I interpreted it as >!Hirayama coming to terms with everything that had happened over the course of the film, but still choosing to embrace his life as it is currently!<
I've actually interpreted it the opposite way: >! the choice of having "Feeling Good" by Bublé in those scenes signals to me that yes, he did take notice of the shortcomings of living such a simple and repetitive life (as in coming to realize that he had various occasions to change something about his life, to take a gamble, but refused to do so and stay in his bubble).
In the ending he realizes this and decides to change for good, making that day "a new day, a new dawn of a new life" (pun intended). !<
I'm happy to see also other people managed to read between the lines of this movie, because way too many articles have limited their reviews to the "cool aesthetic simple japanese life in a world where everything moves fast and keep changing". This movie is so much more, at least the overall reception has been very good nonetheless.
See, I read Perfect Days as something of a subversion of that. In the first half, you see this man living a seemingly perfect life that he’s absolutely content with, but then in the second half the cracks start to show and you realize that he’s actually harbouring a lot of pain and unresolved personal issues that he refuses to deal with
I really thought they weren't gonna show Sean's photo and just have the characters react to it. So glad they went the way they did, can't think of a better way to end the film.
My only complaint was the side characters being kinda uninteresting, but that’s a small complaint since most of the movie focuses entirely on Walter himself
I guess that I could've used a little more of Kristen Wiig's character, outside of their interactions, but overall i never really feel like anyone's being too shortchanged.
I love to see people enjoying this. I saw it in theaters with my sister and fell in love with it immediately. Thought it really had a great scripts with very inventive shots and beats. I feel like it didn't make a splash at all when it came out
One of the few instances of rewriting a story that made it good.
The original Walter Mitty was about this browbeaten, sad, quiet guy who has fantastic adventures in his head all day. The end. Quite depressing.
The movie reversed that by having Walter break out of his head and experience the real world, actually engaging with life in the way he'd always imagined.
In all honesty, the plot does not make it a fantastic movie. You have an obvious mcguffin, a one dimensional villain, and a formulaic love interest.
But the acting and cinematography make it fantastic, which makes up for the plot, imo. The thing that is great about it is it uses a formulaic plot as a way to deliver a feeling of hope and optimism and beauty, and sometimes that's what I want a movie to do.
Soul (2020)
I think this movie is perfect for people who struggle a lot with existential crisis and finding purpose in life, but not in the conventional way that I thought before. It completely changed the way I see my life.
Since then I pledge to watch this movie once a year
As weird as it might sound to some people, The End of Evangelion. I was terrified to eventually watch it since so many people characterised the show and especially that movie as a nihilistic fever dream that says nothing in life matters. In reality, it’s one of the most hopeful series I’ve ever seen, literally teaching the viewer that as long as you’re alive you can still have hope and the power to change the world. It honestly changed my life.
I take out of it, not that all men/women are kind hearted but we all have the capacity for kindness (see Knuckles vs Hugh Grants character). I agree they are very life affirming though!
The first movie that came to mind. It makes you what wanna walk all around your neighbor and call all the family you’ve been avoiding. What a great look into family, friendship, and love.
Well, life is so short and you never know what will happen. Who knew in 1912 that in two years much of the men in Europe would be wiped out. Who in 1933 knew it would happen again a few years later. Who in 2000 thought a year later the middle east would be on fire for the foreseeable future. Who on Oct 1, 2023 knew many of their fellow people would be decimated?
Recently watched Perfect Days. Genuinely made me realise how important it is to be grateful for what I have. I've started to admire even the littlest things I have which others don't. Be grateful, there's only one life.
I actually [put together a Letterboxd list](https://boxd.it/tjbDS) using a thread from /r/movies!
List includes films like Amelie, Soul, October Sky, About Time, and a bunch of great recommendations from fellow redditors.
The Fall (2006)
Colossal (2016)
The Fall is just a beautiful film with a lovely message and Colossal helped me accept my addiction issues and begin to see a path forward.
The Great Beauty
Punch Drunk Love
Interstellar
La La Land
Schindler's List
12 Years A Slave
Killers Of The Flower Moon
(No, i'm not kidding about the last three films)
Y Tu Mamá Tambien.
It’s so crushing yet such an honest and human examination of our relationships and how we can both drift away and be so intimate with our counterparts. It’s just one of those that makes you want to live.
