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Favorite Movie Depicting Mental Illness? The Question of the Week

By Merely Me Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Hi everyone

 

I want to talk about movies this evening.  I absolutely adore movies and films.  I like the way you can totally forget about the outside world when you immerse yourself in a good movie.  For me, the message and details of certain movies stay on with me for years.  Recently I think I have seen such a movie which will undoubtedly linger in my mind for a long time. 

 

If you were to list some of the best movies depicting mental illness I am sure many of you might list films such as The Soloist or A Beautiful Mind. 

 

I am adding a new movie to my list, an independent film called Take Shelter

 

Christina Bruni, the community leader for SchizophreniaConnection, was able to get an interview with the writer and director of this award winning new film.  This is a not to be missed interview as this director and film will surely receive universal acclaim.  

 

In addition, on our anxiety site I wrote my own personal review of Take Shelter.  Please come to read it...I would love your opinion on the movie if you have seen it. 

 

My question for you tonight is:  What is/are your favorite movie(s) depicting mental illness? 

 

Hope you are all having a good week.  I am eager to read your posts and comments.  Keep them coming!

Am I selfish
11/16/11 2:32pm

Jacob's Ladder

11/16/11 7:09pm

Well, one I saw not too long ago was "Black Swan."  It showed how subtle the process of mental decline can be, to the point where it's suddenly there, full-blown, as if out of nowhere.  A lot of these movies can be depressing to watch!

11/16/11 9:44pm

Rain Man and What's eating Gilbert Grape, Johnny Depp

11/17/11 4:28pm

Hi -

 

I just did a post on Storied Mind and mentioned these five on depression:

Sylvia (as in Plath)

Helen

Prozac Nation

The Hours

Revolutionary Road

 

Temple Grandin - the best I know on autism - great movie.

Dirty Filthy Love - about a man with OCD

Mr Jones - re bipolar

 

Wikipedia has a huge list of films on mental illness.

 

John

 

11/17/11 4:34pm

The movie "
What About Bob" is my all time favorite. Actually I was just thinking yesterday  about movies about mental illness that would be positive with a good ending.  

I will look for the movie you suggested.  We people with mental illnesses need all support and good mental stimulation for survival. 

11/21/11 2:34am

This is a really old film, and I have not seen it in a while, but "Splendor in the Grass" with Natalie Wood" is a good film, and not too gruesome about how mental patients were treated in the 50's.  Also another favorite, but hard to find is "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden" although I think the book is better than the movie.

11/21/11 10:35am

Arsenic and Old Lace

Harvey

The Caine Mutiny

K-PAX

The Madness of King George

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

A Beautiful Mind

Chattahoochee

Psycho

The Soloist

Natural Born Killers

With Honors

 



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By Merely Me— Last Modified: 12/04/11, First Published: 11/15/11