Our Autumnal Film & TV Favorites
Happy (Belated) Autumnal Equinox! Seriously though, it is ‘that’ time of year (and no, we aren’t talking about Christmas), fall is upon us, and we, the team at The Film Rewind, could not be happier! It is undoubtedly our favorite season. We have gotten so distracted with the leaves changing color, hauling out our autumnal decorations to brighten up our work-from-home spaces, and brewing up some Pumpkin Spice coffee that we almost forgot to take the time to share what fall themed movies and TV shows we have been watching recently… A little late is certainly better than never, so we hope that you will enjoy checking out our recommendations for films and TV shows that are sure to make you count down the days until you can jump into a pile of freshly raked leaves… Enjoy!
Autumnal TV
Road to Avonlea (CBC, 1990-1996)
Though this television series, based on several works by author Lucy Maud Montgomery, takes place throughout the year, a good portion of the show takes place in autumn, featuring some stunning Canadian foliage. Also, the show takes place on a farm, so harvesting abounds. – Bailey 🍁
Gilmore Girls (The WB/The CW, 2000-2007, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino)
This is undeniably one of my all-time favorite shows. From the rapid fire talking, to the obscene amount of coffee consumed, I identify with this show on one too many levels. While it is easy to point out that the show embraces all the seasons (the 2016 Netflix Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life reboot being a case in point), there is something magical about the autumnal episodes. From the very first episode with Rory headed off to Chilton, to the abundance of pumpkins that appear surrounding the Stars Hollow Gazebo, to A Year in the Life ending in the Fall, and to the many references to Pumpkin Spice coffee, no show pays homage to autumn quite like The Gilmore Girls. – Sarah ☕☕☕📵
Fantastic Fall Dramas
Dead Poets Society (1989, dir. Peter Weir)
Much like the Olsen twins' It Takes Two, we can't go too long on this blog without acknowledging Dead Poets Society. Set at the start of the school year at a prep school in Vermont, this film portrays the New England autumns that I have known and loved my whole life. The soccer scene, with the boys all in their Welton sweatshirts and the trees in the distance that are just beginning to bare themselves of their leaves, can't fail to make you want to go outside on a crisp fall morning. – Bailey 📙
Mona Lisa Smile (2003, dir. Mike Newell)
Often compared to its male-centric counterpart, Dead Poets Society, Mona Lisa Smile is another film that relishes in the glory of autumn in New England. Partly filmed in Massachusetts, the movie is set in the 1950’s and centers on Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts), a graduate student who accepts a teaching position at Wellesley College, and focuses upon the relationships that Katherine fosters with her students over the course of her “History of Art'' class. This film features a stellar ensemble cast, and is well worth a revisit, especially with its characters constantly bundled up in sweaters, jackets, and berets. – Sarah 🎨
Nostalgic Favorites
Clara's Heart (1988, dir. Robert Mulligan)
This film serves as more of a personal connection to fall than a quintessentially fall film.’ While autumn certainly does play a role in the movie, especially in emphasizing young David's (Neil Patrick Harris) depression at the start of the movie, the reason I return to this film, around this time of year, is because of a fond personal experience. One day, in high school, I walked home on a beautiful and quiet autumn afternoon, after one of my first few days of school, turned on Clara's Heart, and watched it while eating Mellowcreme Pumpkins. I found this entire occurrence so comforting that I repeat this spiritual ritual every September, without fail, usually to bridge into October and the Halloween season. What can I say? Sometimes you just can't let a happy association like this go. – Bailey 🎃
Legally Blonde (2001, dir. Robert Luketic)
Elle’s father: “Oh, sweetheart, you don’t need law school. Law school is for people who are boring and ugly and serious. And you, button, are none of those things…” I cringe every time I hear this line, and wish I could tell Elle (Reese Witherspoon) to just ignore her father and follow her dreams! I cannot think about fall without thinking about heading back to school, and while most of the exterior locations were filmed at universities based in California, Legally Blonde still manages to capture the spirit of moving into university student housing within the greater Boston area (a wicked stressful and busy time of year). You would be surprised how many giant U-Hauls actually show up outside of student residences, exactly like the scene where Elle arrives at Harvard… Oh, the fond memories of idling engines, shouting parents, and creative ways of attempting to save one’s parking space… – Sarah 🚚
Darkening Days & A Dose of Black-Comedy
Harold and Maude (1971, dir. Hal Ashby)
What better season than fall to set a film about life, death, beauty, and everything in between? Despite the chill that permeates the film (the two main characters frequently bundle themselves up), the characters more frequently discuss spring (growth, flowers, etc.). This contrast encapsulates the movie's entire attitude beautifully, as Harold's (Bud Cort) obsession with death is a similarly lingering presence. – Bailey ⚰
Election (1999, dir. Alexander Payne)
With an important November election looming ahead, our fall themed list would not be complete without a nod to this satirical black-comedy film. Election stars Matthew Broderick as a well-respected high school civics teacher turned election manipulator when his overachieving (and teacher seducing) student, Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), announces that she is running, un-opposed, for student body president… If you haven’t seen this film, I highly suggest that you do, as it is quite well-written (and even earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay). If you enjoy your right to watch films like this, make sure you exercise your right to VOTE in our upcoming Presidential election… – Sarah ✅❌
What are your favorite autumnally themed movies and TV shows? What do you think of our selections? How do you like celebrating the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below and do not forget to watch Psycho (1960), so you can join us for our discussion of this Hitchcock classic early next week!
Happy Fall Y’all!!!
Copyright © 2020 Sarah Crane & Bailey Lizotte
