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Movie Madness
Our Movie Madness section is dedicated to the proper portrayal and education of mental illness within the entertainment community. To this day, many movies still depict mental illness as a disorder to be feared. There remains an irresponsibility and political incorrectness within the entertainment industry that perpetuates the stigma associated with mental illness and hinders the progressives efforts of organized mental health awareness movements.
Through polling and contributions of the mental illness community, we have created a list of suggestions and rejections referred to as "Rants" and "Raves". This list is meant to help educate those who are interested, through an enjoyable medium, as well as to alert the mental health community and those who support it about movies and media that should be unsupported. It is our hope that this proactive action will help to encourage Hollywood and others in the entertainment industry to become socially responsible.
Like many sectors of the population before, the mental illness community needs to firmly take a stand that cannot be ignored. Mental Illness presently affects one in every four people of our society. According to an article by Catherine Boyer, MA, LCSW, dated July 20, 2010, a new study shows that one out of two people will experience mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Many who have experienced mental illness are not aware of it and feel that their experience was "normal". This demonstrates the continued need for public awareness, as well as the growth of a sector that is quickly becoming a force that can make a change.
A Beautiful Mind - (2001) PG-13 Biography/Drama - Portrayal: Paranoid Schizophreia - Starring Russell, Ed Harris, & Jennifer Connelly. Based on the life of John Forbes Nash, Jr., his mathematical genius, and struggle with mental illness. ~ Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS
As It Is In Heaven - (2004) NR Drama/Romance - Foreign: Sweden - Starring Michael Nyqvist, Frida Hallgrn, & Helen Sjohlm. - "...(subtitled) film which I love and relates to mental health". ~ Nicky Forsythe, Social Entrepreneur in Mental Health
As Good as it Gets - (1997) PG-13 Comedy/Drama/Romance - Portrayal: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, & Greg Kinnear - A single mother/waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship. - "The part played by Jack Nicholson as an individual with OCD is done in text book style". ~ Lawrence Ferber, Ph.D
Black Swan - (2010) R Drama/Mystery/Thriller - Portrayal: Obsession, Paranoia, Delusion - Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, & Vincent Cassel. - A ballet dancer wins the lead in "Swan Lake" and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan, Princess Odette, but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan. ~ Recommended by Olwen Capper, Reiki Practitioner
Buck - (2011) PG Documentary - Starring Buck Brannaman and Robert Redford. - "A richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. The animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life". ~ www.buckthefilm.com / "... found it very inspirational for overcoming an abusive childhood". ~ Evelyn Goodman, Psy.D., LMFT
Festen - (1998) R Drama - Foreign: Denmark - Starring Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, & Thomas o Larsen. At a family 60th birthday celebration, the guest of honor, Helge, is publicly confronted by his own children with some unsettling family secrets ~ Recommended by Nicky Forsythe, Social Entrepreneur in Mental Health
Gaslight - (1944) NR Drama/Mystery/Thriller - Portrayal: Sociopathy - Starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, & Joseph Cotten. - Years after her aunt was murdered in her home, a young woman moves back into the house with her new husband. However, he has a secret which he will do anything to protect, even if that means driving his wife insane. ~ Recommended by Jeannine Veigh, Psychotherapist
Girl, Interrupted - (1999) R Biography/Drama - Portrayal: Borderline Personality Disorder - Starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg, & Brittany Murphy. Based on writer Susanna Kaysen's account of her 18-month stay at a mental hospital in the 1960s. - Recommended by Chris O' Mahony, Mental Health Volunteer Coordinator / "...an upsetting movie, but she recovers..." ~ Eileen Korby, Mental Health Counselor Intern / ~ Recommended by Diane F., Mental Health Care Professional
Good Will Hunting - (1997) R Drama/Romance - Starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon & Ben Affleck. - Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, has a gift for mathematics but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life. ~ Recommended by Diane F., Mental Health Care Professional
Helen - (2009) R Drama - Portrayal: Depression - Starring Ahsley Judd, Goran Visnjic, and Lauren Lee Smith. Helen is an adored wife, mother and successful music professor who also struggles to mask her debilitating clinical depression. Eventually, Helen suffers a breakdown, which lands her in the hospital. This apparent setback offers Helen a new perspective on life and her condition when she meets Matilda, a fellow patient with whom Helen forms a potent bond. "Inspiring and emotional." ~ Terri Morrach, CPSS
