Grief on screen

Daffodil 1 month ago

8 replies

Dear Community,

I recently saw the Bridget Jones 4: Mad About the Boy in the cinema, and was talking to friends about it afterwards. It turns out we had very different reactions to the film.

My friends were not aware before they watched the film that it deals, among many other things, with different forms of bereavement. They were rather taken aback and might not have chosen the film if they had known. By contrast, I found the treatment of death and bereavement very sensitive and insightful - as much as can be done in what is, still, a comedy for much of the film - and appreciated the topic being woven into the characters' on-screen lives.

So I am wondering: do you seek out or appreciate intelligent depictions of loss and grief on the big screen (or the TV)? Are there any films or shows that have stuck with you long after you saw them?

💛 Anke, a member of the Marie Curie Online Community Team

jesstimp 1 month ago

Hi Anke,

I'm glad you liked the new Bridget Jones film. I've not seen it yet, but I'd like to.

I've recently watched Big Boys on Channel 4 which deals with themes of grief and bereavement. It was a hard watch at times - but I thought it portrayed the many different emotions of grief and loss really well, especially in a younger audience. And has stuck with me since watching it. 

Daffodil 1 month ago

Hi jesstimp,

What a coincidence - I just started watching Big Boys, too! I'm taking it one episode at a time because it packs so much into each episode (so I understand what you mean when you say watching it was hard at times). But I find it very worthwhile, and also hilariously funny in parts. I am sure it will stay in my mind, too, for a long time.

Thank you for sharing this. And I hope you will get to see the new Bridget Jones film, soon.

Take good care,

💛 Anke

LauraCW 1 month ago

Hi and thanks so much for this,

I haven’t watched Bridget Jones or Big Boys yet but will definitely aim to check them out after your recommendations.

In answer to your question Anke I think sometimes I do seek out certain films that I know are on the topic of death and grief, especially if I feel I need an emotional outlet at that time if that makes sense?

I am going to get my thinking cap on about things I have watched!

Many thanks,

Laura, Marie Curie volunteer for the Online Community

Daffodil 1 month ago

Dear Laura,

Thank you for your thoughts. The need to find films on death and grief as an emotional outlet at times makes sense to me (just as avoiding the topics during other times does).

I would like one TV show to my list: Monk, the crime show in which the title character, a detective, spends all 8 seasons trying to find out - alongside the regular cases - who murdered his wife. The thread of his grief weaves through the entire series and is remarkable (I have not seen this gentle persistence with the topic elsewhere) .

I look forward to hearing your recommendations, Laura, if anything comes to mind.

Best wishes,

💛 Anke

NadiaEG 1 month ago

I watched His Three Daughters (film) on Netflix last year and it stuck with me. It's described as a Drama/Comedy, and I didn't read the description so I very stupidly thought it'd be a funny Sunday watch!

It covers end of life care, death, anticipatory grief and grief. But it also deals with the different ways people handle these, difficult family relationships, and how people handle their different priorities and ideas in tense and deeply difficult situations.

It's a brilliant watch and I felt it presented these topics in a really raw and real way. It also has some beautifully wholesome and funny moments - so it's definitely a comedy, just not the comedy I was expecting!