Screenwriting : Slow Movies by Aaron Lumley

Aaron Lumley

Slow Movies

As an older grumpier man about town, I'm always on the lookout for great scripts and films that SLOW DOWN the world outside. Peaceful movies, movies that calm the soul and ease the brain...

My three would be:

1) The Tree of Life

2) Spirited Away

3) Anything by Paolo Sorrentino

Anyone got any others that they love to watch or even read that are calm, peaceful and soothing movies that slow the world down....(Not necessarily feel-good)?

Maurice Vaughan

I haven't read that kind of script, Aaron Lumley, but if I read any, I'll let you know. I bookmarked your post. Thanks for the script recs.

You can download scripts on Stage 32 (www.stage32.com/loglines). And here's a list of sites you can download scripts from: www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/10-great-websites-download-movie-scripts

Sebastian Tudores

Hi Aaron Lumley - great request! I'm with you on the Sorrentino films. Will have to check out the other two still. Keeping in mind (strongly) that you said 'Not necessarily feel-good' - here's two of my favorites:

El Amor Brujo - a Carlos Saura film ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090636/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk )

Synecdoche, New York - a Charlie Kaufman film, starring the legend that is Philip Seymour Hoffman ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383028/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk )

Enjoy & cheers

Curt Samlaska

You might think I'm nuts, but Forrest Gump is one that I think fits this category. The romp through America during the Vietnam war I have always been amazed at how well the movie captured the time. Also, the theme of destiny, and if we all have one or not, I found to be very enlightening. So, is Forrest Gump a SLOW DOWN or a NORMAL PACE of a movie? As Forrest would say..."Maybe it's a little of both."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlDJL03hMY4

Jackie Tarascio

Nomadland, Fargo, Past Lives, Nyad, Mission, Cast Away

Aleksandr Rozhnov

Oscar-winning Nomadland. A very good film.

Michael David

I loved the film, NOBODY'S FOOL (1994) for which Paul Newman got an Oscar nomination. It's written by Richard Russo who is the master of small town America,. I wish people still made movies like this.

Michael Dzurak

I really liked My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Ghost World (2000), and Lost in Translation (2003) and even Broken Flowers (2005). All dramas, though Totoro has some fantasy elements, but Broken Flowers in particular is very slow going and contemplative.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

I almost exclusively watch those lol big fan of Studio Ghibli titles like Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service. One I never get tired of is Fiddler on the Roof, though.

Aaron Lumley

Love these. Nobody's Fool and Empire Falls (The TV Series) is a Paul Newman, Richard Russo double bill that my wife and I love!!!!

Studio Ghibli seems to be the answer for most!

Tom Connolly

Most recently - The History Of Sound

Wyman Brent

I really like Main Street (2010) starring Colin Firth and Ellen Burstyn. Very little happens and that is what makes it so great.

Dodi Hochez

'Perfect Days' (2023) By Wim Wenders. Lovely and such a calming pace.

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