10 Movies with Meaning for Coaches

 12 Angry Men with Henry Fonda

An old one this, with Fonda s the lone juror who feels intuitively and non
judgmentally that a young black man accused of murder is innocent. Keeps
exploring with the other 11 angry juror peers, evokes their awareness of
where their limiting negative beliefs come from, and helps the jury decide
unanimously that the accused in innocent. This is a powerful study in
presence and presencing, listening and exploring, to create awareness.

 Invictus with Morgan Freeman

This movie has Freeman as Mandela, and Matt Damon as the South African
rugby captain who he inspires to win the world cup, against a formidable
adversary. An object lesson in what a coach can do. The scene where Damon
has tea with Freeman is one of the most inspiring coaching sessions I have
witnessed.

 Forrest Gump as Tom Hanks

Who can ever forget Tom Hanks and ‘life is like a box of chocolates, you
never know what you’re gonna get’ in this movie? Perhaps an ‘autistic’
savant, Hanks displays compassion, empathy and unconditional positive
regard that is beyond ‘intelligent’ people. This movie teaches us about trust,
safe places, presence all in a human and humane manner.

 Green Mile with Tom Hanks 

This is another Tom Hank’s masterpiece. An emotional experience with a

compassionate death row jailor who allows a gentle giant accused of murder
help him make peace with himself. A character study by Stephen King about
the best and worst in humans coming out is what is possibly the most
traumatic state of life and death.

 Prime with Meryl Streep & Uma Thurman

This is an object lesson for coach and other psychodrama supervisors

aspiring to the mindless state. Steep as the experienced and ‘old’ therapist
supervisor helping a younger Thurman navigate her way through her
romance, turns judgmental when issues get personal. This is a funny movie
with a powerful message for those who wish to stop pretending to be
nonjudgmental.
  Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith

This inspiring movie with Will Smith as the father in custody of his son is a
touching tale with a visionary message. It is about trust and love, about
dreams and struggles, traumas and joy, all in a Hero’s Journey. A must see
for parents to bond with their children through equal respectful adult behavior.

 Shawshank Redemption with Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman again with a Stephen King tale again in this acclaimed
movie. This is a tale of empathy, determined intent that works it way to
powerful action. The interaction between Freeman and Goodwin as coach
and coached is a lesson in patience and persistence.

 Atypical

This is a Netflix serial that is still running about an adolescent in the autistic
spectrum, which will change one’s misconceptions about autism. While the
socially awkward and literal interpretations of the young Sam may seem
funny, ‘intelligent’ adults react and react in far funnier ways that are not even
funny. A borderline tale of conflict between childlike innocence and societal
norms of greed and fear, this is a great ‘must see’ for coaches.

 Never Have I Ever

This is a Netflix serial of an Indian family of a single mom and her adolescent
‘rebelliously’ normal teen daughter in USA that brings out the best and worst
in third culture kids’ experiences. I resonate deeply with this movie having had
our children experience the ‘third culture’ syndrome and often feeling helpless.
How can parents let go is one powerful message in this serial.

 Heartland

This is one more addictive Netflix serial about horses and how they make
humans human. The young girl Amy says.’ I am not a horse whisperer, I listen
to them.’ A warm, fuzzy, touching tale that makes me believe more in what
one of our partner coaches Kelly does through equine coaching. Someone
should make a movie on what Kelly does.

I am sure you all have more. I can think of many more. Leave you all to blog
on what a movie taught you as a coach.