As Social Diary continues to highlight breast cancer awareness this month, we want to also talk about some heartfelt movies on breast cancer. You may know a person fighting this disease right now, or you have gone through something- or simply you want to play your part and highlight the need for early screening- whatever the reason may be, it all comes down to looking for inspiration and these movies play a major role in inspiring women and families. Check out some of the most popular titles:
Miss You Already
It tells the story of two friends, Milly and Jessica, played by Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore respectively, as one of them is diagnosed with breast cancer. They are childhood friends that have gone through practically everything together, including trying to beat breast cancer. In the movie, Milly must get a double mastectomy to prevent cancer from spreading. One can only imagine this procedure being a very emotional and enduring procedure for a woman. In addition to the physical and emotional struggles shown in the movie, Milly and Jessica display the strength and value of their “best-friendship” in very trying times. Miss You Already is a drama that shows the not-so-easy parts of friendship, the realistic and painful thoughts when fighting breast cancer, but also what you do for the people you love.
Decoding Annie Parker
Based on a true story, this film is about Annie Parker, the breast cancer survivor whose diagnosis helped doctors discover the BRCA1 breast cancer gene that shows that breast cancer can be hereditary in women. With teary eyes, you’ll watch her fight the disease that took both her mother and sister.
Ma Ma
A Spanish film released in 2015, starring and produced by Penelope Cruz, which made its debut at the famous Cannes Film Festival. Cruz is also the protagonist, Magda, who is diagnosed with breast cancer. The film highlights her struggle with the disease, including being an unemployed school teacher in Spain, being in the middle of a love triangle, and raising a 10-year-old son. It is described as an “intimate and emotionally intense drama” worth taking the time to watch.
Five
Five stories following the lives of five women who are all diagnosed with breast cancer, each story directed by a separate female director, including Alicia Keys and Jennifer Aniston. Why this movie is on our list is because it authentically portrays what women actually go through when fighting breast cancer, from having to tell their family members to learning to deal with the life-changing news.
Family Stone
This is a holiday film released in 2005 with an all-star cast including: Diane Keaton, Dylan McDermott, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rachel McAdams. So, why is it on this list? It shows how the mother and kind-hearted matriarch, played by Diane Keaton, decides to handle her breast cancer battle in secret. Keaton remains positive, leading, and loving, while her children go through their issues during the holidays. The film displays family dysfunction during Christmas in a comedic, yet heartwarming way.
Terms of Endearment
While this film is an oldie, it is definitely worth watching the brilliant cast, starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger and Jack Nicholson. The plot follows a wavering, tense mother-daughter relationship, as the daughter discovers she has breast cancer and has to lean on her mother for support.
1 A Minute
Five stories following the lives of five women who are all diagnosed with breast cancer, each story directed by a separate female director, including Alicia Keys and Jennifer Aniston. Why this movie is on our list is because it authentically portrays what women actually go through when fighting breast cancer, from having to tell their family members to learning to deal with the life-changing news.