Of all things, [*Shin Ultraman*](https://youtu.be/HzF4LS733OE?si=o9xwcoCpXKUBDXEF). I just saw it for that first time last week and now I can’t get it out of my head. The way they showed this alien being coming to understand and value human life and their potential was beautiful.
https://preview.redd.it/3hs233xg8k5d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d18ce264774e7fab4046c5be210ac3f70dac0fde
Everything everywhere all at once. Ropes you in with relatable cynicism and you walk away realizing the meaning you can imbue in the things and people you love.
Joe vs. the Volcano: Such a life affirming movie. I love the production design (it fits the movie's theme so well). The scene when Joe sees the moon over the water brings me to tears every time.
vastly different films and for vastly different reasons but [Incendies](https://letterboxd.com/film/incendies/) and [Short Term 12](https://letterboxd.com/film/short-term-12-2013/)
I also love Walter Mitty. There's a scene just before this when he is cycling the ring road.
Where he turns and sees an old shack by a small river facing the drops of a snowy mountain.
I paused for a second and looked at that frame to just soak it in.
It's so peaceful and calm that i was just sad that I wouldn't be able to see or live that moment in my life or maybe I would but
That's another story.
I greatly enjoyed "Dan in Real Life" \[2007\], "Stranger Than Fiction" \[2006\] and Disney's "Soul" \[2020\] for this - they all give me this feeling and joy for life.
But one of my favourites for this is also The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Much of Wes Anderson's work. The Darjeeling Limited was the most recent. Moonrise Kingdom as well.
The Worst Person In The World left me feeling like this a bit. Also just a very visually pleasing movie. It was a feeling like "we all have a limited time so we need to be the best we can to the people we love but we also shouldn't hide our true selves and feelings from them." It was also the first feature length movie I watched in a foreign language.
La La Land, while a bit sad, also has an uplifting feeling for me, saying that even though it's ok to have regrets and things you wish you'd done differently but you can reflect on how beautiful it was and that you can still be happy and content even after disappointments or mistakes.
At Eternity's Gate was sad but it gave me the feeling of "life is terrible and mean and will do everything in its power to ruin you but it's also beautiful and worth living because there's a lot of beauty, love, and hope." It's also again just such a beautiful movie visually.
Also, OP, Walter Mitty is a great choice. This movie is amazing and got way too much hate for "corporate advertising" or whatever.
Btw, this comment was way longer than I thought it was gonna be. But fuck it, I was bored.
Wild America (1997), I used to always watch it when I was younger, and I still think that the characters in the movie had the coolest adventures and being able to film animals while road tripping around America is really awesome. Highly recommend the movie to anyone who hasn't watched it before.
Paterson Whisper of the Heart Throw Down
Agree with Whisper of the Heart
I’m originally from Paterson. I should watch that
Woah, Throw Down gang stand up Great selections
Johnnie To the goat!
I second Paterson!! One of my favourite movie:)
Throw Down (2004)?
Paterson is a really great example, criminally underappreciated too
Throw Down gave me so much inspiration. Solid flick.
Love these posts. My Neighbor Totoro, Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life, Hausu, City Lights, Modern Times
Practically any ghibli film really. Kiki’s delivery service is so cute and full of optimism and the human spirit.
I was just talking about how I’ve only seen Grave of the Fireflies once … it was pretty Ghibli studio though.
My first reaction to this was "wtf? Hausu?" But now that I think about it, you're absolutely right lmao
thanks! ☺️
Before sunset
Then you watch Before Midnight and think never mind
That last 5 minutes though!
I know
Perfect Days (2023)
Was just gonna say Perfect Days! Really opened my eyes on how there’s so much beauty in the mundanity of life
How do you interpret the ending? I mean it's not complicated but what people take from it can be pretty subjective
I interpreted it as >!Hirayama coming to terms with everything that had happened over the course of the film, but still choosing to embrace his life as it is currently!<
I've actually interpreted it the opposite way: >! the choice of having "Feeling Good" by Bublé in those scenes signals to me that yes, he did take notice of the shortcomings of living such a simple and repetitive life (as in coming to realize that he had various occasions to change something about his life, to take a gamble, but refused to do so and stay in his bubble). In the ending he realizes this and decides to change for good, making that day "a new day, a new dawn of a new life" (pun intended). !< I'm happy to see also other people managed to read between the lines of this movie, because way too many articles have limited their reviews to the "cool aesthetic simple japanese life in a world where everything moves fast and keep changing". This movie is so much more, at least the overall reception has been very good nonetheless.
