Movies for travelers can be a great source of inspiration. If you’re not traveling right now, but yearn for a glimpse of the road, these productions will give it to you. Even more: they might motivate you to grab a backpack and go!
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Table of Contents
Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
An exceptional German director, Werner Herzog, travels to Antarctica to study its nature and people. He observes the natural phenomenon’s and presents them in a unique, atmospheric way. Interviews with the people who somehow found themselves at the end of the world are fascinating. The movie’s filled with stories of forever-dreamers, travelers for whom nowhere is “too far”, philosophical scientists and real adventurers. Watching Encounters is like moving to another dimension for a little while. Even when the movie’s finished, you still hear footsteps on the ice and feel a little bit chilly.
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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A charming story about a hopeless dreamer directed by Ben Stiller (he also plays the leading role). Walter Mitty’s working for the Life magazine and cooperating with a famous photojournalist. He’s rather unsatisfied and keeps escaping to the fantasy world instead of taking actions. Walter’s boring and monotonous life changes drastically when his job is threatened, and he has to travel all around the world to find a valuable negative. Greenland, Iceland, Himalayas – he ends up in some of the world’s most remote places. During his journey, Mitty discovers he’s way more adventurous than he’d ever thought.
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Lost In Translation (2003)
Lost in Translation is a lovely movie. Sofia Coppola manages to present a romantic story in an unconventional, delicate way, which doesn’t happen often. An aging (and fading) movie star travels to Tokyo to shoot a whiskey commercial. In the vibrant, colorful city he meets a young woman. She came there with her husband, a photographer who seems to pay more attention to one celebrity actress than his wife. Both of them are somewhat disappointed with the course their lives have taken. Connected by the melancholy, Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) together explore the enchanting city of Tokyo.
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Into the Wild (2007)
The movie’s an adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s book telling a story of Christopher McCandless, a young adventurer. It’s based on facts, which makes the film’s message even stronger. Christopher McCandless leaves his home, friends, and family to explore Alaskan wilderness. He was an excellent student with possibilities for an amazing career but decided to reject the conventional life. After destroying his money, credit cards, and other belongings, McCandless begins the lonely journey. While his family’s worried and anxious, the young man travels through remote areas without contacting anyone back home. The story’s as beautiful as tragic. A great reminder of what’s most important in life: those you love and share experiences.
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Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Beautiful people in the beautiful city of Barcelona, that’s what the Woody Allen’s story’s about. There’s also some drama though and harshness of relationships. Two American girls (Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson) go for a holiday to Spain. That’s where they meet an intriguing painter (Javier Bardem) who manages to make both of them enamored. As if three people weren’t enough, there’s also the painter’s ex-wife (Penélope Cruz), crazy and temperamental. Complicated relations and strange events follow. It’s a fun movie after which you’ll surely want to visit Barcelona.
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Wild (2014)
A biographical movie based on the memoir of Cheryl Strayed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, with Reese Witherspoon in the central role, the movie presents a story of one woman’s long journey. Hurt and unable to deal with tragic events from her past, Cheryl Strayed decides to undertake a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Her goal’s not only hiking itself, but most of all discovering herself and healing the old wounds.
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Sideways (2004)
Directed by Alexander Payne, the movie’s about two men (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church) going through the middle age crisis. One of them, Miles, is an unsuccessful writer working as a teacher, dealing with depression, alcoholism and all sorts of psychological issues. The second, Jack, is an actor whose career didn’t go well. He’s about to get married, but before making the way down the aisle, Jack’s invited to join his friend on a journey. The disappointed and bored men take a trip to the beautiful Santa Barbara County Wine Country. One week in the wine country turns out to be very eventful.
Do you know some other movies for travelers? Share your suggestions!
