10 Must-Watch Dramas on Social Norms

Description: This film explores the devastating effects of gossip and the rigid social norms around sexuality, as two schoolteachers face ruin when a student accuses them of having a lesbian relationship.

Fact: The film was based on Lillian Hellman's play, which was groundbreaking for its time in addressing lesbianism. It was remade in 1996 as "The Children's Hour."

Description: This film delves into the life of a butler whose dedication to his duties and the social norms of his time prevent him from expressing his feelings, leading to a poignant exploration of duty versus personal desire.

Fact: Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson both received Oscar nominations for their roles. The film was adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel.

Description: Set during the Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, this film examines the sexual revolution, suburban ennui, and the breakdown of traditional family structures, challenging the norms of the era.

Fact: The film was based on Rick Moody's novel. It was one of the first major roles for Christina Ricci, who played a young girl exploring her sexuality.

Description: A satirical look at the American Dream, this film dissects the facade of suburban life, exposing the underlying discontent and the quest for personal freedom against societal expectations.

Fact: Kevin Spacey won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Lester Burnham. The film's title was inspired by a line from the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot.

Description: A semi-autobiographical look at divorce and its impact on a family, this film delves into the shifting dynamics of family roles and the expectations placed on children during such times.

Fact: Noah Baumbach drew heavily from his own childhood for the story. The film was shot in Brooklyn, where Baumbach grew up.

Description: Set in East Germany, this film explores the surveillance state and the personal and societal norms under a repressive regime, focusing on a Stasi officer who becomes emotionally involved with the lives he monitors.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It was Ulrich Mühe's last major role before his death.

Description: This film examines the complexities of sibling relationships and the societal expectations around caregiving as two estranged siblings must confront their responsibilities towards their aging father.

Fact: Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who play the siblings, were both nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.

Description: Set in the 1960s, this film tackles racial and class divisions, focusing on the lives of African-American maids and their white employers, highlighting the unspoken rules of segregation and the courage to challenge them.

Fact: The film was based on Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer both received Academy Award nominations for their performances.

Description: In a dystopian world where single people are given 45 days to find a romantic partner or be transformed into an animal of their choice, this film satirizes societal pressures to conform to relationship norms.

Fact: The film was shot in Ireland, and the hotel where the singles stay was actually a real hotel. The title "The Lobster" refers to the main character's choice of animal transformation.

Description: This film explores the generational gap and the pressures of societal expectations through the story of a young man's affair with an older woman, leading to a deeper examination of his own life choices and the norms he's expected to follow.

Fact: Dustin Hoffman was initially considered too "ethnic" for the role of Benjamin Braddock, but his casting ultimately defined the character. The iconic song "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel was written for the film.