Tangentially uni-related film recommendations, part one: the emotions ones

Hello! Haven’t blogged in ages – exam stress etc. 

Anyway, I’ve decided to write about one of my favourite pet subjects: films! I love them. Here’s some films I have enjoyed that are in some way connected to my uni experience. Maybe you could watch them with your housemates, maybe on your own, maybe not at all. These ones are emotionally connected to uni and the experience of leaving home/coming of age – if you’re looking to cry and/or laugh these might be the ones for you. I might write a follow up blog of good brainless-fun films for uni too – watch this space!

N.b. there are some films I’m sure would fit this list, but I haven’t seen. Feel free to comment!

Last Night in Soho (2021)

A recent release! This film is so good. The main character – Eloise – moves from rural Cornwall to London to start her fashion degree. She also has some unspecified ability to see ghosts. All does not go to plan.

I see this film as a uni-nightmare horror film (it is a horror film –if you’re easily frightened, go careful). It’s got everything: the feeling of not fitting in, not being understood, imposter syndrome, danger in a new place, a rollercoaster of hope and crushing hopelessness for our heroine. It’s also way more funny and affirming than I’ve made it sound. And it has a cracking soundtrack.

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

This one’s a classic (I’m walkin’ here!) and for good reason. A young man (Joe) travels to New York city to try to make a new life for himself as a prostitute. Again, all does not go to plan. He makes a friend.

Despite (or because of?) the subject matter, this is a really sweet and melancholic film. It tackles identity and reinvention, trauma, morality, and friendship. Definitely worth watching (though only if you’re prepared for EMOTIONS). 

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

In New Zealand, a city-dwelling juvenile delinquent is moved to a rural farm to live with a foster carer and her grumpy husband. Hi-jinks ensue.

This film is very funny (it’s basically a buddy-comedy adventure film) but has some real emotion, too. Moving to a new place, initial character judgements changing with time, unexpected turns – very uni-experience-related if you ask me.

Eighth Grade (2018)

Going to have to work hard to link this one to uni, seeing as it’s explicitly about (you guessed it) eighth grade (that’s year 9, fellow Brits!) but I will try.

Eighth Grade follows Kayla as she navigates life as an anxious, uncool, unpopular teenage girl. I like the film because it feels so kind to its protagonist. It highlights some of the unique challenges that growing up in the modern world bring, on top of the pain that inevitably comes with adolescence, without trying to offer answers. There is, however, a sense of hope; our heroine is smart and kind and cool. She might be ok.

For me, the film was cathartic. As a student, I sometimes feel like I’ve gone right back to being a nervous teenager who doesn’t know what they’re doing, and I think it’s helpful to be kind to yourself in those moments. Basically, if you are or were an anxious kid who doesn’t know what they’re doing, this one might be for you.

Conclusion

I hope this has been useful, fellow film-enjoyers! Have you seen any of these films, do you like them, do you hate them, do I have no taste, is there a film I urgently need to watch? If so, comment! If not, good for you I guess.

(Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash)