I have seen social dramas and examples of the kitchen sink variety in the past, but I believe I must expand upon that. It’s interesting to see movies that reflect society and the struggles of the everyday for working class people. I was inspired to delve into the respective genres when I came across some work I had done in college that spoke of how society was reflected in movies. I remember my film teacher, a very proud working class guy, telling us all that instead of wasting our time with blockbusters, our attentions should be on more thinking fare that reflected the world around us. Going from this, I’ve decided to seek out social dramas and kitchen sink movies. As I trust you all, I want to ask for your recommendations in these genres.
Social and Kitchen Sink Dramas
08 Tuesday Aug 2017
Posted in Movie opinions and thoughts
vinnieh 
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning might be worth a look.
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Ah, now that sounds like a good one. I’ve heard the title in the past, yet never followed through and watched it. Thanks, Paul.
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Oh Paul! I don’t know whether to strangle you or hug you. That’s the one I was going to suggest.
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I think a hug is the best one. Thanks for commenting Alex. I must now catch up on my sleep but await more recommendations tomorrow.
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‘Woman in a dressing gown’.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_in_a_Dressing_Gown
‘Poor Cow’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Cow
‘A Taste Of Honey’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Taste_of_Honey_(film)
‘The Family Way’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_Way
‘This Sporting Life’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Sporting_Life
‘Room At The Top’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_at_the_Top_(1959_film)
‘The L-Shaped Room’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_L-Shaped_Room
‘A Kind Of Loving’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Kind_of_Loving_(film)
Let me known when you have see that lot… 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
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Should read ‘let me know when you have seen that lot’ of course.
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Thanks for the recommendations Pete. I have seen some social dramas in the past, just seeing that work I did in college made me want to go back.
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Ken Loach has been mentioned a good many times.
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See if you can find the BBC play ‘Kathy Come Home’. That was considered to be landmark social drama. I met the star, Carol White, many years later, and she hadn’t changed a bit.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cathy+come+home+youtube&oq=kathy+come+ho&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l5.9145j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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I’ll give a look out for that. You met one of to stars, that’s fantastic Pete. Why was it considered a landmark?
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Probably the first time that such issues had been shown in a mainstream TV play. It caused an uproar about social services back then, as well as the ‘true-life’ portrayal of the working class.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/cathy-come-home-422630.html
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Thanks for the insight and info.
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I have bookmarked that other post to read. So far in this discussion, you seem very well versed on kitchen sink and social dramas.
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That’s the time I started to get really interested in films and drama, V.
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Sounds like a good time to become immersed in the landscape of cinema.
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The Deer Hunter. It describes the effect of the Vietnam War on the lives of a group of working class friends from an American steel town. Intense, harrowing, but unforgettable. And..it has De Niro, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken.
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I have seen the film years ago. Extremely challenging and harrowing stuff.
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Also…Revolutionary Road. Not everyone was happily settled in suburbia during the baby boomer era. An interesting perspective.
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Ah, will have to add that to my list.
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Life Is Beautiful, Goodwill Hunting, Into the Wild.😊
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I have seen Good Will Hunting, but not the other two. Will make them a priority.
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😊
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It seems I have a bit of catching up to do on my movies.
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When I think of kitchen sink dramas, I think of familial strife of some sort. So that’s where my recommendations come from:
American Beauty
Pariah
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Jungle Fever
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Familial strove is a subject that lends itself well to these kinds of movies.
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You need to go back to the 60’s for great British sink Drama’s V~man,
A Taste of Honey,
A place to go
The Leather Boys
Up The Junction
all great examples.
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I’m heading back to the 60’s then, to see how the British New Wave shaped cinema.
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ditto
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I trust the taste of everyone. Your recommendations never let me down.
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Hi mate, this is a great (sub) genre to review. I would say the works of Karel Reisz, Tony Richardson, Ken Loach, Alan Clarke and Mike Leigh are essential viewing in the working class filmmaking style.
Of late films such as: Nil By Mouth, The Goob and The Selfish Giant have echoed the works of these directors too.
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I’ve seen a few Ken Loach movies but am really not that well versed with Mike Leigh. That must be rectified.
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Oh yes, start with the early ones like Meantime, High Hopes, Life is Sweet Abigail’s Party and Nuts in May; then with Naked, Vera Drake, Another Year and Secrets and Lies he really develops his filmmaking style and ability.
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I very much appreciate you knowledge of his work. I believe for this segment, I’ll go back to the late 50’s and early 60’s when kitchen sink drama really came to prominence. Then I’ll go to Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.
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Absolutely that makes perfect sense.
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And while I’m at it, I’ll head to your blog to catch up soon.
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Of the older ones, Kes springs to mind. But perhaps Shane Meadows’ films are more modern versions? (This is England, Somers Town etc).
I was also a big fan of Captain Fantastic which is essentially a family drama and how society views raising kids.
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Kes is a great film it must be said. Yes, Shane Meadows has really carved out a niche with those films you mention.
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I find it awesome that you are trying something new and refreshing your content!
I recommend Grace of the fireflies, The pianist and The broken Circle Breakdown.
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It keeps blogging interesting to expand and explore. Appreciate your suggestions.
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You’re perspective in blogging is inspiring!
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I’m happy to hear you think that.
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I wrote this 3 years ago.
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I will head on over and read that.
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Woman In A Dressing Gown. Look Back In Anger. Saturday Night, Sunday Morning. This Sporting Life.
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I have taken them all into account. Are you a fan of social dramas?
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I am. The films of Ken Loach are all a must see too.
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The main one that I’ve seen of his is Kes. Though I’m aware his work is extensive.
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Kes is great. I’d also recommend his following work – Ladybird, Ladybird. Days Of Hope (TV series) My Name Is Joe. The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Cathy Come Home.
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That’s why I love doing these posts, the feedback is so generous and informative. A real learning experience too.
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Nice blog so far very good reviews I am still going through it so I’ll give more feedback to you on your other post
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Thanks. I’m delighted to have you as a follower.
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You’re welcome for the follow
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Moonlight (2016)
The Dressmaker (2015)
Blue Sushi (2015)
The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (2014)
Fibs (2014)
Fehér Isten (2014)
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Ben X (2007)
Showgirls (1995)
Bronco Bullfrog (1969)
King of Kings (1961)
Victim (1961)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Letter From an Unknown Woman (1948)
Underground (1928)
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Much appreciate your recommendations. I am always up for expanding my viewing.
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The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Awakenings (1990)
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
My Left Foot (1989)
Schindler’s List (1993)
Temple Grandin (2010, TV Movie)
Mystic River (2003)
Spotlight (2015)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Winter’s Bone (2010)
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Dazed and Confused (1993)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Almost Famous (2000)
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Sideways (2004)
Captain Phillips (2013)
Fruitvale Station (2013)
The Wire (2002-2008, TV Series)
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Now that’s a fine list, Laura Beth. I have seen a number of your suggestions, but there are still ones that I need to view.
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I’d suggest some Satyajit Ray and Yasujiro Ozu. Ozu is all over the post-war Japanese family.
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Thank you for those suggestions, most helpful.
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All that and the kitchen sink too!
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Haha, I like that.
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