No, not Steve
December 7, 2008 11:21 AM Subscribe
Movies about jobs? Or taking charge of your life? Flicks for dissaffected youth please.
Need a list of movies (including documentaries) about employment, unemployment, having lots of jobs, jobseeking etc.
I work with unemployed youth and heading into the holiday season we want to give them a couple of "days off", so one day I am bringing in the wii, another day we will show a movie. What movie?
I can also imagine showing just something hella inspring about kicking it up a notch and taking charge of your life or other empowering themes.
I know obviously it would be more appreciated to show something completely non job related, but we kinda have to stay somewhat "on message". I tried searching imdb, but it gave a bazillion hits. Also saw this "Life changing movies askme.
Need a list of movies (including documentaries) about employment, unemployment, having lots of jobs, jobseeking etc.
I work with unemployed youth and heading into the holiday season we want to give them a couple of "days off", so one day I am bringing in the wii, another day we will show a movie. What movie?
I can also imagine showing just something hella inspring about kicking it up a notch and taking charge of your life or other empowering themes.
I know obviously it would be more appreciated to show something completely non job related, but we kinda have to stay somewhat "on message". I tried searching imdb, but it gave a bazillion hits. Also saw this "Life changing movies askme.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
posted by unclejeffy at 11:39 AM on December 7, 2008
posted by unclejeffy at 11:39 AM on December 7, 2008
Best answer: The Pursuit of Happyness?
posted by Rhaomi at 11:50 AM on December 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 11:50 AM on December 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
The Secret of My Success is a nice little Michael J. Fox movie about a young man who dreams of being a business executive and then begins impersonating one. It also has a typical 80's-movie subplot about falling in love.
Fox's character tries to take a few shortcuts, but he's genuinely ambitious and motivated and learns a lesson about hard, honest work.
posted by chudmonkey at 11:51 AM on December 7, 2008
Fox's character tries to take a few shortcuts, but he's genuinely ambitious and motivated and learns a lesson about hard, honest work.
posted by chudmonkey at 11:51 AM on December 7, 2008
working girl?
ghostbusters? (they do start a business...)
i haven't seen it, but i gather barbershop is about having and regaining a family business.
posted by rmd1023 at 12:00 PM on December 7, 2008
ghostbusters? (they do start a business...)
i haven't seen it, but i gather barbershop is about having and regaining a family business.
posted by rmd1023 at 12:00 PM on December 7, 2008
Best answer: Big Fish
I re-watched this a few weeks ago (last saw it when it was in the theaters back in 2003) and it really hit home for me about grabbing life by the horns and living your life to its fullest. That it is wonderful to dream, and to take risks. That life is often about chance, and about choosing to sieze those opportunities when they're in front of you. About not being afraid to be curious and to do something a little crazy sometimes, and to trust in yourself to be able to handle things as they come your way.
And it has some very sweet moments between husband-wife, son-father, and others that remind you of the importance of love and having people in your life who you care about.
posted by inatizzy at 12:00 PM on December 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
I re-watched this a few weeks ago (last saw it when it was in the theaters back in 2003) and it really hit home for me about grabbing life by the horns and living your life to its fullest. That it is wonderful to dream, and to take risks. That life is often about chance, and about choosing to sieze those opportunities when they're in front of you. About not being afraid to be curious and to do something a little crazy sometimes, and to trust in yourself to be able to handle things as they come your way.
And it has some very sweet moments between husband-wife, son-father, and others that remind you of the importance of love and having people in your life who you care about.
posted by inatizzy at 12:00 PM on December 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Office Space yet. It's got a pretty cool take on the workplace and what it means to be happy.
posted by dunkadunc at 12:07 PM on December 7, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 12:07 PM on December 7, 2008 [3 favorites]
Repo Man
It's a cult classic, black comedy from the 1980s about disaffected youth in LA. And a sequel is reportedly being planned.
posted by quidividi at 12:16 PM on December 7, 2008
It's a cult classic, black comedy from the 1980s about disaffected youth in LA. And a sequel is reportedly being planned.
posted by quidividi at 12:16 PM on December 7, 2008
I can't think of a more inspirational movie than the original Ghandi film. It's a bit long, and the trailer is a bit boring, but the movie is incredible. I was made to watch it as a child, and it has greatly changed my life.
Ghandi Trailer
Full Film Online
posted by bradly at 12:19 PM on December 7, 2008
Ghandi Trailer
Full Film Online
posted by bradly at 12:19 PM on December 7, 2008
I was going to say Working Girl, but rmd1023 beat me to it.
I really like American Movie because the dude is an amateur with ambition, plus it's very silly.
posted by peggynature at 12:21 PM on December 7, 2008
I really like American Movie because the dude is an amateur with ambition, plus it's very silly.
posted by peggynature at 12:21 PM on December 7, 2008
Best answer: La moitié gauche du frigo. You can probably get it with English subtitles.
posted by ddaavviidd at 1:00 PM on December 7, 2008
posted by ddaavviidd at 1:00 PM on December 7, 2008
Well, here's a news clip about a gal who took charge of her life against pretty crazy odds. And here's a 10-minute trailer for a documentary about the same woman. The documentary isn't out yet, but I can imagine that just showing the news clip or trailer might inspire and motivate some of the folks you're working with.
posted by tidecat at 1:01 PM on December 7, 2008
Reality Bites - under and un-employed Gen-Xers. Very 90s.
There's also Maxed Out (discussed on Mefi) if you want to give 'em a jolt about financial education & responsibility.
posted by yarrow at 2:08 PM on December 7, 2008
There's also Maxed Out (discussed on Mefi) if you want to give 'em a jolt about financial education & responsibility.
posted by yarrow at 2:08 PM on December 7, 2008
Breaking Away.
Billy Liar.
Apres Moi (although it's about adults)
posted by mippy at 9:48 AM on December 8, 2008
Billy Liar.
Apres Moi (although it's about adults)
posted by mippy at 9:48 AM on December 8, 2008
2nding working girl, if the age group is right. it's a little cheesy, which makes it funny, but it's definitely a "if you use your talents and believe you can do anything, and actually try to do it, you'll get there even if people are sh*itting on you" type deal. a little bit of romance thrown in there, with the added bonus of the evil villain everyone wants to slap. there is one secene where you see the main character in lingerie, albeit not see though.
posted by assasinatdbeauty at 2:43 PM on December 8, 2008
posted by assasinatdbeauty at 2:43 PM on December 8, 2008
Response by poster: Great ideas, thanks! Marked the ones I am going to suggest to the others. La moitié gauche du frigo needs is a double-plus best answer if I can get a hold of it in some manner, rip it and add my own subtitles. Going to check out Working Girl again, haven't seen it in forever!
Part of me is seriously, seriously considering letting Dolly loose on them though...
posted by Iteki at 3:52 AM on December 11, 2008
Part of me is seriously, seriously considering letting Dolly loose on them though...
posted by Iteki at 3:52 AM on December 11, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by box at 11:36 AM on December 7, 2008