How Do You Know - (2010) R Drama/Comedy/Romance - Starring Reese Weatherspoon, Paul Rudd, Jack Nicholson, and Owen Wilson. After being cut from the team she once dominated because of her age, female athlete Lisa, is forced to re-examine her life and her values. Lisa begins dating Matty, a narcissistic Major League Baseball pitcher and notorious womanizer who leaves her wanting. Meanwhile, terminally honest businessman George finds himself on the road to financial ruin or worse after being wrongly implicated in a financial crime. As George struggles to clear his name and reconcile his turbulent relationship with his father, he has a chance meeting with Lisa at the lowest point in both of their lives. Soon George finds himself hopelessly in love with Lisa, who doesn't appear to notice and his freedom hangs in the balance. " A terrific movie of self-discovery, validation and acceptance." ~ Terri Morrach, CPSS
In Treatment - (HBO Series 2008-2011) TV-MA Drama - Portrayal: Therapy - Take a closer look inside the closed-doors world of psychotherapy. - "an excellent series". ~ Ruth Martin, M.S. MFT / "Gripping! Fantastic"! ~ Eileen Korby, Mental Health Counselor Intern
Leaving Las Vegas - (1995) R Drama/Romantic - Portrayal: Alcoholism - Starring Nicholas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, and Julian Sands. Alcoholic and Hollywood screenwriter, Ben Sanderson moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death and meets a prostitute named Sera, who comes to know and love him, without trying to upset his nihilistic agenda. The couple mesmerize as a marginalized couple who cling to each other for strength despite the direness of their individual circumstances. ~ Recommended by Chris Yates, Mental Health Advocate
Mr. Jones - (1993) R Drama/Romance - Portrayal: Bipolar - Starring Richard Gere, Lena Olin, & Anne Bancroft - " A manic depressive prone to very irrational behavior, is hospitalized for treatment. While there, the psychiatrist responsible for his rehabilitation becomes involved with him and cannot stand to allow his check-out". ~ John Bush, Rovi / "Very compelling and accurate"! ~ Ruth Martin, M.S. MFT
My Name is Bill W. - (1989, CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame) NR Biography/Drama - Portayal: Alcoholism - Starring James Woods & James Garner - Based on the inspiring true story of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, this moving drama stars James Woods in an Emmy-winning performance as Bill Wilson, a successful stockbroker who loses everything in the 1929 stock market crash. After succumbing to depression and drink, he eventually sobers up with the help of fellow recovering alcoholic Dr. Bob. With newfound hope for the future, the two create the now-famous support group.
"..the story of these two pioneers of recovery as they struggled to establish Alcoholics Anonymous". ~ Roger Meador, Substance Abuse Major & Volunteer
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - (1975) R Drama - Starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, & Danny DiVito. "Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail, manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates, including cowed mama's boy Billy and silent Native American Chief Bromden, presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched. Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior, and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases". ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi / ~ Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS, Nicky Forsythe, Social Entrepreneur in Mental Health, & Maddie Blomgren, Director of a Therapy Institute
Pleasure Unwoven - (2009) Documentary by Dr. Kevin McCauley - Portrayal: Addiction - "..not a mainstream movie, however it does a truly enjoyable job of demonstrating how the disease of addiction affects us. It is downright fun and entertaining, which is in sharp contrast to most addictions-related media". ~ Patrick Dieter, CDP, CADC II, BHT
Prozac Nation - (2001) R Drama - Portrayal: Depression - Starring Christina Ricci, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Jessica Lange. A young woman struggles with depression during her first year at Harvard - "...profoundly sobering and insightful which is good if you want to understand depression..." ~ Rhiannon Robbins, Mental Health Advisor and Senior Officer
Repulsion - (1965) NR Drama/Horror/thriller - Starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, & John Fraser. - Left alone when her sister goes on vacation, a sexually repressed young beauty goes insane with surreal fantasies of seduction and rape. ~ Recommended by Enrico Torre, Graduate at Università degli Studi di Pavia
Shine - (1996) PG-13 Biography/Drama/Music - Portrayal: Schizoaffective Disorder - Starring Geoffrey Rush, Arin Mueller-Stahl, & Justin Baine. Based on the life of Australian concert pianist, David Helfgott, who is as renowed for his mental illness as he is for his talent. ~ Recommended by Nicky Forsythe, Social Entrepreneur in Mental Health
Shutter Island - (2010) R Drama/Mystery/Thriller - Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, & Mark Ruffalo - Set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby.
