William Wittmann, LMP

Movies that Heal, Main Page

So you can wholeheartedly enjoy your life.

Films heal people. When we live through the stories they tell, we gain insights into our own lives, often our hearts are opened, and we become more whole. In my practice as a Life Coach, I often recommend films to clients. As a way to get to know my clients I ask them: what movies do you like, what movies heal you? One client’s answer was: White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Dances with Wolves. Can you see the common thread? She did, and it was of great value to her and to our work together.

Humans are story tellers and films are one of the ways that we tell stories. Films are certainly the most common way that we hear stories today. Stories can say things to us in ways that we can hear in our hearts where direct information is often ignored.

On this page I have listed some of the movies I use for my healing and I recommend to my clients. Sometimes, I can match a particular film to a particular need, sometimes the need is general information and inspiration. All stories are our story.

I have broken the films into categories. Most of these films overlap into other categories. All of the films are in video form and available in good libraries and video stores. The one category you will not find is comedy. The healing effects of comedy are well known, and I and many of my colleagues recommend you see as many comedies as you can.

Warning: Some of these movies are not in English, some have violence, some have sex and some have other adult subject matter. Not all of these films are for everyone. If you are going to show these to children or people who might be offended, use your judgment.

If you would like to purchase any of these films you can search Amazon.com directly from this site and you and I will benefit.


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Dances  with Wolves: Although this film has taken some heat for being too romantic, it has great scenery and multiple relationships that are quite powerful. Kevin Costner, Mary MacDonnell, and Graham Greene.

Rocky:, the first of the series: There are several healing relationships in this one. And the whole movie is about overcoming inner demons. It was the only one that Stalone did not direct, it is a masterpiece.

Like Water for Chocolate: This is about a young woman and her lover. They are not allowed to marry because she is the youngest daughter in a traditional Mexican family where it is her duty to take care of the widowed mother instead of marrying. There are many great relationships the least interesting is the one between the two lovers. It is beautifully filmed.

Lethal Weapon, the first of the series: The relationship between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover eclipses the normal buddy flick. Skip the last two in the series, unless you just like action, buddy flicks. (I do.)

Thelma and Louise: Great buddy flick, both of the characters grow.

Scent of a Woman: This is my favorite Al Pacino film. He plays a blind, retired, alcoholic officer. He is being baby sat by a young man, Chris O’Donnell. They both have wounds. Just hanging out together, struggling to be in relationship, heals them both. It also has the best tango scene ever.

Passion Fish: Two women taking care of each other and growing through adversity on the Bayou. John Sayles wrote and directed this. Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves) and Alfre Woodard are exquisite.

Cinema Paradiso: An older man mentors a fatherless boy. Italian and beautiful. Philippe Noiret plays the mentor beautifully. We should have all been mentored in such a way.

Terms of Endearment: Shirley MacLaine, Deborah Winger and Jack Nicholson at there best in this Academy Award Winner. A good movie dealing with death and life.

Fried Green Tomatoes: Strong relationships in the South of the thirties.

Steel Magnolias: Great relationships, marriage, birth and death.

Harold and Maude: A woman in her seventies has a relationship with a teenage boy, who is a little unusual, he fakes suicides. A great relationship.

Ordinary People and A River Runs Through It: Both of these films are directed by Robert Redford and have deep passionate relationships displayed. The latter also features beautiful country side and incredible writing. It is a masterpiece.

Il Postino: Philippe Noiret, the mentor in Cinema Paradiso, is returns as a mentor for a man in love. Noiret plays the famous poet Pablo Neruda, who is living in Italy as an exile. Their relationship is touching and wonderful. Again, it’s beautiful Italy, a sea town this time.

For more movies that heal check out these pages:

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All content copyright ©, 1983-2008 William Wittmann, unless otherwise indicated.