I recently moved to a new town. My work hours are very long, and I decided that it just was not worth the trouble or money to get cable, or t.v. for that matter. I am tired when I come home. I need to unwind. I need mind-numbing, but familiar love. I don't have a roommate or a boyfriend. What I do have, though, are a revolving number of movies that give me pleasure. And, no, I'm not talking about porn. I mean that these movies are like old friends to me. The stories are usually simple and do not involve suspense or thrill. They are light dramas--the kind I would never encourage anyone to pay $12 at the movie theater to see. No, these are movies that you must buy. They are in the $5 bin at Walmart. They have been overlooked by the masses, yet embraced by the love-lorn. They are friends; as such, I will defend them with my very being. Dramatic? Yes, but they have gotten me through lonely Saturday nights and terribly exhaustive work days.
I am always learning about new movies, mind you. However, this is a list of my current sweethearts:
It's Complicated
Julie and Julia
Walking and Talking
Something's Gotta Give
This Is My Life
Before Sunset
The movies change, depending on the new town in which I am living and my mood. Usually, though, the list shifts between such directors as Nicole Holofcener (Lovely and Amazing, Walking and Talking) and Nora Ephron (Julie and Julia and This Is My Life), who typically sets her characters in an atmosphere of a grittier, more real New York City. Of course, when I need beautiful scenery and rich serenity, I turn to Nancy Meyers (It's Complicated).
In order to be a "comfort food" movie, you must be able to turn it on at any point in the course of the plot and continue watching until the end. You must identify at least one character as a potential best friend. You must never be able to recommend that others see this movie in a theater. Most importantly, you must only watch this movie in pants that have an elastic waist while you wallow on your couch while eating ice cream or macaroni and cheese. Alone.
Go ahead and make your own movie friends. They can shuttle you through loneliness or simply keep you company. They are besties without expectations. They are givers and ask nothing in return. We all need that sometimes.
