Chemo Style on the Big Screen: Top 10 Picks for Cancer Movies

From Ali McGraw's unapologizing romantic in "Love Story" to Debra Winger's wise-cracking daughter and mother of three in "Terms of Endearment," movie cancer patients usually die a beautifully poignant and peaceful death, or else, are so sick, they are beyond treatment and simply count down the days before they pass.

Reality, however, is far more messy. Tumors need treatment, family members need counseling, and most prevalently, patients need chemotherapy. Given its preference for terminal illnesses, Hollywood often skips depicting the ugliness of chemo aftereffects -- the vomiting, the shivering, the dry heaving, the moaning in agony -- so when thoughtful filmmakers actually take the time to infuse their cancer patients with confidence and courage, they produce honest characters whose personality and individual style shine through the pain.

The following ten films all feature intrepid chemo patients who demonstrate their beauty both internally and externally.

The Doctor (1991)

In this adaptation of Ed Rosenbaum's memoir "A Taste of My Own Medicine," William Hurt stars as Jack MacKee, a cocky surgeon who is cut down a notch after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Frustrated by the inefficiencies of his own hospital, MacKee is calmed down by and ultimately inspired by fellow patient June Ellis (Elizabeth Perkins). Suffering herself from a stage four brain tumor, June encourages MacKee to reconnect with his family and patients, all the while modeling snazzy headgear -- including a sequined and embroidered scarf, blacks hats, pink wool knits -- representative of her enlightened spirit.

Dying Young (1991)

Isolated art student Victor Geddes (Campbell Scott) has been battling leukemia for a decade, but it's not until he hires drifter Hilary O'Neil (Julia Roberts) as his nurse and companion that he finds, yes, a reason to keep living. Hailing from a wealthy family, Geddes knows how to bust out with a sharp black beret for fine dining.

Marvin's Room (1996)

Before she developed breast cancer in 2005's "The Family Stone," Diane Keaton endured chemo as a leukemia patient in this adaptation of Scott McPherson's play. In need of a blood marrow transplant, Keaton's Bessie makes contact with her estranged sister Lee (Meryl Streep), who just happens to be a recent graduate of cosmetology school. After the siblings reconcile, Leigh restyles Bessie's hausfrau wig, giving her sister a snazzy, empowering new look.

One True Thing (1998)

After undergoing chemo for her unidentified cancer, Meryl Streep's uber-homemaker Kate must lay down her spatula and decorative mosaic tiles, and allow her career-oriented daughter Ellen (Renee Zellweger) to take over running the household. To keep herself and her family in good cheer, Kate models a variety of headgear - ranging from blue knit caps, green turbans, and a holly-patterned hat for Christmas -- to match the occasion.