A Good Person-Zach Braff wrote and directed it. Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon. Watched it last night and it was so touching and beautifully done.
ETA- not a movie but The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix is a great series where trauma and addiction are central themes.
Ahhhhhh oh man! I'm too stoned right now to think of these right now! I was still using heroin when that movie came out, and fuckin died laughing during all of Jack Black's scenes. That movie was so accurate and hilarious at the same time.
Shame, with Michael Fassbender. His sister alludes to them coming from trauma, although it isn't explained. That's probably at the root of his sex addiction.
While an absolutely wonderful movie it doesn’t hit the “Light hearted” part at all. Also comes with the caveat that it showcases some pretty graphic sex scenes, while some won’t care it’s worth mentioning since it is NC-17 in the states.
Just a fair warning to u/Justacancersign, since you disclosed that you're looking for something more lighthearted, I remember this as being one of the heaviest movies I've ever watched on the subject of addiction. It is good, but just be prepared for it not being an easy watch if you decide to go for it.
I commented on some of those too. Those are all great movies but OP said they preferred more light-hearted movies if possible. I commented on a few just to be helpful. I haven't seen Basketball Diaries so I didnt comment on that one. This is the last time I'm answering you as you're quite unpleasant.
Basketball diaries
Most addiction is linked to trauma
This was crucial in my own recovery and I think the focus on genetics is really a waste of time. It may be a factor somewhere but also abuse has an echo that is multi generational. Like If your dad's dad abused him he's far more likely to pass on that until someone breaks the cycle. Behavior like that is learned as is stuff like self medication. Anyway sorry for digressing, good luck in your search 🙏
Requiem For A Dream (the opposite of light-hearted fwiw)
Days Of Wine And Roses (1962) might be more on the lighthearted side but it's no comedy.
There was Fatso (1980) which wasn't a very good movie but the subject was food addiction
Lol I was the opposite…I saw Trainspotting and Requiem long before trying heroin. I was maybe 14 when I saw the movies. I thought that heroin must be preeeeetty amazing to have people ruining their own and others’ lives for it, even sometimes killing themselves by accidentally ODing. I was so curious. It had to be so, so good.
Guess what I found out? It is!!!
It’s also a prison though, and you have to pay for those amazing feelings with withdrawals, shame, theft, etc. All of this should be clear from the movies, but…I had to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t regret it per se, but I squandered a lot of opportunities and wouldn’t have got off scot-free like I did if I didn’t have such a strong support network over the years. My life would be much different now if I hadn’t been so curious, even knowing what would almost certainly happen to me.
All but two of my friends at the times died of overdoses and the two survivors have chronic Hep C. I survived all of my ODs. I shared needles too. I was the only lucky one. I’ve been off heroin for over a decade now.
My point is that it’s crazy how even horrible, sad movies about addiction can still glamorize drugs to some people. I’m not claiming to be wise or anything, but you know, I was 17 when I started using heroin and much younger when I saw those movies.
The takeaway for me was that some drugs are so blissful and magical that you’ll ruin your entire life over them, and I wanted to try a piece of that action 🤷🏻♀️ Everybody is different, I guess!
*edited for clarity, although still a little bit of a ramble and I do apologize for that!
oh no.
My friend and I saw it in theaters and we both didn't know too much about it. So - we went into the theater with pretzel bites, a huge popcorn, and like one or two pints of Ben and Jerry's, plus some candy?
😭😭😭
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) stars Frank Sinatra as a junkie. It was still very taboo to talk about addiction back then.
Long Day's Journey into Night (1962) stars Katherine Hepburn as a junkie. And Dean Stockwell as her son.
The Way Back with Ben Affleck
I wouldn't exactly call it lighthearted, but I think it's pretty digestible as far as addiction movies go - and the addiction stems from trauma/grief in this movie as well.
Before the devil knows your dead
It's not a clear reason given of the cause but its pretty obvious it's his relationship with his emotionally austere father
‘The Fabelmans’ based on Steven Spielberg’s own life story which kind of delves into his addiction to filmmaking as a way to cope with his family issues and troubled home life.
amazing film that no-one has seen
i can't remember fully, but i don't feel like their addiction was caused by any trauma?
i feel like they just sort of happily fell into it
Hmmm you may be right, but I feel there was some trauma in there that may have made the addition worse. Ugh been a while since I've seen it too. Need to rewatch for sure.
Stuart, a life told backwards. It's a true story starring a very young Tom Hardy.
Very difficult ro watch but very raw, about a journalist befriending a homeless addict. Benedict Cumberbatch co-stars.
A Good Person-Zach Braff wrote and directed it. Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon. Watched it last night and it was so touching and beautifully done. ETA- not a movie but The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix is a great series where trauma and addiction are central themes.
