10 Best Health-Related Films of the Decade

It’s that time of year when critics and “experts” come out with their “best of the year” and “best of the decade” lists – from fashion to games to music to film and everything in between. As someone who loves to watch films and is passionate about health I thought I would combine the two interests into one.

The films in this list are limited to ones that I have seen and must deal with health, whether its directly exploring a specific disease, for example, or more indirectly exploring the emotional, mental or environmental factors affecting our health. I’ve listed them in no particular order:

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is based on the memoirs of Jean-Dominique Bauby, once successful editor-in-chief of French Elle, who suffers a sudden stroke that leaves him in the state of “locked-in” syndrome. Bauby’s mind is fully functional, yet he is only able to communicate through the use of one of his eyes. Filmed from the perspective of the main character, this is more than just a movie about a disease, but rather an experience of the human condition. As the film critic Roger Ebert wrote, “At the end we are left with the reflection that human consciousness is the great miracle of evolution, and all the rest (sight, sound, taste, hearing, smell, touch) are simply a toolbox that consciousness has supplied for itself.”

The Best of Youth (2005)
Film critic Lisa Schwarzbaum wrote of this film, “Like a great novel from a more expansive bygone age, The Best of Youth is full of big thoughts; like a great soap opera, it’s also full of sharp plot turns, vibrant characters, and great talk. It is, in short, the best of cinema.” I agree. It follows the story of two brothers, one of whom is a medical student. Their meeting with Giorgia, a girl living in a mental institution, has major impacts on both their lives. A connection to health may not be immediately obvious while viewing the film; however, it is a thoughtful look into the world of someone with mental health issues and, above all else, that which affects our emotional and mental health perhaps more than anything – our relationships with our family and friends.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)
This films centers around the story of an illegal abortion performed in 1987 when Romania was still under Nicolae Ceausescu’s dictatorial regime. Abortion forever remains a controversial issue; however, regardless of your personal views surrounding abortion I recommend watching 4 Months for its thoughtfulness and haunting realism.

Away From Her (2007)
Away From Her is based on Alice Munro’s short story, “The Bear Came Over the Mountain.” It deals with a couple coming to terms with the progression of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s such a poignant and moving illustration of the humbling effects of this ravaging disease, but the true beauty of the film lies in its honest exploration of themes that go much deeper into the relationship and love between this man and woman.

The Savages (2007)
A modern story that almost everyone can or will relate to on some level – two siblings, two middle aged children, forced from the routine of their lives by the prospect of having to care for an elderly parent (in this case an abusive father with vascular dementia). This film is not sentimental, there are no big revelations, no climactic catharsis. It is, however, a realistic look at the aging process, from the perspective of both parent and children, and the indignities encountered with aging. Sometimes (and maybe especially), it’s the saddest moments in life that wit and humour help us persevere through.

Super Size Me (2004)
I decided to include this film in the list more for its ability to get people talking rather than its quality as a documentary. It created a stir at the time of its release and initiated people to consider the detrimental health effects of a steady diet of fast food. I’m not sure how many people actually changed their eating habits after watching this documentary and by no means is the fast food industry the only reason for our unhealthy North American lifestyles; however at the very least it got people questioning and that’s always a good thing. Several months after the film was released McDonald’s stopped offering its “super size” option (although the company claims it had nothing to do with the film) – I think that alone is reason enough to include this film.

So Much So Fast (2006)
So Much So Fast explores the effects that a diagnosis of a terminal illness can have, not only on the person given the diagnosis, but on all those that care about him. The documentary follows two brothers – one who has been told he has ALS (Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and the other who decides to quit his job to search for new treatments to help his brother. The film also explores the political aspects of the disease as the brothers discover that ALS is thought of as an “orphan disease.” Since relatively few people suffer from ALS the opportunity to make a profitable drug is less and therefore the pharmaceutical companies are less motivated to research new treatments. What I appreciated about this film is that, even in the end, you are left with a sense of hope.

I Remember Me (2001) | Under Our Skin (2009)
These are two different documentaries, yet share some similarities. The reason I decided to include them together is partly because I didn’t want to leave either off the list and partly because some researchers theorize common factors for the two illnesses. I Remember Me explores Chronic Fatigue Syndrome while Under Our Skin explores Lyme Disease. Many people suffering from these diseases go undiagnosed and misdiagnosed. What’s worse is that many come up against physicians who do not believe these illnesses exist or are as prevalent as they are in reality. After watching these films there will be no doubt in your mind as to the validity of either of these diseases nor the pain suffered by those inflicted.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006) | Darwin’s Nightmare (2005)
I decided to include these two films together because they both explore how our environment, and in turn our own health, can and has been affected by humankind’s exploitation of Earth’s natural resources. You’ve likely at least heard about An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s urgent warning about the crisis of global warming. Darwin’s Nightmare tells a story currently occurring in Tanzania – how the introduction of one invasive species to a lake could affect the balance of not only that particular ecosystem, but everything and everyone that is, in some way, connected to it. Neither film is preachy. They each let the facts unfold in a simple manner to allow you to discover the conclusions on your own. At the heart of both stories, perhaps, is our society’s tendency to put profit above all else.

Our Daily Bread (2006) | Food Inc. (2009)
In a similar fashion as the above two films, Our Daily Bread and Food Inc. also deal with environmental health, but specifically explore the world of industrial food production. Each examines the consequences of putting convenience and profit ahead of nutrition and our environment. People often talk about “must-see” films and as a result the term has lost a little of its impact; however, I believe these are films that everyone needs to see. They may help you make healthier choices. At the very least, they will cause you to think twice about that next piece of meat or produce you pick up at your grocery store.

What do you think of the list? Which films are missing that you would include?

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