“The Way Back”, 2020
Director: Gavin O'Connor
This epic story follows a group of prisoners who escape from a Siberian gulag during World War II. Their journey of thousands of miles across harsh terrains to find freedom and redemption is as much an internal journey of coming home to themselves as it is a physical trek across continents.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Janina Gavankar, Michaela Watkins, Brandon Wilson, Will Ropp, Fernando Luis Vega, Charles Lott Jr., Melvin Gregg, Ben Irving;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “The Way Back” on the website imdb.com
“Brooklyn”, 2015
Director: John Crowley
A poignant story of a young Irish immigrant, Eilis, navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Torn between her new life in America and her home in Ireland, the film beautifully captures the notion of home and what it means to belong.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Brid Brennan, Jane Brennan, Fiona Glascott, Jessica Paré, Eileen O'Higgins;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Brooklyn” on the website imdb.com
“Sweet Home Alabama”, 2002
Director: Andy Tennant
This romantic comedy follows a young woman who returns to her small hometown in Alabama from New York City to finalize her divorce. Her journey back home rekindles old feelings and makes her question what she truly wants in life.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen, Mary Kay Place, Fred Ward, Jean Smart, Ethan Embry, Melanie Lynskey, Courtney Gains;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Sweet Home Alabama” on the website imdb.com
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, 2011
Director: John Madden
A group of British retirees decides to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Their adventures in adjusting to the new life and reconciling with their pasts make for a heartfelt story of finding home where you least expect it.
Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Patrick Pearson, Hugh Dickson;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” on the website imdb.com
“Wild”, 2014
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Based on a true story, this film follows Cheryl Strayed as she embarks on a solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail following a series of personal calamities. Her journey is as much about coming home to herself as it is about returning to a stable life after her ordeals.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Keene McRae, Michiel Huisman, W. Earl Brown, Gaby Hoffmann, Kevin Rankin, Brian Van Holt, Cliff De Young;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Wild” on the website imdb.com
“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”, 1993
Director: Duwayne Dunham
This heartwarming tale of three pets making their way back home across the Rocky Mountains showcases the instinctual need to return to the place of love and safety. It's a compelling look at the concept of home from a non-human perspective.
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche, Robert Hays, Kim Greist, Kevin Chevalia, Benj Thall, Veronica Lauren, Jean Smart, Don Alder;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 84 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” on the website imdb.com
“Manchester by the Sea”, 2016
Director: Kenneth Lonergan
After the death of his brother, a man is shocked to find out he's been made the legal guardian of his nephew. As he returns to his hometown, he is forced to deal with both his present responsibilities and the tragic past he had left behind.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges, Ivy O'Brien, C.J. Wilson, Anna Baryshnikov, Gretchen Mol, Heather Burns, Jami Tennille;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Manchester by the Sea” on the website imdb.com
“Garden State”, 2003
Director: Zach Braff
This film follows Andrew Largeman as he returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral after being away for a decade. Through reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, he starts to confront his past and reassess his life.
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Jean Smart, Armando Riesco, Jackie Hoffman, Method Man, Alex Burns, Ron Leibman;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Garden State” on the website imdb.com
“Paris, Texas”, 1984
Director: Wim Wenders
After walking out of the desert after four years, a man tries to reconnect with his son and find his missing wife. This film delves deep into themes of loss, redemption, and the power of family ties, presenting a compelling story of coming home to mend broken relationships.
Starring: Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Sam Berry, Bernhard Wicki, Dean Stockwell, Aurore Clément, Claresie Mobley, Hunter Carson, Viva, Socorro Valdez;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Paris, Texas” on the website imdb.com
Each of these films, in their unique way, explores the multifaceted concept of coming home, highlighting how such a journey can profoundly transform an individual's life.
In essence, the motif of coming home in cinema transcends the mere act of returning to a physical space; it encapsulates a profound journey towards self-discovery, reconciliation, and healing. Through the diverse narratives explored in films like “The Way Home,” “Brooklyn,” and “Homeward Bound,” audiences are invited to reflect on the universal themes of belonging, family, and redemption. These stories, while grounded in their unique settings and circumstances, resonate on a deeply personal level, reminding us that home is not just a place, but a state of being where one finds true connection and peace. Whether it is through the eyes of a lost child, an immigrant searching for identity, or a beloved pet's perilous adventure, the act of coming home serves as a powerful narrative arc that touches the heart and stirs the soul, leaving a lasting impact long after the screen fades to black.
