A common trope in many films is one in which an underdog character struggles, yet perseveres and triumphs over seemingly impossible odds. In his book "Save the Cat!," Blake Snyder calls this type of genre "The Fool Triumphant," in which the seemingly disadvantaged actually have an advantage in their anonymity, allowing their efforts to succeed when others least expect it. The film "Erin Brockovich" is one such example of the moral of perseverance. A mother of three small children with little to no source of income finds entry-level work at a law firm, where she is constantly undermined until she finds hints of unlawful activities in the local water plant. Through her thorough investigative work, she uncovers a scandal, brings an enormous lawsuit and succeeds.
"Dead Poets Society" contains a particularly famous and simple quote, "Carpe Diem," which gives the entire movie meaning. Meaning "Seize the Day," the movie's John Keating taught this phrase to his prep school students. This moral theme stresses the importance of living in the moment and not worrying or depending on what the future will hold. It is up to the individual to make his own life an extraordinary one; otherwise, the individual will miss out on the life happening right in front of him.
This moral relates to the film genre Blake Snyder calls "Institutionalized." We can only do so much as individuals, yet when we stand together as a harmonious community, great things can be accomplished. One film that exemplifies this is "The Breakfast Club," in which five teenagers in school detention struggle with their own problems and see life solely through their own selfish neuroses. They slowly come to realize they can achieve greater happiness when a bond grows between them. Also, in "Animal House," college boys band together in the attempt to save their fraternity.
Another common moral theme in films is one of acceptance, in which a character learns to appreciate what he or she has and embrace it instead of shun or try to eradicate it. In "A Beautiful Mind," mathematician John Nash, with the help of his wife and medical professionals, use medications to alleviate his debilitating delusions, yet they also cripple his genius. Nash then learns to go without medication and live with his delusions and resist the harm they cause.