Enjoyable/Applicable for All!

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2015)

Every movie has its problems, but "Inside Out" is ingenious thanks to Pixar's humorous and creative depiction of abstract realities in mental processing.
Likewise, this is definitely a "must see" for the entire family but especially because of the beneficial theme and role of Sadness. First, let's build some context. In this movie, a conflict arises between Riley's emotions Joy and Sadness. Previously in Riley's life, the core memories were guarded by Joy because all the emotions agreed that this was best and that this was Joy's overarching role. Further, it seems that none of the emotions can figure out Sadness's role in "headquarters", the place where the emotions react to Riley's life. As a consequence, Sadness becomes depressed and touches the core memories which seemingly leads to confusion/devastation in Riley's life. However, the emotions have misinterpreted Sadness's role. Unsure of her place, Joy and Sadness travel to "long-term memory" to retrieve Riley's core memories in an attempt to change them back to pure Joy-filled memories. In the end, the emotions learn that memories and experiences in life can have mixed emotional responses that are healthy. Essentially, the emotions each learn their place and take turns touching the memories of Riley together and separately. They learn that the moments with mixed emotions are often more powerful and give room for greater growth in Riley's life. As a consequence, they make it their practice to give each of the emotions opportunities to help Riley cope with life.
Interestingly, Pixar accurately portrays a real-world problem that affects every human being. We live in a world that struggles in figuring out what to do with pain. Some people react by suppressing their pain, as the emotions attempted to do in the movie. Some people let their pain rampantly control them, as Sadness did when she had unhealthy control. Regardless, on any part of the continuum what do people do with pain? Where does pain belong? In the movie, the beautiful moment that answers this question occurs when Riley shares her pains with her parents and Joy and Sadness both touch the memory. This resolves the problem of pain because it is shared in honesty and community with her parents. Riley expressed her personal struggles and sadness with her parents and through empathy they reconnect and Riley grows as a person. Sadness is thus seen as a key role in that through her abilities to help Riley, Riley is able to open up to her parents. Further, it opens Riley's life to giving of herself empathetically which is a timeless message needed by all generations and cultures. Essentially, Pixar reminds viewers that many times joy is found through sadness or difficult circumstances. It is through these defining moments that we grow as people and are changed for the better. In fact, many times it is through these painful moments in life that we find true community with those we love and care for most.
An example from my life that confirms Pixar's depiction that joy comes through sadness is in the story of a someone I know. This person's father died by committing suicide. While at an event, this person was secretly grieving and unsure of whether or not he could share his grief story with others. Somehow he decided he was going to share his father's story. After he shared what happened, two younger girls at the same event came up to him and shared with him that they had been having suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, he was able to empathize and encourage these two girls away from their negative thoughts by showing how his father's death affected others who were still living and grieving his loss. In effect, this man was thankful for his circumstance because he had the knowledge that the story of his father's death saved the lives of two young girls, and many thereafter. Though this is an extreme example of this principle at play, it is no less a true example of how humans find joy through sadness. I am thankful Pixar depicted Sadness as a reality of life and as a meaningful part of life. Without an understanding of true sadness, it is hard or impossible to appreciate and understand joy to its fullest potential. Thus, Pixar's "Inside Out" is a must see that is applicable to every person who lives and feels, and provides an appropriate conclusion of what to do with our sadness.