All great drama films allow us to connect with the characters on our screens, allowing us to feel their emotions or even sympathise with them. Sometimes we can be lucky enough to catch a great drama film on live TV, and that avoids the endless scrolling through streaming platforms. Click here for TV aerial installation. However, if you find yourself struggling for choice and if you want our opinion, here are some of the much-loved American drama films to date.
8 Mile
Staring Marshall Mathers, more prominently known as Eminem, in his debut film, 8 Mile explores autobiographical elements of the successful rapper’s past life and his struggles in Detroit, Michigan. It follows the fictional character Jimmy, more predominantly known as “B-Rabbit” as he attempts to establish a place within the rap industry although it is difficult for him as he is white. The film is truly eye-opening, as we believe that many aspects of it represent Eminem’s upbringing, including his deprived life within a trailer park with his alcoholic mother and innocent younger sister, the hardships he faced at his manual job, and his struggle with diversity and proving that he could rap amongst other established individuals in Detroit. An American drama film you certainly do not want to miss out on!
The Florida Project
Focusing on the deprived lifestyle some Americans happen to be exposed to, The Florida Project presents the life of six-year-old Moonee and her single mother Halley. They live in a motel near Walt Disney World, which further displays how the other half lives as viewers witness the contrast between those wealthy individuals paying for resort passes for a day of fun, compared to a poverty-stricken mother and daughter who struggle to feed themselves throughout the day. As a young Moonee knows no better than to get up to mischief, it lands the pair in even more problems throughout the film leading to The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) becoming involved.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Demonstrating the real-life story of now successful businessmen, Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness documents Gardner’s previous life struggles as a failing salesman who struggles to make ends meat. To add to the struggle, he must provide for his young son who knows no better, plodding along after his struggling father. When his wife leaves him, he is evicted from his apartment and he has $22 to his name. Gardner must turn to homeless shelters and a life of deprivation which truly is a struggle to watch at points, especially with his son, Christopher Jr. by his side. This film is remarkable captures the events in Gardner’s life before his success, highlighting to never give up, and what better actors to play the father and son duo than father and son themselves, Chris and Jaden Smith, who have received utmost praise over the years for their roles within this film.
Juno
Socially excluded Juno has an awkward relationship with her friend Paulie, as he admires her. Things get slightly more difficult when she becomes pregnant with his child, but she decides that abortion is the best route. When in the abortion clinic, she decides that she will have the child and will choose to take the adoption route instead. All is as well as it can be as she finds a happy couple, Mark and Vanessa who will take on the role of mother and father when Juno has the child however, it gets slightly complicated in a plot twist when mark confesses that he has feelings for Juno. Capturing the struggles, dialogue, and relationship sufferance faced within teenage pregnancy, Juno also portrays a light-hearted edge with occasional humour. A great watch if we do say so ourselves.
Precious
Claireece Jones faces many hardships at such a young age, not only is she from a deprived background residing with her single mother who depends on welfare however, she is unable to read and write, is generally unloved, and struggles with her weight. To add to this, she has suffered sexual abuse from her father which has resulted in two pregnancies. The struggles of Prescious’ life can be hard to watch and take in within this American drama film, as we consider that life for some is extremely unfortunate and is not always an easy path. With some positive people surrounding her throughout her life, she eventually reaches a state where she can progress and move on with life the best she can with her two children.
Titanic
The Titanic has certainly got to be one of the most memorable and most loved American drama films yet. The 1997 film stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as passengers on board the RMS Titanic ocean liner as it unsuccessfully made the voyage from Southhampton, UK to New York City, US. Both characters are from different social classes and appear to be on their travels for different reasons, but as Jack (DiCaprio) catches Kate (Winslet) attempting to give her life away due to upset in her personal life, he stops her, and a romance sparks. As one of the greatest love stories we have seen on TV, this film is sure to warm your heart but can get extremely emotional, so be sure to have a box of tissues beside you when watching!