When you want to laugh, cry, and ponder the meaning of life

Because January is finally over and we all need a palate cleanser.

Sometimes you just want to feel it all.

For those times, I recommend watching a movie that is light enough to make you laugh, real enough to make you cry, and deep enough to leave you with interesting questions. I call these palate cleansers.

So, without further ado, my recommendations for when you want to laugh, cry, and ponder the meaning of life:

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1. C’MON C’MON

📷 IMDB

C’mon C’mon is a poignant film about family, parenting, childhood, and life’s big questions. Written and directed by Mike Mills (21st Century Women, Beginners) this 2021 movie is equal parts sweet, smart, thoughtful, and hopeful. It’s also funny.

The black and white cinematography chosen for the film is the perfect canvas for this poetic, slice-of-life story, and the stunning performances by the lead actors are so personal and vulnerable, that at times, you may have to remind yourself that this is a work of fiction.

You’ll like this if you like: Joaquin Phoenix, This American Life, Beginners, Recess Therapy.

🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Amazon Prime

🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.ca, Apple Store, YouTube

Fun Facts: All of the interviews with the kids in this movie are real. Listen for more gems from real kids while the credits roll. The lead actor Woody Norman (9 years old at the time) is British and is acting in an American accent throughout the film. His lines were mostly scripted, but director Mike Mills allowed him to ad-lib many lines.

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2. ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

📷 IMDB

Although it has been criticized for employing the arguably tired “young man learns about life from a sick girl” trope, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) was a huge hit at Sundance and it’s not your typical coming-of-age teen movie.

Filmed in the writer’s hometown of Pittsburg, this quirky and creative gem of a film features witty comedy, honest writing, and endearing characters played by a talented ensemble cast. The tragicomic story (originally a book) that unfolds is told in a visually interesting way through the use of unique camera angles, colourful design, and some very cool film-within-a-film moments and movie references.

You’ll like this if you like: Wes Anderson, The Fault in Our Stars, Nick Offerman, indie films, stop-motion animation.

🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.ca, Apple Store, YouTube

Fun Facts: The high school in the film is Schenley High School, a historic building that dates back to 1916. Jesse Andrews, the writer of the film (and the novel) is an alumnus of Schenley, as is Andy Warhol.

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3. THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON

📷 IMDB

Funny, sweet, and wholesome — but with just the right amount of grit that a swampy setting and an actor like Shia LaBeouf can provide — this 2019 film is a breath of fresh air, and so is its star: Zack Gottsagen.

Described by many as a modern retelling of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Peanut Butter Falcon asks you to join its cast of characters as they chase a dream, experience danger and adventure, and discover their chosen family.

You’ll like this if you like: Little Miss Sunshine, bluegrass and folk music, Shia LaBeouf, professional wrestling, modern-day fables.

🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Netflix, Amazon Prime

🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.com, Apple Store

Fun Facts: This movie has a great soundtrack with songs by musicians from Americana, bluegrass, and folk bands including Old Crow Medicine Show and The Punch Brothers. My favourite is the song you hear at the end of the film, “Running for So Long (House a Home)” by Parker Ainsworth, Butch Walker, Paris Jackson, and Jessie Payo.

Enjoy the movie(s),

Heather

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Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services for these titles.