Drama: 385

My Life (1993) is an American drama film written, directed and co-produced by Bruce Joel Rubin. Bob Ivanovich, a young Ukrainian-American, prays one night for a circus to be erected in his backyard the following day. After school the next day, he eagerly runs home with his friends, hoping to see the circus. However, they are all disappointed to find that there is no circus. Feeling angry, Bob retreats to his personal space in the closet in his room. He has distanced himself from his Ukrainian-born parents due to their customs and traditions, which led him to change his last name to Jones and move away from his family in ...

The indie film Arizona Dream (1993), written and directed by Emir Kusturica, follows Axel’s journey from New York City to Arizona for his uncle Leo’s wedding. After being convinced by his cousin Paul, Axel agrees to stay in Arizona and take over the family business of selling Cadillacs. Along the way, he meets two intriguing women: Elaine, who dreams of building a flying machine, and her stepdaughter Grace, who longs to be reincarnated as a turtle. In one memorable scene, Axel and Paul struggle with Grace’s stubborn pet turtle during dinner while she floats in a levitating chair with a smile on her ...

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), a American coming-of-age drama film directed by Lasse Hallström, follows the story of Gilbert Grape in the small town of Endora, Iowa. He is busy taking care of his autistic younger brother, Arnie, who is turning 18. As the town prepares for the annual Airstreamers’ Club gathering at a nearby recreational area, Gilbert’s days are filled with watching out for tourists’ trailers passing through. Since his father’s suicide seventeen years ago, Gilbert’s mother Bonnie has been consumed by her couch and TV and excessive eating. With her severe obesity ...

The film This Boy’s Life (1993) follows the story of a young boy named Tobias ‘Toby’ Wolff. In the 1950s, Toby and his mother Caroline are constantly on the move, but she desires to find stability for her son. They eventually settle in Seattle, where Caroline meets a man named Dwight Hansen who appears to be the perfect match. However, as Caroline is briefly away from home, Dwight’s true nature is exposed as he becomes emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive towards Toby. The marriage between Caroline and Toby progresses, and they settle down in Dwight’s home in Concrete, a small town near the north Cascades Mountains. Despite ...

Drama film Dangerous Game (1993), by director Abel Ferrara and writer Nicholas St. John, follows motion picture director Eddie Israel’s journey from New York City to Hollywood, California. There, he rehearses ‘Mother of Mirrors’ with actors Sarah Jennings and Francis ‘Frank’ Burns, depicting a turbulent marriage between ‘Russell’, once a successful breadwinner, and his newly devout wife ‘Claire’. As the characters’ tensions rise onscreen, Eddie begins a relationship with Sarah and encourages Frank to use his drug ...

The American drama film, The Man Without a Face (1993), marks both the directorial debut and starring role of Mel Gibson. Based on the 1972 novel by Isabelle Holland with the same title, the story follows Justin McLeod, a reclusive painter who has been living in solitude for the past seven years due to a car accident that left him disfigured on one side of his face and with chest burns from the ensuing fire. Meanwhile, Chuck Norstadt struggles in his relationship with his gifted sisters and overbearing mother. When Chuck’s frustration leads to an act of vandalism, ...

Malcolm X (1992) tells the story of an African-American activist and is directed and co-written by Spike Lee. Born in rural Michigan, Malcolm Little is raised by his Grenadian mother and African-American father in a strong household. Tragically, their home is destroyed and Malcolm’s father, a passionate advocate for black rights, is killed by the Black Legion. Despite this injustice, his death is recorded as a suicide and the family receives no compensation. With his mother’s mental health deteriorating, Malcolm and his siblings are placed in protective care. Despite facing numerous challenges, Malcolm ...

The film Chaplin (1992) tells the story of iconic English comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. Directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Robert Downey Jr., the movie follows an aging Chaplin as he reflects on his life in a conversation with George Hayden, a fictionalized version of his autobiography editor. Growing up in poverty-stricken Victorian London, Chaplin finds solace in the world of variety shows. When his mother Hannah loses her voice onstage, five-year-old Charlie steps in to perform instead. As ...

The American drama film, School Ties (1992), directed by Robert Mandel, follows the story of 17-year-old David Greene. Despite his working class background in Scranton, Pennsylvania, David receives a scholarship to exclusive Massachusetts prep school St. Matthew’s Academy for his senior year due to his impressive grades and football skills. Before arriving at the school, he is involved in a fight with a nearby motorcycle gang who insults him for being Jewish, resulting in a bruised forehead. At St. Matthew’s, he meets his roommate Chris Reese and fellow teammates Rip Van Kelt, Charlie Dillon, Jack Connors ...

