Funny, quirky, earnest movies?
November 10, 2017 1:08 PM Subscribe
Looking for movie recommendations for a blustery weekend. I loved "We Are The Best!" and "Lars and the Real Girl," because they were sweet and funny and slightly offbeat, but also earnest and thoughtful with endearing but not saccharine plots and characters. What other movies might I like?
Best answer: Little Miss Sunshine might do it
posted by potrzebie at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2017 [12 favorites]
Best answer: I really enjoyed The Before trilogy, with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Note: each subsequent film doesn't quite live up to its predecessor.
posted by bologna on wry at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by bologna on wry at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Truly, Madly, Deeply. A little sad, but ultimately a quite optimistic movie.
posted by bonehead at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 1:16 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I just watched The Fundamentals of Caring recently and very much enjoyed it. Quirky, funny, sweet.
posted by bologna on wry at 1:19 PM on November 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by bologna on wry at 1:19 PM on November 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
Best answer: But I'm a Cheerleader
Slums of Beverly Hills
Dear White People
Thank You for Smoking
Easy A
posted by phunniemee at 1:23 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Slums of Beverly Hills
Dear White People
Thank You for Smoking
Easy A
posted by phunniemee at 1:23 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Joe Versus the Volcano
Moonstruck
posted by dilaudid at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Moonstruck
posted by dilaudid at 1:27 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Romantics Anonymous and Amelie could be consider saccharine but they still have a place in my heart. I like the Before Trilogy previously mentioned. Amongst older films Roman Holiday is a particular favourite.
posted by AuroraSky at 1:44 PM on November 10, 2017
posted by AuroraSky at 1:44 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Columbus was my quirky and charming find of the year.
posted by art.bikes at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by art.bikes at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Away We Go
Frances Ha
Dope
The Kings of Summer
20th Century Women
The Way, Way Back
Juno
Submarine
Garden State
Everything is Illuminated
Be Kind Rewind
The Princess Bride
posted by cnc at 2:05 PM on November 10, 2017 [8 favorites]
Frances Ha
Dope
The Kings of Summer
20th Century Women
The Way, Way Back
Juno
Submarine
Garden State
Everything is Illuminated
Be Kind Rewind
The Princess Bride
posted by cnc at 2:05 PM on November 10, 2017 [8 favorites]
Best answer: Lubitsch films might do it for you, especially (given your comments) The Shop Around the Corner.
posted by praemunire at 2:13 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 2:13 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Strictly Ballroom. Also Muriel's Wedding
posted by O9scar at 2:14 PM on November 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by O9scar at 2:14 PM on November 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Walking and Talking -- Nicole Holofcener's first feature length, (and starring 3 not-yet-famous actors, Catherine Keener, Anne Heche and Liev Schrieber.)
posted by flourpot at 2:52 PM on November 10, 2017
posted by flourpot at 2:52 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: The Castle, Rat Race, Four Lions, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 2:54 PM on November 10, 2017
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 2:54 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: The Big Sick!! So very good.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 3:02 PM on November 10, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 3:02 PM on November 10, 2017 [8 favorites]
Best answer: The Station Agent.. It is a quiet movie about making unexpectedly delightful new friends when you least expect it and most need it .. and i love it.
posted by elgee at 3:22 PM on November 10, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by elgee at 3:22 PM on November 10, 2017 [11 favorites]
Best answer: Everybody Wants Some!! was a low-stakes, slice-of-life kind of movie that I really enjoyed.
posted by topophilia at 4:18 PM on November 10, 2017
posted by topophilia at 4:18 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Eagle vs. Shark
Italian for Beginners
Born Romantic
Nthing: Galaxy Quest, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom, Juno, But I'm A Cheerleader, Little Miss Sunshine
posted by thetarium at 4:38 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Italian for Beginners
Born Romantic
Nthing: Galaxy Quest, Muriel's Wedding, Strictly Ballroom, Juno, But I'm A Cheerleader, Little Miss Sunshine
posted by thetarium at 4:38 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 20th Century Women (dir Mills)
Our Little Sister (dir Koreeda) — skews sweet
After the Storm (dir Koreeda)
After Life (dir Koreeda)
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (dir Waititi)
Smoke Signals (dir Eyre) — skews sad
George Washington (dir Green) — skews sad
These movies remind me that I love humanity a lot a lot.
posted by phonebia at 4:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Our Little Sister (dir Koreeda) — skews sweet
After the Storm (dir Koreeda)
After Life (dir Koreeda)
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (dir Waititi)
Smoke Signals (dir Eyre) — skews sad
George Washington (dir Green) — skews sad
These movies remind me that I love humanity a lot a lot.
posted by phonebia at 4:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Nthing Be Kind Rewind, Beginners, Station Agent, COLUMBUS (YES), Strictly Ballroom, Safety Not Guaranteed. So many great suggestions.
