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Notícias |
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C = Comedy, D = Drama, Doc = Documentary, H = Horror, M = Mystery, R = Romance, SF = Science Fiction
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Abre los ojos ("Open Your Eyes") (1997, D/R/SF) |
Spanish film told in retrospect as an imprisoned man, whose face is horribly disfigured, tells his story to a psychiatrist. Any trouble with reality testing? [Submitted by Erin Gustin, University of Southern Indiana] |
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After Darkness (1985, D) |
A man's elder brother removes him from a mental institution, motivated by guilt, to care for him, but the psychosis may be too much to handle. |
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Agnes of God (1985, M) |
Meg Tilly as a novice nun who became pregnant and the baby is found strangled in the cloistered convent. Jane Fonda as the psychiatrist appointed to determine if Tilly is mentally competent to stand trial. [Submitted by Nell Stewart] |
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American History X (1998, D) |
A neonazi (Ed Norton) in prison for murder begins to question his prejudiced belief system. When he is released, his goal is to "deprogram" his brother. |
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An Angel at my Table (1990, D) |
Autobiography of a New Zealand poet who was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic and spent 8 years in a mental hospital. |
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I really liked this movie. Robert DeNiro's portrayal of mixed anxiety and depression (delayed onset PTSD?) is terrific. Unfortunately, Billy Crystal's character shows how not to be an ethical psychiatrist (can you count the number of ways he violates confidentiality?), but he still is effective (if one believes in the therapeutic miracle of sudden insight). The best character in the movie is "Jelly" the loyal goon - he was great. See this one. |
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Angel Baby (1995, D) |
An Australian film about two schizophrenics who fall in love at group therapy. Everything is fine until they decide to stop taking their medications and she becomes pregnant. [Submitted by Tammy Schneider, Champaign, IL] |
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Anywhere but Here (1999, D) |
I saw this film on an airplane - not outstanding, but I didn't take off my headphones! Susan Sarandon portrays a mother "who knows best" with a teenage daughter "who knows better," as they move from a small town to Beverly Hills. The mother clearly has a mixed personality picture - histrionic, dependent, borderline? |
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Arsenic and Old Lace (1944, C) |
Classic movie with Cary Grant discovering his aunts poison gentleman visitors and his brother thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill. [Submitted by Darlene Puck, Cincinnati, OH] |
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Jack Nicholson with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as well as plenty of Axis II. Really great movie. |
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Asylum (1996, D/H) |
A private investigator goes undercover as a patient in a mental institution, to discover the murderer of one of the doctors. Not particularly well-reviewed. |
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At Close Range (1986, D) |
Movie about a son's (Sean Penn) relationship (or lack thereof) with his clearly psychopathic father (Christopher Walken). Based on a true story. [Submitted by Laura Cronin, Marywood University, PA] |
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At First Sight (1999, D) |
If you were blind and had the chance to have sight, would you choose to see? Seems like a simple question, but the psychological impact of such a situation is effectively portrayed in this film, based on an Oliver Sacks' case. Nathan Lane as the psychologist who specializes in work with the visually impaired. |
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Academy Award nominated film with Leonard DiCaprio portraying Howard Hughes. What do you think of his development of obsessive-compulsive disorder at the end of the film? Other diagnoses? |
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Autumn Leaves (1956, D) |
Joan Crawford as the older woman who marries a younger man after a whirlwind romance, only to discover that he is mentally unbalanced. Should she have him committed? |
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Wonderful movie. Another based on Oliver Sacks' clinical cases. L-dopa's effects on encephalitis lethargica. Interesting glimpse inside a mental hospital in the 1960s. Why do you think paranoia/psychosis developed after prolonged L-dopa treatment? Neuronal supersensitivity? |
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The Bad Seed (1956, D/T) |
I've had several people suggest this and I initially thought it was more horror/suspense and less psychological, until Phil Condron (St. Gregory High, Chicago) pointed out the opportunity to discuss the nature/nurture issue. |
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Bad Timing (1980, D) |
A young American woman is hospitalized in Vienna for what appears to be a suicide attempt. A police officer suspects foul play, with her lover, an American psychiatry professor (Art Garfunkel), the prime suspect. [Submitted anonymously] |
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A must see for any psychology major. Russell Crowe portrays Nash, a brilliant mathematician. There is a major plot twist - stop reading here if you don't want it spoiled...We learn that we are misled - situations and characters turn out to be portrayals of Nash's delusional thinking and hallucinations. We see him spiral downward in the throws of his psychotic thinking or the side effects of his medications. What do you think about the suggestion that he was able to self-challenge the reality of the hallucinations, as at the end of the movie? What do you think this movie did for public perception of schizophrenia? If you really want to know his story, read the book - not an easy read, mind you, but with plenty more information missing from the Hollywood version... |
