Inspirational Films/Books

[PaulB]

Hey Guys. Without going into too much detail, my best friend is waiting for an operation for Breast Cancer and she has asked me to ask if anyone knows of any good inspirational films or books she can get to keep her spirits up please, thanks in advance everyone.

[spiff]

Sorry to hear about your friends condition. I have always found "The Shawshank Redemption" to be uplifting. I myself have had cancer. The film to me represents slow,yet continuous struggle. Hope this helps. Book wise, i could recomend "The long walk" by slavomir rawich. A heavy going book, but one of those "I thought I had it bad until i read...." things. On a personal note, the most inspirational things i found at the time were friends. I respected them for not distancing themselves from me,and the fact we could actually joke about my condition.xxx

[kags]

Lucky by Alice Sebold - it's about the author's experience of life after being raped - I thought it would be depressing reading but it was amazing, brutally honest but it shows how the human spirit can survive adversity, and also how different people react to you when you are a "victim". I certainly found it inspirational. Good luck to your friend, and to you as well.

[marine02]

The Shawshank Redemption as spiff said is an amazing, inspirational film: one of the most important theme is the importance of hope in difficult situations. 100% recommended film. Books I would recommend: Janet Frame's Complete Autobiography which talks about the writer's experiences: she was wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent 7 or 8 years in an institution, and only narrowly escaped getting a leucotomy, but after she came out she went on to become a very successful and internationally reknowned writer and won many literary prizes. The book is depressing in places but the overall message is uplifting, that she survived her ordeal and came through to be a success in her life. There's also a film made of the book, called An Angel At My Table, directed by Jane Campion, which you can get on DVD or video.

[marine02]

PaulB, can I also say that I wish both you and your friend well and hope that she makes a full recovery. Also glad to see that spiff came through that experience.

[marine02]

Just thought of another film: I found Amelie very inspirational and uplifting also, and I would highly recommend it.

[PaulB]

How nice you all are - Thank you to you all, it is a trying time for the both of us and the next few months will be very difficult. She is very accepting though which is why she wants to watch "Feel good" films during her recovery which is understandable. I, needless to say, will be with her every step of the way no matter how hard it gets. Thanks again and I will log all of your suggestions to put to her.
PaulB x

[marine02]

Glad we could help Paul. All the best to you and your friend. Thank you also for the help you gave me with my computer problem on the internet questions forum, the problem is fixed now thanks to your suggestion, and I really appreciate your help.

[coemgen]

I am Sam, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Lord of the Rings, My name is Joe, Muriel's Wedding, The Stand, It's a Wonderful life. It's a mad mad mad mad world.Strictly Ballroom, Finding Nemo, Catch Me If you can, There's only one Jimmy Grimble, I wish your friend all the very best and hope she recovers.

[boognish76]

'Touching the Void' is a great film about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and seeming hopelessness.

[Greedyfly]

Hope she gets very well soon xx

[Lotus]

Its not a really well-known film, but 'Fried Green Tomatoes' is an incredible film, about friendship, dealing with loss and pain, and standing by those you love and care for. Its really easy to watch, and I have loved it since I was a child. You can get it at www.play.com, or the bigger HMVs and Virgins and such like. I hope this helps - and all the best to your friend, I hope she will have lots of smiles and sunshine in her life :)