10 movies you must watch if you sell trips to the US
The USA and the cinema, it’s quite a story! The Toundra team has put together a selection of 10 cult films about this mythical destination, films that have left their mark on the traveler’s imagination for several decades. In short, interesting references to talk about the destination USA! The lights dim, the screen turns on, shhh, it’s starting.
1. FORREST GUMP (1994) – THE 20TH CENTURY IN THE UNITED STATES
Through the eyes of Forrest Gump, a simple-minded man from Alabama, 30 years of American history unfold. He will witness, participate in and even influence major events. To name a few, he was an Olympic athlete, received by Kennedy before his assassination, a soldier in the Vietnam war and decorated for his acts of bravery by Lyndon Johnson, even impacted the Watergate scandal…
Why watch this film?
- To live 30 years of major historical events (between 1950 and 1980), through the life of an endearing character.
- It contains beautiful life lessons: try new things, don’t take life too seriously…
- He marked a whole generation
2. INTO THE WILD – NATURE, AMERICAN WILDLIFE
A young American, just graduated and destined for a bright future, rejects the norms of modern society. He decides to leave everything behind and goes on an adventure, in search of meaning, on the roads of the United States. He crosses different states and goes as far as Mexico. His reflection will lead him to Alaska, where he will remain isolated for some time.
Why watch this film?
- To discover the American landscapes and the wild nature,
- Reflection on happiness : is it really valid if it is not shared ?
3. WILD (JEAN-MARC VALLÉE, 2014) – PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
A young woman in the midst of an existential crisis decides to hike part of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), 1800km, alone with her backpack. Follow her adventures, her reflections and meditations on her life, notably through flashbacks of her youth.
Why watch this movie ?
- To discover the famous Pacific Crest Trail and its landscapes
- To understand the realities of a trek in the wilderness
- To be inspired by his moving introspection
4. THE HELP (TATE TAYLOR, 2011) – SEGREGATION
In 1960s Mississippi, where the Ku-Klux-Klan is raging, a student decides to investigate the living conditions of black domestic women. After succeeding in obtaining testimonies from two women, other maids join them, at their own risk…
Why watch this film?
- Representative of a facet of American history
- A beautiful lesson of respect, friendship and tolerance
5. FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF (JOHN HUGHES, 1986) – CHICAGO AT ITS BEST
An American high school student from the wealthy suburbs of Chicago decides to take a day off. Accompanied by two of his friends, they travel around the city for the day. During this adventure, Ferris will regularly break the fourth wall to address his audience.
Why watch this movie?
- To admire Chicago and its architecture
- To appreciate the different monuments of the city: the Willis Tower (Sears Tower), the famous Wrigley Field and the Art Institute of Chicago!
- As the director wanted to convey: to apprehend the “spirit of Chicago”!
6. EASY RIDER (DENNIS HOPPER, 1969) – COUNTERCULTURE
This feature film tells the story of two American bikers who cross the Southwest of the United States, in the direction of New Orleans, with the proceeds of a cocaine traffic. During their journey, they will meet various people: a farmer, a hippie community, a lawyer….
Why watch this movie?
- Depicts the American counterculture of the 1960s
- Offers a beautiful panorama of the Southwestern US
7. UNITED 93 (PAUL GREENGRASSE, 2006) – SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
This film is about United 93, one of the 4 planes hijacked on September 11, 2001. It was the only one not to reach its target, thanks to the intervention of the crew and the passengers. This drama attempts to recreate as closely as possible the events that took place on board, up to the moment of the crash in a Pennsylvania field.
Why watch this film?
- A poignant take of a major disaster at the beginning of the 21st century
- Helps to understand the sequence of events and the importance of this site of recollection frequented by travelers in New York
8. FRIENDS (DAVID KRANE, MARIA KAUFMAN, 1995) – NEW YORK LIFE
We depart from the principle of our selection by offering you not a film, but a series. But how can we not mention this emblematic group of friends and their iconic café, Central Perk? Chandler, Monica, Ross, Phoebe, Joey and Rachel take you on their New York adventures!
Why watch this series?
- Depicts New York City in the late 1990s
- Discusses timeless themes: friendship, love, work so travelers have this reference in mind when arriving in New York!
- Speaking of series, we also think of Desperate Housewives: this series tells the story of 4 women living on Wisteria Lane, a typically American chic suburb called Fairview. Intrigues, love and humor are mixed in this series with hundreds of episodes. It depicts the somewhat stereotypical landscape of American residential neighborhoods!
9. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (SERGIO LEONE, 1968) – CONQUEST OF THE WEST
Why watch this movie?
- Relates the different issues of the conquest of the West: land appropriation and revenge.
- Unveils authentic landscapes of this region, shot in the Monument Valley.
- Cult film as much because it retraces American history as for its cinematographic techniques.
10. THE SOCIAL NETWORK (DAVID FINCHER, 2010) – THE ADVENT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
This biographical film looks back at the creation of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg in 2008. As a student at Harvard, he created a site to rate the girls on his campus and hacked a university database to steal the photos.
His site is a huge success: it’s the beginning of an epic journey that will be eventful.
Why watch this movie?
- To understand the origin of the most used social network in the world
- To appreciate the life of a prestigious American campus
- To feel a part of American culture
We had such a hard time selecting these films! And yes, you certainly know many others that have influenced the imagination of today’s traveler! We couldn’t avoid mentioning other must-see movies, like Little Miss Sunshine, 12 Years a Slave, The Big Short, Leaving Las Vegas or Thelma & Louise! We feel like saying… enjoy your viewing!
© Written by the Toundra Voyages team.