As the holiday season draws near, it brings with it all its nostalgic charms and traditions. And everyone globally pauses to express their gratitude for their existence, well-being, and kinship. Here is a selection of movies that serve as poignant reminders of what truly matters.
Celebrating Family and Traditions
The late 90s brought us the comedy-drama “Soul Food,” a movie that put the family at the heart of its narrative. In the film, family ties are tested and stretched by life’s various challenges, yet the family matriarch, Mama Joe, strives to maintain unity through the ritual of Sunday dinners. Her passing marks a turning point as the family’s unity wanes under the weight of secrets and internal conflicts. But in time, they rediscover their bond. It is through the gathering and sharing of soul food that they come together, mending the frayed connections. “Soul Food” is a cinematic testament to the power of traditions to unite us and the stronger forces of shared memories and love that sustain us.
Echoing themes from “Soul Food,” “The Nutty Professor” showcases one of cinema’s most outrageous families, The Klumps, with Eddie Murphy taking on multiple roles to bring this unique clan to life. It’s the dining table that becomes the centerpiece for the family’s raucous interactions, filled with laughter and candid conversations. Yet, beneath the hilarity of their gatherings, the film highlights a bedrock of support. Through thick and thin, even when Sherman’s endeavors lead to socially awkward situations, The Klumps stand as a testament to familial love and acceptance. Their presence offers him an unconditional sense of belonging and affirmation, celebrating him for who he truly is, regardless of his mishaps or successes. Director George Tillman Jr.
“Crooklyn” is a poignant narrative about the dynamics of a more traditional, nuclear family navigating the trials and joys of life in a portrayal that mirrors the vibrancy and challenges of Brooklyn. As with many family tales, “Crooklyn” doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsher realities of life, including the vulnerability that comes with unexpected loss. “Crooklyn” is a tender reminder of the impermanence of life and the value of every moment we share with our loved ones.
Friendship and Reconciliation
“The Best Man” and its sequel, “The Best Man Holiday,” delve into the complexities of friendships that transcend traditional bonds and become as significant as family ties. “The Best Man” sets the stage, revealing the roots of friendship, the deep-seated issues, and the misunderstandings that test their relationships. “The Best Man Holiday” particularly emphasizes the power of reconciliation and the joy of rekindled relationships. The poignancy of Mia’s death is indeed a central, heartrending moment that gives the film its emotional depth. Monica Calhoun’s character brings to the fore the indiscriminate nature of mortality, a narrative element that starkly reminds us that life does not play favorites.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Homecomings and Identity
“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” presents a comedic yet insightful look at familial relationships, especially when success and personal change create a divide between a person’s past and present. The Jenkins family is a tapestry of vibrant personalities, and their interactions with Roscoe are colored with the complexity and friction that often accompany a homecoming. Throughout his visit, Roscoe grapples with the duality of his identity - the person he has become versus the person his family remembers. It’s a universal theme: pursuing individuality often clashes with familial expectations. “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” reminds us that families, in all their messy glory, are resilient. They can serve as our grounding force and a reminder of where we come from.
“Almost Christmas” is a heartwarming story that captures the complexity of a family’s first holiday season without their beloved matriarch. This film highlights the often-underrepresented role of the patriarch, with Danny Glover’s character, Walter, providing a strong center around which the family’s drama and humor orbit. Like “Crooklyn,” this film pays tribute to the fortitude of a parent facing the daunting task of bringing a family together after profound loss. The movie traverses the familiar territory of family discord and the trials that can chip away at sibling bonds, echoing themes from “Soul Food.” Yet, it’s the power of unity and the healing potential of shared memories that drive the narrative forward. The laughter and trials of the family showcase their growth and the individual and collective journey toward finding a new equilibrium.
