Movies to Watch on a "Sick Day"

[Cachoo]

When you have a cold, or a backache or recovering from surgery what kind of movies do you like to watch? I don't want to feel any pressure. Maybe something from childhood or something that is positive. I think the last time I was ill I watched "Sleepless in Seattle." What about you?

 

[skateycat]

Fandango (1985)

 

[made_in_canada]

I default to dance movies. Dance with Me, Center Stage, Footloose.

 

[MacMadame]

America's Sweethearts with Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and John Cusack.

 

[orbitz]

Watch videos of past skating competitions, of course!
I don’t have the patience or attention span anymore to sit through an entire film either in the theatre or via streaming.

 

[Tesla]

Persuasion, 1995 version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds

 

[emason]

Persuasion, 1995 version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds

The single best adaptation of any Austen novel in my humble opinion. It pushes the 1995 Pride and Prejudice to #2 on my Austen adaptation list.

 

[A.H.Black]

The single best adaptation of any Austen novel in my humble opinion. It pushes the 1995 Pride and Prejudice to #2 on my Austen adaptation list.

Totally agree. The "feel" is absolutely right. I think Jane would approve.

 

[BaileyCatts]

Michael Keaton comedies from the 80's and 90's. Especially right when he was becoming a 'name' at the cusp of hitting it big. Sure, the movie plots might be a little ridiculous and they ain't Shakespeare, but he's great in them, and they are funny. Johnny Dangerously, Night Shift, Gung Ho, Mr. Mom, The Dream Team. Multiplicity is funny as he plays 4 different versions of himself (again, ridiculous premise, but still funny watching how he plays each character). One of my favorite Michael Keaton movies is The Paper (comedy/drama).

 

[A.H.Black]

Back to originals

Affair to remember. (not the original, but still)
Sabrina
Pillow Talk
How to Marry a Millionaire
Indiscreet
Roman Holiday
Philadelphia Story - (or High Society)
To Catch a Thief
Little Women - any version
Jane Eyre - almost any version

Any Jane Austen

More modern - Crazy Rich Asians

 

[emason]

Enchanted April; such a lovely movie. Who doesn’t want to spend April in Italy?

 

[Tesla]

The single best adaptation of any Austen novel in my humble opinion. It pushes the 1995 Pride and Prejudice to #2 on my Austen adaptation list.

Yes! These are my top-two Austen adaptations, in that order. My third is the 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. I’m going to watch Persuasion tomorrow.

 

[Tesla]

Jane Eyre - almost any version

I love the Timothy Dalton version.

 

[A.H.Black]

I love the Timothy Dalton version.

I even like the George C. Scott, Susannah York version - made for TV. Great music! Someone should skate to it.

 

[Cachoo]

Wow...there are some films I need to watch and maybe not wait until I'm ill.

Btw...I thought Timothy Dalton was the hottest Bond.

 

[Tesla]

Wow...there are some films I need to watch and maybe not wait until I'm ill.

Btw...I thought Timothy Dalton was the hottest Bond.

Comfort watches. That's why I'm going to watch Persuasion. We need comfort, right now.

 

[PRlady]

Not a movie but the remake of All Creatures Great and Small on PBS is my mental comfort food.

 

[Jenny]

Persuasion, 1995 version with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds

Thank you for this recommendation. There are so many versions of every Austen book, so it's always good to hear which ones other fans enjoy.

Personally, my all-time favourite Austen move is Mansfield Park as envisioned by Patricia Rozema in 1999 - she did her homework, weaving in other references from the time and even Austen's own life.

I remain a fan of the Paltrow-Northam Emma from 1996, but also loved the 2020 version starring Anya Taylor-Joy - it's colourful, fun, feels more updated but still true to the period and the novel.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is also surprisingly well done. Never a fan of zombies etc myself, but saw a trailer and thought it could be fun, and it is, IMO.

 

[Cachoo]

One time my mom was out of commission and she and my dad were looking for something to watch. They balked when I mentioned Anne of Green Gables (the version with Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth.) I had it on tape and popped it into their VCR. They loved it.

 

[JoannaLouise]

Whenever I stayed home sick from school as a pre-teen, I would always watch Home Alone (because I was also "home alone"). It's still my favourite childhood movie; I basically have the whole thing memorized!

 

[kwanfan1818]

I think Clueless is one of the best Jane Austen movies and a great sick day movie.

 

[Cachoo]

I had one illness that required a long recovery. During that recovery I discovered some wonderful soul had put the 8 part "Fortunes of War" on YouTube. It stars a very young Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. They met and fell in love filming the series. I loved the series as a young woman and I loved watching it again because someone was generous and shared it.

 

[my little pony]

the dirty dozen is my comfort movie

 

[annie720]

Circle of Friends and George of the Jungle. The last was my kids’ request when they were sick but I was always willing to watch shirtless Brendan Fraser during his heyday.

 

[made_in_canada]

One time my mom was out of commission and she and my dad were looking for something to watch. They balked when I mentioned Anne of Green Gables (the version with Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth.) I had it on tape and popped it into their VCR. They loved it.

That is the only version of Anne of Green Gables, imho.

 

[katmari]

I even like the George C. Scott, Susannah York version - made for TV. Great music! Someone should skate to it.

I remember watching the movie when I was young and loved the music. It wasn't until later I learned the score was composed by THE John Williams. I've heard it live performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra / conducted by the composer. It was just as haunting and beautiful as I remembered.

 

[MacMadame]

I think Clueless is one of the best Jane Austen movies and a great sick day movie.

Second.

I forgot that in the 80s I would watch The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire over and over, but mostly The Breakfast Club.

 

[Wyliefan]

This isn't a recommendation, just a memory that's somehow stuck with me -- one day when I was home sick from high school with monster cramps, I had the 1950s War and Peace with Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda on the TV. All three-and-a-half hours of it. Battles and ballrooms and all the rest while I was writhing in pain in bed. The whole thing felt like a very vivid fever dream.

 

[Japanfan]

Love Actually. For the 100th time.

 

[Cachoo]

I remember watching the movie when I was young and loved the music. It wasn't until later I learned the score was composed by THE John Williams. I've heard it live performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra / conducted by the composer. It was just as haunting and beautiful as I remembered.

This is completely new to me. Thanks for posting it.