100 Best Transformational Movies
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100 Best Transformational Movies
by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Transformational movies reveal the astonishing
ways in which human beings can be changed
and set on a new path. Spiritual writers Jeff
Zaleski and Tracy Cochran have described this
kind of renewal as “something like a seed that
cracks open and blooms just when the right
pressure is applied.”
Our lives, values, habits, and personalities
can be transformed by ten thousand different
events or circumstances: a brush with death,
a divine epiphany, a moment of awe, an
encounter with the oneness of all things, pain,
hitting bottom, a creative high, the surge of love
in an intimate relationship, a magical moment Transformational movies train us in the art of
in solidarity with others at a demonstration, dealing with both small and systemic changes.
sexual ecstasy, the encouragement of someone Many of these films depict the everyday
who believes in you, the miraculous turn of challenges people face as they struggle to move
an enemy into a friend, a change of heart, beyond bad habits, addictions, and worn-out
an unexpected gift of meaning that arrives beliefs. Others begin with the personal and then
unannounced, liberation from the prison of the turn political, depicting the struggle to bring
past, or the adventure of hitching a ride on our about real and lasting changes in the world of
imagination into a bright new future. business, politics, government, and institutional
power.
As the wise theological seer Sam Keen put it:
We salute these 100 Best Transformational
“The great metaphors from all spiritual Movies for introducing us to many inspiring and
traditions – grace, liberation, being born again, soulful agents of change and artists of life; we
awakening from illusion – testify that it is are drawn into their stories as they muster the
possible to transcend the conditioning of my creativity and the courage to transform their
past and do a new thing.” own lives and the lives of those around them.
We bow to the directors from around the world
who are determined to make us connoisseurs
of change in times when we need more
deepening and more empathy. And we hope
that you will make the most of our list by
sharing this resource with others and setting up
groups to discuss them as part of your informal
spirituality study at home.
Click the film titles to go to our full reviews.
The Accidental Tourist is “Everything in your life is there as
1
a spritely romantic comedy
that offers an engaging look a vehicle for your transformation.
at the many meanings of love Use it!”
and change in the lives of a
travel guidebook writer and a — Ram Dass in One-Liners
dog trainer.
Antwone Fisher is a heart-
2 5
Blame It on Fidel offers a
felt drama about an African
compelling portrait of change
American’s search for his
in the life of a nine-year old
origins that turns out to be
girl in France where her
more life-changing than he
world is rocked by the radical
ever expected it would be.
politics of her parents.
Born on the Fourth of July is
3 6
As Good As It Gets is about
an explosive and emotionally
the process through which a
riveting film about an angry
very irritating man opens his
Vietnam veteran whose
heart and proves to be full of
patriotism was lost in battle
surprises. It challenges us not
overseas and reborn in
to judge people too quickly.
political protest.
Australia revolves around
4 7
Brubaker charts the
the transformations an
challenges and the triumphs
aristocratic woman and a
of a warden who sets out to
stockman experience in the
transform a badly functioning
big beautiful country they
prison and to honor the
call home.
dignity of all convicts.Cedar Rapids is a comedy A Civil Action explores the
8 12
about a naïve insurance major changes that take
agent from Iowa whose wild place in the life of a small-
and unexpected experiences time person injury attorney
at an convention turns him when he represents some
into a different person. working-class families in a
big case involving two of the
nation’s largest corporations.
Central Station depicts the
Come Early Morning probes
9
miraculous transformations
13
in the life of cynical and the attempts of a lonely and
selfish former schoolteacher self-destructive Southern
when she embarks upon woman to derail the
a cross-Brazil journey to transformative relationship
reunite a young boy with she has with a new man
his father. in town.
Changing Lanes illustrates
10 14
how troubles and being Coming Home focuses
caught in an uncomfortable on the transformations
place can propel us toward precipitated by the Vietnam
transformation; in this story, War on a career officer,
two men are changed due to his subservient wife, and a
an automobile accident. paraplegic veteran.