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Bedlam (1946, H) |
A glimpse at the history of psychiatric hospitals, set in 18th century |
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Being There (1979, C) |
Very funny and interesting film about a gardener (Peter Sellers) whose only exposure to the "real world" outside the wall around the grounds he keeps comes from television. What does it say about our society? Any obvious diagnosis of the gardener (or us?!)? |
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Benny and Joon (1993, C) |
Mary Stuart Masterson portraying schizophrenia and issues regarding interpersonal relationships. |
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Bird (1988, D) |
Story of jazz great Charlie Parker, with drug use and compulsive eating. |
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Birdy (1984, D) |
An early Nicholas Cage movie with two returning Vietnam vets dealing with the aftermath of their combat experiences - one physically and the other mentally. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Bliss (1997, D/R) |
Newlyweds deal with the wife's psychological difficulties and her revelation that she does not reach orgasm with her husband. Interesting focus on therapy for sexual dysfunction and her movement from Female Orgasmic Disorder to Sexual Aversion Disorder. Think the sex therapist behaves ethically? A good movie, somewhat spoiled by the predictable twist at the end. |
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Blue Velvet (1986, D/M) |
Bizarre, somewhat disturbing movie with Isabella Rossellini as a sexual masochist and Dennis Hopper with a variety of quirks. Received mixed reaction from movie reviewers. [Submitted by Michael Rasmussen, University of Queensland, Australia] |
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The Boost (1988, D) |
Sean Young and James Woods get a "boost" from cocaine addiction, at what cost? |
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Boys Don't Cry (1999, D) |
One of the few movies portraying a woman who lives as a man, with transgender film portrayals usually in the reverse. This story is based on true events and earned an oscar for Hillary Swank. [Submitted by Shiela Fling, Southwest Texas State University] |
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Powerful movie about a simple Scottish young woman who marries a Scandinavian oil rigger. He makes a very unusual request of her; was he in his "right mind" when he did? What about a diagnosis for her? [Submitted by Peter Lilliengren, Stockholm University, Sweden] |
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The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1921, D/H) |
An oldie, but goodie - German and silent. Told from the point of view of a mental patient. Sounds interesting to me! [Submitted by Skye Enyeart, Purdue Calumet University, IN] |
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The Caine Mutiny (1954, D) |
According to the submitter: "Humphrey Bogart is Captain Queeg, relieved by his exec during a storm. The exec now faces a mutiny charge. Only proof of the captain's incompetency will exonerate him. Watch in horror as Jose Ferrer grinds Bogard on the stand, reducing him to a mass of tics and paranoid ramblings!" [Submitted by Ron Yamauchi] |
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Camille Claudel (1988, D) |
Biography of the French artist, Claudel, who has a ``madness of mud'' - she's a sculptress. Gerard Depardieu plays Auguste Rodin, with whom she has a less than stable relationship. Adjani spent most of her adult life in an asylum. [Submitted by Celeste Walling, NY] |
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Great older movie with Gregory Peck as the military psychologist during WW II. Highly recommended. |
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A Caveman's Valentine (2001, D) |
A brilliant, but schizophrenic, composer living in a cave in Manhattan tracks down the murderer of a young man, all the while experiencing hallucinations and paranoid delusions. Not a particularly well-reviewed film, but all agreed that Samuel L. Jackson was quite good in the main role. [Submitted by Brad Thomas] |
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Citizen Kane (1941, D) |
A classic. The story of a newspaper publisher's climb to success. Also, the power of early childhood memories? |
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Clean and Sober (1988, D) |
Michael Keaton struggles with alcoholism. |
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This accurate and graphic film depicts life through the eyes of an untreated paranoid schizophrenic searching for his daughter. It does contain some short footage which many may find difficult to watch, but is in keeping with the presentation of psychosis. I found that looking away during these moments did not alter my appreciation of the film. This is one of those odd, independent films which one must "figure out" as it goes along. High on symbolism - be sure to notice the mother's clothing in relation to the setting around her. I find that this film demonstrates beautifully the communication deficits often present in these families - the mother character supports that "schizophrenogenic mother" theory! The depiction of perceptual illusions/hallucinations is very well done. A short film, but one which truly gives a sense of the world view and experiences of a schizophrenic. [Submitted by Peter Lilliengren, Stockholm University, Sweden] |
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A Clockwork Orange (1971, SF) |
