During trying times, such as this one, where staying indoors is imperative, one can go crazy trying to figure out what to do with their time. Finding something or the other to do can be quite tiresome. Something that everyone is doing in especially large numbers is binge-watching television series and having movie marathons. Instead of aimlessly watching any old show, why not watch something that can be like a bucket list for what you can do once the coronavirus-related lockdown is finally lifted? Here is a list of travel-based movies to entertain you while you are in isolation.
1. Eat Pray Love
Starring Julia Roberts, Eat Pray Love tells the story of a woman who decides to get up and travel the world after she gets a divorce. This woman, Elizabeth Gilbert, finds herself a shattered shell of a person after her divorce, following which she embarks on a journey around the world to rediscover herself. She goes to Italy, India, and Indonesia, where she learns the pleasure of eating, the power of prayer, and true love and inner peace, respectively. It is a beautiful memoir that tells the story of how travel can shape a person’s being.
2. The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty, portrayed by Ben Stiller, works at the production house of Life magazine. He works with photojournalist Sean O’Connell, who only ever sends his photograph negatives via post – and so they have never met each other. Walter goes all around the world looking for one last negative for the cover page of an issue, shot by Sean. He attempted to do this by following clues in the other photographs, only to find out that it was closer to him than he thought all along.
3. The Motorcycle Diaries
This is the story of Che Guevara, before he became what the world knows him as today. It is the story of how his ideals of communism formed in his head. He travels through most of South America with his comrade on a motorcycle, to Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. It is in these places that he saw the extremities of poverty and inequalities, and then decided to dedicate his life to becoming a revolutionary leader.
4. Roman Holiday
Starring Audrey Hepburn as a Princess, all she wants to do is discover the magic of Rome the way any traveler would, as opposed to how a princess would. A journalist has encounters quite willingly becomes her tour guide and helps her get what she wants out of Rome. This is the film which made Vespa scooters popular, even to this day and age.
5. Forrest Gump
This classic film with Tom Hanks is something for everyone to watch. It begins with a young boy who is bullied by his peers for having a physical and intelligence disability, until one day his leg brace comes off and he learns that he can run and run. He runs all around America and in the process, the movie shows all of these places, too. There are elements of humour, affection, adventure – you name it. It is a timeless classic and a must watch.
6. Call Me By Your Name
A fairly recent movie which stars Timothy Chalamet, playing Elio, is based in the Lombardy region of Italy. Elio’s family invites over a graduate student to their home. The story goes on to show the experiences of Elio and the grad student Oliver in the beautiful Italian countryside. The movie shows them hanging out in gardens, lakes, pubs, and the lovely home of Elio’s family, while a romantic storyline also ensues, side by side.