Altruism, Philosophy, Love, & Poetry: The Meaning of Life in Four Fun Films

Can the meaning of life be found in four fun films? Sure, why not? Cinema is one of the planet’s greatest collaborative art forms. Directors, cinematographers, actors, producers, set and costume and lighting designers, and dozens if not hundreds of other craftspeople all work together to bring a unique vision into being. The meaning of life is sometimes the focus of a cinematic undertaking. Occurring at surprising moments, the significance of altruism, philosophy, love and poetry resonates in our hearts and minds when we least expect it in City Lights (1931), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), Harold and Maude (1971), and In Her Shoes (2005)—a silent film, a science fiction film, a black comedy, and a family dramedy. Join Marc Strauss, Ph.D., in exploring the meaning of life together in these four films.