(How'd I forget THIS one?! ) Bizarre, somewhat disturbing movie, with truly disturbed main characters. Also includes aversion conditioning that backfires. [Submitted by Stacy Landry, Marywood University, PA] |
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Color of Night (1994, T) |
Bruce Willis as a psychotherapist. Not a great flick, but deals with the topic. Think you can find some ethical violations? |
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Conspiracy Theory (1997, A/M/T) |
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts - good combo, but realistic movie? Mel is paranoid, conspiracies everywhere; once in awhile, "just like a stopped clock" (wonderful analogy from Roger Ebert), he's right. There also is a government psychiatrist (are his treatments therapeutic?!). Diagnosis for Mel? [Submitted by Victoria Mellody, |
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Copycat (1995, T) |
Sigourney Weaver as an agoraphobic; oh, and there's a homicidal maniac in the movie. |
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The Couch Trip (1988, C) |
Comedy with Charles Grodin (one of my favorites) as a stressed-out radio shrink, whose producer ends up unwittingly hiring a schizophrenic patient (Dan Aykroyd) to replace him during his hiatus. |
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A very well-done Australian comedy about a theater major hired to direct a play with the cast comprised of psychiatric patients at the local asylum. Includes pyromaniacs and other diagnoses. Hard to separate patients from staff. [Submitted by Jeff Hill, |
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Crazy People (1990, C) |
The title alone should put this one on the list. According to the Maltin summary: "A stressed-out ad exec (Dudley Moore) devises a series of brutally honest (and very funny) advertisements, which prompt his partner to place him in a mental institution..." [Submitted by Celeste Wallin, NY] |
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The Crying Game (1992, A/D/R) |
This film has one of the biggest plot twists at the end, stop reading now if you don't want it spoiled! It involves a British soldier, Jody, a member of the IRA, Fergus, and Jody's girlfriend, Dil, with whom Fergus develops a relationship, only to ultimately find out that Dil is a cross-dressing man. The movie also has a haunting theme song. |
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Crumb (1994, Do) |
Documentary about Robert Crumb, underground cartoonist of Fritz the Cat fame, who uses his art to deal with his own psychological issues. The film reveals his dysfunctional family and traumatic upbringing. [Submitted by Michael Caruso, |
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Cupid (1998, R) |
A young man is admitted to an institution, claiming he is the god, Cupid. The psychologist allows him to leave and pursue his "mission" to unite 100 couples in everlasting love... |
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David and Lisa (1962, D) |
Story of romance between young adults in a mental institution. |
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Dead Ringers (1988, D/T/H) |
Initially I did not want to list this film, as I found it quite disturbing; however, I have since had more than one person suggest the film for the list, so I am adding it. The film does deal with the psychological aspects of being an identical twin and is full of plot twists and uncertainty about who is the "crazy one." Jeremy Irons plays both roles quite masterfully. |
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The Deer Hunter (1978, D) |
Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep - a top notch cast portraying the impact of serving in the Vietnam War, showing their lives before, during, and after the conflict. Another look at PTSD. [Submitted anonymously] |
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The Devil's Advocate (1997, D/H/T) |
Keanu Reeves as the lawyer, whose wife is made crazy by the devil. Appropriate portrayal of psychiatric hospitals? |
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Don Juan DeMarco (1995, C/D/R) |
Johnny Depp with delusions (?) and Marlon Brando as the therapist... |
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This is a favorite film of many who have e-mailed me. It is the tale of a schizophrenic(?) young man. The film is cryptic and will prompt much discussion after it's over about what everything meant. The director's cut includes some scenes missing from the original in an effort to help the viewer, but things aren't necessarily any clearer. |
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Don't Say A Word (2001, D) |
The daughter of a psychiatrist is kidnapped and the abductors demand that he break through to a catatonic girl, who holds the secret to the location of a hidden gem, in order to get his daughter back. [Submitted by Marcia J. McKinley, |
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The Dream Team (1989, C) |
Group of psychiatric patients in search of a killer to save their psychiatrist who witnessed the murder. Not a great flick, but relevant. Michael Keaton as the group leader. |
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Dressed to Kill (1980, T/M) |
Serial killer on the loose, Michael Cain as a |
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Ed Wood (1994, C/D) |
Johnny Depp as the quirky movie maker - and transvestite. Cute film. |
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Equus (1977, D) |
According to the submitter: "Bitter, disillusioned shrink Richard Burton treats a young boy who has blinded horses, seemingly for no reason. Seemingly. Based on the fascinating play." [Submitted by Ron Yamauchi] |
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The Evening Star (1996, C/D) |
