Unearthing uplifting dramas in a sea of negativity and frivolity can be difficult. But there are serious movies that, though they may inspire the occasional tear, will ultimately leave you buoyed up by a feeling of hope. These types of films are often forgotten by the critics and movie-going public, so you may easily have overlooked the gems of the genre. If you're not ashamed to admit that you like an emotional, sentimental, feel-good film, then take note of these five fine dramas you may have previously passed by.

Goodbye, Lenin

In Goodbye, Lenin, an East German woman has a heart attack and falls into a coma before the revolutionary reunification with the West occurs. When she wakes up, her son must protect her from any undue shock, so he tries to recreate her socialist world, despite all of the ensuing changes around them. This results in occasional moments of often subtle comedy. Although the pace of the movie is slow, this gradual movement allows the filmmakers to develop their characters. Goodbye, Lenin is a story of family love and a sweetly sad portrayal of how difficult it is to let go of an old way of life and accept change.

The filmmaker's anti-capitalist moralism can be irksome, and he portrays the bringing down of the Wall as though the primary change it ushered in was Western products and fashions--as though it did not result so much in the end of oppression as in the advent of Coca-cola. We see only a few glimpses of the horrors of national socialism, and the change we are witness to is primarily a change of brand-name. The viewer will receive only a hint of the colossal economic failure of national socialism; the new Germany is portrayed as emptily consumer-driven, rather than as a place where the average man can at last begin to rise from poverty. Despite this moralism, the film is crafted well enough that even a near-libertarian can find his or herself sympathizing with the characters and sharing their journey of hope.

Running Time: 121 minutes. Released 2003. Rated R for language and sexual situations.

A Merry War

A Merry War is an unusual product for the movie industry. It emphasizes the value of something normally portrayed as a vice by Hollywood: conformity. The movie also attempts to define the role of work in the human life, extracting labor from the romantic context many have placed it in and showing that such romanticism, aside from being unpractical, inevitably breeds discontent.

The film is based on a work by George Orwell and contains a good deal of subtle satire as well as obvious jests. The acting is professional and the direction decent. The film does move a bit slowly in parts, but overall it is a very pleasant work to watch and has the advantage of being unique. You will find a limited amount of movie conventions here, and you will encounter practical yet courageous characters who choose marriage rather than abortion, conformity and prosperity rather than poverty and romantic self-abnegation.

Running Time: 101 minutes. Released 1998. Rated PG-13.

My Life So Far

My Life So Far is inspired by the book Son of Adam by Dennis Forman, the former director of the Royal Opera House, and it is based on his real life experiences. Although very saddening in parts, the film ultimately ends happily and is interspersed with many humorous moments.

My Life So Far depicts a couple's tested marriage through the eyes of their ten year old son, who is himself "coming of age." The film treats the subjects of sexual temptation and religious hypocrisy with high seriousness. It delivers a message of "judge not lest ye be judged," reminding the viewer that it is a hypocrite who tries to remove the speck in his brother's eye while failing to perceive the beam that is in his own. The movie ultimately concludes by elevating the importance of the family.

The film is somewhat marred by the random appearances of a hairy man and a French pilot, two characters who are never developed, as well as by a failure to fully explain why a main character, Edward Pettigrew, should be so suddenly and fully drawn in by temptation. Furthermore, the element of repentance is too understated in the movie.

Despite these flaws, however, My Life So Far still gives us a sensitive treatment of serious themes. All too many reviewers have referred to the film as nothing more than a sort of nostalgic fluff piece. I thought rather that (flaws notwithstanding) it delivered just the kind of depth one does not generally expect from the film industry. Colin Firth, who plays Edward Pettigrew, is an extremely talented actor, and although his performance at first appears slightly affected, by the end of the film, his character becomes very real to the viewer.

My Life So Far is also an inviting period piece, showing beautiful scenes of 1920's Scotland. The PG-13 rating is necessitated by the many sexual themes that are explored (though never graphically). At any rate, the film is for an adult audience and is likely to be little appreciated by children or teenagers. For a drama that is not run-of-the-mill, I recommend My Life So Far.

Running Time: 93 minutes. Released 1999. Rated PG-13.

Passing Glory

This TNT original takes place in 1965 and deals with themes of racism, courage, conviction, and hypocrisy. The movie communicates important values without disintegrating into didacticism. Homicide star Joseph Verett plays a Baltimore priest who steps into a Louisiana Catholic school as a history teacher but who soon becomes coach of the school's basketball team. A white priest, who founded and dedicated his life to the school, has been petitioning to integrate the basketball league, but his cautious quest is not bold enough for the new Father. Instead, Verrett's character teaches his players to value truth above peace and courage above safety.

The movie treats religion respectfully, although the religious element is considerably understated given that priests who participated in the Civil Rights movement were motivated largely by their religious convictions. The acting on part of all of the actors is exceptional, particularly the performances of Joseph Verrett and Sean Squire, the latter who plays the team's star.

Running Time: 94 minutes. Released 1999. Not Rated.

Radio

This is an uplifting, bitter-sweet drama about the power of the human spirit. Though some may look with condescension upon the sentimental, it's refreshing, from time to time, to watch a movie that reminds us of the virtues of humanity rather than its vices. It is reassuring to be reminded that people are capable of learning and changing. Even if that change may--in movieland--sometimes seem unrealistic, it can remind us of more complex positive realities.

Radio tells the story of a mentally slow and illiterate young man (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) who is befriended by the local high school football coach (Ed Harris). Radio, so called for his love of radios, becomes a kind of mascot for the school. He ends up inspiring the teachers and students and townsfolk because the way he treats people all of the time "is the way we wish we treated each other even half the time." If you liked Remember the Titans, you will probably like Radio.

Running Time: 109 minutes. Released 2003. Released on DVD 2005. Rated PG.

Sit Back and Watch

Well-made sentimental films have the ability to move us to tears while yet inspiring us with a sense of humankind's finer possibilities. Such movies don't often draw legions of fans to the box office, but they do lift our spirits and occasionally inspire deeper reflection. If you're looking for an emotional movie experience, stop by your local video store and rent one of these five feel-good dramas tonight.

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