Drama: 385

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen, follows three interconnected stories over the course of two eventful years. The backdrop for these tales is a series of Thanksgiving gatherings hosted by Hannah and her husband, Elliot, at The Langham. As the central figure in the narrative, Hannah’s presence ties together most events in the film. However, Elliot strays from their stable marriage when he becomes infatuated with Lee, one of Hannah’s sisters. His reasons for doing so are rooted in his dissatisfaction with his wife’s independence and ...

Mussolini: The Untold Story (1985) is a biographical miniseries that chronicles the life and reign of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Like Hitler: The Rise of Evil, the series is spoken in English rather than Mussolini’s native language. It delves into the private aspects of his life, including his long-term relationship with Clara Petacci. Based on the recollections of Vittorio Mussolini, it spans seven hours and begins in 1922 as Mussolini gains power through his Black Shirt militia. He presents himself as the reincarnation of Caesar and his popularity soars after Italy invades Ethiopia in 1935. In an attempt for peace, he attends a conference in ...

The American epic coming-of-age period drama film, The Color Purple (1985), directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Menno Meyjes, is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Alice Walker. The story follows Celie Harris in early 20th-century rural Hartwell, Georgia, a teenage African-American girl. After secretly giving birth to two children, her father quickly takes them from her and gives them away. Despite this hardship, Celie finds solace in her strong bond with her younger sister Nettie as they ...

The Woman in the Room (1984) marked director Frank Darabont’s entry into filmmaking. Based on a story by Stephen King of the same name, it follows a dying woman who can’t find peace, prompting her lawyer son to make a drastic choice that ultimately results in his own torment. Darabont acquired the rights to this tale from King’s collection Night Shift.

Directed by Mark Rydell, The River (1984) is an American drama film about the Garvey family – Tom and Mae, their children, and their struggle to make ends meet on their East Tennessee farm. Along with their neighbors, they have been facing challenges due to a weak economy and declining land values. The main issue for the Garveys is that their farmland is constantly prone to floods due to its proximity to a river. This situation is being exploited by powerful figures in the community such as Senator Neiswinder and the local bank. Adding to this misfortune is Joe Wade – a former resident who now owns the local mill and ...

Directed by Gillian Armstrong, Mrs. Soffel (1984) is an American drama film featuring Diane Keaton and Mel Gibson. The movie is based on the true story of the Biddle brothers, who were sentenced to prison and later escaped with the help of Kate Soffel, the wife of a Pittsburgh warden in 1901. Despite being a devoted mother to their four children, Kate had been bedridden for months without explanation until she suddenly regained her strength. Desiring to spread comfort and hope to inmates, she begins reading Bible scripture ...

In the movie Footloose (1984), directed by Herbert Ross, Chicago native Ren McCormack and his mother Ethel move to the small town of Bomont to stay with Ren’s aunt and uncle. At church, he meets Reverend Shaw Moore, his wife Vi, and their daughter Ariel, who is known for her rebellious nature. While at school, Ren becomes friends with Willard Hewitt and discovers that dancing and rock music are banned within the town limits by the town council. Despite this restriction, Ren falls for Ariel, much to the dismay of her boyfriend Chuck Cranston. In an attempt to impress Ariel and prove his worthiness, Ren challenges ...

Testament (1983), a drama film, is based on a three-page story titled The Last Testament by Carol Amen and directed by Lynne Littman. Set in the fictional suburb of Hamelin, California, the film follows the Wetherly family: husband Tom, wife Carol, and their children Brad, Mary Liz, and Scottie. Tom works in San Francisco as the main provider for the family. One afternoon, while Carol is at home, she receives an answering machine message from Tom saying he will be back for dinner soon. At the same time, Scottie is watching Sesame Street on TV when suddenly it is interrupted by white noise. The screen then ...

Table for Five (1983) is an American drama film directed by Robert Lieberman. J.P. Tannen is a former professional golfer living in California, estranged from his three children who reside in New York with their mother Kathleen and stepfather, attorney Mitchell. In an effort to reconnect with his kids, Tannen decides to take them on a Mediterranean cruise. Despite still having feelings for Kathleen, he hopes to prove himself as a changed man, but she remains unconvinced. However, during the cruise, Tannen becomes preoccupied with finding potential romantic partners, including French archaeologist Marie, often leaving ...

The Big Chill (1983), an American comedy-drama directed by Lawrence Kasdan, follows a group of University of Michigan alumni and close friends as they gather at the Tidalholm plantation in Beaufort, South Carolina for the funeral of their friend Alex Marshall, who died by suicide. They all stay with Sarah and Harold Cooper during their visit. Along with Alex’s girlfriend Chloe, the group includes Sam Weber, a television actor; Meg Jones, a former public defender now working as a real-estate attorney; Michael Gold, a journalist for People magazine; Nick Carlton, a Vietnam vet struggling with drug addiction; Karen ...

