By Victoire Heyworth, Year 12
Your favorite movie will probably come to mind first, but after watching it forever and ever, would you still love it as much?
The criteria for a suitable “forever movie” would probably be length, complexity, and feeling. You wouldn’t want a short film to watch for an eternity, two and a half hours is most people’s movie-watching limit, because in that time, you can find nuances and new-takes on the movie, possibly making it less excruciating. If the movie is sufficiently complex, even though you would start knowing the script off by heart, some concepts might still be difficult to understand, meaning that the movie will still have mysteries even when you know the plot (e.g. Interstellar, Oppenheimer).
The feeling is also an important aspect: Would you want a movie that makes you cry every time? Probably not. Would you like a comedy? You would get bored of the cheap humor quickly. A romance? You are alone on a desert island, why make it even harder by watching people in love…
The feeling you get from a movie is highly important because it will be the sentiment you get each time after watching that movie, forever.
A thriller movie would make you feel exhilarated and motivated, but unfortunately those once-shocking plot twists would just become ordinary and foreseeable. A romantic comedy could make you feel lighthearted and joyful. Then again after watching a film 20 times, you might just feel bored!
This is the IMDB top 5 movies of all time, but how these fare as your only entertainment on a desert island?
1) The Shawshank Redemption
The drama/crime movie lasts 2 hours 22 minutes, suitable for the length criteria. Then again, what is known as one of the best plot twists of all time is only surprising once or twice, but I doubt it would still be as beautiful after an extended amount of watches. In addition, you don’t want to ruin this film for yourself, if you gradually grew to hate it.
2) The Godfather
This movie is a part of a trilogy, therefore being condemned to only having access to one part of the full story would probably be frustrating. The 3-hour long film tells the story of multiple characters of the Corleone family, hence being entertaining, but definitely not an easy watch.
3) The Dark Knight
This film is also not a ‘happy’ film, but as you will notice, none of those are. Perhaps the exhilaration that you feel from watching a superhero movie could keep you going and motivate you to last on a desert island. Additionally, the idea of ‘saving the city’ would be remarkably stimulating in loneliness. However, the action, bombs, and exaggerated fights would most likely eventually bore you.
4) Schindler’s List
Does this even need elaboration? Schindler’s List is probably the most emotional movie one could think of. Why twist the knife in an open wound?
5) The Lord Of The Rings
Personally having never seen this film, even I can already see that it seems overwhelmingly mystical. This is the first result after looking up ‘Lord of the Rings summary’: “Frodo Baggins, a shy young hobbit, inherits a magic ring. In reality, it’s an instrument of absolute power, enabling Sauron, the Dark Lord, to reign over Middle-earth and enslave its people.” This certainly sounds like the type of movie I would fall asleep watching, then again not wanting to judge a book by its cover…
Gathering all of those picks, it must be concluded that the greatest pick, though slightly ridiculous, is Ratatouille.
It is one of those movies in which it is difficult to classify an emotion. It is a film to savour, must like the dishes concocted by the chefs.
Whether you are 60 years old or 10 years old, there is a lesson to learn from this movie: anything is possible (quite a practical idea while on a desert island!)
This film combines lighthearted humor, following the growing love story of the protagonists, and the emotional background of the pursuit of success.
Though you would be envious of the decadent food shown on screen, Ratatouille makes you emotional as well as nostalgic. It’s definitely a movie I would never tire of.
