Sometimes when you're down and out, a good movie is called for. In fact, your favorite movie is called for! Here are my top five favorite movies that make me feel happy.

1. "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003)

"A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 1950s Wellesley girls to question their traditional social roles" (IMDb). This movie not only stars a bunch of strong actresses, but it showcases strong female roles. I just love this movie to death and watch it whenever I'm in the mood for something a little more serious.

2. "Shall We Dance?" (2004)

"A romantic comedy where a bored, overworked Estate Lawyer, upon first sight of a beautiful instructor, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons" (IMDb). I love Richard Gere in anything, and this is no exception. This movie has it all - romance, drama, comedic elements, and Stanley Tucci (who doesn't love him?). The music is great, the acting is great, the dancing is great. This is one of my family's favorite movies!

3. "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" (1954)

"In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married too" (IMDb). I love this movie so, so, so much! It's a musical, it stars Howard Keel and his enormously powerful vocals, and is just so silly. The songs are goofy, the characters are goofy, the plot is goofy. This never fails to put on a smile on my face and brighten my mood!

4. "The Awful Truth" (1937)

"Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance" (IMDb). Yes, this is an old movie, but my goodness it is funny! I am a die-hard Cary Grant fan (I even wrote an article about my favorite movies of his) and this is definitely one of his funniest. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a great comedy.

5. "The Birdcage" (1996)

"A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing moralistic parents" (IMDb). I have saved The Best for last. This movie is so outrageously funny! I could watch this movie ten times in a row and never get tired of it. I could quote this movie to you. This is a staple movie in my house and lines from the movie have become inside jokes for my family. I laugh out loud at every joke in this movie every time I watch it. It is simply the best! Nathan Lane is truly the star of the movie! I could go on and on about how fantastic this movie is, really. But not even I (an ultimate fan) could do it justice. If you are looking for something that will leave you giggling for hours afterward, this is the movie for you. Disclaimer: this movie is rated R for good reasons, but don't let that deter you!

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I hope you find these movies as uplifting as I do!