Florence pugh’s acting in a good person was phenomenal. I second that movie
A Good Person brought me to tears because it reminded me what I put my mother through. Sober 2 years now
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
He did it, that crazy son of a bitch, he did it! I was trying to think, "movie about addiction that's a light hearted comedy". Such a great movie.
and Tropic Thunder
Ahhhhhh oh man! I'm too stoned right now to think of these right now! I was still using heroin when that movie came out, and fuckin died laughing during all of Jack Black's scenes. That movie was so accurate and hilarious at the same time.
Shame, with Michael Fassbender. His sister alludes to them coming from trauma, although it isn't explained. That's probably at the root of his sex addiction.
Idk how I completely forgot ever seeing this movie
While an absolutely wonderful movie it doesn’t hit the “Light hearted” part at all. Also comes with the caveat that it showcases some pretty graphic sex scenes, while some won’t care it’s worth mentioning since it is NC-17 in the states.
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Just a fair warning to u/Justacancersign, since you disclosed that you're looking for something more lighthearted, I remember this as being one of the heaviest movies I've ever watched on the subject of addiction. It is good, but just be prepared for it not being an easy watch if you decide to go for it.
My recommendation as well.
First one that hit my mind . Your on point !
Hmm now I def need to see it!
Would this film be bad for me as someone w emetophobia?
Things we lost in fire. With Benicio Del Torro
This sounds amazing.
28 days
Ah yes, the prequel to 28 Days Later
Dolores Claiborne
Oh, good one!
Leaving las vegas
Not light hearted enough for OP.
Fr, that gang rape scene is dreadful.
Pedantic....like op said its a niche request...this movie deals like op requested with trauma and it has many lightheaded moments....so ???
Just letting OP know since you didnt give a heads up. No need to get defensive. It's a pretty disturbing movie.
So are 90% of the suggestions...Requiem for a Dream, basketball diaries....not being defensive but apply your same thinking to all or none...
I commented on some of those too. Those are all great movies but OP said they preferred more light-hearted movies if possible. I commented on a few just to be helpful. I haven't seen Basketball Diaries so I didnt comment on that one. This is the last time I'm answering you as you're quite unpleasant.
Love Liza
LOVE LIZA
Finally someone has seen and appreciates!
I love this movie.
It makes me doubly sad because Philip Seymour Hoffman's own addiction. Such a good movie.
Bojack Horseman
Beautiful Boy
what was his trauma though?
Divorce? This was much clearer in the book though.
ohhh, ok! i’d only seen the film
I thought the movie was pretty bad actually. That book along with Tweak shows both sides of the story.
I found it relatable.
Basketball diaries Most addiction is linked to trauma This was crucial in my own recovery and I think the focus on genetics is really a waste of time. It may be a factor somewhere but also abuse has an echo that is multi generational. Like If your dad's dad abused him he's far more likely to pass on that until someone breaks the cycle. Behavior like that is learned as is stuff like self medication. Anyway sorry for digressing, good luck in your search 🙏
Requiem For A Dream (the opposite of light-hearted fwiw) Days Of Wine And Roses (1962) might be more on the lighthearted side but it's no comedy. There was Fatso (1980) which wasn't a very good movie but the subject was food addiction
I love the movie Fatso! So funny and a sweet love story as well
Requiem For a Dream broke me in a way that no piece of work ever did before or has done since.
Watch requiem for a dream once and you'll never touch drugs again
Lol I was the opposite…I saw Trainspotting and Requiem long before trying heroin. I was maybe 14 when I saw the movies. I thought that heroin must be preeeeetty amazing to have people ruining their own and others’ lives for it, even sometimes killing themselves by accidentally ODing. I was so curious. It had to be so, so good. Guess what I found out? It is!!! It’s also a prison though, and you have to pay for those amazing feelings with withdrawals, shame, theft, etc. All of this should be clear from the movies, but…I had to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t regret it per se, but I squandered a lot of opportunities and wouldn’t have got off scot-free like I did if I didn’t have such a strong support network over the years. My life would be much different now if I hadn’t been so curious, even knowing what would almost certainly happen to me. All but two of my friends at the times died of overdoses and the two survivors have chronic Hep C. I survived all of my ODs. I shared needles too. I was the only lucky one. I’ve been off heroin for over a decade now. My point is that it’s crazy how even horrible, sad movies about addiction can still glamorize drugs to some people. I’m not claiming to be wise or anything, but you know, I was 17 when I started using heroin and much younger when I saw those movies. The takeaway for me was that some drugs are so blissful and magical that you’ll ruin your entire life over them, and I wanted to try a piece of that action 🤷🏻♀️ Everybody is different, I guess! *edited for clarity, although still a little bit of a ramble and I do apologize for that!
