Reflections on Middle Age, Living & Mortality: 3 Films That Explore Connection, Time, and Resilience
Life is Beautiful (IT), In the Mood for Love (HK/ FR), & The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (US)
I don’t so much fear death as I do wasting life.
-Oliver Sacks
As the oldest millennials, like myself, enter middle age, I've been looking for resources that delve more into the spiritual and emotional aspects of this journey.
While there are many insightful books on life and mortality, I’ve found several films that poignantly explore themes of living and dying through diverse storytelling.
Here are three that beautifully reflect on love and connection, time and aging, as well as suffering and resilience.
Life is Beautiful (1998)
Antonio Benigni’s Life is Beautiful is an exploration of life, death, connection, and the enduring power of love and playfulness in the face of adversity and suffering. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film follows Guido, a man who uses his wit and boundless imagination to shield his young son from the horrors of the Holocaust. Despite the looming specter of death and despair, Guido maintains a playful and whimsical outlook on life, transforming the grim reality of the concentration camp into a fantastical game for his son. This film reminds us that even in the face of death, the most precious moments in life are discovered through our human spirit and the connections we forge with others.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Set in 1960s Hong Kong, Wong Kar-Wai’s film tells the story of two individuals whose lives intertwine due to their spouses' indiscretions. As they navigate their own complex relationships and societal expectations, they forge a bond rooted in shared loneliness and longing. With exquisite cinematography and subtle storytelling, the film explores the fragility of life, lost opportunities, the pain of loneliness, and the experiences of connection that can define our existence.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Inspired by an F. Scott Fitzgerald story, David Fincher’s film depicts a protagonist who ages in reverse from the early 20th century to the 1980s. As he witnesses the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life, we are encouraged to reflect on our own mortality. While confronting the inevitability of death, the film celebrates the beauty of life and emphasizes the importance of living fully in the present.