Disappointing sequel to Terms of Endearment with Shirley MacLaine seeking treatment for depression from psychotherapist Bill Paxton who appears to be attracted to mother figures and starts a sexual relationship with her. Not too ethical and not too great a movie. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Fatal Attraction (1987, T) |
A film which demonstrates why flings can be dangerous. So, what diagnosis would you give Glenn Close's character in this one? |
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Very powerful, have plenty of tissues handy (particularly if you are a parent). The film effectively illustrates how people can have very different reactions to the same traumatic experience, in this case a plane crash. Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez are great. [Submitted by Laura McGee] |
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Female Perversions (1996, D) |
Based on book of psychoanalytic case studies by Dr. Louise Kaplan. Features a female attorney and the stresses she experiences with her boyfriend, her lesbian lover, and her kleptomaniac sister. The material for psychoanalytic interpretation is plentiful, particularly the dream sequences. [Submitted by Rebecca A. Stredny, |
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Final Analysis (1992, D/T/R) |
Richard Gere demonstrating ethical (?) behavior as a psychiatrist? |
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Fight Club (1999, D/T/A) |
I thought this was on the list, but |
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Firefox (1982, A) |
Clint Eastwood with "Post-Combat Stress Syndrome." Accuracy of depiction? |
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First Wives' Club (1996, C) |
The marriage therapist has an affair with the husband, because she's "a woman first." Oy vey. The rest of the movie doesn't get thumbs up, either. |
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Fisher King (1991, C/D/R) |
A suicidal radio DJ (Jeff Bridges) meets up with a deranged street person (Robin Williams) who catches him up in his psychosis - folie a deux? Also their relationship seems to bring salvation for both. Interesting film. [Submitted anonymously] |
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The Four Hundred Blows (Les Quatre cents coups) (1959, D) |
At the cutting edge of the "new wave" of filmmaking in 1959, this movie depicts the troubled life of a young boy, his time in juvenile hall, his dealings with the school psychologist, and his dysfunctional family. Think about conditioning theory as it relates to when he is punished (e.g., when returning the typewriter that he stole). [Submitted by Shanna Cross, |
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Jessica Lange portrays the 1930s actress, Frances Farmer, who is placed in a mental institution by her overbearing mother. |
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Frenzy (1972, T) |
Hitchcock has a man dealing with his impotence by strangling women. Interesting therapeutic intervention... |
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A great movie! How a woman can come to believe that she's crazy, when she isn't! |
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I really enjoyed this movie! I suspect that the "Borderline" diagnosis given to Susanna more appropriately refers to her psychotic depression, with the former use of the term referring to the zone between neurosis and psychosis, i.e., on the "borderline" of psychosis. "Lisa" demonstrates a good manic, and seems more of today's "borderline personality disorder" than the movie's antisocial diagnosis. What do you think? [Submitted by Desiree Jasso, |
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A woman coping with life during the Civil War. A classic. Scarlett's diagnosis? Histrionic? I bet her MMPI scales 4 and 6 are up with 5 in the basement - also known as the " |
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Good Will Hunting (1997, D) |
Robin Williams provides psychological treatment for the main character. Some ethical violations, and at first seems like too much self-disclosure, but it served a therapeutic purpose. I'm not quite sure that the catharsis depicted truly would have cured both the Axis I and II disorders depicted in the untreated - "bad (?)" Will Hunting. Academy award winner. [Submitted by Allen Stigers, |
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Harold and Maude (1973, C/D/R) |
A rich, 20-year-old man obsessed with death meets an elderly woman at a funeral and develops his first meaningful relationship. Involves faked suicides, and a real one, but are the characters actually depressed? [Submitted by Carey Corbett, |
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Classic comedy with Jimmy Stewart hallucinating (?) a six-foot rabbit named |
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Haunts (1977, H) |
A small-town thrown into turmoil by a series of murders. "As a farm woman with demons of her own, [May] Britt gives the best performance of her erratic career," according to the review by Leonard Maltin. [Submitted by Duane Soebagio, |
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Heavenly Creatures (1994, D) |
According to the submitter: "Historically near-perfect account of two girls with a rich fantasy life. When threatened with separation, they retaliate -- with murder. Can you say folie a deux? Kate Winslet signals future superstardom." [Submitted by Ron Yamauchi] |
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The Hours (2003, D) |
Oscar winner Nicole Kidman portrays Virginia Woolf, who is writing the novel Mrs. Dalloway, another woman reading the book in the 1950s, and a third present day woman living it. All three lives have parallels of depression and suicide. |
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House of Cards (1993, D) |
A woman's husband dies in a tragic accident and then her six-year old daughter begins to act strangely - is mute, does not acknowledge her mother, and begins to seek out high places. The court places her in the custody of a psychiatrist who's an expert in dealing with dissociated children. [Submitted anonymously] |
