Because You’re Worth It - Great Movies that Celebrate Self-Worth
Naturally, at good.film our idea of the perfect #SelfLoveDayte (see what we did there?) is to curl up with some memorable flicks that harness the core concept of Self Love Day: self-worth. So we’ve curated a list of Great Movies that Celebrate Self Worth to share with you.
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2 years ago
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We’ve got a confession - it’s that time of year when the guys & girls at good.film are feeling pretty loved up. But it’s got nothing to do with that chubby little cherub Cupid firing his bow at us. If you caught our last article, you’ll know we’re getting behind International Self-Love Day. Yes, it’s real - and it’s on February 13th, just a day before the “V that shall not be named”...
A quick recap: we know that online searches for stuff like “feeling alone” spike massively around Valentine’s Day. When there’s an entire Hallmark holiday aimed at selling cutesy stuff to couples, it can feel pretty isolating if you’re not in one. Thank goodness for International Self-Love Day, then: a reminder that you don’t need a heart-shaped box of sugar (or God forbid, lingerie) from anyone to feel worthy and loved.
Self-love is a courageous concept that's been discussed by theologians, philosophers, and other learned types for centuries. So why not make a day out of it? Self Love Day is a reminder to celebrate the uniqueness of that one-of-a-kind critter you know better than anyone: you.
“Self-love is one of the most powerful forms of love. It is something that we all have coded inside us. ”
Christine Arylo, Founder, International Self-Love Day
Feeling the love? Get on board. Give Cupid the flick on Feb 13 and embrace Self Love Day!
Naturally, at good.film our idea of the perfect #SelfLoveDayte (see what we did there?) is to curl up with some memorable flicks that harness the core concept of Self Love Day: self-worth. So we’ve curated a list of Great Movies that Celebrate Self Worth to share with you. From fem-power classics to wondrous Euro journeys of discovery, there’s something for everyone on the full list. Here’s just a sampler of some of the titles you may like to spend your #SelfLoveDayte with…
The Worst Person in the World
Don’t let the title put you off: this Norwegian breakout is a captivating and life-affirming look at four years in the life of Julie - a pretty great person in the world, actually, who’s just navigating the choppy waters of her love life, and struggling to find a career path that makes sense to her. Authentic and funny, it harnesses that crippling self-doubt and boiling pressure of being a late 20-something who’s just winging it with no real clues (can relate). Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve is absolutely captivating as Julie: the scene where time freezes and our heroine runs through the streets is joyous, and her experience taking shrooms is vivid and hilarious. It’s tricky to summarise The Worst Person in the World, but “how to navigate being a woman, being a human, and turning 30 in modern Scandinavian society” might come close to it.
“While Julie might feel like the worst person in the world, she's simply a complicated human no less worthy of love. When she at long last acts according to her own interests, finding happiness along the way, it’s as emotionally satisfying as any big-screen embrace. Her self-love is just as important as her romantic love - even more so.”
Collider
Currently pulling a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, we’re not sure who the other 4% could possibly be - but we reckon this film is a beautiful reminder of the messy, wonderful joy of life.
The Worst Person in the World is streaming on Stan
Moonlight
Just like Julie in Norway, our ‘Moonlight’ hero, Chiron, is trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in the world. Making that challenge even tougher: he’s growing up in the roughest area of Miami, Florida; he’s black, and he’s gay. We’re by Chiron’s side as he navigates childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood under the shadow of a drug-addicted mother and bullying about his sexuality. Along the way, he experiences the pain and beauty of falling in love with a boy, with all the confusion that brings “considering the black community’s codes about masculinity and perceived toughness”.
He’s supported by a mentor, Juan, who shares his key lesson: “At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be. You can’t let nobody make that decision for you.” Chiron takes the advice to heart, learning to embrace his individuality. Despite the external pressures and expectations, Chiron ultimately comes to a place of self-acceptance and self-love.
“For anyone that’s struggling with any form of acceptance or self love, watch this inspiring movie. You’ll leave with a new perspective about life and love.”
gayborhood.com
‘Moonlight’ handles a number of cinematic tricks with elegance: it’s stripped back in style, yet highly dignified. It’s poetic, yet deeply authentic. And it conveys the quiet power of its lead character through 3 different actors with total conviction. ‘Moonlight’ may always be the movie that gets remembered for winning the Best Picture Oscar in the strangest of fashions (remember the ‘La La Land’ envelope SNAFU?), but fortunately, its artistry - and its message - is one that elevates the film far beyond a footnote in awards pub trivia.
Moonlight is streaming on Stan and Amazon Prime
Dumplin’
Up for a change of pace? From ‘Moonlight’ to the spotlight, this sweet, uplifting dramedy poses a triple-threat of fun: it’s a protest movie, a pageant movie and a Parton movie… pumpin’ with the joyous tunes of Dolly Parton, that is.
Plus-size Texan teen Willowdean “Dumplin’” Dickson (Danielle Macdonald) wants to prove a point about measuring up and fitting in. What better way to cause a ruckus (and change a few hearts & minds) than by signing up for the local “Miss Teen Bluebonnet” pageant as a cheeky protest. Oh, did we mention the pageant is run by Jennifer Aniston, Dumplin’s former beauty queen Mum? Cue shocked reactions about ‘not fitting the mould’ - followed by Dumplin’s defiant ‘just watch me!’ reaction right back (all backed by those fab Dolly Parton tracks we mentioned).
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
~ Dolly Parton
The self-love agenda proves infectious: Dumplin’s bravado prompts other local girls who don’t quite fit the princess mould to follow in her high-heeled footsteps, revolutionising the pageant. Yes, Dumplin’ still realistically struggles with feeling comfortable in her own skin - but quickly realises that becoming “Miss Teen Bluebonnet” isn't about being perfect, it's about being proud of who you are and learning to value yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Critic Kimber Myers puts it best: ““Dumplin’” will mean a lot to a lot of young women who struggle to see themselves in TV and movies, and this feel-good comedy reminds them [to] bring out that sense of confidence and joy in who you are.”
Dumplin’ is streaming on Netflix
Soul
If you’re thinking, “Wait - what kind of grown up, self-affirming message could I possibly get from a Pixar movie?” then prepare to be dazzled. ‘Soul’ could be Pixar’s most ambitious story of all, and by far its most beautiful. Our hero is piano teacher Joe, who's on a quest to find his purpose in life - and he’s consumed by the idea that success and recognition will bring him happiness. Guess what Joe figures out?
The movie gets pretty metaphysical when Joe (after a near-death experience) meets a cute bunch of ‘souls in training’, who remind Joe - but really, remind us - that true self-worth comes from embracing your talents and finding joy (your “spark”) in what you love to do, not what you’re paid to do. By the end credits, ‘Soul’ feels like a big hug from the universe, saying "You're special just the way you are, and you have a purpose."
“Soul's greatest message may simply be the need to be kind to ourselves, to act as our own advocates, and to learn to become comfortable in our own shoes — in other words, to really get to know ourselves.”
Rachel Stewart Johnson, Ph.D.
Forget about the stunning jazz piano sequences - there were simple shots of a HAIRCUT that made us want to weep with astonishment. But underpinning the visuals is a wondrous and deeply human story. It’s a movie that will leave you touched, and maybe even a little awed by the freeing feeling of recognizing your own self-worth.
Soul is streaming on Disney+
We reckon these 4 winners are a sure-fire start to get that self-love shining - and there’s plenty more to check out on our list of Great Movies that Celebrate Self Worth. Got a favourite film that lifts you up but it didn’t make the cut? Feel free to suggest a title and we’ll add it to the mix for your next #SelfLoveDayte!
