One of my recent creative pursuits has been creating controversial double features to watch at home. A double feature is usually when a theatre or program features two full-length films. I have been matching some of my favorite movies based on shared location and different (or even opposite) genre. Sometimes the pairing is intended to share themes, while sometimes one simply needs to be picked up off the floor after an Aaron Sorkin script leaves you lying there.
Legally Blonde + The Social Network
What is something Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Elle Woods have in common? Not only are they both incredibly ambitious and successful, they are also both Harvard alumni. Although, technically, Zuckerberg never finished his undergraduate degree. So, what is something Facebook founder Eduardo Saverin and Elle Woods have in common? Not only were they both betrayed by the people they were closest to, they are also both Harvard alumni.
Legally Blonde follows beautiful and driven Elle Woods as she chases what she thinks is her dream to Harvard Law School, only to discover the power of friendship and her own talents as a law student. The Social Network follows a group of friends who participate in the creation of Facebook at Harvard University, and the fall out of betrayal and the depositions that follow.
Both films take different tones, but follow court cases, rapid-fire dialogue, and unexpected moments of humor. Matched with amazing soundtracks and all-star casts, Legally Blonde and The Social Network combine to become one of the best double features out there.
Baby Driver* + Pitch Perfect
This double feature is one where the order is essential. I would not recommend watching Baby Driver after watching Pitch Perfect—and who would even want to watch another movie after Pitch Perfect? You’ve already peaked at that point.
Baby Driver follows a young man in Atlanta who works as a getaway driver for bank robbers, with an affinity for timing his driving tunes to his routes. Over the course of the film, as he tries to free himself of this job, he finds a future he didn’t think he was allowed to hope for. Pitch Perfect follows a college freshman who wants to be anywhere but her college. However, she learns the importance of friendship and finds a family of misfits in her acapella group.
With a matching location of Atlanta and greater Georgia and matching themes of found family and a love for music, Baby Driver and Pitch Perfect remind their audiences about the important role music can play in our lives and our futures. Although Baby Driver is an action-packed, high-octane thriller and Pitch Perfect is a dramedy, they pair perfectly.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven + Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Another pairing where the order is essential, I would recommend starting with Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago Seven and ending with the John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The Trial follows the historic trial of the same name where a group of ant-Vietnam protesters were charged with conspiracy after they organized separate protests of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Ferris Bueller follows a teen of the same name as he masterfully ditches high school with his best friends to spend the day in Chicago.
This double feature is perfect for people who love Chicago or live in Chicago. You will likely find yourself pointing at the screen, saying, “Oh! Grant Park!” or “I’ve been there!” much to the chagrin of non–Chicago lovers. The tones of these two films could not be more different, although I must say The Trial does feature humorous moments in the same way Ferris Bueller has its fair share of serious bits. But it would also not be a reach to say they also share similar themes when it comes to elaborate plans, characters with nothing but a chip on their shoulders, and unlikely partnerships. Don’t believe me? You’ll have to watch for yourself and get back to me.
Challengers + Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
The most recent addition to the list, thanks to the recent release of Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers in April. Challengers follows the story of Tashi Duncan, a young superstar in the world of tennis, as she meets two young men, Art Donaldson and Patrick Zweig, who alter the course of not only her career, but her life. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days premiered in 2012 but is still what I would consider a tennis flick. The third installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, Dog Days, follows young Greg Heffley as he learns to make the most of his summer, namely learning to play tennis with his crush Holly Hills.
These films pair well because of shared themes of coming of age, friendship, love, lust, and tennis. Both films spend the lion’s share of their screen time in the northeast, with Challengers set in Rochester, New York, and Dog Days set in greater Massachusetts. The main theme of Challengers is finding closeness, intimacy with someone else, even if only for a brief moment. Although Dog Days approaches this same theme with more levity and humor, directed at a younger audience, it also tackles broken friendships and the healing required to feel that closeness and intimacy with someone again, even if that person is just your best friend, Rowley.
Watch these films together, watch them individually. Pair them as I have, or pair them in your own creative way. Hopefully this list will continue to grow as I discover films or new films are released. Happy watching!
*Baby Driver’s cast features several people who have been accused of sexual assault. While this is not a theme of the film, it is something viewers may need to be aware of.
Carlisle Patete (‘22) came to Calvin University from the mountains of North Carolina and graduated with a double major in film & media and creative writing. After brief stints in Los Angeles and Chicago, she now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she enjoys sweet tea on her front porch and identifying every tree and bird she runs into on any hiking trail.
3 Comments
Submit a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Your analysis is really insightful, and it’s amazing how you were able to find so many parallels in themes of movies that on the surface, seem like polar opposites.
And I laughed out loud when I saw your Challengers and Dog Days pairing–those are two amazing films. Now I have to watch this double feature!
Love these creative pairings
As a huge Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Aaron Sorkin fan… this is genius. Greats inspiration