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House of Games (1987, M/T) |
Joe Mantegna as a con artist whose life fascinates a psychologist/author, luring her into his world of deceit. Suspenseful, quality movie. |
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I loved this movie. Absolutely great, quick dialogue. A young man brings his fiance home to meet his family - we learn that she is the very first house guest and it is clear why. The young man's twin sister believes she is Jackie O and there is a family tradition of reenacting the Kennedy assassination (with ketchup and pasta - until this night), as well as other family secrets. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964, H/T) |
Classic. Betty Davis as a reclusive (insane?) woman, suspected of having killed her beau 40 years earlier, who now is faced with losing her plantation home due to a highway project. [Submitted by Ralph Richmond] |
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I Am Sam (2001, D) |
Sean Penn portrays a mentally retarded man fighting for custody of his 7-year-old child. [Submitted by Kathleen Krach] |
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I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore (1992, C/R) |
Male shoestore owner with a compulsive eating disorder befriended by a psychology student. |
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I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977, D) |
A young woman's continuing fantasies from childhood land her in an institution, with a therapist attempting to reunite her with reality. [Submitted by C. Bisby, CA] |
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I Never Sang for my Father (1970, D) |
Depressing film about a man's relationship with his elderly father and the stresses involved in caring for him. Adjustment Disorder, with Mixed Emotional Features, Chronic? [Submitted by Charleen Alderfer, College of New Jersey, NJ] |
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A fast moving thriller with a major psychological twist. Another one to watch twice, much like Fight Club. Once you know what's going on, how accurate do you think the portrayal is? Does it perpetuate mental health stigma? |
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Instinct (1999, D/T) |
Cuba Gooding, Jr. as a young psychiatrist tasked to perform an evaluation on Anthony Hopkins, an anthropologist who had been living as a primitive man among the gorillas he had been studying. Hopkins is indicted for murder, after he killed the men who were trying to "save" him from the gorillas. |
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Jacknife (1989, D) |
According to the submitter: "a little known film starring Robert DeNiro and Ed Harris as Vietnam veterans struggling with PTSD after the war. Very realistic (as DeNiro typically is)." [Submitted by Julie Lipovsky, The Citadel, SC] |
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Jacob's Ladder (1990, H/M/T) |
Full of plot twists and turns - combat-related PTSD? |
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King of Hearts (1966, D/C) |
This sounds like a great film. Set in France during World War I. According to the submitter, "The Germans have set a bomb to go off at 12 midnight and the only people left in the village are the "crazy" people in the asylum" and a Canadian soldier checking out the village after the Germans had retreated. Once again, we see the "who are the crazy ones" theme. [Submitted by Nancy Porter, Chestnut Hill College, PA] |
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Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985, D) |
Two unlikely cell mates in a South American prison, a homosexual charged with immoral behavior, and a political prisoner, develop a relationship and use their imagination (hallucinations?) to escape their reality. |
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Kissed (1996, D/R) |
Unusual film about a young woman's emotional, spiritual, and sexual involvement with her clients - she works at a funeral home. Yes, it is about necrophilia. It's a serious (dead serious?) movie that avoids black humor or being disgusting. S&E gave it double thumbs up... |
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Kiss the Girls (1997, A/D/M/T) |
Deals with a forensic psychologist and two serial murderers working 'sort' of together. Interesting flick! [Submitted by Tabatha Schellenger, University of Alaska, Anchorage] |
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Lady Sings the Blues (1972, D) |
Story of jazz singer Billie Holiday (Diana Ross) and her troubled life, with alcohol and drug addiction; includes withdrawal scenes. |
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Leaving Las Vegas (1995, D) |
Depressing, but realistic film with Nicholas Cage as the suicidal alcoholic. [Submitted by David Biek, Monroe Community College, NY] |
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Less Than Zero (1987, D) |
Dangerous combination of youth, money, lost girlfriend, and cocaine. |
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Lethal Weapon (1987, A/C) |
The first of the cop buddy series has a suicidal Mel Gibson paired with Danny Glover. Not many cops would want a partner with a death wish...Exciting, action flick. [Submitted by Bobb Banning, Carpentersville, IL] |
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Life As A House (2001, D/C) |
Kevin Klein portrays a man diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 4 months to live. He attempts to rebuild his relationship with his drug-using, life-hating teenage son, while they rebuild a ramshackle house that was his lifelong goal. [Submitted by Carey Corbett, University of South Florida] |
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The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996, A/T) |
