Rainy-day got you down?
Have you ever felt a wave of melancholy rush over you on a rainy day? It’s that time of the year again – when dark skies and thick clouds visit more often to blot out the scorching summer sun. Suddenly, the pitter-patters on our window panes make us want to bury ourselves in blankets and fix up a hot bowl of instant ramyeon. Dreary weather may easily affect our mood in one way or another. Some people react to the lack of Vitamin D and low serotonin with feelings of demotivation and emotional downturn. Now and then we become sentimental and a little empty on these cold nights – and that’s completely fine.
Whether you love or hate the rainfall, sometimes all we need is a good movie to get us through the gloomy nights. We recommend embracing your rainy-day blues with films that won’t overstimulate or over-romanticize – just the right balance of bittersweet. If you’re up for it, switch up your watchlist with these softer choices that will tap into your introspective side.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004)
If the weather is making you yearn for connection, the dream-like Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004) is the film for you. Jim Carrey sets aside his comedic face to play the timid, reserved, middle-aged Joel Barrish who undergoes a procedure to erase his free-spirited ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet) from his memory. In the process of revisiting his past – literally, through the cutting-edge operation – Joel starts to uncover the deep well of his suppressed emotions, which is slowly surfaced by his desire for intimacy and vulnerability. The pair ultimately go through a poignant exploration of the human experience as they learn that forgetting is not the solution to real happiness or love.
The film won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Screenplay for a reason. Director Michel Gondry perfectly captures the paradox of relationships and how it shifts between joy and sadness through the main characters. Joel is easy to empathize with if you’ve gone through a difficult break-up or just trying to fill up a void inside you. Additionally, the musical score by Jon Brion completes the somber vibe of the film, ending with Beck’s “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime,” the perfect soundtrack for naps on misty days.
In the Mood For Love (2000)
Yes, a Wong Kar-wai film has to be on the list. And no, it’s not Chungking Express (1994), but the atmospheric classic, In the Mood For Love (2000). The film is premised around two married adults, Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) who both live in adjacent apartments. After finding out that their absent spouses were having an affair, chance encounters bring the two to gradually build an emotional connection with each other. What started out as innocent companionship then leads to palpable tension and an unspoken desire that is restrained by the societal expectations and moral values of their time.
The film will contrast dull skies with its walk-through of the neon sign-filled 1960s Hong Kong urbanscape in handheld camera movement. Watching Wong Kar-wai’s poetic storytelling and contemplative themes harmonizes with the nostalgia that downpour may evoke. Plus, the melody of Nat King Cole’s “Quizas quizas quizas” adds an atmosphere of precariousness to the plot. So if you’re feeling “just alright,” or floating in a gray area in life, In the Mood For Love is the perfect cinematic escape.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
If you find yourself devoid of inspiration on a dull day, maybe Midnight in Paris (2011) can speak to you. Set in the romantic capital of France, the film follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) a writer who is magically transported to Paris’ 1920s humanities golden era every midnight. In this world, he rubs shoulders with iconic figures such as Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Salvador Dalí who open Gil’s eyes to new perspectives on his creative process. He also meets the enigmatic Adriana (Marion Cotillard) whose beauty embodies the romanticism of the era. Despite coming from two different periods, Adriana becomes a catalyst for Gil’s journey to self-discovery in his modern life.
Nothing is more iconic than director Woody Allen’s depiction of ‘Paris in rain.’ The film beautifully boasts the enchanting streets, architecture, and landmarks of the city of love – creating the perfect whimsical atmosphere for chilly nights. This film is definitely for those who are stuck trying to find their sense of purpose. So, cozy up, munch on your croissants, and put on “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère.” As the last line goes, “Paris is the most beautiful in the rain,” and this film will make you believe that.
Bonus: You get to hear Owen Wilson say “wow” eleven times in the film!
5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
Nothing gives more rainy-day vibes than a bittersweet Makoto Shinkai anime feature. The understated 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) deserves equal recognition on par with Shinkai’s cult-followed Your Name (2016) because of its exquisite animation and heartfelt storytelling. The anime centers around Takaki Tōno (Kenji Mizuhashi) and Akari Shinohara (Yoshimi Kondou), two childhood friends who slowly grow apart because of their circumstances. As they mature and take different paths in life, Takaki and Akari begin to navigate the complexities of time and distance as their connection becomes more and more fragile.
If you ever think about the transience of time and our relationships, this film will hit close to home. Shinkai brings us a stripped-down, hyperreal version of life in all its mundaneness. 5 Centimeters Per Second accurately portrays the vulnerability of our relationships and reminds us that things don’t always work out like they do in the movies. Sometimes, missed opportunities and bad timing cannot be avoided in our world, and in those moments we have to accept that “it is what it is.” Loop the film’s soundtrack “One more time, One more chance” for extra dramatic effect as you process your feelings about the ending.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Doesn’t the chilly weather make you want to have deep and meaningful conversations with somebody over hot coffee? Good thing we have Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy to give us our daily dose of existential life questions. In the trilogy’s first installment, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) decide to explore Vienna together after meeting by chance on a train. The day trip around the city then creates a profound bond between the two, wittily exchanging musings about philosophy, love, art, and their personal dreams and fears.
The naturalism and dialogue-heavy nature of the film make it an effortless watch on lazy afternoons. Audiences can relax and empty their minds, as Jesse and Celine do all the thinking and talking on their behalf. When it becomes challenging to connect with your inner self, ‘Before Sunrise’ awakens curiosity and delves into the depths of your being. The intimacy and youthful spontaneity shared between the two characters embody the magic we all long for. However, as the day draws to a close, we are forced to confront the melancholic truth that experiences are fleeting and destined to conclude.