Drama: 385

Chronic (2015), a drama film written and directed by Michel Franco, follows the story of David. He is first shown waiting in his car outside a house before a young woman leaves and drives away. David then begins to follow her. Later, he can be seen browsing through Nadia Wilson’s Facebook photos- the very same person he had been following earlier. It is revealed that David is a male nurse who cares for his first patient, Sarah, who is suffering from AIDS. He takes great care in bathing and dressing her, as well as managing her daily activities- such as politely turning away visiting family when Sarah needs rest ...

Stonewall (2015), an American coming-of-age drama film directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Jon Robin Baitz, follows the story of Danny Winters, a gay boy originally from Indiana. In the late 1960s, Danny flees his conservative hometown and moves to New York City. There, he is caught in a compromising position with his boyfriend by his friends before leaving. While his mother loves him, she does not stand up to her upset husband, who refuses to sign Danny’s scholarship application for Columbia University. Despite this obstacle and leaving his supportive little ...

Concussion (2015), an American biographical sports drama film written and directed by Peter Landesman, is based on the exposé Game Brain by Jeanne Marie Laskas, originally published in 2009 by GQ magazine. The story follows retired Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, who is found dead in his pickup truck in 2002. Prior to his death, fellow former football player Justin Strzelczyk confides in Webster about suffering from memory loss and exhibiting unusual behavior towards his family. During their conversation, Webster responds by reciting a line ...

Set in 1960s France, By the Sea (2015) is an American romantic drama film that follows an American couple, Vanessa and Roland, as they embark on a seaside vacation. Written and directed by Angelina Jolie, the film also stars Jolie and Brad Pitt, who also produced it. The pair have rented a luxurious suite at a local hotel with the hopes of inspiring Roland’s writing. However, their relationship is strained; former dancer Vanessa is withdrawn and grieving for unknown reasons while struggling author Roland spends his ...

The American biographical crime comedy-drama film, The Big Short (2015), was directed and co-written by Adam McKay. It tells the story of the U.S mortgage housing crisis of 2005 through three separate but parallel perspectives. Michael Burry, an eccentric ex-physician now managing a hedge fund called Scion Capital, has a unique approach to business – sporting shorts, bare feet, and a Supercuts haircut. He is convinced that the US housing market is in a bubble that will inevitably burst within the next few years. With autonomy in his company, Burry takes action and bets against the housing market with banks who are eager ...

Directed by Danny Boyle, Steve Jobs (2015) is a biographical drama based on the life of Apple Inc. co-founder, Steve Jobs. Written by Aaron Sorkin, the film is a British-American co-production that was adapted from Walter Isaacson’s 2011 biography and interviews conducted by Sorkin. It covers fourteen years in Jobs’ life, leading up to three press conferences – the unveiling of the Macintosh 128K in 1984, the NeXT Computer in 1988, and the iMac G3 in 1998. ...

Mistress America (2015), an American comedy film directed by Noah Baumbach and written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, follows college freshman Tracy Fishko as she struggles to adjust to life at Barnard. Feeling lonely after developing a crush on fellow student Tony, who begins dating someone else, Tracy reaches out to her soon-to-be stepsister Brooke in New York. Captivated by Brooke’s lifestyle, Tracy takes her mother’s advice and gets closer to her. Inspired by their time together, Tracy writes a short story ...

Irrational Man (2015), an American mystery comedy-drama film by Woody Allen, tells the story of Abe Lucas, a philosophy professor who begins teaching at a small-town college in New England. Struggling with an existential crisis and battling depression, he turns to heavy drinking for comfort. Despite his troubled state, Abe attracts the attention of two women: Rita Richards, a chemistry professor dissatisfied with her marriage, and Jill Pollard, one of his students who is in a serious relationship and lives with her parents. While Abe sleeps with Rita, he maintains a strictly platonic connection with Jill. His depression ...

Youth (2015) is a comedy-drama film by writer and director Paolo Sorrentino. This marks his second English-language work. The story follows septuagenarian friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle, who are currently vacationing at a luxurious spa in the Swiss Alps called Wiesen. Fred, a retired classical music composer, is approached by a representative for Queen Elizabeth II during their stay. The Queen wishes to grant him a knighthood and invites him to perform his popular composition ‘Simple Song #3’ at Prince Philip’s birthday concert. However, Fred declines the offer, stating that he has no interest ...

Spotlight (2015) is a biographical drama film directed and co-written by Tom McCarthy. It follows the story of a group of journalists in Boston, who uncover a scandal involving sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. In 1976, two police officers discuss the arrest of Fr. John Geoghan for molesting children. An important church official meets with the victims’ mother, and an assistant district attorney enters to stress the significance of keeping this information from the media. Despite the severity of the situation, Geoghan is freed and no public statement is made. Fast forward to 2001, when Marty Baron takes ...