Terms of Endearment (1983) is a family tragicomedy film directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks. It is based on Larry McMurtry’s 1975 novel of the same name. The story revolves around Aurora Greenway, a widow who lives in River Oaks, Houston. Despite having several suitors, she chooses to focus on her close relationship with her daughter Emma. Emma, who is eager to break free from her mother’s controlling nature, defies her objections and marries Flap Horton – a young college professor. However, their constant arguments and conflicting ...

Staying Alive (1983), the American dance drama film, served as the sequel to Saturday Night Fever (1977). Directed by Sylvester Stallone, the story follows Anthony ‘Tony’ Manero, a former disco king who takes his brother’s advice and pursues his dream of becoming a professional dancer. He now resides in a Manhattan flophouse and works as a dance instructor and waiter at a local club while hoping for a big break in Broadway’s modern dance productions. This move from Brooklyn has seemingly had a maturing effect on Tony’s personality. His diminished Brooklyn accent, avoidance of ...

Mike Nichols directed Silkwood (1983), an American biographical drama. The film stars Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, and Cher. Karen Silkwood works at the Kerr-McGee Cimarron Fuel Fabrication Site near Crescent, Oklahoma. She resides in a rundown house with her boyfriend Drew Stephens and lesbian friend Dolly Pelliker. Her job involves manufacturing MOX fuel rods for nuclear reactors, exposing her to radiation. As a union activist, she voices concerns about the potential ...

St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) is an American medical drama television series originally airing on NBC from October 26, 1982 to May 25, 1988. Created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, it follows the lives of staff at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston’s South End neighborhood. The hospital’s nickname, ‘St. Elsewhere’, is a slang term in the medical field for hospitals that may not have the same resources as others, but still provide care to patients who are turned away elsewhere. This term can also be used in medical academia for teaching ...

Honkytonk Man (1982) is an American musical western comedy-drama that takes place during the Great Depression. The film was produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars alongside his son, Kyle Eastwood. During his audition, Red’s hopes are dashed when a coughing fit interrupts his performance. However, talent scouts from a record company are still impressed and set up a recording session for him. Unfortunately, Red’s tuberculosis takes a turn for the worse during this session and Smokey, a side guitarist played by country singer Marty Robbins, steps ...

The romantic drama film, The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), was both directed and co-written by Peter Weir alongside David Williamson. Based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Christopher Koch, it tells the story of Guy Hamilton, a novice foreign correspondent sent to Jakarta by his Australian TV network. In Jakarta, he is welcomed into a tight-knit community of fellow correspondents from various countries, as well as diplomatic personnel and Billy Kwan, a highly intelligent Chinese Australian man with dwarfism and a ...

The American comedy-drama film, The World According to Garp (1982), was produced and directed by George Roy Hill. Its main character, T.S. Garp, is the son of a strong-minded feminist named Jenny Fields, who desired a child but not a husband. Jenny was a nurse during World War II and met a dying ball turret gunner known only as Technical Sergeant Garp – after whom she named her child. As Garp grows up, he becomes passionate about wrestling and writing, subjects that do not interest his mother much. However, his writing catches the attention of Helen Holm – the daughter of the school’s wrestling coach ...

Directed by Jack Hofsiss, the biographical film I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982) stars Jill Clayburgh. Holding a successful career in a male-dominated industry and in a solid relationship with her live-in lover, attorney Derek Bauer, Barbara Gordon appears to have it all. However, beneath her façade lies a high-strung personality that heavily relies on sedatives to reduce tension and anxiety. This helps her maintain a composed exterior for her friends and associates. Her current project centers on cancer patient Jean Scott Martin and her husband Ben, highlighting ...

Stardust Memories (1980) is a thought-provoking American comedy-drama written and directed by Woody Allen, who also plays the lead alongside Charlotte Rampling. Allen’s character, Sandy Bates, is a director known for his comedic films. His latest creation concludes with a bizarre scenario where one character finds themselves stuck on a train full of unsettling and unhappy individuals. Glancing out the window, they catch sight of another train carrying content and attractive passengers. Believing they have boarded the ...

Norma Rae (1979) an American drama directed by Martin Ritt, follows the story of a worker in a cotton mill. Despite the negative impact on her family’s health, Norma refuses to turn a blind eye to the poor working conditions. As a single mother with two children from different fathers (one deceased and the other neglectful), she often engages in flings to combat feelings of loneliness and boredom. Initially, management attempts to pacify her frequent protests by promoting her to ‘spot checker’, where she is responsible for monitoring work quotas. Though hesitant, she accepts the position for the higher ...