Films about suburbs often explore the complexities of suburban life, including themes of conformity, isolation, and the facade of the American Dream. These films often delve into the dark underbelly of seemingly idyllic neighborhoods, revealing the tensions and secrets that lie beneath the surface.
“American Beauty”, 1999
Director: Sam Mendes
This film follows the lives of several residents in a suburban neighborhood, exploring themes of midlife crisis, desire, and societal expectations.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, Peter Gallagher, Allison Janney, Chris Cooper, Scott Bakula, Sam Robards;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “American Beauty” on the website imdb.com
“The 'Burbs”, 1989
Director: Joe Dante
A comedic take on suburban life, this film follows a group of neighbors who become suspicious of their new neighbors and embark on a series of wacky investigations.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, Theodore Gottlieb, Courtney Gains, Gale Gordon;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: comedy, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The 'Burbs” on the website imdb.com
“Suburbicon”, 2017
Director: George Clooney
Directed by George Clooney, this film is a dark comedy that satirizes the dark side of suburban life, including murder, deceit, and racism.
Starring: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac, Noah Jupe, Glenn Fleshler, Megan Ferguson, Jack Conley, Gary Basaraba, Michael Cohen, Steve Monroe;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: thriller, drama, comedy, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
“Pleasantville”, 1998
Director: Gary Ross
This film tells the story of two siblings who are transported into a black-and-white 1950s sitcom world, challenging the perfect facade of suburban life.
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Don Knotts, Paul Walker, J.T. Walsh, Jane Kaczmarek, Marley Shelton;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: fantasy, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Pleasantville” on the website imdb.com
“Little Children”, 2006
Director: Todd Field
A drama that explores the lives of several residents in a suburban community, delving into themes of infidelity, discontent, and societal pressures.
Starring: Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Noah Emmerich, Gregg Edelman, Phyllis Somerville, Raymond J. Barry, Jane Adams, Ty Simpkins;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Little Children” on the website imdb.com
“Edward Scissorhands”, 1990
Director: Tim Burton
This Tim Burton film follows the story of a gentle man with scissors for hands who is taken in by a suburban family, highlighting themes of acceptance and conformity.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, Robert Oliveri, Conchata Ferrell, Caroline Aaron, Dick Anthony Williams;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Edward Scissorhands” on the website imdb.com
“The Stepford Wives”, 2004
Director: Frank Oz
A sci-fi thriller that explores the dark secrets of a suburban town where the women are replaced by compliant and robotic versions of themselves.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, Roger Bart, David Marshall Grant, Jon Lovitz, Dylan Hartigan, Fallon Brooking;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: horror, science fiction, thriller, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
More information about the film “The Stepford Wives” on the website imdb.com
“Revolutionary Road”, 2008
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, this film follows a couple living in a suburban neighborhood in the 1950s, grappling with their own disillusionment and the constraints of societal expectations.
Starring: Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon, Jay O. Sanders, David Harbour, Kathryn Hahn, Richard Easton, Dylan Baker, Keith Reddin;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Revolutionary Road” on the website imdb.com
“Donnie Darko”, 2001
Director: Richard Kelly
A cult classic that blends elements of science fiction and psychological thriller, this film follows a troubled teenager in a suburban town as he navigates visions of a giant rabbit and the impending end of the world.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Katharine Ross;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“The Ice Storm”, 1997
Director: Ang Lee
Set in the 1970s, this film explores the lives of two dysfunctional suburban families as they navigate infidelity, substance abuse, and the breakdown of societal norms.
Starring: Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Henry Czerny, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood, Adam Hann-Byrd, David Krumholtz, Jamey Sheridan;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Ice Storm” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, the genre of films about suburbs offers a diverse and complex portrayal of suburban life, showcasing the tension between conformity and individuality, the search for community and connection, and the struggles of navigating societal expectations. From satirical comedies to haunting dramas, these films delve into the heart of suburban existence, shedding light on the universal themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Whether offering a nostalgic look back at the past or a critical examination of the present, these films invite audiences to reflect on their own experiences within the suburbs and ponder the complexities of suburban living.