War Room (2015) is an American Christian drama film directed and co-written by Alex Kendrick. The story follows Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, a seemingly successful couple with material wealth and a daughter named Danielle. Despite their outward appearance, their marriage is strained due to Tony’s callous behavior, verbal abuse, and thoughts of infidelity. His demanding job also keeps him away from his family for extended periods of time. In an effort to sell a house for an elderly woman named Miss Clara, Elizabeth turns to her for advice on her struggling marriage. Miss Clara suggests using the power of prayer and ...

The American epic biographical drama film directed by F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton (2015), tells the story of the rise and fall of N.W.A., a hip hop group. Set in 1986, Compton, California is depicted as a chaotic dystopia overrun by street gangs, drug dealers, and police brutality. One night, Eazy-E narrowly escapes a police raid at a crack house. The following day, Dr. Dre is at a crossroads in life and is confronted by his mother for missing a job interview. Meanwhile, high school senior Ice Cube dreams of becoming a rapper. When Dre hears Cube’s ‘reality raps’ about the struggles faced by ...

The Normal Heart (2014) is an American television drama film directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Larry Kramer, based on his 1985 play of the same name. In the summer of 1981, Alexander ‘Ned’ Weeks, an openly gay writer from New York City, heads to Fire Island for his friend Craig Donner’s birthday celebration at a beach house. Other guests include Mickey Marcus and the charming Bruce Niles, who is now dating young and seemingly healthy Craig. However, while strolling on the beach, Craig suddenly feels lightheaded and falls down. Later, during his ...

The Prophet (2014) is an animated drama based on Kahlil Gibran’s 1923 novel of the same title. It takes place in Lebanon during the Ottoman Empire, where Kamila, a widowed mother, serves as the housekeeper for Mustafa, a foreign poet and political activist held under house arrest. Mustafa is guarded by Halim, a soldier who secretly admires Kamila. Kamila’s daughter Almitra has become withdrawn after her father’s passing and often steals from local vendors. Her only companions are seagulls, with whom she communicates through birdlike sounds. As Mustafa prepares to leave for his homeland before ...

Based on Elizabeth Strout’s 2008 novel, Olive Kitteridge (2014) is an American TV miniseries set in Maine. Starring Frances McDormand as the title character and Richard Jenkins as her husband Henry Kitteridge, with Zoe Kazan as Denise Thibodeau and Bill Murray as Jack Kennison. The show is divided into four parts, each depicting a different point in the story. Premiering on HBO on November 2, 2014, the first two episodes ...

Jersey Boys (2014) is a film based on the award-winning musical of the same name. Directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, it tells the story of Tommy DeVito, his brother Nicky, and their friend Nick Massi who perform as The Variety Trio in Belleville, New Jersey in 1951. One day, they meet 16-year-old Frankie Castelluccio, known for his impressive singing voice. He catches the eye of mafia boss Angelo ‘Gyp’ DeCarlo who takes an interest in him. However, when the group attempts a robbery and gets arrested, Frankie gets off with a warning while Tommy goes to prison for six months. Upon his release, Tommy ...

Black or White (2014), directed and written by Mike Binder, tells the story of Elliot Anderson, a man who becomes a widower after his wife dies in a car crash. He raises his granddaughter Eloise while dealing with his grief through heavy drinking. However, Elliot’s life is upended when the child’s grandmother, Rowena – who happens to be black – insists that her son Reggie, a drug addict whom Elliot holds responsible for his daughter’s death, take custody of Eloise. This sparks a heated custody battle as Elliot fights tooth and nail to prevent his granddaughter from being in the care of her ...

The American legal drama film, The Judge (2014), was directed by David Dobkin. Hank Palmer, a successful lawyer in Chicago, was granted a continuance for his case when he received news of his mother’s passing. Before heading back to his hometown in Indiana for the funeral, he had a heated argument with his wife, Lisa, whom he is currently divorcing. Upon arriving in Carlinville, Hank is reunited with his older brother Glen, who owns a tire shop, and his younger brother, Dale. Hank’s father is the Judge Joseph Palmer of Carlinville’s criminal court but Hank simply refers to him as ‘Judge’. ...

Love Is Strange (2014), directed by Ira Sachs, is an American romantic drama that premiered in the non-Competition programme of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. It was also screened in the Panorama section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival. The story follows Benjamin Arthur Hull ‘Ben’ and George Esteban Correa, a same-sex couple from Manhattan who decide to get married after being together for 39 years. Despite facing normal problems that any couple may encounter, their marriage causes them to face discrimination when George’s Catholic school music teacher job is terminated by Father ...

Big Eyes (2014), a biographical drama film directed by Tim Burton and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, stars Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. In 1958, Margaret Ulbrich moves with her daughter Jane to North Beach in San Francisco, where she finds employment painting illustrations at a furniture factory. At an outdoor art show, she meets Walter Keane, who sells paintings of Parisian street scenes but earns his ...