City of Joy proves that
11
Crazy Heart examines the
15
life can be enhanced by attempts of an unhappy
caring, commitment, and country music singer to
community. The characters put his love life and career
discover that doing the right into turnaround after being
things for the right reasons inspired to write some new
can be life transforming! ballads by a pretty journalist.The Doctor is about how Duck Season, a Mexican
16 19
a woman dying of a brain film, is a breezy portrait of
tumor restores a doctor with adolescence spiked with
cancer of the throat to life observations on time,
by helping him find a new sexuality, and the discovery
vision of what it means to be of meaning through brief,
a caring physician. everyday encounters.
The Door in the Floor
Echoes of Paradise is
17 20
depicts the emotional
education of a young riveting tale of spiritual
writer working for a transformation that dashes
famous author of children’s the myth of island paradises
books; he discovers the and the dream of an
transformational power of existence unencumbered by
love and loss. adult responsibilities.
“It is the closing of the heart far Everything Must Go is a
21
more than the closing of the compelling drama about
mind that keeps folk unexpected transitions in
our lives which offer us the
from transformation.”
chance to re-evaluate our
— Jean Houston in work, our relationships, our
failings, and our addictions.
Search for the Beloved
Down in the Delta Field of Dreams uses
18 22
celebrates the spiritual baseball as a launch pad
possibility of transformation for musings on human
and the truth that every aspirations, righting old
family has the potential for wrongs, going the distance,
resiliency and growth, no and the imagination as a key
matter what their problems. to transformation.The Fisher King bears Gran Torino is an
23 27
witness to the universal extraordinary spiritual movie
search for wholeness in the about an angry, lonely,
relationship between two bigoted old man whose heart
wayward and wounded souls is transformed through his
who through caring and a relationships with members
few good deeds transform of a Hmong immigrant family
each other. who live next door.
Greenberg is a fresh
24 28
romantic comedy about a
Fried Green Tomatoes
difficult person who is trying
reveals how women’s lives
to get unstuck from his bad
can be transformed through
habits, cynicism, and fear. He
the power of storytelling and
desperately wants to change
the alchemy of friendship.
his ways and become a
new person.
Groundhog Day is a
25 29
The Full Monty is a funny romantic comedy about a
and fetching story about a self-centered TV weatherman
band of unemployed steel who keeps re-experiencing
workers who turn their lives his least favorite day of
by baring their bodies and the year until he gets his
their souls. relationships right. Change is
hard when habits are strong.
26 30
Good Will Hunting is about
three soul friends who enable Hope Springs is a funny and
a troubled young man to find sensitive drama about the
his place in the world. As a changes that must be made
first step, he must shed to renew intimacy in a burnt-
his cocoon. out marriage.Hugo is a magical and free- The Karate Kid lifts our
31 35
floating winner that touches spirits with the story of
the heart as it depicts how a scattered, cocky, and
through a mutual interest unhappy boy whose life is
a young boy brings about set on a new path through
transformations in a training in the martial arts
mysterious filmmaker. by a quiet, humble kung fu
master teacher.
The Intouchables is a playful
32
and compassionate French
film about an unconventional
caregiver and the “Buddy Miles, by way of
quadriplegic man he looks introducing me to composition,
after. In their relationship told me, ‘It doesn’t matter how far
both men are transformed.
you go out, it only matters how you
get back.’ We are not so concerned
with how Lassie, a thousand miles
from home, got where she is now,
but how she finds her way back
Invictus is an entertaining again. Meaning and value derive
movie about the importance
33
from the transformational effect of
of sports, the power of
forgiveness, and the the long journey.”
reconciliation of the races.
Best of all, it gives a well- — W. A. Mathieu in The Musical Life
rounded and realistic
glimpse of the spiritual art of
transformative leadership.
