Researchers Reveal The Appeal Of ‘Feel-Good’ Movies In Study

When you are feeling stressed, or overwhelmed, perhaps you tend to lean in to simple, feel good stories. A new study is revealing which factors make those feel-good movies so appealing.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics asked a group of participants which movies are prototypical examples of a feel-good film. Movies those people frequently cited included “Love Actually,” “Pretty Woman,” “Amélie,” and “The Intouchables.”

They also asked which factors ultimately make them so uplifting. “In addition to an element of humor and the classic happy ending, feel-good films can be identified by certain recurring plot patterns and characters,” explains study leader and first author Keyvan Sarkhosh in a university release. “Often these involve outsiders in search of true love, who have to prove themselves and fight against adverse circumstances, and who eventually find their role in the community.”

The films are characterized not just by romance and humor, but also by moments of drama, which usually have a strong emotional effect on viewers. At the same time, these features are often embedded in a fairy-tale setting, which is another typical aspect of the genre and contributes considerably to its perceived lightness. The article emphasizes the fact that many people watch feel-good films specifically to relax and lift their spirits.

In short, it seems like a well-made film, featuring a level of predictability, and a certain level of joy, helps to lift peoples spirits and give them comfort. Which is why the feel-good movies continue to persist; and are not something to be easily dismissed by critics.

Source: https://bit.ly/3eSRajV