Hollywood can be so divisive these days that it’s hard to believe there was once a time when it put out movies that were meant to actually unite the audience – in fear, in heartbreak, in inspiration. These were films that recognized our shared humanity, regardless of our political, religious, or racial differences. Certain directors were counted on to unify audiences who were eager to engage with the characters and stories on the screen. These directors would put their artistry before their personal agendas. Even when telling overtly political stories, these filmmakers would instinctively find a core theme that ran even deeper than any of-the-moment political messaging.
Unfortunately, many of these directors have abandoned devotion to their artistry to prioritize pandering to their side of the political aisle. Undoubtedly, they are sincere in their desire to use these stories to make these points, but, as Milton Friedman once said, “sincerity is a much-overrated virtue”. Despite their best intentions, in the end, their films suffered due to their political blinders. Thankfully, there are still a handful of directors whose creative instincts are still preserved, leading them to make movies that speak to something common within all of us. One such director is Ron Howard, whose filmography reads like a list of reliable, well-made films that are emotionally impactful without sacrificing intellectual complexity. His films include such sturdy classics as “Parenthood,” “Backdraft,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “The Paper,” “Cinderella Man,” “Frost/Nixon,” and “Rush,” just to name a few.
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