I’ve Loved You So Long is a
34 36
literate and lithe drama that The King’s Speech measures
enables us to see the little the transformations in the
steps, actions, and gestures life of King George VI brought
that results in the spiritual about by the unorthodox
transformation of a woman speech therapist who helps
who has spent 15 years him get rid of his stuttering.
in prison.Life as a House is a soulful
drama about the courage
40
The Land Girls tells the story
37
and persistence of a very
of a varied group of women
alienated dying middle-aged
during World War II assigned
man to give birth to himself
to do farm work in England;
in the world before leaving
the intoxicating freedom they
it. The process of creating
feel in this new environment
something beautiful proves
is life-transforming.
to be transformative.
Lantana is an engaging The Lives of Others is a
psychological drama set in riveting German film about
38 41
Sydney, Australia, where a spying and the fear, distrust,
group of men and women and betrayal that come with
flounder in their love it, but the real hub of the
relationships and persist in drama is the transformation
believing that change will of a seasoned member of the
bring the happiness they secret police in East Germany
yearn for in their hearts. in 1984.
Lost in Translation portrays
The Last Samurai is set
a cross-generational
39 42
in 1876 Japan when an
friendship between a
American military veteran
washed-up actor in Tokyo
goes there to train fighters
and a young married woman
and ends up experiencing an
who doesn’t know what to do
inner transformation brought
with herself: they are both
on by his exposure to the
yearning for some kind of
samurai way.
transformation of their lives.
“The ultimate goal is to transform Monster’s Ball is a strangely
43
the world into the kind of world entrancing drama about the
God had in mind when transformative power of love
He created it.” in the life of a racist Southern
corrections officer who is
— Harold Kushner in To Life! imprisoned in his anger
and hatred.The Motorcycle Diaries
Night Train to Lisbon
44 48
registers on the heart and
shows how a middle-aged
mind as an extraordinary
professor’s life is transformed
depiction of the spiritual
by a philosophical book
transformation of a sensitive
that falls into his hands and
young man as he is exposed
propels him on a quest from
to a world of terrible
Switzerland to Portugal.
suffering and deep poverty.
No Looking Back follows
45 49
Muriel’s Wedding charts a man who is trying to
the ways in which a chubby reconnect with a lover he
misfit reinvents herself while abandoned years before. It
remaining impervious to explores the ways in which
the many assaults on her intimate relationships can
appearance and character. serve as spurs to personal
growth and transformation.
46
My Brother Is an Only Child
50
Nobody’s Fool makes it clear
is a thought-provoking drama that it is never too late to stir
about an Italian young man the ashes and to transform
who chooses politics as the your life with the glow that
most viable path for him to comes from the love of family
personal transformation. and friends.
My First Mister shows how
Norma Rae is an inspiring
47
some friendships can be
51
portrait of a heroic ordinary
transformative -- releasing
woman who with becomes
us from the prison of fear,
a leader in the fight for
expanding our hearts,
a union at a textile mill.
and opening us to the
Taking a stand proves to be
redemptive power of love
transformational for herself
and forgiveness.
and her community.“It is this tender heart that has the The Painted Veil is a
55
beautiful and very believable
power to transform the world.” story, set in China in the
1920s, about the personal
— Chogyam Trungpa in The Art of
transformation of a married
Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace couple who begin to see each
by Jack Kornfield other anew.
52 56
Nurse Betty is a clever Party Girl shows how even
comedy that enables us to a spunky party animal
imagine the surprising ways can create herself anew
in which a person can be with proper discipline and
transformed and set on a devotion finding new life in
new path. an unexpected place.
Passion Fish presents a
53 57
Open Hearts is a Danish compelling portrait of two
drama that hits the mark with burnt-out women who
its many layered exploration reach out to each other
of love and loss in the and inch their way back
story of two strangers who to life. Their story reveals
transform each other’s lives. how imperceptible genuine
change can be.
