The best Thanksgiving movies
Is it just me, or are there really not that many notable movies with Thanksgiving themes? And I'm not talking about animated stuff, I mean like dramas, comedies and the like? I was all set to write up a great piece for you about all my favorite Thanksgiving films and I've been staring at a white space for far too long. This is sad. Christmas and Halloween movies are awesome. Poor Thanksgiving.
I came up with three movies that might work for you, if you're looking to enjoy a little holiday comedy (or drama).
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Arguably one of the best transportation-related comedy movies ever, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a classic. I never tire of seeing Steve Martin and John Candy together, and even though I can pretty much quote this film from memory, I still laugh. If you haven't seen this in a while, I say it's time to revisit it this Thanksgiving holiday.
Home for the Holidays
Oh yes, this Jodie Foster-directed dramedy is well worth it, and of all these, it fits most as a true Thanksgiving movie. For any of us who are apt to "enjoy" (term used loosely) a dysfunctional family holiday, Home for the Holidays is our movie. It has an outstanding cast, too: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Danes, Charles Durning, Anne Bancroft...I could go on, but that should give you the idea. I can highly recommend this as a great Thanksgiving movie.
The Ice Storm
If you haven't seen The Ice Storm, you should if you enjoy excellent acting and great drama, mixed with a bit of acerbic humor throughout. This movie is set over Thanksgiving, 1973, and yes, it's pretty dark at times - but let's be real, the "times" were really screwed up back then. Ang Lee is the director, and he's fantastic. The Ice Storm stars Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire, Katie Holmes and Joan Allen, among others. And yes, I'm biased because I know someone who is in the main cast and he's awesome: Adam Hann-Byrd (also known as Little Man Tate, sorry Adam I had to use my one name drop). Also? I can highly recommend the Rick Moody book of the same name.
Hopefully this gives you some solid options. If not, I'd say just stick with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and be done with it!
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons