First Pick: In Patch Adams, an unconventional healer dares to raise up joy as a way of life. He demonstrates that often the best medicine for patients is laughter, love, compassion, and play.

More joy on the movie screen:

• A doctor and his patient discover the deep down joy of life when caring rather than curing is the main emphasis in treatment. (Awakenings)

• A picaresque masterpiece revolves around an American anti-hero whose adventures in the Wild West are characterized by the robust vitalities of comedy and the sharp blows of tragedy. (Little Big Man)

• A soul-satisfying movie depicts the spiritual process of turning pain into joy and bringing new life out of darkness. (The Spitfire Grill)

• A playful comedy set in a small Ireland community encourages us to catch joy as it flies. (Waking Ned Devine)

• An animated feature film about a nine-year-old heroine comes across as an unbridled paean to joy. (Pippi Longstocking)

• A romantic comedy revolving around a wedding evokes giddiness. (My Best Friend's Wedding)

Music and dance movies as exhibitions of joy:

• A joyous tribute to soul music features some of the best singers of the 60s and 70s strutting their stuff on stage. (Only the Strong Survive)

• A beguiling documentary about a 30-man choir in a tiny Norwegian fishing village salutes the cathartic effect of singing. (Cool& Crazy)

• A dance workshop celebrates joy, movement, and rhythm. (Ecstatic Dance)

• A raucous and rowdy Australian film shows how dance becomes an inspiring and energizing force in a community facing the loss of jobs. (Bootmen)

• Forty-four of the world's best ballroom dancers from fifteen countries strut their stuff. (Burn the Floor)

• Director Carlos Saura presents the passion, exotic footwork, and sexual undertow of the tango, along with cultural, political, and spiritual history in Argentina. (Tango)

• Search for all films about joy.