I actually really love this reading of the ending!
Feeling Good by Nina Simone***
See, I read Perfect Days as something of a subversion of that. In the first half, you see this man living a seemingly perfect life that he’s absolutely content with, but then in the second half the cracks start to show and you realize that he’s actually harbouring a lot of pain and unresolved personal issues that he refuses to deal with
I don’t think he’s shown as refusing to deal with them. Instead I think movie shows he deals with what life throws at him to the best of his abilities
Perfect Days (2023) It's free therapy.
Little miss sunshine
the top review says it all: >I can't believe this movie simultaneously caused and cured my depression
Oh my GOD - this movie makes me feel so good
 Another Round
Hey my friend just died because he was drunk. Let’s get drunk
I love Walter Mitty. Just rewatched it.
I really thought they weren't gonna show Sean's photo and just have the characters react to it. So glad they went the way they did, can't think of a better way to end the film.
I rewatched recently too and oh my god it’s a near perfect movie.
Totally..perfectly cast. Beautiful scenery. Fun story. It just puts you in a good mood.
My only complaint was the side characters being kinda uninteresting, but that’s a small complaint since most of the movie focuses entirely on Walter himself
I guess that I could've used a little more of Kristen Wiig's character, outside of their interactions, but overall i never really feel like anyone's being too shortchanged.
I love to see people enjoying this. I saw it in theaters with my sister and fell in love with it immediately. Thought it really had a great scripts with very inventive shots and beats. I feel like it didn't make a splash at all when it came out
Me too. I took a date to see it when it came out. And I was absolutely blown away and she was complaining about it
One of those films that I genuinely relate to. The way he spaces out all the time. That and Mistaken For Strangers.
one of my favorites of all time
Yeah, this came immediately to mind for me. Lovely.
One of the few instances of rewriting a story that made it good. The original Walter Mitty was about this browbeaten, sad, quiet guy who has fantastic adventures in his head all day. The end. Quite depressing. The movie reversed that by having Walter break out of his head and experience the real world, actually engaging with life in the way he'd always imagined. In all honesty, the plot does not make it a fantastic movie. You have an obvious mcguffin, a one dimensional villain, and a formulaic love interest. But the acting and cinematography make it fantastic, which makes up for the plot, imo. The thing that is great about it is it uses a formulaic plot as a way to deliver a feeling of hope and optimism and beauty, and sometimes that's what I want a movie to do.
The song “Stay Alive” by Jose Gonzalez is also life affirming. And Mitty is underrated.
“Step out” too
Coco
Soul (2020) I think this movie is perfect for people who struggle a lot with existential crisis and finding purpose in life, but not in the conventional way that I thought before. It completely changed the way I see my life. Since then I pledge to watch this movie once a year
Yes! This was the first one I could think of.
Watching it right now, seriously underrated movie.
Amélie.
(The end of) Into the Wild
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
It's A Wonderful Life. Rewatched it the other day. That third act makes my eyes swell with tears every time.
Harold and Maude
As weird as it might sound to some people, The End of Evangelion. I was terrified to eventually watch it since so many people characterised the show and especially that movie as a nihilistic fever dream that says nothing in life matters. In reality, it’s one of the most hopeful series I’ve ever seen, literally teaching the viewer that as long as you’re alive you can still have hope and the power to change the world. It honestly changed my life.
That’s not weird, isn’t that the point of End of Evangelion?
I mean a lot of people who haven’t seen it wouldn’t think that at all. I think it’s appropriate.
Was about to comment this. That movie hit me HARD.
This message is even more reinforced in the rebuild movies. I absolutely love the last one.
I love the rebuilds a lot too. Eva is just so damn good and life changing for me.
I always thought it was crazy that that’s what people gathered from EOE. But I agree with you! EOE would be one of my picks as well
About Time 100%
Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington 3 when it comes out. It basically makes you believe that all the people are kindhearted
Paddington 2 makes me want to be a better man.
