Express
Blue Monday movies: The best films to watch to beat the blues
By JENNY DESBOROUGH
Jan 18, 2021 |
Blue Monday comes about every January when the cold weather and post-Christmas vibes are tough to deal with. Given the UK is also in a coronavirus lockdown this year, Blue Monday is that much harder for many. One way to turn it around is by settling in and watching a movie – Express.co.uk reveals which movies are the best to perk up your mood.
According to data compiled by online movie service wevu, many movie fans have been Googling feel-good films over the lockdown period.
While many have been named among the best to perk up a cold, January day, one in particular has taken the top spot.
In the most-searched movies list is everything from Oscar-winning drama to musicals, with action and comedy thrown in for good measure.
Here are our picks of the best films for lockdown, especially on Blue Monday
Bend it Like Beckham
Bend it Like Beckham is certainly a golden oldie. Released in 2002, the movie follows 18-year-old Jess (played by Parminder Nagra), a daughter of British Indian Sikhs parents who do not want her to follow her dream of playing football because of her gender.
In spite of this, she joins a local women’s team, making her way to the top of the league thanks to her skills and those of her new best mate, Jules (Keira Knightley.)
Keira’s career certainly took off after this film, despite her making her debut a few years before in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Pitch Perfect
Pitch Perfect helped launch the careers of some of our favourite actors, including Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson.
The movie sees Barden University’s all-girl acapella group, The Barden Bellas, compete against another group at their college to win the national competition.
While the premise might not be the most riveting, the movie includes some sparkling songs and brilliant on-stage numbers as the girls battle the boys.
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is another classic. The film sees the first ever Jamaican bobsleigh team climb the rankings to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Along with the team is their long-suffering coach, played by the late, great John Candy, who was himself a former bobsleigh legend before being drafted in to help the boys.
The tale is loosely based on the truth, and the infectious energy of the team could brighten up any gloomy day.
Beaches
Beaches is unlike the others in this list, as it is a tragic tale of friends who grow apart, only to come back together in difficult circumstances.
The movie also was famed for its soundtrack, with the song Wind Beneath My Wings sung by Hollywood legend and the film’s star, Bette Midler.
This is a real tearjerker but may provide the catharsis we need while we stay indoors as the coronavirus looms.
