Drama movies aren’t usually the ones which people most like to watch over and over again, but there are some which lend themselves to rewatches better than others. When people talk about movies with rewatch value, they often talk about comedies, musicals and children’s movies. These are oftengreat comfort movies, so it makes sense that people would return to them time and time again.
Drama movies, while they aren’t usually the best comfort movies, can be just as rewarding to watch multiple times. Compelling stories and performances are a must, but there are a few things which can give a drama movie added rewatch value. A humorous streak, an intriguing mystery and a densely layered plot are all factors which can contribute to making a drama movie just as rewatchable as a lighthearted comedy.
Forrest Gumpremains one ofTom Hanks' best movies, and it came right in the middle of an unprecedented hot streak for the actor. He plays the titular character, a low-IQ man who stumbles his way through many of the most important moments of American history in the 20th century, including the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. It’s an interesting way to take in so much history, but it works well.
Hanks' performance and the freewheeling plot makeForrest Gumpworth rewatching multiple times.
Forrest Gumphas a lot of humor to go with its broad dramatic movements. Ultimately,it’s a life-affirming moviethat makes the everyday seem extraordinary by viewing events from a fresh perspective. Hanks' performance and the freewheeling plot makeForrest Gumpworth rewatching multiple times, and this is also the best way to pick up on the many historical references peppered throughout the story.
Anatomy of a Fallfocuses on the court case of an author accused of murdering her husband, and it’sone of the very best courtroom dramas of the 21st century.Anatomy of a Fallmakes every twist in the case feel exciting and fresh, because it does so much good work to raise the emotional stakes. Sandra Hüller’s virtuoso performance as the defendant is just the icing on the cake.
Anatomy of a Fallmakes every twist in the case feel exciting and fresh, because it does so much good work to raise the emotional stakes.
AlthoughAnatomy of a Fallis written and acted so exquisitely that every scene feels compelling to watch, what really gives it such rewatch value is the climax. Without spoiling anything, theending ofAnatomy of a Fallsubtly suggests that the result of the court case may not be accurate, but this only leads to an interrogation of what guilt and punishment should really entail in the criminal justice system. The ending invites the audience to go back and reexamine the case once more.
The Silence of the Lambsis many things. It has elements of a bone-chilling thriller and a propulsive mystery, but the main thrust of the drama boils down to the story of Clarice Starling, and how her unorthodox relationship with Hannibal Lecter shapes her investigation and her personality. This is what makes it such good material for multiple rewatches, even more so than the anxiety-inducing final confrontation with Buffalo Bill.
It has elements of a bone-chilling thriller and a propulsive mystery, but the main thrust of the drama boils down to the story of Clarice Starling.
The Silence of the Lambs' scriptlends tension and drama to every scene with Clarice and Dr. Lecter. As she pleads him for information, he seizes on the opportunity to draw her into a protracted game of wits for his own amusement. These scenes echo throughout the movie, even when Clarice is out in the field far from Dr. Lecter.Even when the audience know the outcome, it’s still an intoxicating thrill to see it all playing out once more.
Mementowas Christopher Nolan’s second movie, but it was the first that showed what he was really capable of as a director. Many of his recurring fascinations appear for the first time inMemento.He has always been interested in the psychology of criminality, and he’s also frequently experimented with non-linear storytelling. BeforeInterstellar, TenetandOppenheimer,Mementoproduced what is arguably Nolan’s most effective and intriguing non-linear plot.
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Mementofollows two separate plot threads, with one running forwards in time while the other moves in reverse. It can take some people two or three watches to simply untangle this plot, but the rewards are worth the mental exertion. Beyond merely understanding the events as they unfold,Mementois worth rewatching for its fascinating dissection of crime and punishmentin a world that seems eerily dissimilar from our own.
David Fincher’s best moviesoften explore the dark side of criminal psychology, like inFight Club, The Girl With the Dragon TattooandSe7en. Zodiacstands out from the pack simply because it’s based on a true story.Fincher is meticulous in his reconstruction of San Francisco in the 1960s, and he also pays close attention to the details of the crimes to ensure that they are presented on screen as faithfully as possible.
Ultimately, it’s easy to get sucked in just like Robert Graysmith, andZodiacreveals itself to be a story about obsession more than anything else.