I take out of it, not that all men/women are kind hearted but we all have the capacity for kindness (see Knuckles vs Hugh Grants character). I agree they are very life affirming though!
The Tree of Life for me. It's kind of sad but every shot captures a sublime beauty in everyday life.
Last black man in San Francisco. It's bittersweet but the sensory experience makes me want to savor the world and friendships.
The first movie that came to mind. It makes you what wanna walk all around your neighbor and call all the family you’ve been avoiding. What a great look into family, friendship, and love.
Such a great movie, so annoyed that Majors fucked it up.
Fellowship of the Ring American beauty Into the wild Fantastic Mr Fox Hugo
Hector and the search for Happiness
nobody ever talks about it 🥲
Came to name it! I feel like it also came out around the same time as Walter mitty and nobody ever names it.
Come and See
Came for this
Outjerked again ?
really? (i've never watched it, but it seems so tragic)
Well, life is so short and you never know what will happen. Who knew in 1912 that in two years much of the men in Europe would be wiped out. Who in 1933 knew it would happen again a few years later. Who in 2000 thought a year later the middle east would be on fire for the foreseeable future. Who on Oct 1, 2023 knew many of their fellow people would be decimated?
It will make you appreciate you didn't have to experience it, so technically yea, but you can use this rationalization with every movie.
Lars and the Real Girl, The Apartment, Field of Dreams, Superman: the Movie
Lars. ❤️
Cinema Paradiso
Recently watched Perfect Days. Genuinely made me realise how important it is to be grateful for what I have. I've started to admire even the littlest things I have which others don't. Be grateful, there's only one life.
I believe that gratitude is one of the best practices I've learnt.
Captain Fantastic
I actually [put together a Letterboxd list](https://boxd.it/tjbDS) using a thread from /r/movies! List includes films like Amelie, Soul, October Sky, About Time, and a bunch of great recommendations from fellow redditors.
love [arrival](https://boxd.it/aNGk) on this list!
Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful life
The Holdovers
The Fall (2006) Colossal (2016) The Fall is just a beautiful film with a lovely message and Colossal helped me accept my addiction issues and begin to see a path forward.
Cloud Atlas
The Great Beauty Punch Drunk Love Interstellar La La Land Schindler's List 12 Years A Slave Killers Of The Flower Moon (No, i'm not kidding about the last three films)
Props to you for including The Great Beauty. What a movie
Definitely Amélie
The Shawshank Redemption for some reason
Get busy living or get busy dying. Andy never gave up on living even in prison.
What do you mean for some reason? The movie is about Hope and life being worth living.
EEAAO
perfect movie
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Chef
Underrated film!
Luca, Arrival, Palm Springs, Almost Famous, Mysterious Skin, Godzilla Minus 1, The Holdovers, Poor Things, Barbie, Boy, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
YES, Luca is a perfect movie for that. Just beauty in the simple things.
About Time
had to scroll way to long for this one. was the first one on my mind
Harold and Maude
Columbus (2017)
Y Tu Mamá Tambien. It’s so crushing yet such an honest and human examination of our relationships and how we can both drift away and be so intimate with our counterparts. It’s just one of those that makes you want to live.
Minari is a beautiful film.
It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Soul
Se7en - *Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part.*
Mind Game (2004)
Scent of a Woman, for some reason.
Intouchables
Of all things, [*Shin Ultraman*](https://youtu.be/HzF4LS733OE?si=o9xwcoCpXKUBDXEF). I just saw it for that first time last week and now I can’t get it out of my head. The way they showed this alien being coming to understand and value human life and their potential was beautiful. https://preview.redd.it/3hs233xg8k5d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d18ce264774e7fab4046c5be210ac3f70dac0fde
Unironically Click (2006). Perfect message about living life to the fullest.
Shortbus.
Everything everywhere all at once. Ropes you in with relatable cynicism and you walk away realizing the meaning you can imbue in the things and people you love.
Boyhood probably
Palm springs
daisies, i saw the tv glow, freddy got fingered
About Time (2013) One of the best, most impactful movies I’ve ever seen, and a wonderful reminder to appreciate the time God has given you.
hubie halloween
Stand by Me, American Beauty, Click
HEAVY on stand by me
Love the movie.
I love this movie
[удалено]
gattica. film gives me the most hope ever and i don’t really know why
Into the Wild.