A typical mom living a normal life, teaches school, and gets a bump on the head, causing her to begin recalling her past, in which she was a top secret agent! Of course, she has old enemies who now are out to get her and her old skills come back to her. Her memory recovery is much like "Gilligan's Island Syndrome," which usually involves 2 coconuts (the first one causes the amnesia, the second one returns memory). Not quite a realistic portrayal of amnesia... |
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Lost Highway (1997, M) |
I haven't seen this one yet, but most of David Lynch's films are pretty odd. One either loves them or hates them. According to James Berardinelli (Reel Views), "questions of identity are central to Lost Highway. Are the male leads, played by different actors, actually the same character? Are the female leads, played by one actress, really different people? And how can one man be in two places at the same time, holding a phone conversation with himself?" The submitter of this movie, a freelance screenwriter, calls it "the ultimate dissociate/ fugue film." [Submitted by Duane Soebagio, Victoria, BC, Canada] |
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Ma Vie En Rose (1997, D) |
Per the submitter, “May be an unrealistic ending but delightful movie! Helps understand how gender identity disorder of childhood might be experienced and reacted to by child, family, friends, neighbors” [Submitted by Sheila Fling, Southwest Texas State University] |
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Mad Love (1995, D/R) |
Teens in love - he "saves her" after her family puts her in a mental institution, only to discover while they're on the run, that she truly does have psychological problems. [Submitted by Tammy Schneider, Champaign, IL] |
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Madame Bovary (1991, D) |
Classic novel with many film adaptations. I read an interesting review by Roger Ebert that compared Madame Bovary to Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. Many behavioral parallels, but their decisions about how to cope with adversity are quite different. Is one more Borderline and the other more Histrionic? [Submitted by Victoria Mellody, University of Arizona-Tucson] |
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A great movie. Psychosis caused by a metabolic disorder (porphyria). |
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Man Facing Southeast (1986, D) |
According to the submitter, "Argentinian film - a man is committed to an institution claiming that he is from another planet - and when he faces Southeast, which he does for long periods of time standing perfectly still - he claims to receive messages from his planet." Sounds like another good one! [Submitted by Nancy Porter, Chestnut Hill College, PA] |
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Great film. Assassination plots, hypnosis, and intrigue! |
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Manhunter (1986, A/T) |
According to the submitter: "The first film appearance of Hannibal Lector (Brian Cox). William Peterson (of CSI fame) is Graham, an FBI profiler with the gift/curse of absolute insight. Being able to understand serial killers from the inside gives him the power to catch them, but has also put him in the mental ward on occasion." [Submitted by Ron Yamauchi] |
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Marnie (1964, T) |
Hitchcock directs Tippi Hedron as a kleptomaniac. |
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This definitely is a film for those interested in neuropsychology. Leonard has anterograde amnesia (he can't form new memories). To compensate, he tattoos notes to himself all over his body. He is on a quest to find the person who raped and murdered his wife. You'll have to watch this one closely to follow the plot - it is told in reverse. The attempt to accurately portray anterograde amnesia should be commended, but there are several points where Leonard acts as if he has "held" a memory longer than in working memory. What else can you find that is inaccurate? |
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Me, Myself, and Irene (2000, C) |
Jim Carrey portrays multiple personality disorder for a laugh. A much better rendition of "competing" personalities can be found in the wonderful All of Me with Steve Martin. |
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Mercury Rising (1998, A/D/T) |
Accuracy of portrayal of autism? [Submitted by Kim Mecca, Marywood University, PA] |
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Million Dollar Hotel (2000, D) |
Unusual movie about an LA hotel home to several people with mental illness. A drug abusing artist falls (was pushed, jumped?) off the roof and public attention is now drawn to the hotel residents, |
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Mommie Dearest (1981, D) |
Based on the book by the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford, reflecting the movie star's abusive behavior and mental illness. Diagnosis? OCD+? [Submitted by Molly McHugh, Saint Mary's College, IN] |
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Mr. Jones (1993, D/R) |
Richard Gere as the bipolar patient this time, but still ethical problems. [Submitted by Lynne Flannigan, Marywood University, PA] |
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Mumford (1999, C/D) |
Tale of a former IRS agent who moves to a small town and passes himself off as a psychologist. Sharpen your pencil before starting to keep track of the ethical violations! |
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My Left Foot (1989, D) |
Great film about childhood misdiagnosis of cerebral palsy as mental retardation and the difficulties adjusting to an adult life with disabilities. |
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My Sweet Killer (1999, D/H/T) |
