It’s been proven that time with our friends is vital to our mental health, making the social distancing aspect of lockdown rather taxing.
If you’re feeling a little down from not being able to actually hang out with your friends, you’re certainly not alone. Female friendships, while a minefield at times, are often the balm we need in the trials and tribulations of life. Whether it’s the space to vent, to laugh, or even just to discuss the latest episode of The Bachelor, they offer some much-needed respite.
The good news is that technology definitely helps things. Not only can we catch up with friends in our pyjamas over Zoom drinks, but to soften the iso-blues we can binge countless movies and TV series right from our couches.
But because of the highly nuanced nature of friendship, film depictions can often fall flat. But we’ve cut together our edit of the ones who got it right.
So if you’re craving a little gal-time then tune in to any one of these feel-good films that all showcase the wholesome, and sometimes complicated, dynamics of female friendships.
Girls Trip
Centred on a group of best-friends that hasn’t connected in a long time, Girls Trip is an insanely funny film reminds us that friendship is not something to push to the wayside when life gets tough, because, at the end of the day, it’s our friends that can often get us through.
Bridesmaids
We’ve all at some point or another felt that our friend’s lives were moving on from ours. Bridesmaids is not only an hilarious film with some truly iconic scenes, it also shows us that not all change is bad, and that we may make new friends but you never grow out a really good friendship.
Crossroads
There are always going to be those people in your life that you leave behind, for whatever reasons. But even as you become different people, the friendships in Crossroads remind us that experiences, however small or long ago, can bind friends forever.
I Feel Pretty
The message of this film was about loving your natural self, but what really shone was the friendship. Amy Schumer’s character had to live a different life to realise how much her greener-grass complex caused her to take her genuine friendships for granted.
Lady Bird
In this quirky coming-of-age tale, directed by Greta Gerwig, we see a young girl grappling with wanting a romance that pulls her out of her suburban life, but ultimately realises that her soulmate can actually come in the form of her best friend.
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
It’s all too feel a little jipped by adulthood. In this ’00s classic, two best friends go to great lengths to impress at their high school reunion. But it’s only when they’re thoroughly underwhelmed by the lack of growth from their peers that they find that the real success is in their life-long friendship. Awwwwww.
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
This film was a real turning point for many of us Millennials. The tangible (and intangible) changes that rock a friendship after high school are masterfully depicted in this film about four friends who are bonded by a pair of paints that eerily flatter them all.
From the group’s little rituals to how they never cease to be there for each other through relationship struggles, the loss of a parent, and family drama, Carmen, Bridget, Lena and Tibby showed us a lot about the importance of sticking together.
The Joy Luck Club
Following a group of mothers and daughters who get together to play mahjong, The Joy Luck Club is rare and beautiful film that accurately depicts both the nuances of friendship, as well as the generational gaps in understanding that are often present in mother/daughter relationships.
This one will definitely make you cry, but also smile and laugh. A classic.
The First Wives’ Club
One of the all-time greats, The First Wives’ Club is a testament to the fact that men come and go, but you can always count on you friends.
The Spy Who Dumped Me
Two best-friends who get caught up in an international spy chase sets the premise for this hilarious film.
But while the focus is on chasing down an ex-boyfriend in danger, the real love story is between Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon’s characters.
Now and Then
Another coming-of-age classic, this film really tugs on the heart strings. Chronicling a group of friends from when they are kids to adults, Now and Then is a celebration of female friendships, not only encompassing how turbulent childhood can be but also how friends get us through it.
Booksmart
When two best-friends get to end of High School only to realise that all the time they spent forgoing parties for studying was all for nothing, they decide to have one crazy night to live out their lost teen-rebel phase.
What ensues is not only some comedy gold, but the pair come to realise that having each other means they didn’t miss out on anything.
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