Great Inspirational Movies Not To Be Missed

There are actually tons and tons of great inspirational movies here and there, ranging from your typical Hollywood mainstream movies to avant-garde indie films and foreign films--inspirational movies are everywhere. Although I have yet to see this year’s Oscar Best Picture Slumdog Millionaire (from India), I have heard some of my friends and colleagues raving about it while I can only wait for a spare time so that I can finally watch in on DVD. Heard that it is truly one of the great inspirational movies set amidst the backdrop of the slums of Mumbai. Based on the synopsis I read, the movie is about a teenage orphan named Jamal experiencing the biggest moment in his life. Well, he is in fact a contestant and only question away from being a millionaire in India’s version of the famous quiz show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” in national television. However, when the show breaks for the night, the police tried to arrest him as they suspect him of cheating—for how can a street kid know too much? Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal’s life in the slum with his brother, their cruel encounters with the gangs, adventures on the road, and most of all, he tells about the girl named Latika—whom he loved and lost. Inspirational movies are numerous, and it’s really up to the viewer if he finds it inspiring or otherwise. It’s a matter of one’s personal choice consequently. Since we’re talking about inspirational movies, here is one of my favorites---Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella in Italian).When we talk about inspirational movies, this one (for me) is stunning. The movie which we came to know who Roberto Benigno is. Have you seen his high-spirited Oscar acceptance speech? Well, I think he’s truly deserving of that award because it’s really a great film. I even advised it to my clients that among the inspirational movies, this one’s a must-see! Especially for those extremely problematic—the down-and-out, the hopeless, the ones feeling so depressed, so lonely that they seem to be carrying all the heavy burden of the world. At first, I was quite hesitant to watch this movie since it’s in Italian and I have a hard time reading those English subtitles. I was only curious why Roberto Benigni won an Oscar for this and what’s the big deal for this movie. And voila—was I converted, and enthralled! And I must say that it was one of the best inspirational movies I’ve seen aside from Patch Adams, (you should see it, too) etc. It makes you believe that despite all the miseries of life (set on wartime era), life can still be indeed—beautiful. Even though the setting is in the time of war and concentration camps, it highlights on the positivity of life. As the protagonist Guido is searching all over for his wife Dora, he also makes his little boy believe that they’re just playing a game with real life soldiers as their playmates and that the ultimate prize would be a tank with guns. Believe me, throughout the whole film, I was smiling the whole time because of the humor and positivity presented amidst the violent background. But as it also heartbreaking and made me teary-eyed at the ending. Quite funny how Life is Beautiful will make you realize and indeed, it’s a feel-good movie because you will feel good watching and right after watching that film. It makes you believe that there’s still hope despite the crises, the chaos, the violence and the negativity.