Many movies have attempted to tell the stories of the people and the communities that make up the United States. Whether these stories are true or not, happy or tragic, the American people have been represented in many ways across the silver screen. With the country celebrating its 250th anniversary, it’s important that we highlight as many of these stories as possible. Not only the successful stories, but also the stories about people facing hardship and societal issues that have plagued the country’s past and present. All of these experiences have shaped us and will continue to shape our future. In order to celebrate the quarter of a millennium that the U.S.A. has existed, here’s a list of seven authentically American films that you should watch to experience our country.
Rocky
This 1977 classic directed by John G. Avildsen, uses the classic American underdog tale to tell the story of Rocky Balboa. Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone) is a poor club boxer who makes his living collecting debts from a mal-intentioned loan shark. He is given the once in a lifetime opportunity to fight Apollo Creed, the world heavyweight champion (played by Carl Weathers). Over the years, Rocky has become an emblem of American iconography, as he fights to achieve glory and the American Dream. Rocky embodies the traits that communities across the country idolize. The story talks about finding pride in one’s self, regardless of the circumstance. Rocky isn’t a smart guy like the people he sees working bigger high paying jobs. But ultimately, his pride in himself and his determination leads him to his own success. Regardless of what happens when that final bell rings, Rocky’s effort and dream makes him inspiring. While this movie can seem naïve to skeptics of the unrealistic “rags-to-riches” storyline, Rocky’s earnest attitude and humility makes him a figure for Americans to look up to.
Do the Right Thing
Spike Lee’s 1989 dramatic masterpiece has been imprinted in the minds of the many Americans who’ve seen this film. The movie follows a pizza delivery man named Mookie (played by Lee) as he and his neighbors in New York’s diverse Bed-Sty neighborhood live through the hottest day of the year. Tensions spark when an Italian-American pizza shop owner (played by Danny Aiello) refuses to put up a picture of an African-American on his wall. What starts as a small quarrel between two people ends in unrest and social turmoil for the whole community. At its core, this movie is a story about our country. “Do the Right Thing” highlights how, even past the Civil Rights era, racism still can materialize if communities allow it. Even with the difficult subject matter of the movie and the dark shift at the end, the movie still has laugh-out-loud and happy moments, highlighting how these emotions still happen even during challenging times. It’s the hard truths this movie tells, as well as its representation of a mixed-racial community, that makes the movie stick out and continue to hold up as the movie gets older and older.
A League of Their Own
This 1992 sports comedy directed by Penny Marshall, tells a story of the short-lived All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. It centers on the Rockford Peaches and their two star players, sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit Keller (played by Geena Davis and Lori Petty respectively) as they navigate the first season of the AAGPBL. The Peaches are coached by former MLB player and chronic alcoholic Jimmy Dugan (played by Tom Hanks), which, combined with the large personalities of the women on the team, makes for many hilarious scenarios. The movie brings to light the many pressures these women faced as they dealt with misogyny and the impacts of World War II, while also being the people upholding America’s pastime when much of the MLB was fighting in the war. Beyond that, “A League of Their Own” shows the friendship and bonding that American sports creates. These women go through the ropes together, and in the end, win or lose, it’s all about the love of the game. Though sometimes still playing into the gender stereotypes, this movie tells a story that no other film has. And let’s hope these stories keep being told.
Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
The 2022 documentary, directed by Questlove, tells the story of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and the many people and performers who made up this event. The festival was created as a celebration to promote pride among the Black American community in New York City amidst the widespread distress that Americans, especially the Black community, were facing in the late ’60s. The documentary showcases festival performances ranging from gospel music by Mahalia Jackson, to funk icons like Sly and the Family Stone and a show stopping performance from musician and activist Nina Simone. From the jump, “Summer of Soul” shows how music has always brought communities together in the United States. It reminds us that music and community can help provide people sanctity during times of trouble and uncertainty. During a time when young men were being sent to fight in the merciless, endless Vietnam War, and as civil rights leaders continued to be martyred for wanting more equality, the cultural festival was a source of pride and escape.
“The Straight Story” (Walt Disney Pictures, 1999) via Disney Movies
The Straight Story
This 1999 cult classic directed by David Lynch follows a man’s trek to see his brother after he has had a stroke. Alvin Straight (played by Richard Farnsworth) is an elderly World War II veteran who travels 240 miles from Iowa to Wisconsin, using only a 30 year old lawn mower as his transportation. The stubborn old man odysseys through America’s often overlooked Midwest heartland, making friends with strangers from all backgrounds along the way. With each stop he makes, he exchanges stories with other people who’ve lived full and difficult lives. And with each conversation that is had, it makes each character feel less different from each other, regardless of their age or background. All of this is done with the backdrop of small town Iowa and Wisconsin in sight. This movie shows how anywhere you go in this country, there are endless people who crave connection and friendship. In this vast country, with openness and kindness in one’s heart, you can find friends anywhere. It is as much a testament to the importance of forgiveness and community as it is a love letter to the Midwest.
La Bamba
This 1987 music biopic directed by Luis Valdez shares the story of Mexican-American rock n’ roll star Richie Valens. The movie follows the aspiring Valens (played by Lou Diamond Phillips) from his start as a poor farmhand in Southern California, to his short popular success, to his sudden death in a plane crash in 1959. La Bamba is more than just a Mexican American “rags to riches” story. It goes deep into his familial drama and shows how hard it is for one to attain the American Dream. Richie’s success is shown in contrast to that of his brother, Bob (played by Esai Morales), who struggled living in comparison to his younger more successful brother. Even with Richie’s success, this movie also shows how hard it is to be prosperous and how success can be short-lived. Beyond this, “La Bamba” is about rock n’ roll and its place in American culture. At a time when racial discrimination was significantly more obvious, Richie Valens was creating rock songs that surpassed expectations and transcended the charts. This is boosted by its soundtrack, performed by Chicano rock group Los Lobos, which itself is a love letter to Valens’ Mexican roots and the early rock n’ roll sound. The story this movie tells is truly American. While maybe too idealistic at times, it’s simply about a man who is driven by his dream to rock the country.
“Paris Is Burning” (Prestige Pictures, 1990) via Rotten Tomatoes
Paris is Burning
This 1990 documentary directed by Jennie Livingston brings to screen the New York City drag “ballroom scene” which was very popular among LGBTQ African and Latin Americans during the 20th century. This under-seen gem of a movie brings to screen a community that few have dared to represent. The documentary follows various gay and transgender figures within the “ball culture” community discussing why they express themselves the way they do, in a country that often looks down upon and discriminates against them. “Paris is Burning” gives an authentic look at these drag performers’ life experiences. Throughout this movie, audiences eyes delighted with the performances and true expressions of these Americans. This is placed in contrast to the harsh realities that the people of this community live in, including the HIV/AIDs epidemic and the blatant homophobia surrounding it. A country that was founded on “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a place where performers and people like these belong. Yet as a documentary, it isn’t afraid to speak the hard truths about their lives.
This story was written by Henry Beaumont. He can be reached at [email protected]