We've got movies recs for every holiday, and Labor Day is no exception. Observed on the first Monday of September, Labor Day honors the many achievements and contributions of the American workforce. It was first nationally recognized on September 5th 1886, and this year it falls on September 2nd. So kick back, take a well-deserved break, and celebrate Labor Day with these three films.
1) The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
The Grapes of Wrath is the perfect film to commemorate Labor Day, as it showcases the arduous journey undergone by a working family during the Great Depression. The movie is based off John Steinbeck's novel of the same name, and was released only a year after the book was published. Considered one of the greatest films of all time, The Grapes of Wrath was even one of the first films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the national film registry for its cultural and historical significance. If that isn't impressive enough, lead actor Henry Fonda received an Oscar for his performance, and the film is on the AFI top 100 movies list. Basically, this is an all-around incredible film with real heart and soul. It so vividly shows the pain and suffering endured by workers, the film was originally allowed to be shown in the Soviet Union purely because of its depiction of how difficult life under American capitalism was. This decision, however, was quickly revoked when audiences could see that even the poorest Americans had a higher quality of living than the average Soviet citizen.
Where to Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or AppleTV
2) Sorry to Bother You (2018)
While a bit of a vibe shift from The Grapes of Wrath, Sorry to Bother You is another critically-acclaimed film that centers around the experience of being an average American worker. The story follows a telemarketing employee named Cash, who, after masking his voice to sound "more white," climbs to the top of his company. Meanwhile, a union is forming, and Cash finds himself stuck between his loved ones and his new-found financial stability. We love this film because it's fun, it's real, and it's got a heck of a twist (which of course we aren't going to spoil). As things go well for the protagonist, the film is bright and bubbly and stylized. As things begin to crumble for him, the film stylization spirals and descends into an absolute chaos. Sorry to Bother You is also especially impactful in its focus on the Black American worker, and how many are forced to mask or change parts of their identity in order to excel. It premiered at Sundance and won Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Where to Stream: Free on Pluto TV and PLEX, The CW; Rent on Amazon or Apple TV
3) Office Space (1999)
Though Office Space does not have the fancy accolades and awards as the above films, it has undoubtedly become a cult-classic. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you've probably seen references to it (like the red stapler, printer scene, or "pieces of flair"), as it became a 90's icon. The film follows lower-level employees at a software company who have to cope with toxic management. When the protagonist Peter suddenly stops caring about all the social niceties expected of workers despite conditions, he actually receives a promotion. Regardless of his new position, Peter is still treated poorly, and he and his friends hatch a plan to take revenge on the company. This dark comedy is another must-watch to celebrate Labor Day.
Where to Stream: Free on Hulu, Disney+, Rent on Amazon or Apple TV
Do you have a specific video question? Schedule a free video analysis call at bit.ly/callawv