~ Recommended by AgotaČuzdi, Medical Student at University of Novi Sad
Stopping the Revolving Door - (2011) Documentary - A Civil Approach to Treating Severe Mental Illness by Treatment Advocay Center. - 31 minutes - Watch it now at http://vimeo.com/26171883 - "...really great! It pinpoints the possible positive outcomes" ~ Deborah Fabos, Independent Educational and Behavioral Program Director / "...I just finished watching the movie (only 31 minutes....everybody should take the time to watch!). I have heard these same stories over and over again...it does my heart good to see a different approach and would love to know what their stats are on recovery after the individuals graduate from the program". ~ Terri Hoyle, Vice President NAMI Portsmouth, Virginia
The Beaver - (2011) PG-13 Drama/Comedy - Portrayal: Depression - Starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and Anton Yelchin. Husband and successful, toy company CEO, Walter Black, succumbs to severe depression. Unable to open-up, frustrated, and discouraged, Walter adopts a beaver hand-puppet and embarqs on a journey to re-connect with his family and change his life. ~ Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS
~ Recommended by Jeannine Veigh, Psychotherapist
The Girl Who Played with Fire - (2009) R Drama/Thriller/Foreign: Sweden - Starring Michael Nygvist, Noomi Rapace, & Lena Endre. The second of a trilogy. Tech expert Lisbeth Salander becomes the prime suspect when two journalists, including Dag Svensson, die after Millennium magazine publisher Mikael Blomkvist launches an exposé of the Swedish sex trade. ~ Recommended by Jeannine Veigh, Psychotherapist
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - (2009) R Drama/Thriller/Foreign: Denmark - Starring Michael Nygvist, Noomi Rapace, & Lena Endre. The third of a trilogy. Feisty computer hacker Lisbeth Salander finds herself hospitalized, suspected of murder and targeted for death by thugs. Meanwhile, Lisbeth's journalist pal, Mikael Blomkvist, crusades to prove her innocence. ~ Recommended by Jeannine Veigh, Psychotherapist
The Mirror Has Two Faces - (1996) - PG-13 Drama/Romance/Comedy - Starring Barbara Streisand, Jeff Bridges, and Lauren Bacall. A middle-aged professor, Rose Morgan is frustrated with her love-life and tired of living with her mother. A colleague named Greg, whose life has been complicated by a series of affairs, swears off sex and is in search of a cerebral marriage. Upon meeting plain-jane, Rose, Greg falls in love with her mind, and proposes a platonic marriage. Attracted to her handsome suitor, Rose agrees, but later has a change of heart and sets out seduce her husband.
- " A lot of relationship dynamics and it is funny." ~ Sonya Moore, Mental Healthcare Professional
The Prince of Tides - (1991) R Drama/Romance - Starring Nick Nolte, Barbara Streisand, and Blythe Danner. A Southern, unemployed football coach, Tom Wingo travels to New York City after his twin siter attempts to quit suicide and unloads a lifetime of horrific, repressed memories to her psychiatrist in order to help save her. " ~ sexual abuse, victims' silence, and the toll it can take on familes and indiviuals." ~ Sonya Moore, Mental Healthcare Professional
The Soloist - (2009) PG-13 Biography/Drama/Music - Portryal: Schizophrenia - "True-life story of Nathaniel Ayers, a former cello prodigy whose bouts with schizophrenia landed him on the streets after two years of schooling at Juilliard". ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi / Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS
The Silence of the Lambs - (1991) R Crime/Thriller - Portrayal: Sociopathy - Starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, & Scott Glenn. "In this multiple Oscar-winning thriller, Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment: the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill, who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out". ~ Mark Deming, Rovi / ~ Recommended by Roger Meador, Substance Abuse Major & Volunteer
The Story of Adele H. - (1975) PG Biography/Drama/History - Foreign: France - Portrayal: Obsession - Starring Isabelle Adjani, Bruce Robinson, & Sylvia Marriott. Based upon the real diary of Adèle Hugo. "Halifax, 1863. A young woman, Miss Lewly, comes to Halifax to search for Lt Pinson, with whom she is madly in love. Actually, she is Adèle Hugo, the second daughter of the great French literary figure and statesman. The Lt Pinson does not answer to her love and makes her understand it is hopeless. But as her obsession grows she keeps chasing and harassing him. This film about passionate yet obsessive love and self-destruction is based upon the real diary of Adèle Hugo". ~ Yepok / ~ Recommended by Chris O' Mahony, Mental Health Volunteer Coordinator
What About Bob? - (1991) PG Comedy - Starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, and Jule Hagerty. "In this comedy about a doctor-patient relationship pushed way beyond the office, Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a neurotic New Yorker struggling with a whirlwind of paralyzing phobias. When an exasperated colleague pawns the handful off on Dr. Leo Marvin, the psychologist has no idea his last appointment will follow him north to New Hampshire on a month's vacation. Bob takes to Dr. Marvin's latest book like no therapy before it, so the well-meaning pest tracks Marvin down at his lakeside summer home to further discuss his problems". ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi / Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS and Gladys DeVonne Christian, CPSS.
When A Man Loves A Woman - (1994) R Drama/Romance - Portrayal: Addiction - Starring Meg Ryan, Andy Garcia, and Ellen Burstyn. - An airline pilot and his wife are forced to face the consequences of her alcoholism when her addictions threaten her life and their daughter's safety. While the woman enters detox, her husband must face the truth of his enabling behavior. - "a good depiction of the recovery process for an alcoholic woman and her husband". ~ Joanna Foley, CASAC, LCSW
Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf - (1966) NR Drama/Romance - Portrayal: Substance Abuse - Elizabeth Taylor, Richard burton, & George Segal. - A bitter aging couple with the help of alcohol, use a young couple to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other. ~ Recommended by Terri Morrach, CPSS
The Roommate - (2011) PG-13 Portrayl: Obsession, Bipolar & Schizophrenia - Starring Minka Kelly, Leighton Meester, & Cam Gigandet. - "A psychological thriller about a deranged college freshman (Leighton Meester) who becomes obsessed with her new roommate". ~(C) Sony " This movie movie grossly misrepresents Bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia as a crazed murderous psychosis that should be greatly feared. Perpetuates the stigma associated with mental illness". ~ Terri Morrach, CPSS