At just 21 years old, with a rebellious personality in front of the cameras and an undeniable talent to drive, Franco Colapinto quickly became a complete Argentine sports sensation—which we haven't seen since, for example, Lionel Messi's or Manuel Ginobili's debut in soccer or basketball. Out of nowhere, many people who weren't car race fans—like myself—started to see his name everywhere: in soup, advertisements and social media. Everyone is talking about this young man who, despite showing himself as charismatic and extremely extroverted, has such self-control and professionalism—regardless of his young age—when driving that can amaze anyone.
In a certain way, he reminds me of my younger self: full of dreams, unmeasurably energetic and ready to conquer the world. It's interesting how, as the years go by, we take the scale towards stillness, passivity and slackness. Colapinto, who suffered an accident during the Brazilian Grand Prix a few days ago, seemed both serene and sad over what had happened. His passion is enviable and his attitude… exemplary. Nowadays, he represents a vital force that can motivate us to never give up independently of our age. Thus, he inspired me to create a list of five movies that may help anyone get out of their comfort zone and keep moving forward, as Rocky Balboa would say.
1. EDDIE THE EAGLE (Dexter Fletcher, 2015)
Jumping in the air may be one of the biggest risks for any athlete, but it can also be an interesting and reflexive metaphor of personal growth. Before directing the best musical biopic of all time—yes, I'm referring to Rocketman—the Londoner Dexter Fletcher made his first collaboration—and also his first biopic—with British actor Taron Egerton. In this movie, he amazed us with the inspiring real story of the practically unknown for many Michael "Eddie the Eagle" Edwards, the first ski jumper to represent the United Kingdom in the Seoul 1988 Olympics.
Egerton plays this peculiar outsider with affection and such commitment that it's impossible not to feel identified. Who never felt unsatisfied with the passage of time as it meant getting further away from our dreams? Together with Hugh Jackman as his mentor, they make up a duo full of chemistry and heart, as the best biopics usually have.
Available on Apple TV (you can use the free-trial.)
2. IP MAN (Wilson Yip, 2008)
I always considered Donnie Yen an actor that, despite his impressive martial arts skills, knows how to say a lot without expressing much. The first film of this irregular saga—that, over time, became so popular that it even features a ridiculous scene that almost prompts the end of the saga in which the protagonist meets Mike Tyson—summarizes the warrior spirit of people that, through pain and discipline, live on as legends.
Ip Man, a semi-autobiographical film that raised Yen to stardom and placed him at the top, mostly tells the story of the iconic mentor Bruce Lee and his Wing Chun professor, Yip Man. Even though the film mixes hints of war drama and family drama, it essentially conveys a strong perseverance, discipline and resilience message that makes it an inspiring experience for any martial arts or sports lover and even for anyone having a hard time achieving their dreams.
Available on Apple TV (you can use the free-trial.)
3. THE WRESTLER (Darren Aronofsky, 2008)
The fourth movie of this American director is an indisputable masterpiece that not many people talk about. Aronofsky—who premiered the also underrated The Fountain two years prior—presented a raw and emotional style that talks to the audience in a universal and honest manner. It makes us part of the story as if it was our own. But what's such story?
Mickey Rourke plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a decadent professional wrestler who hasn't been able to connect with his daughter Stephanie for many years, keeps fighting in small tournaments, has a part-time job in a supermarket and is diagnosed with a heart disease that places him, like in the ring... on the ropes. The Wrestler is an inspiring story that teaches us to never give up, even during our darkest times.
Available on Apple TV (you can use the free-trial.)
4. UNBROKEN (Angelina Jolie, 2014)
This is the only more than decent film from Angelina Jolie as a director and is based on Laura Hillenbrand's non-fiction book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, which was published in 2010. Simultaneously, this book is based on Louis Zamperini's amazing life story. He was an American athlete that managed to survive 47 days in a raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after Japanese soldiers tortured him in the middle of World War II. Even though I don't consider it a perfect movie—the narrative and character dynamics of the first half have an amazing quality but falter later on—I have to highlight it never forgets what it truly wants to convey: a moving achievement story.
Available on Apple TV (you can use the free-trial or rent it on the platform.)
5. THE BOXER (Jim Sheridan, 1997)
I have always loved Jim Sheridan's films. From My left foot to Brothers, his last great film, I have always found his movies incredibly deep and he always establishes the social context as the actual trigger of the conflicts. In the third and last collaboration between the Irish director and the legendary actor Daniel Day-Lewis, we witness Danny Flynn's story, a boxer that, after fulfilling his prison sentence of 14 years for participating in the IRA in Belfast, decides to start a new life without political violence, opening a club for aspiring athletes.
The director presents a simple mise-en-scène and uses realism as the movie's most influential factor. He always opens the door to dialogue from the universal aspect of the facts but, at the same time, focuses on narrating—as if it was a documentary—the story of a country from all possible angles.
Available on Apple TV (you can use the free-trial or rent it on the platform.)
BY JERÓNIMO CASCO
Posted on NOVEMBER 15th, 2024, 16:52 PM | UTC-GMT -3
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