highlight of the film is Nicholson’s layered performance. But there’s also a knockout supporting performance from Kathy Bates, Payne’s unique comedy-drama indie vibes, and a razor-sharp script.
Stream it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play
3Bruce Almighty (2003)
Bruce Almighty
Led by Jim Carrey andfeaturing Morgan Freeman as God,Bruce Almightyis a high point of the former performer’s later comedy films. Carrey stars as Bruce Nolan, a TV reporter who’s never quite made the big leagues. But, now that he’s been offered God’s powers by God himself, Bruce sees an opportunity. Unfortunately, he’ll probably destroy his life before he gets the big gig.
Carrey gives the film his max energy, which helps quite a bit, and Tom Shadyac’s reliable and accessible direction does the same. ButBruce Almighty’s greatest asset, outside a perfectly-cast Freeman, is the inventive core concept.
Stream it on Peacock Premium and AMC+
2The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
A solidSunday afternoon decompression film, Ben Stiller’sThe Secret Life of Walter Mittyis a visually stunning and often involving film that’s obviously a personal one to the man helming it. The narrative follows Stiller’s title character, a timid man with a big imagination who goes on a global adventure to both save his company and, if he can manage it, live a little.
Stiller is fully comfortable in the title role, and his affinity for James Thurber’s short story bleeds through every frame. Furthermore, Shirley MacLaine, Sean Penn, and Adam Scott are well-cast in their respective roles as Walter’s mom, hero, and boss/bully.
Stream it on Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel
1I Feel Pretty (2018)
I Feel Pretty
Almost a reverseWhat Women Want(which actually was reversed the following year inWhat Men Want),I Feel Prettyfeatures Amy Schumer as a woman who suffers a head injury only to get a renewed, elevated level of self-confidence. Will she learn how to be both humble and appreciative of how great she already was?
For the most part,I Feel Prettyis fairly average. As critics pointed out, it doesn’t go all the way with its intriguing premise, but it does have a few interesting things to say about the public’s obsession with physical beauty.
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