Independent film about a schizophrenic young man released from a mental institution who is haunted by images of a woman who killed herself -- in his apartment. [Submitted by Erin Gustin, University of Southern Indiana] |
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Rare is the film that includes narcolepsy, a sleep disorder involving the sudden onset of sleep (REM stage), lasting seconds to minutes typically. Other symptoms may include cataplexy (where a person may fall to the floor due to sudden loss of muscle tone, typically during times of strong emotions, such as intense laughing), hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations (upon falling asleep or awakening), and sleep paralysis (inability to move for a brief period of time upon awakening). The film tells the tale of two young men (Keanu Reaves and River Phoenix), who are street hustlers, selling sex and taking drugs. The Reaves character is from a rich family and claims this life is only temporary while he attempts to find his biological mother. River Phoenix's character has narcolepsy, is gay and in love with his friend, and heavily uses drugs, a portrayal made all the more tragic with the death of River Phoenix himself from multiple drug use in 1993. |
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Nell (1994, D) |
According to the submitter: "Jodie Foster plays a rustic hermit, believed to be crazy. She isn't." [Submitted by Ron Yamauchi] |
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Never Talk to Strangers (1995, T) |
Rebecca DeMornay as a criminal psychologist with her own issues, who becomes involved with stranger Antonio Banderas, and begins to have strange experiences - phone calls, dead flowers on the doorstep, etc. Many plot twists. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Niagara, Niagara (1997, D) |
Basically a misfit-lovers-on-the-road film, but with a twist - or should I say twitch? The young woman has Tourette's syndrome. Both she and the young man (they met while both shoplifting) have dysfunctional families and the standard "no one who understands them." Robin Tunney does a great job with her tics and coprolalia (swearing). Here's a trivia question - in what very famous film was her partner, Henry Thomas, as child? [Submitted by Rebecca Vauter Stredny, Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology] |
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'Night Mother (1986, D) |
Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft dealing with declaration of suicidal intention by the daughter who's life consists of a failed marriage, a drug-addicted son, and agoraphobia. Her mother attempts to convince her that life is worth living. From a Pulitzer Prize winning play. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Nijinsky (1980, D) |
According to the submitter: This film is about "the famous dancer who spent his life in an asylum." [Submitted by Celeste Wallin, NY] |
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Ninth Configuration (1980, D) |
Very good movie about a secret government facility for high ranking officials who have had mental breakdowns. Interesting plot twists. |
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Nurse Betty (2000, C/T) |
Renee Zellweger becomes delusional after witnessing the murder of her husband. She goes into a fugue state and believes that she is the former fiance of a soap opera idol (Greg Kinnear). |
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Nuts (1987, D) |
Barbra Streisand as a hooker charged with manslaughter and the use of the insanity plea. |
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Of Mice and Men (1992, D) |
This classic Steinbeck story has been remade with John Malkovitch and Gary Sinise. How about a diagnosis for Lenny and for Curly's wife (never named in the movie or the book)? This story's ending never fails to get me teary..."tell me about the rabbits..." [Submitted anonymously] |
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A classic, must see (and I mean MUST for any psych major!). Academy Award winner. Why faking insanity to avoid jail may not be a good idea (at least not during this era). |
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This was a very interesting movie. Pay attention to the sets and use of color. Robin Williams portrays the one hour photo worker who becomes very attached to a particular family. Although some viewed Williams's character as menacing, my take was quite different. What do you think? Diagnosis? How about that ending - what was your interpretation? |
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Overboard (1987, C) |
Goldie Hawn suffers amnesia and Kurt Russell pulls a "Gaslight"-type scam, telling her that she is his wife and the mother of his children. Eventually, her memory returns, but, surprise, surprise, she finds that she has fallen in love with Russell. Yet another atypical presentation of amnesia, but a kinda cute movie. |
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Another well-worth the time. Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, and Timothy Hutton as a dysfunctional family. Also Judd Hirsch as the therapist. |
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The Other Sister (1999, C/D/R) |
Story of a young mentally challenged woman who strives for independence and develops a romantic relationship with a young man who also has disabilities. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Patch Adams (1998, C/D) |
The power of humor for medical patients. Robin Williams portrays the main character, who suffers from mental illness early on, makes it through med school, and "illegally" treats patients with humor. Based on a true story. [Submitted by Stacy Landry, Marywood University, PA] |
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Permanent Midnight (1998, D) |
True story of TV writer with major cocaine habit, starring Ben Stiller. |
