In Charming the Hearts of Men, you saw a sophisticated and wealthy socialite woman abruptly have to return to her Southern roots. There, she is shocked by the discrimination and utter disregard for women. But, instead of running away from it all, she decides to do something about it. A well made movie about fighting for equality, with a beautiful love story weaved into it. Here are 6 more inspiring equality movies like Charming the Hearts of Men. 5 of these movies feature women at the forefront of change.
Do you watch all the recent releases? Here are movies like Naked Singularity and movies like The East.
6 Equality movies like Charming the Hearts of Men
1 Hidden Figures (2016)
IMDB 7.8 | 211K Ratings
Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner
Astronaut John Glenn being launched into orbit was an event that galvanized the whole world. Hidden Figures is the story of 3 brilliant black women who contributed to the mission’s success at NASA. Set in the 1960’s the movie beautifully portrays the incredibly inspired resolve of three women who contributed towards mankind’s greatest scientific achievements, in a time when their people were still fighting for basic civil rights. A sub-plot explores the space race against the Soviet Union.
The acting performances are simply brilliant, especially by Octavia Spencer. It was no surprise that she took home an Oscar for Best Actress in a supporting role. An uplifting movie that will leave you inspired and motivated to go out there and achieve, despite whatever odds you might be facing.
2 Selma (2014)
IMDB 7.5 | 89K Ratings
Stars: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Wilkinson
Oscar: Best Achievement in Music, Original Song for the Song “Glory” (Common and John Legend)
It’s 1964. The Civil Rights Act has been passed. But, desegregation is still a distant dream. Blacks find it impossible to even consider casting their vote in some parts of America. Dr. Martin Luther King (David Oyelowo) spearheads the fight for suffrage. The movie revolves around their iconic march that began at Selma and led them all the way to Montgomery. Selma is a chronicling of how this revolution started by Martin Luther King led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson). David Oyelowo deserves a special mention for his brilliant portrayal of the inspiration that was Martin Luther King.
3 The Help (2011)
IMDB 8.0 | 439K Ratings
Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain
Oscar: Octavia Spencer for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Leading the cast in The Help is Emma Stone who plays Skeeter. Like what you saw in Charming the Hearts of Men, Emma Stone’s character is a high-society girl. And, she too returns from a broadminded college to a dusty small southern town. As a project, she begins to interview the help working in the town’s elite homes. At first, only Aibilieen (Viola Davis) comes forward. But, she soon inspires the other help to come forward too. Together, they begin to raise their voice, boldly speaking about the struggles they go through, struggles that would have otherwise remain unheard and unseen.
Both Emma Stone and Viola Davis are brilliant with their acting. Just these two can carry the movie through, even if the plot doesn’t interest you. But, if you liked Charming the Hearts of Men, there’s nothing not to like about this movie’s plot! It’s almost like a rewatch with a similar theme and different actors!
4 On the Basis of Sex (2018)
IMDB 7.1 | 31K Ratings
Stars: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston
Based on a true story, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) is a struggling mother and attorney. Among many obstacles she faces in her life is her fight for equal rights. When her husband and her take on a tax case, she sees it as an opportunity to make groundbreaking change.
Can she change the way stoic courts perceive and handle gender discrimination? A legal drama that revolves around the fight for equality against the legal system itself. This movie will inspire you to know more about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an extraordinary woman. A movie that the entire family can enjoy. Felicity Jones is excellent as Ruth and so is Armie Hammer who plays her supporting husband Marty Ginsburg.
5 North Country (2005)
IMDB 7.3 | 41K Ratings
Stars: Charlize Theron, Jeremy Renner, Frances McDormand, Sean Bean
North Country chronicles a fictionalized account of America’s first sexual harassment lawsuit. Leading the movie’s cast is Charlize Theron who plays Josey Aimes. Unable to get employment elsewhere, she gets herself a job at an iron mine. There, the predominantly male workforce welcome here with unabashed sexual harassment. After trying to look the other way, Josey finally decides to speak up and seek respite in the form of legal justice. But, her fight for justice is thwarted by her own family, even by her own father who works at the mine. Everyone wants things to be the way it is, for fear of losing work.
But, Josey refuses to cease. With help from the few fellow women who work at the mine, she files what becomes a historic lawsuit. Charlize Theron is simply brilliant as Josey. Jeremy Renner is great as well, playing the incredibly cruel male chauvinist in Bobby Sharp. Woody Harrelson, Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins all play their part very well to strongly carry the plot through to an inspiring end.
6 Joy (2015)
IMDB 6.6 | 132K Ratings
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez
Women’s equality is not just fought in courts and against society and culture. Sometimes, it’s fought within a family itself. Joy is about a resilient woman Joy (Jennifer Lawrence). The movie chronicles a family’s path across four generations. When Joy comes into a position where she can rightfully take control of a business dynasty, she is met with treachery, betrayal and the scorns of love. But, despite all odds, Joy prevails, overcoming challenges and resistance both from inside and outside of the family.
A movie that features a very strong performance by Jennifer Lawrence. It’s about feminism, an entrepreneurial spirit and a woman who makes it work with her family, even when they give her no reason to. There’s a fair amount of subtle comedy weaved into the plot as well. The plot does have a few unwanted detours that could have been done away with. But, if you can pardon that flaw, this movie is a very entertaining and inspiring watch.