Comfort food for the screen

by LynDee Walker of the Femmes Fatales.

There’s a whole subsection of scientific and psychological research on the human brain’s fascination with—and need for—stories. It’s how we learn, how we grow, how we hone our empathy skills for situations we may never experience ourselves. It’s also how we comfort ourselves when things aren’t so fantastic. 

I’ve spent a good chunk of my life crafting and telling stories, from my days as a journalist to hours sitting with my computer and my imaginary friends now, and I am a self-professed book-a-holic. But when I don’t feel well, there’s something about a handful of films that works better on my brain than any prescription a doctor could write. 

Last week, I spent a couple of days on my couch, writing a bit, working on the cover reveal for the new Nichelle Clarke book, but mostly just flipping through my favorite feel good movies and staring at the TV, alternately lost in the story and pondering why I always come back to the same stories and characters when I don’t feel well. I know how it ends, I practically know all the lines in some of them, and not a one has been released in the past decade. Where I landed is that when you’re feeling icky or anxious or both, it’s good to know better things are coming for those characters, that it all works out in the end—and it made me think of the folks who have taken the time to write and tell me that they’ve read my books multiple times, and be thankful I could provide the same escape for someone else. 

In no particular order (and you’ll see, with little in common except the happy ending), here’s my feel-better viewing list: How about y’all? What stories help you when you need an escape? Anyone see something on my list that stirs some nostalgia for you?

Mrs. Winterbourne

 

Die Hard With a Vengeance

 

The American President

 

Legally Blonde

 

Sweet Home Alabama

 

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

 

Rocky IV

 

Remember the Titans

 

Comments

[Aimee Hix]

I love, love, LOVE Mrs Winterbourne!

The scene on the church lawn somehow manages to be horrifying, touching, hilarious, and suspenseful, all at the same time.

[Mark]

I really enjoy Legally Blonde as well.

For me, many of the Disney movies serve the same function. There is something magical about being caught up in a story you enjoy with characters you love that is comforting.

[Sarah H.]

I inadvertently just discovered a new comfort food show to binge and re-binge: Russian Doll on Netflix. It's dark, funny, and full of hope. I just finished it yesterday (instead of watching the super bowl) and now want to go back to see all the clues I clearly missed.

Caveat: the movie Scream is also one of my favorite comfort watches, so take any of my rec's with a grain of salt.

[Kathy Lynn Emerson]

You’re right about comfort films. I go back to several fairly regularly: Romancing the Stone, Shakespeare in Love, Mama Mia, Grease, Tremors, and First Wives Club—something for every mood!