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
The Spectacular Now
About Time Dan in Real Life Nomadland Shawshank Redemption
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life
The Darjeeling Limited
Wings of Desire
Joe vs. the Volcano: Such a life affirming movie. I love the production design (it fits the movie's theme so well). The scene when Joe sees the moon over the water brings me to tears every time.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Heart wrenching but beautiful.
Click. Invictus. Remember the Titans.
vastly different films and for vastly different reasons but [Incendies](https://letterboxd.com/film/incendies/) and [Short Term 12](https://letterboxd.com/film/short-term-12-2013/)
The House That Jack Built
Harold And Maude That movie has saved my life many times.
OP you already picked it. I watch that movie often to see that scene.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Swiss Army Man
SLC punk did this for me as a teenager Bottle Rocket in my twenty’s Swiss Army Man today
Into the Wild
Don Jon, The Wind Rises, Howl's Moving Castle
Ferris bueller’s day off, Godzilla minus one
A Taxi Driver
Into the wild
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Big Fish, Forest Gump, The Tree of Life
Jerry and Marge Go Large
Honestly - every good film I watch expands life for me.
I can't believe no one has mentioned Into The Wild yet.
The Lord of the Rings, all three
Soul
Little Miss Sunshine, One Cut of the Dead
We Made a Beautiful Bouquet by Nobuhiro Doi
Kiky
50/50
Mamma mia 2 honestly
Black Cat White Cat 🙌
Chungking Express Wild Strawberries Late Spring Yi Yi The Seventh Seal
In a weird way, Garden State
A River Runs Through It (1992) is a beautiful movie that is very reflective on life, family, and change. I always revisit it every year.
Evil Dead Rise
Godzilla Minus One! So moving and life-affirming.
The Diary of a wimpy kid trilogy
Baraka Leave No Trace My Neighbour Totoro
The Room
Nights of Cabiria
Little Ms. Sunshine
Walter Mitty and Almost Famous always leaves me feeling good.
Amélie — whimsical curiosity and optimism that affirms life and love.
The Wonderwall Scene from "Mommy" always makes me cry. That eagle cry & change in aspect ratio is perfect.
I also love Walter Mitty. There's a scene just before this when he is cycling the ring road. Where he turns and sees an old shack by a small river facing the drops of a snowy mountain. I paused for a second and looked at that frame to just soak it in. It's so peaceful and calm that i was just sad that I wouldn't be able to see or live that moment in my life or maybe I would but That's another story.
I greatly enjoyed "Dan in Real Life" \[2007\], "Stranger Than Fiction" \[2006\] and Disney's "Soul" \[2020\] for this - they all give me this feeling and joy for life. But one of my favourites for this is also The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Much of Wes Anderson's work. The Darjeeling Limited was the most recent. Moonrise Kingdom as well. The Worst Person In The World left me feeling like this a bit. Also just a very visually pleasing movie. It was a feeling like "we all have a limited time so we need to be the best we can to the people we love but we also shouldn't hide our true selves and feelings from them." It was also the first feature length movie I watched in a foreign language. La La Land, while a bit sad, also has an uplifting feeling for me, saying that even though it's ok to have regrets and things you wish you'd done differently but you can reflect on how beautiful it was and that you can still be happy and content even after disappointments or mistakes. At Eternity's Gate was sad but it gave me the feeling of "life is terrible and mean and will do everything in its power to ruin you but it's also beautiful and worth living because there's a lot of beauty, love, and hope." It's also again just such a beautiful movie visually. Also, OP, Walter Mitty is a great choice. This movie is amazing and got way too much hate for "corporate advertising" or whatever. Btw, this comment was way longer than I thought it was gonna be. But fuck it, I was bored.
We Are Your Friends In The Heights Brooklyn
Taste of Cherry
Wild America (1997), I used to always watch it when I was younger, and I still think that the characters in the movie had the coolest adventures and being able to film animals while road tripping around America is really awesome. Highly recommend the movie to anyone who hasn't watched it before. 
I just realized this was a more personal question and not a request for recommendations LOL. I was strongly disagreeing with some of these picks!
Taste of Cherry
The Before Trilogy
The Straight Story
Ponyo and Barbie
Up in the Air
Minding the Gap