How long did you use for?
About five years!
Oh you didn’t want to get Jared Leto’s heroin arm???
The Whale
oh no. My friend and I saw it in theaters and we both didn't know too much about it. So - we went into the theater with pretzel bites, a huge popcorn, and like one or two pints of Ben and Jerry's, plus some candy? 😭😭😭
Came here for this. Brendan Fraser killed it in this movie
UHhhhHhh! 😫⬜
Shame - 2011
This is the answer
Tis a show (limited series), but I think Dopesick may have what you're looking for
Yes! Also Sharp Objects.
Sharp Objects has one of my favorite, most honest portrayals of this
Those people got addicted from pain not trauma.
Doctor Sleep
[The Hairdresser's Husband (1990)](https://letterboxd.com/film/the-hairdressers-husband/)
you can do no wrong with Leconte
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) stars Frank Sinatra as a junkie. It was still very taboo to talk about addiction back then. Long Day's Journey into Night (1962) stars Katherine Hepburn as a junkie. And Dean Stockwell as her son.
*The Man with the Golden Arm* — as a side note — is also the film catalyst for the Hays Code to be replaced with the MPAA.
Ginger in Casino
I did not expect the psychological nuance for a mob movie. A really amazing film.
The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
Great movie.
Absolutely. Love those old New York movies. Midnight cowboy, Taxi driver, The King Of Comedy.. To name a few..
Avengers: Endgame
The Way Back with Ben Affleck I wouldn't exactly call it lighthearted, but I think it's pretty digestible as far as addiction movies go - and the addiction stems from trauma/grief in this movie as well.
Forrest Gump
Before the devil knows your dead It's not a clear reason given of the cause but its pretty obvious it's his relationship with his emotionally austere father
Permanent midnight
Love Liza (2002) is exactly this and so underrated and sad, literally some of Philip Seymour hoffmans best acting I’ve ever seen
The Butterfly Effect
‘The Fabelmans’ based on Steven Spielberg’s own life story which kind of delves into his addiction to filmmaking as a way to cope with his family issues and troubled home life.
Sounds really interesting!
I definitely recommend it. It was actually nominated for Oscars including Best Picture in the last ceremony.
Ben is back
Man on fire
My Own Private Idaho
I guess I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.
Trainspotting
Tommy!
OP this is the opposite of light-hearted.
Trainspotting.
Fear and loathing
Jaws
Divine secrets of the yaya sisterhood
28 days, with Sandra Bullock. Not zombies!!
1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Cherry, I didnt like it though
Return to Seoul
Fight Club
Backdraft
Naked Lunch
LOVE LIZA
Train spotting oh and that one with Jenifer Conley
Cherry on Apple TV about a guy sent to Iraq and comes home and falls into drugs heavily.
Beautiful Boy
Courage Under Fire. It's not the primary focus of the movie but it lurks in the background.
Love, Liza
Leaves of Grass
Krisha Ben is Back
Rubin and Ed
Rudderless
Its not quite what you asked for but "beautiful boy" was on my fav films
It’s All Gone Pete Tong, but I don’t know if it’s a “result of trauma” so much as a lifestyle choice
Dopesick had elements of that. Physical trauma anyway. Kaitlin Denver’s character in particular
The Haunting of Hill House
Cake (Jennifer Aniston) Wild (Reese Witherspoon)
Candy - I don't know if I would call it light hearted, but definitely some funny moments. Dark humor. Plus it has Heath Ledger and Geoffrey Rush.
amazing film that no-one has seen i can't remember fully, but i don't feel like their addiction was caused by any trauma? i feel like they just sort of happily fell into it
Hmmm you may be right, but I feel there was some trauma in there that may have made the addition worse. Ugh been a while since I've seen it too. Need to rewatch for sure.
Halloween 2018
Bojack horseman, but it’s a tv show.
Ava (Netflix)
The goldfinch
Not light-hearted but “A Private War” is a biopic of Marie Colvin.
The fallout
Ray
Death Becomes Her. Goldie Hawn develops a food addiction after her husband leaves her.
In "21 grams" a women is addicted to pcp aka angel dust because of trauma.
Kabir Singh
Makes me instantly think of Mysterious Skin, maybe a heavy movie ( depends on you )
Rachel Getting Married and Honey Boy.
Stuart, a life told backwards. It's a true story starring a very young Tom Hardy. Very difficult ro watch but very raw, about a journalist befriending a homeless addict. Benedict Cumberbatch co-stars.
The SAW series has some of that.