Pieces Of A Woman & 9 Other Movies About Grief Worth Watching

Coping with loss can make a person go through a complicated set of emotions. Due to this, several filmmakers try to capture the complexity of the subject matter by either portraying it with the utmost realism or bringing a psychological twist to it.

Based on the reviews of many critics and viewers, Pieces of a Woman falls in the former category. It not only stays true and grounded to its grief-centric themes but also offers a new perspective on the life of those who have faced a similar loss. Along with Pieces of a Woman, there are many other films that somehow capture the indescribable feeling of grief in the most honest and emotive way possible.

10 Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)

In Things We Lost in the Fire, Halle Berry plays the role of a widowed mother who invites her deceased husband’s friend to live with her and her children. While the friend helps them recover from their grief, the family helps him get rid of his addiction.

For the most part, Things We Lost in the Fire is a quiet film that never exaggerates its melodrama. It deals with its subject matter with the utmost sensitivity and is further elevated by the performances of its cast. For those looking to rebuild their lives after a tragedy, this one perfectly fits the bill.

9 We Bought A Zoo (2011)

Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, We Bought A Zoo tells the story of Benjamin, father of two and former adventurer who’s grieving his wife’s death. He realizes that if not for his own sake, he must start a new life for the sake of his kids so that they can all accept their loss. And so, he buys a zoo, taking on the big responsibility of renovating it. While he’s at it, he makes space for new relationships without giving up on the old ones.

We Bought A Zoo is a simple earnest drama that reminds a viewer to embrace the simpler things in life. Barring its few romantic clichés, the film is worth every minute of viewing time.

8 Pieces Of A Woman (2020)

Triggering for some and unflinching for others, Pieces of a Woman is a tearjerker that focuses on the emotional fallout of a mother whose homebirth does not end too well. With what follows, not only does the tragedy impact her mental health, but also deeply affects her relationship with her loved ones.

Pieces of a Woman walks viewers through a gamut of emotions whilst highlighting how grief isn’t the same for everyone. Its premise remains simple but it uses this simplicity to take viewers on a heartbreaking journey through the ordeals of grieving mothers. All of this is coupled with the great performances of the leads, Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf.

7 Demolition (2015)

With its rather gimmicky approach to the serious subject matter, Demolition almost comes off as a parody in its initial moments. It does, however, find its feet in its second half where it shows how Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), struggles to understand his own grief and find his way around life after his wife’s death.

The first half of the movie is predominantly about Davis’ numbness to the situation, which reflects his hidden denial. But as he interacts more with a customer service representative (Naomi Watts) who truly understands him, he finds solace and learns to accept the truth.

6 21 Grams (2003)

21 Grams isn’t for those who prefer straightforward storytelling. With its convoluted timelines, it presents the tale of three troubles strangers: Paul Rivers (Sean Penn), an academic; Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-con; Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts), a grieving mother. Unbeknownst to them, they’re all intertwined by the invisible force called life.

In its runtime of a little over two hours, 21 Grams has a lot going on. Viewers may be familiar with most elements of its storyline and themes, however, its meticulously weaved structure and powerful performances make up for a unique viewing experience.

5 Ordinary People (1980)

Ordinary People shows how it takes only one incident to put a family’s tainted relationship on full display and lead them to eventual turmoil. At its fore are three individuals: a disturbed son who survived an accident that killed his brother; a father who’s a level-headed Chicago attorney; a wife, who’s a cheerful homemaker, admired by most.

When tragedy strikes, everything they knew about themselves and their relationships begins to change. And while that happens, they get an opportunity to look inside and understand how they can be there for one another. Ordinary People is the kind of film that completely shatters your heart in the beginning. However, as it progresses, it puts it back together; bit by bit.

4 The Descendants (2011)

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, The Descendants sheds light on the life of a grieving husband (George Clooney) who, along with his two daughters, tries to find the man his wife was seeing before she went into a coma.

The Descendants takes more of a comic route towards its grief-centric themes, balancing its bitter and sweet elements. It does so masterfully, leaving viewers with a tear or two towards its heartwarming ending.

3 Departures (2008)

Departures is a Japanese film that follows a cellist named Daigo Kobayashi. A sudden bout of unemployment leads him to become a “Nokanshi” or “encoffineer,” a profession in which one prepares deceased bodies for burial. For obvious reasons, the people around him look down on his job, but Daigo finds a new sense of purpose.

Dedicating himself to the art of “Nokanshi,” he learns a lot more about life while serving as a symbolic ostiary for the dead. Other than being jam-packed with crucial life lessons that most viewers can embrace, Departures offers some intriguing insights into the perception of life and death in the Japanese culture.

2 Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Manchester by the Sea is a heart-rending drama, to say the least. But even in its poignant exploration of grief, loneliness, and familial ties, there’s a mushy core that uplifts a viewer.

Casey Affleck stars as Lee Chandler, who is made the guardian of his deceased brother’s 16-year-old nephew, Patrick. Due to this, he is forced to return to Manchester by the Sea, the fishing village he had once abandoned. While he struggles to swallow the bitter reality of the situation, he forces himself to confront the past that led him to his self-imposed isolation.

1 Three Colors: Blue (1993)

Best enjoyed with its two sequels, Three Colors: Blue is both visually and emotionally captivating. Powered by the wonderful performance of Juliette Binoche, the film focuses on grief-stricken Julie, who lives with the tragic memory of an accident that claimed the life of her husband and daughter.

At first, she chooses to isolate herself from the rest of the world by shutting herself in her apartment. But as fate would have it, she soon runs into an old friend Oliver who makes her reconsider her withdrawal from the world and release her suppressed pain.

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