by Michael Jackson’s career in the music industry was nothing short of phenomenal. From a young age, he displayed incredible talent and quickly rose to become one of the most famous entertainers of all time. However, his journey to success came at a cost, as he spent much of his childhood and teenage years on the road touring and recording with his brothers in The Jackson 5. While this brought him immense fame and fortune, it also meant spending long periods of time away from his family in Gary, Indiana. The pressures and responsibilities of his career from a young age likely took both an emotional and physical toll. So it’s no surprise that certain films may have resonated deeply with Michael on a personal level by exploring themes of home, friendship, and following your dreams. Here are 5 movies that could have touched Michael Jackson’s soul during his remarkable yet challenging life and career:
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This timeless classic tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is transported by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Longing to return home, Dorothy embarks on a journey down the yellow brick road alongside her companions the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Along the way, they encounter both friends and foes as Dorothy tries to find her way back to gray, dusty Kansas.
For Michael Jackson, this film may have resonated on multiple levels. Like Dorothy, Michael spent much of his childhood and adolescence away from his family in Gary, Indiana as his career skyrocketed. He undoubtedly longed to return home at times to be with his loved ones. The Wizard of Oz also portrays the wonder and adventure of Oz, but ultimately reinforces that “there’s no place like home” – a lesson Michael surely learned from his experiences. With its themes of friendship, following your dreams, and the importance of home, this classic musical was deeply meaningful and could have provided comfort and inspiration to Michael throughout his life.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
In this beloved Steven Spielberg film, a young boy named Elliott forms a unique friendship with an alien named E.T. who is stranded on Earth. Elliott does everything he can to help E.T. contact his people and find a way back home, even as sinister government forces try to capture the extraterrestrial.
On the surface, E.T. explores themes of friendship and loneliness that many children can relate to. But it likely held deeper meaning for Michael Jackson, who spent significant parts of his childhood alone in hotel rooms while touring. Like E.T., Michael was undoubtedly lonely at times and longed for companionship and community. The film also portrays E.T.’s desire to return to his home planet, mirroring Michael’s own longing to be back with his family in Indiana when he was on the road. E.T.’s message of friendship transcending differences would have resonated with Michael as well. This science fiction classic was undoubtedly an escape for Michael that also reflected his own experiences in meaningful ways.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
In this quirky Tim Burton film, audience favorite Pee-wee Herman embarks on a madcap cross-country journey to retrieve his stolen bicycle. Along the way, he encounters an array of bizarre and colorful characters. The film combines elements of slapstick humor, surrealism, and heart – a combination that would have undoubtedly appealed to Michael’s playful spirit.
While Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is primarily a comedy, it also portrays Pee-wee following his dreams and maintaining his childlike sense of wonder despite the obstacles that come his way. This must have resonated with Michael, who faced immense pressure in his career yet never lost his ability to see the world through innocent, playful eyes. The film would have provided Michael with an entertaining escape and reminded him of the importance of holding onto one’s imagination and joy, even in the face of challenges. Its offbeat humor and spirit were no doubt welcome reprieves for Michael from the heavy burdens he shouldered.
Stand By Me (1986)
This coming-of-age film based on a Stephen King novella follows a group of friends on a hike to find the dead body of a missing boy. On their journey, they share laughs, scares, and poignant moments of self-discovery. Most profoundly, the film celebrates the power and importance of childhood friendships.
For Michael, Stand By Me likely resonated on multiple levels. It portrays the innocence of youth and friendship – two things Michael lost at a young age due to the pressures of his career. The film is also a tribute to how friends can get each through challenging times. Michael surely longed for companionship from peers, as the responsibilities he shouldered isolated him. Stand By Me served as a reminder of the friends who supported Michael throughout his journey and remained loyal to him despite his fame. Most of all, it celebrated the beauty of childhood – something Michael lamented losing at such a young age due to the demands of his career.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
This exuberant MGM musical follows performers during the transition from silent films to talkies in Hollywood. It features iconic musical numbers like “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” and the title song in which Gene Kelly joyously dances through a rainstorm. Singin’ in the Rain is widely considered one of the greatest movie musicals ever made.
For Michael Jackson, who was arguably the greatest entertainer of all time, Singin’ in the Rain must have been deeply inspirational. It celebrates the power of music and dance to uplift spirits and bring people together – something Michael knew firsthand. The film also portrays the challenges performers faced when adapting to changes in their industry, a struggle Michael was no doubt familiar with. But most of all, Singin’ in the Rain reminds us of the pure joy that art can bring. Its exuberant musical sequences no doubt brought Michael immense happiness and transported him from his troubles, if only for a while. It was a reminder of why he did what he did and the magic he was able to create through his own gifts.
While we can never know for certain Michael Jackson’s personal film preferences, these five movies explore themes that undoubtedly resonated deeply with him on spiritual and emotional levels. They touched on his longing for home, his search for companionship, his playful spirit, his lost childhood, and his passion for music – all central aspects of Michael’s remarkable life and career. For an artist who endured immense challenges from a young age, these films likely provided both comfort and inspiration throughout his life. They were reminders of why he persevered and celebrations of the power of friendship, dreams, and artistic expression to uplift the soul.