While Fincher’s immersive vision of a bygone era is a treat to explore, what really makesZodiacso compelling to watch multiple times is the nature of the mystery. Like in real life,Zodiacleaves the identity of the killer unsolved, and it provides enough detail to ask the audience to make their own decisions. Ultimately, it’s easy to get sucked in just like Robert Graysmith, andZodiacreveals itself to be a story about obsession more than anything else.
Whiplashis 1 hour and 46 minutes long, but it maintains such breakneck speed throughout that it feels even shorter. The story of Andrew Neimann’s pursuit of musical greatness is relentlessly entertaining throughout, from his initial meeting with his abusive mentor to his climactic final performance. It helps thatWhiplashis accompanied by a soundtrack that perfectly suits its innate swagger.
Whiplashis 1 hour and 46 minutes long, but it maintains such breakneck speed throughout that it feels even shorter.
At the heart ofWhiplashare two performances from Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons which are more than deserving of the accolades they have received.Whiplashpasses by in an instant, but it leaves marks that can last for a long time. It’s a deeply affecting investigation into all types of abusive relationships, seen through the lens of art in a way that makes it more palatable. Andrew and Fletcher can be seen as two sides of the same personality, but there are endless ways to interpretWhiplash’s story.
Many of thebest Coen brothers moviesare comedies of some kind, and they are almost all great to rewatch multiple times.The Big Lebowski, Raising ArizonaandFargoall reward repeat viewings, but the same is true ofNo Country for Old Men,which is a much more dramatic work. The neo-western adapts a Cormac McCarthy novel, and it retains the author’s sense of moral ambiguity and regional personality.
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No Country for Old Menfeatures strong performances all round. Javier Bardem’s sociopathic serial killer may be the most eye-catching character, but Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones are just as compelling in their own way. While it’s a twisted pleasure to watch Anton Chigurh rampaging his way across Texas in search of a lost fortune, Ed Tom Bell is often the character who speaks directly to the audience’s sensibilities.No Country for Old Menhas the power to be touching and violently entertaining all at once.
James Cameron was interested in the story of the Titanic long before he directed the movie, and his passion can be seen in the level of detail that his reconstruction of the ship takes on. WatchingTitanicreally is like stepping back in time, but with the grim knowledge of what’s to come. Despite this excruciating dramatic irony, Jack and Rose’s love story still feels vital and compelling.
Jack and Rose’s relationship and the atmosphere on the ship both feel remarkably immersive.
Titanicis over three hours long, but it’s the kind of movie that can captivate its audience for the entire duration. The central relationship and the atmosphere on the ship both feel remarkably immersive.It’s a heartbreaking love story that can serve as a cathartic release for true romantics over and over again, but Cameron still delivers the kind of cinematic spectacle that he’s best known for when the ship starts to go down.
The Shawshank Redemptiongoes to some extremely dark places, but it still carries a message of hope. Even while Andy claims to be wrongly imprisoned, and he has his one chance at salvation violently stripped away from him, his story speaks to the indomitable nature of the human spirit. Despite a lot of brutality and injustice,The Shawshank Redemptiondelivers a surprisingly happy ending.
The Shawshank Redemptionis so uplifting because it’s depiction of life’s devastating potential for cruelty is so realistic.
The Shawshank Redemptionis so uplifting because it’s depiction of life’s devastating potential for cruelty is so realistic. There’s no point in consuming vapid aphorisms about hope without a candid acknowledgment of how difficult hope can be.The Shawshank Redemptionalso benefits from great performances all round. Morgan Freeman’s steady narration is a wonderful guide throughout.
A lot of Martin Scorsese’s movies hold up to the increased scrutiny of multiple watches, andGoodfellascould be his most entertaining of all.Goodfellassums up a lot of what makes Scorsese such a popular director. It’s a crime story that weaves a complex tale of power and betrayal while still retaining its humor. A lot of thebest quotes inGoodfellasare hilarious, showing that Scorsese also knows how to balance comedy and drama.
A lot of Martin Scorsese’s movies hold up to the increased scrutiny of multiple watches, andGoodfellascould be his most entertaining of all.
Goodfellasstretches across many years, and it focuses on plenty of different gangsters and other characters. To cover so much ground,Goodfellasmaintains a brisk pace that ricochets from moment to moment while still feeling grounded. Ray Liotta’s narration is key to tying the plot together, but Scorsese also ensures that the bulk of the action is shown in depth. The director also knows exactly when to slow things down and give a particular scene room to develop organically.