Phenomenon tells the story
of a mechanic in a small
Outsourced is a tour de
54 58
town who is knocked over
force comedy/drama about
by a flash of light from the
the positive effects of cross-
sky and transformed into a
cultural understanding
wunderkind demonstrating
and spiritual openness on
selfless love, seeing clearly,
a young American sent to
serving others, and honoring
Bombay by his company.
the connections between
all things.Precious is an inspirational
59 63
Pieces of April revolves
around a Thanksgiving dinner film about one young
and illustrates the deep African-American woman’s
desire many people have transformation thanks
to transform their strained to the care, concern, and
relationships with family. compassion of those who
take her under their wings.
Places in the Heart depicts
60
the courage and resilience it “To live is to change and to be
takes for a poor widower to perfect is to have changed
make a go of her small farm. very often.”
We watch with admiration as
she struggles to transform — John Henry Newman
herself into a miracle worker.
Pleasantville affirms
The Queen takes us behind-
the spiritual uplift of
61 64
the-scenes following the
transformation as an
death of Princess Diana
animating value in the lives
in 1997. The screenplay
of free spirits who are never
humanizes Queen Elizabeth
satisfied with a monochrome
as she tries to get in touch
world and choose to
with her heart during this
celebrate the many-colored
time of crisis and change.
splendors of life.
62 65
Queen to Play is a delightful
Potiche is an emotionally and bountiful French film
appealing French film about about one woman’s passion
a trophy wife who becomes a and the ways in which it
transformative leader. transforms her life and the
lives of those around her.Run & Jump is a
66 69
Raging Bull is a powerful
biopicture that reveals the transformational film that
indomitable spirit of boxer shows how uneasy and
Jake LaMotta who wins, then challenging periods in our
loses, and then gets himself lives can lead to positive
reborn again. changes that renew our
bodies, minds, and souls.
Regarding Henry depicts the
67 70
Schindler’s List explores the
spiritual transformation of an
mystery of transformation
aggressive, successful, and
and goodness in the
amoral New York lawyer into
astonishing drama of a one-
a person who values love,
time scoundrel’s amazing acts
play, intimacy, tenderness,
of bravery and selflessness.
and compassion.
Ruby in Paradise probes Schultze Gets the Blues
68 71
the inner life of one sensitive is a delightful oddball
young woman as she German comedy about a
ponders the meaning of love, retired mine worker’s musical
loneliness, fear, intimacy, quest and the strange ways
and independence. She is in which our lives can be
determined to transform her transformed and turned in a
life on her own terms. totally new direction.
“We are all mystics on one level
or another – and now we are
discovering that our capability for
72
individual spiritual growth Seaside offers a splendid
examination of the power of
may be limitless.” place and its power to shape
and alter the lives of people
— David Cooper in
through small changes.
Entering the Sacred MountainThe Shipping News depicts
Secondhand Lions is a
73 77
the changes that overtake a
coming-of-age film that
man mired in loss who has
salutes the odd ways in which
been a doormat for most of
eccentric individuals can
his life and is transformed
inspire us to turn out lives
into a sensitive father, a
around and become all we
caring relative, and a
are meant to be.
talented reporter.
Silver Linings Playbook is
The Secret Life of Walter
74 78
a funny, credible, and joyful
Mitty unfurls the story of
movie about two damaged
a man prone to escape
souls who reach out in the
the present moment
darkness of depression and
through wild fantasies who
discover that looking on the
is transformed when he
bright side of things is a key
discovers his courage.
to personal transformation.
Seven Years in Tibet “Nothing is more crucial to our
75
subtly conveys the spiritual lives or more central to the heart of
transformation of an
God than the transformation of the
egotistical mountain climber
who is exposed to the human personality.”
marvels and the mysteries of
Tibetan Buddhism. — Richard J. Foster
76 79
Shall We Dance? is an Son of the Bride is a
enticing Japanese film that heartwarming comedy about
shows how desire is a force the personal transformation
field that takes us beyond of a middle-aged man, thanks
ourselves and enables us to largely to the example of his
transform our lives. very romantic parents.Things We Lost in the Fire is
The Song of Sparrows is an a deeply emotional film that
80 84
Iranian film about as ostrich gives us a deeper respect
wrangler turned taxi driver for those trying to recover
who through an accident from the loss of a loved
discovers how breakdowns one or from enslavement
can open the door to to addiction. The journey
personal renewal. back to the land of the living
involves taking small steps.