Also ...... Hunt for the Wilderpeople > Captain Fantastic
posted by phonebia at 4:59 PM on November 10, 2017
Also ...... Hunt for the Wilderpeople > Captain Fantastic
posted by phonebia at 4:59 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Rushmore
Moonrise Kingdom
(both are Wes Anderson films).
posted by jabo at 5:28 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Moonrise Kingdom
(both are Wes Anderson films).
posted by jabo at 5:28 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It might be worth looking into Whit Stillman's oeuvre. Metropolitan is my favorite. Last Days of Disco might be a little more accessible.
posted by kevinbelt at 5:29 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:29 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: About Time is a wonderfully sweet movie with a great soundtrack.
posted by cairnoflore at 6:23 PM on November 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by cairnoflore at 6:23 PM on November 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
Best answer: When I think 'funny, quirky, and earnest' I think Manny and Lo.
posted by googly at 6:41 PM on November 10, 2017
posted by googly at 6:41 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Strictly Ballroom. (Don't watch the trailer, it's not good.)
posted by Lexica at 7:12 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Lexica at 7:12 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Strictly Ballroom.
Indeed, one of my favourites. In the same vein, Shall We Dance, but the original 1996 Japanese version, not the later remake.
posted by bonehead at 7:50 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Indeed, one of my favourites. In the same vein, Shall We Dance, but the original 1996 Japanese version, not the later remake.
posted by bonehead at 7:50 PM on November 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Maybe it's just me, but Muriel's Wedding made me so, so sad.
Seconding Little Miss Sunshine. Catch Me if You Can. The Big Year. Any Jane Austen adaptation. Sideways, in a melancholy way.
posted by Threeve at 7:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seconding Little Miss Sunshine. Catch Me if You Can. The Big Year. Any Jane Austen adaptation. Sideways, in a melancholy way.
posted by Threeve at 7:53 PM on November 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Stranger Than Fiction.
posted by Gneisskate at 10:30 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Gneisskate at 10:30 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: For some reason Amelie shares the same spot in my head as Chungking Express.
posted by zengargoyle at 10:31 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zengargoyle at 10:31 PM on November 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Nthing Frances Ha
Harold and Maude
Being There
posted by All hands bury the dead at 10:56 PM on November 10, 2017
Harold and Maude
Being There
posted by All hands bury the dead at 10:56 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Rocket Science
Dan In Real Life
Chocolat
posted by madonna of the unloved at 11:08 PM on November 10, 2017
Dan In Real Life
Chocolat
posted by madonna of the unloved at 11:08 PM on November 10, 2017
Best answer: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
posted by progosk at 5:38 AM on November 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
posted by progosk at 5:38 AM on November 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The perfect double feature: Local Hero and I Know Where I'm Going! Those will make you want to fall in love and move to northern Scotland immediately.
posted by old_growler at 4:10 PM on November 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by old_growler at 4:10 PM on November 11, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: A Man Called Ove. Watched it last night, nice.
Win Win. From the director of The Station Agent, recommended above.
Up, or just about anything from Pixar.
posted by conscious matter at 1:18 AM on November 12, 2017
Win Win. From the director of The Station Agent, recommended above.
Up, or just about anything from Pixar.
posted by conscious matter at 1:18 AM on November 12, 2017
Best answer: Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Seriously, you will love it.
posted by emd3737 at 3:46 AM on November 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by emd3737 at 3:46 AM on November 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: This is great! I've seen almost none of these movies, so this should last me well in to spring. Thank you for all of the suggestions!
posted by stillmoving at 9:17 AM on November 12, 2017
posted by stillmoving at 9:17 AM on November 12, 2017
Best answer: My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
(we just watched the second one last night and it is silly and heartwarming and wonderful)
posted by jillithd at 8:27 AM on November 13, 2017
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
(we just watched the second one last night and it is silly and heartwarming and wonderful)
posted by jillithd at 8:27 AM on November 13, 2017
Best answer: In addition to nthing the Station Agent, Safety not Guaranteed and Frances Ha:
Butter, City of Lost Children, Bernie
posted by athirstforsalt at 9:56 PM on November 14, 2017
Butter, City of Lost Children, Bernie
posted by athirstforsalt at 9:56 PM on November 14, 2017
Best answer: Magic Mike 2 is honestly too pure and joyous for this world, so I'd add it to the list.
posted by nerdfish at 11:35 PM on November 14, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by nerdfish at 11:35 PM on November 14, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Dean Spanley.
The Angel's Share (the first 20 minutes are bleak but if you persevere the rest of the film is very different).
posted by riddley at 3:01 AM on November 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Angel's Share (the first 20 minutes are bleak but if you persevere the rest of the film is very different).
posted by riddley at 3:01 AM on November 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Just in case it's of interest, you might find some good recommendations in my two previous questions about funny, charming, intelligent movies. Two specific examples from those threads you might enjoy:
Baghdad Cafe
The Artist
posted by kristi at 8:28 AM on November 15, 2017
Baghdad Cafe
The Artist
posted by kristi at 8:28 AM on November 15, 2017
Response by poster: Ooh, more recommendations! Thank you!
posted by stillmoving at 12:03 AM on November 16, 2017
posted by stillmoving at 12:03 AM on November 16, 2017
Best answer: I feel like The Truman Show should get a mention.
posted by rhizome at 12:20 PM on November 16, 2017
posted by rhizome at 12:20 PM on November 16, 2017
Best answer: Late to the thread, but If I Were You stars Marcia Gay Harden as a women who finds out her husband is having an affair, and unexpectedly ends up playing King Lear in the world's most amateur production of the play.
posted by Orlop at 3:30 AM on November 17, 2017
posted by Orlop at 3:30 AM on November 17, 2017
Out in theaters right now, Ladybird is perfect for what you're asking for.
posted by hydropsyche at 2:51 PM on November 18, 2017
posted by hydropsyche at 2:51 PM on November 18, 2017
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