Since you’ve obviously spent the first half of the summer tackling Tim’s list of vacation books, we’ve decided to make an accompanying list of movies. Truth be told, sometimes a fictional vacation can be even better than the real thing — I mean, you can travel to exotic places (sort of) without having to worry about sunscreen or creepy sea creatures or being stuck in a rental car with your family for an extended period of time. This is, at least, what I tell myself when I’m reminded of the fact that I’m currently far too broke to be going anywhere other than my parents’ swimming pool this summer. So if you’re financially incapable of escaping real life, or you’d simply rather enjoy the summer from inside your apartment with the AC on full blast, here are some movies that will surely help give your mind a break from reality, and pretend it’s somewhere a little more exciting.
1. Swimming Pool (2003)
In this creepy thriller, a British author (Charlotte Rampling) is bored with her work and decides to spend some time at her publisher’s country house in Southern France, but is soon interrupted by the arrival of his young and seemingly unrestrained daughter (Ludivine Sagnier). It’s been criticized for having such an “ambiguous” ending, but it’s actually very intelligent and makes sense in retrospect. Also, any story that takes place in the South of France is bound to be amazing, aesthetically.
2. Y Tu Mama También (2001)
Alfonso Cuaron’s depiction of two teenage boys (the always-wonderful Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal) coming of age in Mexico is intensely sexy, and profoundly sad. The majority of the film revolves around a road trip taken by the two young men along with a beautiful, somewhat older Spanish woman (Maribel Verdu), which is pretty straightforward. But it’s undoubtedly the conversations, the sentiments and the totally realistic way that things can change so easily in that awkward post-adolescent/pre-adult stage in life that make it so great. The “road” theme is always a great vehicle for impermanence, and this film utilizes it perfectly.
3. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s (or really, anytime after 1983) then you’ve probably seen Vacation countless times, but it’s one of those pieces of cinematic nostalgia that never truly grows old. The Griswolds are arguably one of the funniest fictional families of all time, and despite the darkness of what they encounter — including dead relatives, thievery, and having to drive around in a wood-paneled station wagon — the story is still really heartwarming and totally captures that cheesy sense of Americana in a hilarious way.
4. Stealing Beauty (1996)
Bernardo Bertolucci directed a teenaged Liv Tyler in her first leading role, in this steamy and charming drama. Basically, Tyler’s character travels to a gorgeous Tuscan villa after her mother’s suicide, and she goes about her days befriending an eccentric crowd of locals while simultaneously plotting to lose her virginity. But the film digs deep with themes revolving around life, love and death, and it has an incredible soundtrack that blends popular 90s tracks with older, classical music. All of this set against the beautiful Tuscan scenery makes for a hypnotic story that you can easily watch over and over again.
5. Before Midnight (2013)
The third installment in Richard Linklater’s enchanting Before trilogy might not be the best (they’re all equal IMHO) but it does employ the most idyllic scenery, and subsequently induces the most vacation-based envy. Set in Greece, Jesse and Celine continue to intoxicate viewers with their ever-so poignant conversations, and there is definitely something about the combination of the beautifully honest dialogue and the amazing Grecian sights that make this film just plain magical.
Nicole likes to explore, but her favorite vacation spot is her bed. Follow her Twitter @nicolewosz.