History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / Film

** ''Film/TheTrumanShow'' could be said to have even bigger dystopian cynical moments. And that's also forgetting Allie Fox, his most cynical hero, in ''Film/TheMosquitoCoast''. ''Film/{{Gallipoli}}'' is also cynical with WarIsHell as it's main theme.

* ''Film/WouldYouRather'''s entire plot revolves around the notion that EveryManHasHisPrice, and will abandon their loftiest, closely-held ideals if the price is right. A recovered alcoholic? He might turn down $10,000 to drink a glass of wine, but $50,000 for an entire decanter of fine Scotch, he'll accept. So too will a vegetarian eat meat for the first time in years in exchange for $10,000.

* The [[WesternAnimation/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas original]] film adaptation of ''Literature/HowTheGrincStoleChristmas'' lands firmly on the idealistic side of the scale, as the Grinch is basically a CardCarryingVillain who wants to steal Christmas because he simply hates the holiday and is redeemed by the magic of Christmas by the end, when the Whos start singing. However, the [[Film/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas2000 2000]] live-action version is much more cynical than the original. The Grinch has a Freudian excuse in the form of being bullied as a child by the whos for how he looked, the whos themselves represent the worst aspects of Christmas in the form of crass materialism and commercialism, and even though both sides end up largely redeemed, they still have a cynical edge to them.

* The [[WesternAnimation/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas original]] lands firmly on the idealistic side of the scale, as the Grinch is basically a CardCarryingVillain who wants to steal Christmas because he simply hates the holiday, and is redeemed by the magic of Christmas by the end, when the Whos start singing. However, the [[Film/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas2000 2000]] live-action version is much more cynical than the original. The Grinch has a Freudian excuse in the form of being bullied as a child by the whos for how he looked, the whos themselves represent the worst aspects of Christmas in the form of crass materialism and commercialism, and even though both sides end up largely redeemed, they still have a cynical edge to them.

* The [[WesternAnimation/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas original]] lands firmly on the idealistic side of the scale, as the Grinch is basically a CardCarryingVillain who wants to steal Christmas because he simply hates the holiday, and is redeemed by the magic of Christmas by the end, when the Whos start singing. However, the [[FilmHowTheGrinchStoleChristmas2000 2000]] live-action version is much more cynical than the original. The Grinch has a Freudian excuse in the form of being bullied as a child by the whos for how he looked, the whos themselves represent the worst aspects of Christmas in the form of crass materialism and commercialism, and even though both sides end up largely redeemed, they still have a cynical edge to them.

* The [[Western/AnimationHowTheGrinchStoleChristmas original]] and [[Film/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas2018 2018]] versions of ''Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'' land firmly on the idealistic side of the scale, as the Grinch is basically a CardCarryingVillain who is redeemed by the magic of Christmas by the end. However, the [[FilmHowTheGrinchStoleChristmas2000 2000]] live-action version is much more cynical than both of those. The Grinch has a Freudian excuse in the form of being bullied as a child by the whos for how he looked, the whos themselves represent the worst aspects of Christmas in the form of crass materialism and commercialism, and even though both sides end up largely redeemed, they still have a cynical edge to them.

** ''Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah'' is nearly cynical to the point of dead-seriousness. Godzilla dying would cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt via literal SuperPowerMeltdown, an evil creature hell-bent on destroying everything (her name ''is'' Destroyer), and the death of Godzilla's son. However, the film throws in a BittersweetEnding: Godzilla dies, but the evil monster is dead and Godzilla's heroic and human-tolerant son succeeds his father, ultimately giving Japan the future it deserves.

* ''Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah'' is nearly cynical to the point of dead-seriousness. Godzilla dying would cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt via literal SuperPowerMeltdown, an evil creature hell-bent on destroying everything (her name ''is'' Destroyer), and the death of Godzilla's son. However, the film throws in a BittersweetEnding: Godzilla dies, but the evil monster is dead and Godzilla's heroic and human-tolerant son succeeds his father, ultimately giving Japan the future it deserves.

* ''Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah'' is nearly cynical to the point of dead-seriousness. Godzilla dying would cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt via literal SuperPowerMeltdown, an evil creature hell-bent on destroying everything (his name ''is'' Destroyer), and the death of Godzilla's son. Godzilla dies and the evil monster is dead, but Godzilla's son succeeds him, ultimately giving Japan the future it deserves.

* For TimeTravel movies, contrast ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' with ''Film/TheButterflyEffect''. The former is an idealistic take on how one makes the future, and the latter a cynical speculation to the statement in question. Their soundtracks also help telling their audience the moods they are portraying.

* ''Film/AllQuietOnTheWesternFront'' does this in-universe, creating the decline from idealism that stirs up the students in going to war to the mirror opposite of the disillusionment at war itself by the end of the film. This deliberate effect portrays a critique of what people are made to believe about war and the widespread denial of countries into sending out individuals in the belief that it's glorious before exposing them to the harsh realities whilst they remain self-interested. A retread into the classroom of young students by a sombre Paul Baumer and an unenjoyable discussion around a table surrounded by generals who refuse to understand the real experience by claiming superior knowledge are significant scenes that sadly reflect the attitudes' of war as an amazing event to die for. Especially crucial is those that are in this belief are those who have not actually gone out to fight, as opposed to scenes with those who voice the horrors which highlight many attempts to silence them.

* ''Creator/WernerHerzog'' goes all over the place from the idealistic ''Film/{{Fitzcarraldo}}'' to the more cynical ''Aguirre, the Wrath of God''. Just comparing ''Film/TheEnigmaOfKasparHauser'' to ''Film/{{Stroszek}}'' can cause some whiplash.

* ''Creator/WernerHerzog'' goes all over the place from the idealistic ''Fitzcarraldo'' to the more cynical ''Aguirre, the Wrath of God''. Just comparing ''Film/TheEnigmaOfKasparHauser'' to ''Film/Stroszek'' can cause some whiplash.

* ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' is one of the most cynical science fiction franchises out there. EVERY movie has a DownerEnding, and both the Human and Ape sides of the conflict are viewed in a negative light.
* Most comedies nowadays usually go into the cynical side, as most of the humor is either offensive, gross or satirical.