“The Help”: 2011

At the height of segregation in the Jim Crow south, 11 African maids need convincing to come forward and tell their unheard stories to the public. Aspiring journalist “Skeeter,” portrayed by Emma Stone, is deeply disturbed by the mistreatment of “the help” by their white employers, who are in her circle of childhood friends. The difference that sets Skeeter apart from them is the fact that she does not prioritize social status. Instead, she is determined to take a dangerous risk in society: exposing the harsh reality of working for white families in Mississippi. This film is inspiring because it demonstrates the strong will and courage of women to confront the blatant cruelty of the socialites toward their maids. Seeing them protect each other to ensure that their narratives remained anonymous instilled a sense of warmth and admiration inside me. The character I respected most was undoubtedly Aibileen, who had suffered the most yet still acted with dignity and kindness towards everyone. The one questionable aspect brought out in the story was that the maids were too meek to stand up for themselves on their own and relied on Skeeter to help save the day. It had an element of “white saviorism,” where the development of the white character was the main focus of the movie. However, their strength and fearlessness did come to light when they admitted the extent of hardship they had to endure. The movie did a brilliant job of showing the varying points of view of the different women. Minny Jackson, Aibileen’s best friend, sought revenge as often as she could and had a much more audacious personality than the brave yet reserved Aibileen. Both the heroines and villains in the tale were portrayed by inspiring actresses, weaving humor and sadness together to craft a powerful story teaching lessons of resistance and assertion. Watch this film, and witness how exposing the truth makes a difference in society.

“Radioactive”: 2019

One of the most remarkable scientists in our history, Marie Curie has not only become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but the first person in history to win two of these prestigious awards. “Radioactive” follows Marie Curie who, driven by her obsession with science and fierce determination, makes pioneering discoveries in both chemistry and physics, forever changing the worlds of medicine and warfare. The film begins with an elderly Curie being wheeled into the hospital where she reminisces about her journey that led to her becoming the trailblazer she is today. Her journey starts in 1893 when she crosses paths with future lab partner and husband Pierre Curie. The two end up conducting research together despite her insisting that she came to Paris from Poland to study. After their famous discovery of radium and polonium, a montage of mysterious scenes from the future foreshadow the dangers of radioactivity, and a dancer who wishes to use radium for special effects is given a particular focus. The director clearly tries to marry the science with a more artistic kind of creativity, but at some points it seems as if the story goes off in different directions aimlessly. I would have liked to see more of the positive impacts of Curie’s work as opposed to the overarching cynical perspective: A major focus was on the development of the atomic bomb and how her discovery led to events such as the Chernobyl disaster in the 80s. While the film offered insight into her life’s tragedies, such as the graphic death of Pierre, and her imperfections as a person, the sequence made the story feel too dark rather than uplifting. At the end of the day, it was an engaging account of Curie’s life and showed what it meant to be a female genius at that point in history. The theme I took away from the film was that science can either be glorious or disastrous, depending on whose hands it is in. 

“Million Dollar Baby”: 2004

This poignant and tragic film is a must-watch if you’re looking for a simple yet touching experience. I am generally not one for boxing movies, but this one far exceeded my expectations. Frankie Dunn, a cantankerous old man with a painful past, is initially reluctant to train Maggie Fitzgerald, rejecting her because of her gender, race, and lack of experience. In spite of his repeated refusals, Maggie persists, showing up at the gym every day from dawn to dusk until his best friend convinces him to take her on. It is here that the story begins — and where Frankie and Maggie’s father-daughter bond starts to form. As she trains, the story continues to be told through the eyes of Frankie’s best friend “Scrap,” who sheds light on Frankie and Maggie’s own sorrows. Morgan Freeman tenderly narrates the film as it develops each of the characters, showing me the true nature of life without any sugar coating. Frankie Dunn has a tough exterior but conceals his sadness from being separated from his daughter. For 23 years he goes to church and sends her letters, praying that some miracle will arrive. Clint Eastwood brings real soul to his character Dunn who seems rough around the edges but is truly devoted to the things he loves. Maggie Fitzgerald, who is said to be from “somewhere between nowhere and goodbye” in Missouri, had spent the last fifteen years waitressing to look after her dysfunctional family. Boxing gives her life direction and purpose, and with Frankie at her side, she rises to stardom. Watching Maggie emerge victorious time and time again and hearing the crowd chant her nickname macushla made it seem as if I was sharing her success. Her matches around the world built up to her fight against the most formidable opponent she would ever face, Billie “The Blue Bear,” notorious for playing dirty. The scene ended with a fatal blow to Maggie’s head when she wasn’t looking, sending her straight to the hospital. It was heartbreaking to watch Maggie regress until finally, she asked Frankie to end her life. This tragic ending made many question the movie’s feminist themes and whether it was hinting that Maggie really should have steered away from boxing. My view is that Maggie was strong and passionate enough to fulfill her dreams and make life worthwhile.

“Bend it like Beckham”: 2002

In contrast to the more serious dramas included on this list, this is the ultimate “feel-good” movie whose relatable characters and humorous dialogue will, without a doubt, put you in a good mood. Set in West London, “Bend it like Beckham” follows an Indian-American teenager deprived of her dream to play professional soccer by her strict parents. Being a girl, she is told that her transition to maturity should just be towards marriage— when in fact, she outshines the boys in her neighborhood as an athlete when she sneaks out to practice. While this is a recurrent storyline in several films, I, along with my family, consider it to be refreshingly unique and well rounded in the ways that it incorporates all of the elements of life during a girl’s impressionable years. As a member of the Indian community myself, I found the demands forced onto Jess, the protagonist, to learn how to cook traditional dishes hilarious, and I was able to closely connect with the overall setting of the movie for similar reasons. However, the movie is something to be enjoyed by all, as it deals with what everyone goes through at some point in their lives, whether it be friendship, cultural identity, romance, or future aspirations. Personally, the charm and appeal from this movie lay in the characters’ quirks: how Jess’s confidant was her massive David Beckham poster on the ceiling, how her best friend, Jules, tried hard to disguise herself as a tomboy, and how Pinky, despite her superficial tendencies, constantly supported her sister. Jess’s resolve and athletic prowess as a woman is a real inspiration for young girls around the world who are interested in sports but are under the impression that the role of an athlete is not meant for them. Some may say that the ending is too dreamy and unrealistic, but it effectively conveys that gender and background should never prevent the fulfillment of someone’s true potential.