Tootsie is a rousing comedy
The Spitfire Grill is a soul-
set in New York City that
81 85
satisfying film about the
deals with the agonies
spiritual process of turning
and ecstasies of the acting
pain into joy and bringing
profession, the confusion of
new life out of darkness. Two
sexual roles, the importance
women welcome an outsider
of lovers being friends, and
who then transforms their
the changes which alter
small community.
our lives.
The Tree of Life is an
Starting Out in the Evening
unconventional film that
82 86
introduces us to a rigid and
itself can be a transformative
physically limited novelist
experience for moviegoers as
whose world is rocked by
it explores nature and spirit,
a female graduate school
past and present, and the
student who opens him to
abstract story of the universe
the transformation he needs
set alongside the intimate
to stir up his creative juices.
story of one family.
Truly, Madly, Deeply is a
83 87
The Station Agent explores thrilling transformational
all the curious ways in which film about an English woman
transformative friendships who travels to the far country
can abound, express love, of grief and almost doesn’t
turn us around, and take us make it back after her lover
to places we never imagined. appears in her flat as a ghost
with a body.Tsotsi is a spiritually riveting
88
film about a nasty thug in a “Only the images by which we live
Johannesburg shanty town can bring transformation.”
whose violent and selfish life
is totally transformed when —Helen Luke in The Way of Women
he finds a baby in a car
he’s stolen.
Turtle Diary is a touching
89 92
Unfinished Song is a
and tender film about
touching story of an elder
two strangers who try to
couple who discover the
change their lives though
heart dimensions and
the adventuresome project
transformative power
of releasing some aquarium
of singing.
turtles in the ocean.
90 93
Twelve and Holding is a
The Visitor reveals how
mesmerizing film about three
the alchemy of music and
adolescents overtaken by
friendship transforms a
grief and struggling with loss
burnt-out professor’s life and
who find that is a catalyst to
how it opens his heart to
personal transformation.
fresh possibilities.
Waitress is a romantic
91 94
28 Days zeroes in on the
comedy in which a young
courage and discipline it
woman stuck in a terrible
takes for a young woman
marriage discovers that her
attending a rehab program to
pie-making skills provide a
stop her addiction to alcohol
path to a new life of freedom
and mood enhancing pills.
and fulfilment.Washington Heights is a
The Willow Tree is about an
95 97
fine Latino film exploring
Iranian professor who gets
the transformation of a
his sight back after years
conflict-ridden relationship
of being blind. As a result,
between a Dominican-born
he goes through a series of
owner of a store, and his
transformations: physical,
intense son, an aspiring
emotional, and spiritual.
comic book illustrator.
When Night Is Falling
96 98
Win Win is an emotionally
depicts the love affair of two
satisfying drama about
very different women from
sports, family, and money
diametrically opposed worlds
problems in which everyone
as they struggle to live out
gets a second chance – a
the transformation of their
chance to really change.
relationship.
The Women on the
99
“I have come to be suspicious of 6th Floor is the story
any religion or form of therapy of how a middle-aged
Paris stockbroker’s life is
that focuses exclusively on transformed after he goes
cultivating the interior life or gaga over his Spanish maid
saving the soul and that does not and all things Spanish.
include a celebration of the senses,
an ecological vision, and a concern
for social justice. We can aspire
to care for and transform this
world only if we trust that spirit
is incarnate in flesh and dirt. This
100
Yi Yi (A One and a Two)
world is our home. is a Taiwanese film about a
We are in the right place.” multi-generation family. We
see how love and work are
— Sam Keen in the bearers of meaning
Hymns to an Unknown God and transformation.You can also read