Sisterhood and Support
Steel Magnolias is a tragic story reflected beautifully in the original and the remake. The remake was done in 2012 with Queen Latifah, Dola Rashad, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott, Adepero Oduye, and Alfred Woodward. Steel Magnolias is a multilayered narrative. It is, on one layer, the story of a family dealing with life and the pains and joys of trying to find a balance between the two. But on another layer, it touches on the nuances of friendship or, more specifically, sisterhood and what makes such so essential in our lives. Life can be unfair, as we see with the sickness and death of Shelby. This is especially tragic given that she is living her dream, one she never thought would be. But Steel Magnolias is more than about the tragedy. It’s about the blessing of having people to lean on when life rocks you to the core.
Single Motherhood and Love
“Claudine,” featuring the talents of Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones, stands as an iconic film from 1974 that shines a spotlight on the realities of single motherhood, an often-underrepresented topic during that era. The film paints a portrait of a woman who is deeply respected and admired by her children, portraying her struggle not just with the challenges of daily life but also with the complexities of love and its various manifestations. “Claudine” tackles the search for romantic love, familial love, and the love of self, exploring the spaces where these intersect and the impact they have on the characters’ lives.
Madea’s Big Happy Family is a 2011 film from the imagination of the creative actor, writer, director, and film magnate Tyler Perry. While there is much to say about Perry’s contribution, this focuses on family and its importance. Those who have watched this film understand that Madea’s big happy family wasn’t entirely happy, at least not as one may imagine. But regardless, they were family. Madea’s Big Happy Family” is, at its heart, an ode to the often-overlooked matriarchs who hold their families together. Through Loretta Devine’s portrayal, the film honors the silent strength of maternal figures who fight private battles with dignity and grace for the sake of their loved ones. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who lead with love and the debt of gratitude we owe them.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
Resilience and Redemption
“The Color Purple,” adapted from Alice Walker’s poignant novel, made its cinematic debut in 1985, providing a window into the intricacies of life in the South during an era long past. Through Celie’s journey, audiences are confronted with the harsh realities of her world-the cruelty, the systemic oppression, and the relentless challenges she faces. Yet, amidst this adversity, “The Color Purple” also uncovers the profound and often redemptive beauty that can emerge from the human spirit. The relationships Celie develops, particularly with her sister Nettie, Sophia, and the singer Shug Avery, are portrayed as lifelines-vital connections that offer love, acceptance, and hope. “The Color Purple” thus underscores the essential role that friendship and chosen family can play in one’s survival and healing.
People hold a spectrum of emotions about Thanksgiving, each with their own interpretation and ways to honor the day. There is no right or wrong way in which to observe. However, the season’s essence lies in its symbolic meaning - a period carved out for expressing thankfulness. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge our fortunes, from the glaringly evident to the often neglected. These films use a potent blend of storytelling, eliciting tears, inciting frustration, provoking laughter, or bringing about joy, a presentation of profound content to relay a message.
Here is a table summarizing the movies discussed, highlighting their key themes and messages:
Top 10 Thanksgiving Movies
| Movie Title | Key Themes | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Food | Family, tradition, unity | The power of traditions to unite us and the strength of shared memories and love. |
| The Nutty Professor | Family, acceptance, support | Unconditional familial love and acceptance, celebrating individuals for who they are. |
| Crooklyn | Family dynamics, life's realities, impermanence | Value every moment with loved ones, recognizing the impermanence of life. |
| The Best Man/The Best Man Holiday | Friendship, reconciliation, mortality | The importance of reconciliation and rekindled relationships, facing mortality with grace. |
| Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins | Familial relationships, identity, homecoming | Families are resilient and serve as a grounding force, reminding us of where we come from. |
| Almost Christmas | Family unity, loss, healing | The power of unity and shared memories in healing after profound loss. |
| Steel Magnolias | Sisterhood, support, resilience | The blessing of having people to lean on during life's challenges. |
| Claudine | Single motherhood, love, resilience | Exploring the complexities of love and the strength of single mothers. |
| Madea's Big Happy Family | Family, matriarchs, sacrifice | Honoring the matriarchs who hold families together and the sacrifices they make. |
| The Color Purple | Resilience, friendship, redemption | The power of friendship and chosen family in surviving and healing from adversity. |
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
