“Eat Pray Love”, 2010
Director: Ryan Murphy
After a painful divorce, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to embark on a year-long journey around the world in an attempt to find herself. Throughout her travels in Italy, India, and Bali, she experiences the joys of new beginnings on a path to self-discovery and healing.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, Mike O'Malley, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Christine Hakim, Sophie Thompson, Hadi Subiyanto;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Eat Pray Love” on the website imdb.com
“Wild”, 2014
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Based on a true story, this film follows Cheryl Strayed as she decides to hike more than a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail alone, in an effort to recover from a recent personal tragedy and start over.
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
“Jerry Maguire”, 1996
Director: Cameron Crowe
After a moral epiphany, sports agent Jerry Maguire gets fired and decides to put his new philosophy to the test with the only athlete who stays with him, striving for a fresh start in both his career and personal life.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kelly Preston, Regina King, Bonnie Hunt, Jay Mohr, Jerry O'Connell, Beau Bridges, Jonathan Lipnicki;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Jerry Maguire” on the website imdb.com
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
This inspirational story portrays Chris Gardner's one-year struggle with homelessness while raising his son and pursuing a new career. Despite numerous setbacks, Gardner's perseverance leads to a life-changing opportunity.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“Under the Tuscan Sun”, 2003
Director: Audrey Wells
Following a divorce, Frances Mayes makes a spur-of-the-moment purchase of a villa in Tuscany, seeking a drastic change. What follows is her journey towards healing, finding a new community, and starting anew under the Italian sun.
Starring: Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan, Raoul Bova, Vincent Riotta, Mario Monicelli, Roberto Nobile, Anita Zagaria, Evelina Gori, Giulia Louise Steigerwalt;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Under the Tuscan Sun” on the website imdb.com
“Legally Blonde”, 2001
Director: Robert Luketic
After being dumped by her boyfriend, Elle Woods boldly reinvents herself by getting into Harvard Law School, aiming to win him back. Instead, she discovers her own potential and sets off on a new career path, proving to herself and others her worth.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, Ali Larter, Jessica Cauffiel, Alanna Ubach;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Legally Blonde” on the website imdb.com
“Lost in Translation”, 2003
Director: Sofia Coppola
In Tokyo, a fading movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond that helps them navigate through their respective life crises, offering new perspectives and a semblance of a fresh start in their transient lives.
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Akiko Takeshita, Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe, Kazuko Shibata, Take, Ryuichiro Baba, Akira Yamaguchi;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Lost in Translation” on the website imdb.com
“Finding Forrester”, 2000
Director: Gus Van Sant
A reclusive writer mentors a promising young high school student, helping him to refine his writing talent and navigate the challenges of his future. Both characters, isolated in their own ways, find rejuvenation and a fresh start through their unexpected friendship.
Starring: Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin, Busta Rhymes, April Grace, Michael Pitt, Michael Nouri, Richard Easton, Glenn Fitzgerald;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 131 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Finding Forrester” on the website imdb.com
In the panorama of cinema, films about fresh starts have always held a poignant place, capturing the essence of human resilience, the pursuit of happiness, and the innate desire for transformation. From the heart-wrenching journeys of self-discovery to the light-hearted tales of new beginnings, these stories resonate deeply with audiences, reminding us of the power of change and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Whether it's through relocating to a new city, embarking on a journey of personal growth, or overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the characters in these films embody the indefatigable human spirit. As they navigate their paths towards renewal and redemption, viewers are invited to reflect on their own lives, inspired to embrace change and approach the future with optimism. Ultimately, films about fresh starts are a testament to the human capacity for reinvention, offering both a mirror to our own struggles and a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
