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'Ordinary people' movies where nothing much happens?

142 replies

penguinwithasuitcase · 15/12/2021 11:29

Most of my favourite movies are the slow, 'study of everyday life' type, about very ordinary people, where not a lot happens but the nothing-muchness is beautiful.

For example:

Paterson (Jim Jarmusch),
Tokyo Story,
Sideways,
Land Ho
Another Year (Mike Leigh)...

What other films of this type can you think of?

Hunting for things to add to the list that I haven't seen...

OP posts:
HelloBunny · 15/12/2021 22:56

Saw one recently with Mads Mikkelsen where him & his teaching buddies experiment with getting slightly drunk everyday. V good. Another Round.

Snow1n · 15/12/2021 22:57

I'm not sure if this is quite what you mean but the Leisure Seeker is very good and we're going to watch The Last Bus on dhs next day off too. Theyre slower films, stuff does happen obviously but theyre about relationships and life

AlwaysOneMissing · 15/12/2021 22:57

Marriage Story - I absolutely loved this, just an examination of a couple’s marriage, but so compelling. With Scarlett Johanssen and Adam Driver.

Abzs · 15/12/2021 22:58

Ordinary People

'Ordinary people' movies where nothing much happens?
CoffeeDay · 15/12/2021 23:01

Before Sunset
Before Sunrise
Lost In Translation
Only Yesterday (animated film by Studio Ghibli, but very different to their magical realism stuff)

ichundich · 15/12/2021 23:04

@ihatethecold

Manchester by the sea
"Nothing much" - apart from how he came to not want be a dad! But it's a good movie!
Angelton · 15/12/2021 23:05

Before Sunrise absolutely breaks my heart. Something about innocence and naive youth which will inevitably be lost, ground away by the misery of life. I remember the pain of that loss.

Cattenberg · 15/12/2021 23:13

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
The Lady in the Van
The History Boys (could be triggering)
Withnail and I
Educating Rita

PerkingFaintly · 15/12/2021 23:15

Definitely Garden State.
A Month in the Country (the 1987 film with Colin Firth)
A Good Year
Greenfingers (v underrated Helen Mirren film)
Girl with a Pearl Earring

If you're OK with foreign language films, I dimly remember Chen Kaige's Yellow Earth might fit the bill (in Mandarin).
The Story of Qiu Ju (Mandarin) would too.

Changecountetextraordinaire · 15/12/2021 23:16

Perking, A Month in the Country is one of my favourite books - an absolute jewel of a book that says nothing and everything.

TwoBlondes · 15/12/2021 23:17

45 Years, Charlotte Rampling

EezyOozy · 15/12/2021 23:20

Nuts in May!

saraclara · 15/12/2021 23:21

@penguinwithasuitcase

Just returning to add one of my favourites for those of you that say you also love this genre: .

Mongolian, not quite a documentary but none of the 'actors' are actors. Stunning cinematography, lovely storyline, adorable kiddos.

Have you seen the Story of the Weeping Camel, by the same guy?

I came on here to recommend Lost in Translation but I've been beaten to it. Love that film. Nothing happens but it's great.

PerkingFaintly · 15/12/2021 23:22

I would high five you, Changecountetextraordinaire, but I feel a dignified throat-clearing and clap on the back would be more in the spirit.Grin

It's just so still and lovely, isn't it? Oddly, given the topics covered.

MsAmerica · 15/12/2021 23:24

Love your question, as I adore small quieter films. Patterson is such a great example.

Two that come immediately to mind are:

Return of the Secaucus 7
Two Family House

Tokyo Story is the liveliest of Ozu's movies, but if you're brave you could try my favorite, Late Spring, although I don't know how it would translate for home viewing. His films are so quiet that they may be boring on a small screen. I've only seen them in theaters, which is a lot of fun, because it's a roomful of fanatics.

ElaineMarieBenes · 15/12/2021 23:28

A Serious Man

Also saw ‘Drive my Car’ recently and ‘Never Going to Snow Again’ loved both!

Agree ‘Another Round’ is a good film!

showmethegin · 15/12/2021 23:28

Thank you so much OP, these are absolutely my favourite genre of films and there have been loads suggested here I haven't watched yet!

stringbean · 15/12/2021 23:29

Another vote for the ‘Before’ Trilogy: saw the first one soon after I returned home from several months travelling, and really resonated with me. Beautiful trio of films tracing a long term relationship, lost youth and missed opportunities.

ElaineMarieBenes · 15/12/2021 23:30

Sorry it’s ‘Never Gonna Snow Again’!

boatyardblues · 15/12/2021 23:39

Little Forest (Korean) is my go-to film when I want something gentle and nurturing. It usually pops up on YouTube with subtitles as a bootleg copy but gets pulled for copyright so no point posting a link.

Kitchen Stories (Norwegian) is a real slice of life and intimate (not the sexy kind).

Italian for Beginners (Danish) does involve a field trip so not entirely without event, but is a heartwarming tale and very low key.

Joystir59 · 15/12/2021 23:39

Under a Sheltering Sky

Joystir59 · 15/12/2021 23:40

Three Colours Red White and Blue

Ionlydomassiveones · 15/12/2021 23:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

StormBaby · 15/12/2021 23:44

Stealing Beauty
LaLa Land
Into the Wild

LeftieLucy · 15/12/2021 23:45

The terminal, with Tom Hanks