There’s no shame in admitting that, sometimes, the routine of daily life can grow tedious. Every now and again, it’s normal for most of us to experience something close to disillusionment with the daily grind. Whether it be turning up to the office or booting up your computer at home, sometimes we all need a little inspiration to motivate us through the day.\
Diego Luna once said “Cinema is a mirror that can change the world”, and this is true even of our day to day lives when it comes to facing a slump in work. If you find yourself in need of some workplace motivation, how about turning to the silver screen for a boost in morale. This selection of movies is guaranteed to fill you with inspiration and have you motivated to hone in the focus on your career.
1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Upon release in 2006, The Pursuit of Happyness soon became an instant for its compelling performances and emotional weight. Set in San Francisco in 1981, the film follows the true story of Chris Gardner, a down and out salesman who struggles to lift himself and his son out of homelessness. Actor Will Smith was universally praised for his powerful performance in the lead role, and the film quickly became synonymous with perseverance and never giving up. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or hopeless in the face of the workload burden you have to bear, watching this film should give you the boost you need to overcome anything.
2. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poet’s Society is a 1989 classic film starring Hollywood legend Robin Williams in one of his most iconic roles. The film takes place in the late 1950s at a fictional elite boarding school and tells the story of a kind-hearted English literature teacher who ignites the passion of his students by teaching them poetry. Dead Poets Society is universally acclaimed for the sincerity of its actors and its depiction of finding inspiration when we need it most. Featuring a number of truly iconic scenes that rarely leave a dry eye in the house, Dead Poet’s Society is the perfect film to select if you need to remind yourself why you should always seek inspiration and pursue your passions in life.
3. Chef (2014)
Chef is a classic story of quitting everything in life and starting from scratch. Written by and starring actor Jon Favreau as a top LA chef who loses his job and is forced to reinvent himself by opening up a food truck, Chef is at the same time both light-hearted and deeply moving. Watching a man find himself through the pursuit of his true passion is a lesson that we could all do with from time to time. It’s all too easy to get sucked into the grind of work without ever stopping to ask ourselves if the work we do is truly bringing us fulfilment, but Chef takes a moment to ask what life could look like if we did stop to ask such a question. If you’re looking for laughs alongside a good dose of inspiration, this cute indie film is a good pick.
4. October Sky (1999)
October Sky is a 1999 biographical drama set in the late 1950s, and tells the story of Homer Hickam, a young man who would go on to become one of NASA’s most notable aerospace engineers. Witnessing the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1 satellite cross the sky over his small town in West Virginia, is the moment of inspiration that would propel Homer Hickam to one day train the first Japanese astronauts as they prepared to make their way into space. Coming from a small, conservative town, Homer and his fellow rocket enthusiasts were slated and bullied for the pursuit of their passion, yet didn’t let this hold them back. Featuring actor Jake Gyllenhaal in one of his first major roles, October Sky is a timeless tale of determination that proves no dream is too big if you truly set your mind to it.
5. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Actor Robin Williams makes his second inspiring feature on this list in the 1997 drama Good Will Hunting. Following the story of a twenty-year-old self-taught genius as he struggles to find his identity. A powerful tale of self-acceptance and mentorship, Good Will Hunting is a modern Hollywood classic from director Gus Van Sant, whose work often focuses on marginalised individuals growing into themselves and championing their passions. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good film packed with tear-jerking performances and moments of honesty, Good Will Hunting is a choice you won’t regret. There’s a reason why it consistently ranks in the list of top films of all time from audiences and critics alike!
A good movie has the power to completely change us. Whether we walk away laughing, crying, or both - a movie can sometimes be enough to alter our entire course in life. If your work life is looking a little lacklustre, these career-inspiring movies should be enough to lift you out of your rut and reignite the passion within you!
