8) To the Ends of the Earth
Speaking of relatable and inspiration, few films captured the struggle of building your career and finding your passion like To the Ends of the Earth. This Japanese film about a young travel channel reporter covering a story about a mythical fish in Uzbekistan is the epitome of “the struggle is real.” Everyone (especially my age) has had to do ridiculous jobs and deal with nonsensical people to get by, with the hope that it will one day lead to their actual goal. Atsuko Maeda plays her character’s frustration naturally, never feeling like a jerk or out of line, just tired from the struggle. I felt her exhaustion and desire to do more with her life, as she works through every difficult interview and a physical chore, all with the forced smile that every low-level employee has had to give to annoying customers. At the same time, the film doesn’t feel exhausting, it feels hopeful, thanks heavily to Atsuko Maeda’s performance. I empathized with her struggle, but her charm and relatability kept me with her, hoping that she reaches her dream.
