Whenever reality starts to bite, people always go on to seek some momentary consolation—or at least explanation—in films. But for movie medicine to work, the right film has to be selected with care.

When we all sat locked in our homes a few years ago, one thing seemed obvious: somewhere, someone was surely writing a screenplay about a couple in crisis who, when stuck inside the four walls of their apartment, fall in love all over again. The idea was so predictable it simply had to come true—if for no other reason than to get it over with. And less than one year later, there it was: in January 2021, we saw the premiere of the comedy Locked Down, the quintessential story of two people who had nothing in common until lockdown brought them together. It wasn’t made by amateurs, either (written by Steven Knight, directed by Doug Liman, starring Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor), but turned out to be a flop, nevertheless. The creators failed to find the right tone—serious where the scene needed some humor, and vice versa. It wasn’t much fun to watch a comedy about the things we were all currently struggling with at home—instead of bringing us comfort, Locked Down brought us down. However, the concept of taking the edge off the traumas of reality through cinematic fantasy was on point. And there are many precedents to it, too.

Great Depression, Great Cinema

The public has long taken doses of movie medicine. Still, it is a very delicate procedure that requires precisely measured doses of reality and fiction. Get too close to reality, and it hurts. Escape too much, and your point gets lost. Botched