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- The author presents a list of 10 films they believe offer valuable insights into American society and politics.
- The selected films span different eras and genres, tackling themes like war, political corruption, economic crises, and racial injustice.
- The list includes classics like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and modern films like “Zero Dark Thirty,” highlighting enduring societal issues.
I realize that the mere existence of this list — 10 movies to save the country — may strike some as absurd, or even offensive.
A sizable amount of people think the country doesn’t need saving. They like the direction it’s moving in, or is being moved in. Some probably believe that any critical word said about the U.S., whether in print or in film or any other way, means you don’t love your country, that you are somehow unpatriotic.
It’s actually patriotic to criticize it, when warranted.
I’ve always liked the James Baldwin quote: “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
That requires taking an honest look at yourself, and film is the perfect medium to do this. It takes a while to get a movie made. Thus, it’s less immediate than TV; even a quick turnaround project like “Civil War” or “Mountainhead” has the advantage of some time having passed.
Here are 10 films I’d recommend no matter how you’re feeling about the country. If you think it’s going in the wrong direction, maybe they’ll help. If you think all is hunky-dory, you’ll still see 10 really good movies. And maybe learn something along the way.
‘Born on the 4th of July’ (1989)
Back when Tom Cruise could still put “Actor” on his tax return instead of “Movie Star.” His searing portrayal of the real-life Ron Kovic, following his journey from a gung-ho U.S. Marine to a paralyzed, jaded Vietnam veteran fighting against the war, is brutal and revealing. Cruise is great, and scored a well-deserved best actor Oscar nomination. Olive Stone won his second Oscar for directing.
How to watch: Stream on Prime Video.
‘All the President’s Men’ (1976)
You thought I’d leave out the one where the heroes are reporters? Fat chance. Alan Pakula’s adaptation of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s book about how they chased down the Watergate story in the face of near-universal criticism could not be more timely. At its heart, it’s the story of the importance of shoe-leather reporting; Pakula makes it play like a gripping mystery. With Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, and Oscar-winner Jason Robards as the best boss ever.
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV or Prime Video.
‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
One of Steven Spielberg’s best. And while it’s rightfully lauded for the nightmarish (and by all accounts chillingly accurate) opening depiction of the invasion of Normandy, it’s also a surprisingly heartfelt story about sacrifice and loss. Tom Hanks’ performance is basically what you’d think Tom Hanks would be like in the Army. The shootout in the town gets overshadowed by the opening, but it’s harrowing, too.
How to watch: Stream on Epix and MGM+.
‘Fail Safe’ (1964)
Henry Fonda plays a U.S. president faced with an impossible decision after a group of U.S. bombers mistakenly went to Moscow, loaded with nuclear bombs. It’s a Cold War nightmare played out on-screen (an actual nightmare plays an important part in the film). In 2000, George Clooney produced and starred in a live-TV version, which is also quite good, and has the desired effect — to scare the daylights out of you.
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
‘Margin Call’ (2011)
J.C. Chandor wrote and directed this film, which follows a 24-hour period in 2008 as the economy crashed to the ground. It is exceptionally effective at showing the arrogance and greed that caused it. “There are three ways to make a living in this business,” one character says. “Be first, be smarter, or cheat.” It also has one of my favorite lines in any movie this century, as Jeremy Irons, playing the big boss, asks for an explanation of what is going on. “And please, speak as you might to a young child. Or a golden retriever. It wasn’t brains that brought me here, I assure you that.”
How to watch: Stream on Prime Video.
‘Lincoln’ (2012)
Abraham Lincoln is generally considered the greatest president in history, a figure so iconic both sides of the political aisle claim him as a hero. Daniel Day-Lewis is generally considered the greatest living actor — and this may be his greatest performance. Throw in Steven Spielberg as director and Tony Kushner as screenwriter and you have a movie that makes the fight to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution a thriller. Weirdly underrated, too. It shouldn’t be.
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ (2012)
Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to “The Hurt Locker,” for which she became the first woman to win a directing Oscar. It follows the successful hunt for Osama bin Laden. Good performances from familiar faces, like James Gandolfini, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler and more, but Jessica Chastain carries the film as a CIA analyst who won’t give up. She utters a great line I can’t repeat here about who she is. Then there’s the line that is incredibly inspiring and moving — I’ll let you discover the context: “This is Red 02. Geronimo. For God and country. Geronimo.”
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ (1939)
In case you thought politics had just recently become cynical and ugly, the great director Frank Capra would like a word. One of James Stewart’s signature roles, as a man appointed to the U.S. Senate with no experience — the better to manipulate him. He runs head-on into corrupt politicians, a scandal-loving media and the intractability of greed. A filibuster for the ages turns things around. If only real politics had happy endings.
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
‘Apollo 13’ (1995)
Tom Hanks — him again — is the picture of American ingenuity, guts and courage as Jim Lovell, an Apollo astronaut finally headed for the moon. He never makes it, as the spaceship malfunctions, and he and his fellow astronauts are stranded until they can work out how to get home. It’s one of those things where you know how it ends, but you cheer anyway. And watching Hanks’ Lovell work out a crucial math problem is downright inspiring. Ah, science. It was fun while it lasted.
How to watch: Buy or rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989)
Spike Lee has made a lot of great movies — “Malcolm X” almost made the list — but this is his masterpiece. It’s an unflinching look at racism in America. The hottest day of the year in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn inspires love, hate and ultimately violence. Lee’s film is brilliantly directed and emotionally devastating. Maybe no opening credit sequence has ever set the tone as well as Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” A brilliant movie and, like the rest on his list, as important now as when it came out, if not more so.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.
