I don’t know how or when my 20s decided to fly past me. I can vividly remember graduating college at 21, stepping off the plane with my bags in Los Angeles at 22, navigating a world-wide pandemic at 25. The years have been filled with happiness, tears, disappointment, laughter, hope, chasing dreams but most importantly – growth. When I look back at my 20s, I see a woman . One of the things that’s helped me is the cinema. I’ve curated a list of 8 films I believe every woman should watch before she kickstarts the next decade of her life. It falls into 4 major categories (2 films in each):
- Take It Easy on Yourself (pretty self-explantory)
- Musicals to Dance + Belt Out To (dancing around the house with your girls? yes please!)
- Brains, Beauty, + Fashion (you can have it all)
- Romance (because who doesn’t want to fall in love?!)
Let’s get into this list!
Take it Easy on Yourself
Frances Ha
A coming of age when you’re already of age. One my favorite films of all time. I was first introduced to Frances Ha via a monologue I stumbled upon. The messiness, stutters, hesitations, awkward silences and random outbursts detailed every bit of my 20s – something Hollywood only really does for you in your teens. Frances Ha follows Frances, a 27 year old in New York, who aspires to be a professional dancer. Though her awkward encounters, failed relationships, and hopes and dreams, we watch as she figures out what it means to grow up. It doesn’t have some dramatic arc, any climax point, or a male-savior. It’s simply about the importance of female friendships and that in-between stage of your life when you aren’t sure what direction you’re headed in. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.
The Worst Person in the World
Another masterpiece that deserved every bit of hype it received. I can definitively say that this film changed the course of my life in my late 20s. We navigate adulthood without a manual and we’re so hard on ourselves for it. The Worst Person in the World follows Julie through 4 years as she changes her career, explores relationships, makes horrible decisions, and everything in between. It holds a mirror up to your face and causes you to have grace for yourself and all of your experiences. This film doesn’t force the titular character do anything or have any type of experience. It just lets her be, and that’s the whole point of life. To exist and just be through it all.
Musicals to Dance & Belt Out To
Mamma Mia
I’m actually watching Mamma Mia as I edit this article. As a girl who grew up on Disney (Honorable Mentions: High School Musical, Cheetah Girls 2, Hannah Montana Movie – and The Sound of Music), musicals basically raised me. Bouncing around the house, singing and performing for my family almost everyday. The fun doesn’t stop when you get into adulthood – it actually intensifies. This family musical is not only a classic, but a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter, filled with incrdible musical numbers, Greek aesthetics, and lots of dancing. One of my favorite performances by Meryl Streep and Amanda Syfriend, grab your girlfriends load up on the snacks, and belt out to ABBA with this classic.
Chicago
Hands down one of the best film adaptations of a musical the world has ever seen. Catherine Zeta is mesmerizing. Renee Zelleweger is perfection. Both of them together – a female pow wow duo we absolutely needed. Chicago follows Roxie and Velma, two women who land themselves in prison for murder – and refusing to be victims. By reclaiming their own narratives (manipulating the media, song, and lots of dance), it isn’t your typical story of heroines but it works. We all need a bit of female empowerment, and to see these two hold their own and take what’s theirs without apologizing.
Beauty, Brains, + Fashion!
The Devil Wears Prada
Anytime I imagined my life in New York during my 20s, it was modeled after Andy’s (minus the crazy controlling boss). The world of fashion blended with a hot chef boyfriend (who in MY opinion was not the best fit for her), and wild New York nights. The film follows Andy’s journey as an aspiring journalist who lands the coveted role as an assistant to the editor-in-chief at a top fashion magazine. She ends up changing not just her wardrobe, but her morals and winds up on a path she never though she’d be on. We’ve all been there at one point. With a timeless wardrobe and Meryl Streep’s iconic silver hair, I can watch this film over and over and over again. Even better? A sequel is set to be released in May 26′ – definitely one to list for movies you should watch in your 30s.
Legally Blonde
Bend and snap! Legally Blonde is a bubbly comedy that tells the store of Elle Woods as she (despite all odds) get’s into law school to win her boyfriend back but finds so much more about herself and her abilities along the way. Her fashion, her charm, her beauty and brains is exactly what makes her unique – and allows her to win her dream life in the end. As pre-law in college, I was disappointed to find out printing your resume on pink stationary will not actually get you into law school. This pink-lover’s dream has a dreamy wardrobe and legal wit you’ll obsess over during late-night study sessions or pigging out on a Saturday afternoon at home.
Romance
Love Jones
These melancholic love story will have you dreaming of a love this beautiful for days after the credits roll. In Chicago, two people (a writer & photographer) meet and instantly hit it off at a poetry slam. The film follows their journey as they fall in love, talking about all things poetry, photography, music and more. Nia Long’s complex character (of course I screamed at the screen) is strong-willed, career driven, and a sucker for a beautiful love. Like most of us in our 20s, our relationships take intention and consideration as we maneuver adulthood. Not that these characters get it right on the first try, but it shows anything worth having is worth fighting for. And your 20s absolutely gives you time to fight.
How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days
If you’re like me, you can’t imagine this film without THE DRESS popping into your mind. There’s nothing I love more than an unapologetic working woman who puts herself and her career forward, only to fall head over heels for the perfect guy. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey’s characters in this film race against the clock as they strike up a romance with ulterior motives – get the other to fall in love/leave you in 10 days. Through the failed plans, a baseball game, and hilarious therapy session, these characters make us swoon over them before they eventually swoon over themselves. A staple-rom com to watch in your 20s, fall in love with two people falling in love.
