# The most kind-hearted movies and TV shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 12, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908 "2012-06-12T13:47:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/21 "2012-06-12T19:52:39Z")
Dittoes for _Lars_ and _Raising Hope_. I’d like to add the miniseries of _Case Histories_. There’s violence and chicanery, of course, but Jackson Brodie really cares about the people he tries to help. And his relationship with his daughter is affecting and real. Those actors have excellent chemistry. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/22 "2012-06-12T19:58:00Z")
Our Idiot Brother ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/23 "2012-06-12T19:58:58Z")
Oops, forgot to mention **That Thing You Do.** It’s as nice as apple pie with caramel on top. There are bad guys, but they’re just small bumps on a carnival ride. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/24 "2012-06-12T20:08:44Z")
The whole point of _Amelie_ is a woman who one day just decides to start performing random acts of kindness for strangers. Yeah, it _sounds_ sappy to put it that way, but it’s not at all. It’s the only “feel-good” movie I’ve seen that really does actually make you feel good. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/25 "2012-06-12T20:13:00Z")
This idea is the premise of My Name is Earl. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/26 "2012-06-12T20:28:11Z")
The movie _Enchanted April_ wins this thread, hands down. I personally don’t find it sappy at all, but it’s what I watch when I want to restore my faith in humanity, it’s just so warm and loving. Plus it has many awesome actors and was filmed in the unutterably gorgeous Portofino, Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/27 "2012-06-12T20:31:54Z")
The Waltons ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/28 "2012-06-12T21:59:14Z")
I think _Love, Actually_ applies. Even when characters are having their hearts broken, they’re still nice. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/29 "2012-06-12T22:05:26Z")
_The Bernie Mac Show_ where an unusually successful standup comedian takes in the kids of his sister, who’s in perpetual rehab. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/30 "2012-06-12T22:05:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The whole point of _Amelie_ is a woman who one day just decides to start performing random acts of kindness for strangers. Yeah, it _sounds_ sappy to put it that way, but it’s not at all. It’s the only “feel-good” movie I’ve seen that really does actually make you feel good. Oh god yes. Do you know how many movies have, upon my watching them for the very first time, inspired me to get up and _literally dance for joy_? Exactly one. That movie was _ **Amelie** _. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/31 "2012-06-12T22:08:21Z")
The Dish, in that film all of the characters are admirable and good natured. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/32 "2012-06-12T22:13:46Z")
> [@Chum](#): > > I have seen very few shows and movies with a warm center of genuine kindness. But I’m happy to the point of joyfulness whenever I do, so, naturally, I’m looking for recommendations of your favorite shows or movies (or books) where the characters may be stupid, profane, dishonest, or immoral, but they treat each other kindly. I’m looking for examples that are **not sappy** (I do realize that perceptions of sap differ). > > _Bored to Death_ is the perfect example of this. When Richard Antrem finds out that George is sleeping with his wife, he pushes him around a little bit but then asks him to go for a drink. Jonathan’s feud with Lewis Green is certainly fueled by hate, but it’s there maybe to balance out all the sweetness happening everywhere else on the show. Kind of like how everyone treats Jerry like shit on _Parks and Rec_ (another excellent example). > > A few more examples: > [ul] > [li]The Extra Man - another Jonathan Ames creation[/li][li]The Cosby Show - sometimes sappy, I’ll admit[/li][li]Tom McCarthy’s movies: _The Station Agent_, _The Visitor_, and _Win Win_[/li][/ul] > > Please share! The TV show _Friday Night Lights_ is almost Mozartean in the way it can hit just the _right_ emotional note. I strongly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/33 "2012-06-12T22:36:36Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > _Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure_. > > They’re just a couple of morons trying to make it in a crazy world, pass history, and not get sent to military school. Bill & Ted ultimately triumph because they really try to be nice to everyone, and hurt no one. And their philosophy, “Be Excellent to One Another” ends up changing the world for the better. I loved this movie so much. It doesn’t appear on many “Best Films” lists, but it’s sweet and funny all the way through. Of the hundreds of movies I’ve seen in my life, it’s probably, believe it or not, in my top twenty. The other nineteen might be “better” films, but Bill & Ted makes me feel good. Genghis Khan in the sporting goods store is such a blast. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/34 "2012-06-12T22:39:22Z")
Pleasantville? I love that movie, soppy old bugger that I am. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/35 "2012-06-12T23:16:41Z")
The Addams Family. A truly loving family, making their way through a bizarre (to them) world with style and grace. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/36 "2012-06-13T09:51:12Z")
[Once](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907657/) - a tale of love and music on the streets of Dublin. Gentle, sweet, sad, lovely. Si ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/37 "2012-06-13T10:58:50Z")
My all-time favorite movie is **Harvey** , with Jimmy Stewart, and it is very much about kindness. **Truly, Madly, Deeply** also has warm-hearted characters who are kind and loving. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/38 "2012-06-13T11:02:09Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > [Lars and the Real Girl](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/). When a disturbed young man develops an imagined relationship with a realistic sex doll, his entire town conspires to help him, instead of ridiculing him or dismissing him as a pervert. It’s a bit bizarre, but it’s a heartwarming movie. Seconded. Heartachingly sweet. Modern Family is inclusive and nearly every episode ends with a moral. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/39 "2012-06-13T11:39:44Z")
The TV shows **Providence** and **Ed** are (or rather were) sweet and folksy. Which reminds me: **The Waltons** ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908/40 "2012-06-13T11:54:35Z")
[Due South](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108756/). An early 90’ police series, lasted two seasons. An honest, kind, polite Canadian Mountie is paired with a cynical foul mouthed Chicaco cop in the slums of Chicago. The Mounties’ grace and integrity saves the day every time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-kind-hearted-movies-and-tv-shows/624908.md?page=3)