In the American drama film directed by Robert Redford, A River Runs Through It (1992), two brothers, Norman and Paul, were raised in Missoula, Montana by their strict Presbyterian minister father, Rev. John Maclean. Along with their mother Clara, the brothers developed a love for fly fishing in the nearby Blackfoot River. After being home-schooled according to their father’s moral and academic standards, Norman leaves for college at Dartmouth. Upon returning six years later during the Prohibition era and Jazz Age, he discovers that his brother Paul has become a skilled fisherman and a fearless investigative ...

Husbands and Wives (1992), an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen, centers on the lives of two couples: Jack and Sally, and Gabe and Judy. The plot begins with Jack and Sally informing Gabe and Judy at their apartment about their separation. Gabe is taken aback, while Judy takes it personally and feels deeply wounded. The four of them then head out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, still grappling with the situation. Some time later, Sally goes to her colleague’s apartment to start an evening at the opera and dinner. She uses the colleague’s phone to call Jack and accuses him of ...

My Own Private Idaho (1991) is an American indie adventure drama flick written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on the works of Shakespeare. It follows the lives of young hustlers Mike Waters and Scott Favor as they navigate the Pacific Northwest, often spending time with their fellow hustlers in an abandoned building in Portland.Their mentor is Bob Pigeon, an overweight homeless man who himself identifies as gay. Among this group, Mike and Scott share a close bond as best friends. While Mike openly embraces his homosexuality, Scott views his encounters with male clients purely as a business transaction. In ...

Johnny Suede (1991) marks the directorial debut of Tom DiCillo. The film follows the journey of a confident young man with an impressive pompadour, whose dream is to become a rock n’ roll star, inspired by the legendary Ricky Nelson. Johnny believes he has all the necessary style elements, except for one – a pair of slick black suede shoes. One fateful evening, while using a telephone booth, he is surprised to find a pair of black suede shoes mysteriously land on top. This serendipitous event leads him to meet Darlette, an alluring bohemian woman who he ends up sleeping with.

The biographical film, The Doors (1991), was directed and written by Oliver Stone and Randall Jahnson. It tells the story of the influential American rock band and their impact on music and counterculture. In 1949, a young Jim Morrison and his family are driving through New Mexico when they come across a fatal car accident involving an elderly Native American. Years later, in 1965, Jim finds himself in California immersed in the Venice Beach scene. During his time at UCLA, he falls in love with Pamela Courson and meets future bandmates Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. Together they form The Doors, with ...

The crime drama film, The Indian Runner (1991), marks Sean Penn’s first venture into directing. Inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s Highway Patrolman, the movie portrays the complicated relationship between two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Taking place in 1960s Nebraska, it centers around small-town deputy sheriff Joe and his criminal brother, Frank Roberts. Prior to the events of the story, Joe attempted to make a living through farming but was forced to give it up when he couldn’t pay off his debts and lost his ...

Mo’ Better Blues (1990) is an American musical comedy-drama film featuring a talented cast including Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee. In the film, set in Brooklyn in 1969, four young boys invite Bleek Gilliam to play baseball with them outside his home, but Bleek’s mother interrupts with a reminder of his trumpet lesson. This leads to a heated family argument as Bleek’s father expresses concerns over his son’s interests. Despite this, Bleek continues to pursue his passion for music ...

Too Young to Die? (1990) is a television movie starring Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis that tackles the controversial topic of the death penalty. Based on a true story, Lewis portrays Amanda, a 15-year-old girl who has always been let down by the adults in her life. Following her disclosure of abuse from her stepfather, Amanda’s mother and stepfather abandon her. After a failed marriage, she leaves town and falls into the grasp of Billy, a hustler. She eventually meets Mike, a soldier who offers her shelter while she gets back on her feet. Despite their age ...

Steel Magnolias (1989) is an American comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross. Annelle Dupuy, a shy beauty school graduate, moves to Chinquapin Parish in northwestern Louisiana, where Truvy Jones hires her to work in her home-based beauty salon. Meanwhile, M’Lynn Eatenton and her daughter, Shelby, prepare for Shelby’s wedding that is taking place later that day. M’Lynn’s husband Drum Eatenton uses a gun to scare away birds from interfering with the reception. Together with Clairee Belcher, the former mayor’s cheerful widow, they visit Truvy’s salon for hairstyling. During their ...

Lean on Me (1989), a biographical drama directed by John G. Avildsen, tells the story of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. By 1987, the school had fallen into disarray as drug abuse and crime ran rampant. Students struggled to pass basic skills tests and even teachers were not safe from gang violence. After Mayor Bottman learns that state administration will take over the school unless at least 75% of students pass the minimum basic skills test, he turns to Dr. Frank Napier for advice. The superintendent suggests hiring Joe Clark, a former teacher at Eastside High who was transferred years ago, as the new ...

The film Nocturne indien (1989), helmed by director Alain Corneau, is an adaptation of Italian author Antonio Tabucchi’s novel Notturno Indiano. It follows the story of a Frenchman who embarks on a journey in India to find his missing friend, encountering intriguing characters and discovering the wonders of this captivating country along the way.