Films About People
Films about people delve into the complexities of human experiences, relationships, and emotions. These narratives often explore themes of identity, connection, conflict, and growth, presenting audiences with a mirror to reflect on their own lives. From intimate character studies to sweeping epics that capture the human condition, these films invite viewers to engage with the stories of diverse individuals, showcasing the richness of personal journeys and the universal struggles that bind us all.
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Based on the true story of Chris Gardner, this film follows a struggling salesman who becomes homeless while raising his son. It highlights themes of perseverance, father-son bonding, and the relentless pursuit of a better life.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung, David Michael Silverman, Domenic Bove, Geoff Callan, Joyful Raven, Scott Klace, Rashida Clendening, Eric Schniewind, Peter Fitzsimmons, Maurice Sherbanee, Zuhair Haddad, Victor Raider-Wexler, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Darryl Fong, George Maguire, Joe Nunez, Adam Del Rio, Rocky LaRochelle, Erin Cahill, Rueben Grundy, Lo Ming, John Kovacevich, Bonnie Akimoto, Stu Klitsner, Esther Scott, Tina D'Elia, Rev. Cecil Williams, David Fine, George Moffatt, Amir Talai, Mike Garibaldi, Jason Frazier, Kevin Crook, David Haines, James Finnerty, Abigail Van Alyn, Bob Greene, Robert Anthony Peters, Terri Orth-Pallavicini, John Robb, Daniel Wilder!;
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
“Little Miss Sunshine”, 2006
Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
This quirky road trip comedy revolves around a dysfunctional family traveling to a children's beauty pageant. The film explores themes of ambition, failure, and the importance of family support amidst personal struggles.
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Dean Norris, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Marc Turtletaub, Jill Talley, Brenda Canela, Chuck Loring, Justin Shilton, Gordon Thomson, Steven Christopher Parker, John Walcutt, Paula Newsome, Beth Grant, Wallace Langham, Lauren Shiohama, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jerry Giles, Geoff Meed, Matt Winston, Joan Scheckel, Cassandra Ashe, Mel Rodriguez, Alexandria Alaman, Alissa Anderegg, Brittany Baird, Cambria Baird, Brenae Bandy, Kristen Holaas, Maliah Hudson, Destry Jacobs, Lindsey Jordan, Shane Murphy, Annabelle Roberts, Sydni Stevenson-Love, Nicole Stoehr, Lauren Yee, Erik David Barber, Terry Bolo, Marc De'Antone, Tara Dawn Holland, Ksenia Jarova, Spencer Kayden, Brittany Paige, Alva Loomis;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Little Miss Sunshine” on the website imdb.com
“Good Will Hunting”, 1997
Director: Gus Van Sant
A brilliant but troubled janitor at MIT, Will Hunting, navigates his tumultuous life with the help of a therapist. The film explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and the impact of mentorship on personal growth.
Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser, Scott William Winters, John Mighton, Rachel Majorowski, Colleen McCauley, Matt Mercier, Ralph St. George, Rob Lynds, Dan Washington, Alison Folland, Derrick Bridgeman, Vik Sahay, Shannon Egleson, Rob Lyons, Steven Kozlowski, Jennifer Deathe, Philip Williams, Patrick O'Donnell, Kevin Rushton, Jimmy Flynn, Joe Cannon, Ann Matacunas, George Plimpton, Francesco Clemente, Jessica Morton, Barna Moricz, Libby Geller, Chas Lawther, Richard Fitzpatrick, Frank Nakashima, Chris Britton, David Eisner, Bruce Hunter, Robert Talvano, James Allodi, Michael Arthur, Steve Bertorelli, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Kent Damon, Paul Essiembre, Jed Griswold, Christian Harmony, Robert Harrell, Elisabeth Anne Hughes;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Good Will Hunting” on the website imdb.com
“Boyhood”, 2014
Director: Richard Linklater
Filmed over 12 years, this groundbreaking film captures the life of a boy named Mason from childhood to adulthood. It emphasizes the passage of time, family dynamics, and the formative experiences that shape who we become.
Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, Libby Villari, Elijah Smith, Steven Chester Prince, Bonnie Cross, Sydney Orta, Marco Perella, Jamie Howard, Andrew Villarreal, Shane Graham, Tess Allen, Ryan Power, Sharee Fowler, Mark Finn, Charlie Sexton, Byron Jenkins, Holly Moore, David Blackwell, Barbara Chisholm, Matthew Martinez-Arndt, Cassidy Johnson, Cambell Westmoreland, Jennifer Griffin, Garry Peters, Merrilee McCommas, Tamara Jolaine, Jordan Howard, Andrew Bunten, Tyler Strother, Evie Thompson, Brad Hawkins, Savannah Welch, Mika Odom, Sinjin Venegas, Nick Krause, Derek Chase Hickey, Angela Rawna, Megan Devine, Jenni Tooley, Landon Collier, Roland Ruiz, Richard Jones, Karen Jones, Gordon Friday, Tom McTigue, Sam Dillon, Martel Summers;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 166 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Boyhood” on the website imdb.com
“The Help”, 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Set in the 1960s, this film tells the story of African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi. It explores themes of racism, friendship, and the courage to challenge societal norms.
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, Anna Camp, Eleanor Henry, Emma Henry, Christopher Lowell, Mike Vogel, Brian Kerwin, Wes Chatham, Aunjanue Ellis, Ted Welch, Shane McRae, Roslyn Ruff, Tara Riggs, Leslie Jordan, Tiffany Brouwer, Carol Lee, Carol Sutton, Millicent Bolton, Ashley Johnson, Ritchie Montgomery, Don Brock, Florence Roach, Nelsan Ellis, David Oyelowo, La Chanze, Dana Ivey, Becky Fly, Sheerene Whitfield, Cleta Elaine Ellington, Henry Carpenter, John Taylor, Charles Cooper, Diana Cooper, Coyt Bailey, Wade Cottonfield, Kelsey Scot, Amy Beckwith, Sloane Fair, Anna Jennings, Lauren Miller, Elizabeth Smith;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 146 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Help” on the website imdb.com
“Her”, 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
In a near-future world, a lonely man develops a romantic relationship with an intelligent operating system. This film examines themes of love, loneliness, and the evolving nature of human connections in the digital age.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Matt Letscher, Kristen Wiig, Portia Doubleday, Laura Kai Chen, Brian Cox, Lynn A. Freedman, Lisa Renee Pitts, Gabe Gomez, Artt Butler, May Lindstrom, Bill Hader, Brian Johnson, David Azar, Guy Lewis, Melanie Seacat, Pramode Kumar, Evelyn Edwards, Steve Zissis, Dane White, Nicole Grother, James Ozasky, Samantha Sarakanti, Luka Jones, Gracie Prewitt, Claudia Choi, Stéphanie Sokolinski, Wendy Leon, Lil Buck, Robert Benard, Lisa Cohen, Grant Samson, Marc Abbink, Leonard Baligaya, Joan M. Blair, Freedom Bridgewater, Kathleen Carr, Seth Carr, Hallie Marie Chaney, Glenda Chism, Lee Christian, Andy Dale, Sandra Daubert, Nico David;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: melodrama, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“A Beautiful Mind”, 2001
Director: Ron Howard
Based on the life of mathematician John Nash, the film chronicles his struggle with schizophrenia and his journey toward recovery. It highlights themes of genius, mental health, and the power of love and support.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch, Austin Pendleton, Vivien Cardone, Jill Marie Simon, Victor Steinbach, Tanya Clarke, Thomas F. Walsh, Jesse Doran, Kent Cassella, Patrick Blindauer, John Blaylock, Roy Thinnes, Anthony Easton, Cheryl Howard, Rance Howard, Jane Jenkins, Darius Stone, Josh Pais, Alex Toma, Valentina Cardinalli, Teagle F. Bougere, David B. Allen, Michael Esper, Eva Burkley, Amy Walz, Tracey Toomey, Jennifer Weedon, Yvonne Thomas, Holly Pitrago, Isadore Rosenfeld, Tommy Allen, Dave Bayer, Brian Keith Lewis, Tom McNutt, Will Dunham, Glenn Roberts, Ed Jupp Jr., Christopher Stockton, Gregory Dress, Carla Occhiogrosso, Matt Samson;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Mind” on the website imdb.com
“Marriage Story”, 2019
Director: Noah Baumbach
This poignant drama follows a couple going through a difficult divorce. It portrays the complexities of relationships, love, and the emotional toll of separation, emphasizing that endings can also be new beginnings.
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, Julie Hagerty, Merritt Wever, Julia Greer, Azhy Robertson, Wallace Shawn, Matthew Maher, Eric Berryman, Mickey Sumner, David Turner, Gideon Glick, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Motell Gyn Foster, Raymond J. Lee, Mary Wiseman, Pete Simpson, Irene Choi, Matthew Shear, Becca Blackwell, Brooke Bloom, Hannah Dunne, McKinley Belcher III, Roslyn Ruff, Santiago Mallan, Robert Smigel, Amanda Rovner, Sarah Jones, Carlos Jacott, Dean Wareham, Bashir Salahuddin, Vinny Chhibber, Mark O'Brien, Ayden Mayeri, Erin Sullivan, Lucas Neff, Annie Hamilton, Tunde Adebimpe, Jordyn Curet, Justin Claiborne, Kyle Bornheimer, Pilar Holland, Emily Cass McDonnell, Andrew Steven Hernandez, Amir Talai, Juan Alfonso, Connie Marie Flores;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Marriage Story” on the website imdb.com
“The Florida Project”, 2017
Director: Sean Baker
Set in a budget motel near Disney World, this film tells the story of a young girl and her troubled mother. It explores themes of childhood innocence, poverty, and the harsh realities of life just beyond the magic of the theme park.
Starring: Brooklynn Prince, Bria Vinaite, Valeria Cotto, Christopher Rivera, Willem Dafoe, Caleb Landry Jones, Macon Blair, Aiden Malik, Josie Olivo, Edward Pagan, Patti Wiley, Jasineia Ramos, Rosa Medina Perez, Mela Murder, Krystal Nicole Watts, Bronwyn Valley, Kelly Fitzgerald, Sandy Kane, Jim R. Coleman, Andrew Romano, Carolina Grabova, Terry Allen Jones, Karren Karagulian, Sabina Friedman-Seitz, Troy Kohlmaier, Ginger Cook, Tsou Shih-Ching, Marisol Rivera, Carl Bradfield, Joop Katana, Giovanni Rodriguez, Angel Garcia, Latanya Ortiz, Sonya McCarter, John Sutton, Adina Sutton, Betty Jeune, Shail Kamini Ramcharan, Kit Sullivan, Joanne Moreno, Jason Blackwater, Lauren O'Quinn, Hannah Peterson, Cecilia Quinan, Gary B. Gross, Samantha Parisi;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“Nomadland”, 2020
Director: Chloé Zhao
Following the journey of a woman who becomes a modern-day nomad after losing everything in the Great Recession, the film reflects on themes of resilience, community, and the search for belonging in a transient world.
Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Gay DeForest, Patricia Grier, Linda May, Angela Reyes, Carl R. Hughes, Douglas G. Soul, Ryan Aquino, Teresa Buchanan, Karie Lynn McDermott Wilder, Brandy Wilber, Makenzie Etcheverry, Bob Wells, Annette Webb, Rachel Bannon, Charlene Swankie, Bryce Bedsworth, Sherita Deni Coker, Merle Redwing, Forrest Bault, Suanne Carlson, Donnie Miller, Roxanne Bay, Matt Sfaelos, Ronald O. Zimmerman, Derek Endres, Paige Dean, Paul Winer, Derrick Janis, Greg Barber, Carol Anne Hodge, Matthew Stinson, Terry Phillip, Bradford Lee Riza, Tay Strathairn, Cat Clifford, James R. Taylor Jr., Jeremy Greenman, Melissa Smith, Warren Keith, Jeff Andrews, Paul Cunningham, Mike Sells, Peter Spears, Cheryl Davis, Kyler Anderson, Nicole Anderson, Sophia Anderson;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Nomadland” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also provoke thought and empathy, inviting audiences to reflect on their own lives and the shared human experience.
In the selection of films about people, we are presented with a diverse range of captivating and thought-provoking narratives that delve deep into the complexities of the human experience. From heartwarming tales of love and friendship to gritty explorations of personal struggles and triumphs, these films offer a powerful reflection of the myriad emotions, relationships, and challenges that shape our lives. With exceptional performances, compelling storytelling, and an unwavering focus on the human spirit, these films remind us of our shared humanity and the extraordinary capacity we possess to connect, empathize, and grow. Whether it's a poignant character study or an inspiring true story, these films about people leave an indelible mark, urging us to embrace our vulnerabilities, celebrate our triumphs, and ultimately, cherish the beauty of being human.
