Capra-esque flims - recommendations?

[aprout]

You know the type, comedy or drama, feelgood flicks.

The last one I saw that I can think of was Mumford (which was excellent). Any other recommendations? Can be old or new.

Andy

[samuelowens]

Groundhog Day springs to mind (SE coming).

Of course, you can't beat the real thing.

[MARKMAN]

There's always Nic Cage's "Family Man"

[Mike]

Albert Brooks's "Lost In America" is great in this vein (perhaps more Sturges than Capra though) and I'm very fond of Rob Reiner's "The American President" and Ivan Reitman's wonderfully funny "Dave".

[Rachel_M]

Ted Demme's "Beautiful Girls" is a great. Thoroughly recommended.

[JPMO]

I'll second Dave, which is a genuinely lovely little film. Personally, I prefer it to Mr Smith Goes To Washington.

[Mike]

Some other suggestions:

"Big Wednesday" - a film which is overwhelmingly moving in its celebration of the bravery needed to just live an ordinary life. I defy anyone not to feel better about themselves at the end of this movie, whether or not they like or understand surfing.

"In And Out" - OK, not a popular choice but I can't see this film without feeling happy. Bob Newhart's face at the end during the dance is enough to cheer me up for weeks. The line dancing with walking frames is great too.

"The Last Waltz" - great musical performances, full of a spontaneous joy at being alive. Muddy Waters, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan get my own special mentions.

"Hope And Glory" - without sweetening the harsh realities of the blitz, this dares to suggest that for children, the war could be exciting and fun as well as horrible. And Ian Bannen's full blooded laughter at the end is delightful

"Hannah And Her Sisters" - One of the relatively few Woody Allen films to have an unambiguously happy ending and all the better for it (the harsh, bleak irony of the ending of "Husbands And Wives" is better in my view, but that's not remotely feel-good).

"Arthur" - Overrated at the time and underrated now, this is a pretty uncinematic but generous and uplifting throwback to old-style Hollywood comedy. Every single line delievered by John Gielgud is a knockout punch.

"Shirley Valentine" - As a film this might as well be a stage play given that it's not remotely cinematic, but the belief in the power of self-discovery is impossible not to respond to. It's bloody funny too without the self-pity that mars "Educating Rita".

"Harold And Maude" - little seen nowadays but well worth tracking down and about as subtle and beautiful as a film about a love affair between a 17 year old and a 76 year old can be.

[Hendrik]

...ahh... Ron Howard's 1989 Parenthood...

. . . :o . . .