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Pink Floyd the Wall (1982, D/Mu) |
This film was not particularly well-reviewed by critics, but does portray a rock star's descent into madness, fueled by his social isolation. Good soundtrack - sort of a long music video. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Play Misty for Me (1971, T) |
Very entertaining movie with Clint Eastwood as a radio DJ and Jessica Walters as a big fan. Her diagnosis: Borderline? Erotomanic Delusional Disorder? [Submitted anonymously from Binghamton University, NY] |
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The President's Analyst (1967, C) |
James Coburn portraying a psychoanalyst treating the president of the United States, with Coburn becoming increasingly paranoid, given his patient. |
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Pressurecooker (1997, D/M) |
Two brothers visit in a mental institution (it's not clear who's the patient), discussing the violent death of their mother. |
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Primal Fear (1996, D/T) |
Richard Gere as the lawyer defending the altar boy accused of murder. Note the testimony by the neuropsychologist - within her sphere of expertise? Does Edward Norton accurately portray Dissociative Identity Disorder? |
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Uma Thurman as a young woman seeing a psychiatrist (Meryl Streep) discussing her concerns about a new boyfriend. Unbeknownst to both, at first, is that he who is being discussed is the psychiatrist's son. Dual relationship issues come up in therapy all the time, but there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with them. Which way did Meryl Streep go here? |
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Prince of Tides (1991, D/R) |
Barbra Streisand as therapist. Think it's OK to fall in love with the brother of your suicidal client? |
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Psycho (1960, H/T) |
Another classic; is the title an accurate diagnosis? How about that relationship with his mother?! |
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The Quiet Room (1996, D) |
Australian film about a troubled 7-year-old girl who becomes mute in reaction to her divorcing parents' fighting. The film is from inside the girl's mind, as we hear her thoughts and comments on what is happening around her. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Quills (2000, C/D/H/R) |
Life in a 1790s mental asylum - all sorts of "treatments" given to the Marquis de Sade as he writes pornographic plays which are smuggled out of the asylum. [Submitted by Melanie Domenech-Rodriguez, Utah State University] |
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Raising Cain (1992, T/H) |
John Lithgow as a child psychologist whose father (also a child psychologist) conducts experiments with "involuntary" participants (let's hope this research wasn't funded!). Lithgow was one of his father's early subjects, with not-so-great results. [Submitted anonymously] |
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Dustin Hoffman's excellent portrayal of an adult with autism. Highly recommended Academy Award winner. |
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Regarding Henry (1991, D) |
Harrison Ford portrays a survivor of a brain injury. Accurate? I wonder how real survivors feel about this portrayal... [Submitted anonymously] |
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Regeneration (a.k.a. Behind the Lines, 1997/1998, D) |
Story of psychiatrist treating World War I soldiers with "shell shock" in an old Victorian castle. Even ECT! |
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Repulsion (1965, T/H) |
A Roman Polanski film about a sexually repressed young girl, who becomes psychotic and homicidal while left alone for a few days in her sister's apartment. [Submitted by Jim Bostwick and M.A. Goldberg] |
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Requiem for a Dream (2000, D) |
Drug addiction and images of amphetamine psychosis. |
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Rush (1991, D) |
Undercover cops who are sucked into drug use. Illustrates the danger of believing that one can simply and easily "quit" using addictive drugs. |
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Safe (1995, D/T) |
This sounds like a good one. Julianne Moore portrays a young woman who develops what looks like multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (hmmm, or is it a somatization disorder?). The movie tracks her efforts to find relief, interactions with psychiatrists and ultimately a cult-like spa in the desert. Pay attention to the soundtrack during the movie - notice that ever-present hummm? |
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Safe House (1999, T) |
Patrick Stewart as an ex government intelligence agent who is the only living witness to a cover-up that might allow a corrupt senator to become president. He needs to stay alive long enough to bring out the truth, while both the killers and his Alzheimer's disease are out to get him. [Submitted by Jennifer Jones, Marywood University, PA] |
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Separate Lives (1995, T) |
Not a great film, not particularly believable. A psychologist finds that she has multiple personality disorder and may be murdering her acquaintances, as well as leading another life. [Submitted by T.Rubin,Wurzweiler School of Social Work, NY] |
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She's So Lovely (1997, C/D/R) |
As per Leonard Maltin: "An errant husband's latest rage sends him to a mental hospital. Meanwhile, his slightly mad wife remarries, gets her life in order, and raises three children. When husband number one is released ten years later, he sees no reason why he and his ex shouldn't pick up just where they left off." [Submitted by Danielle Langlois, SC] |
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Shine (1996, D/R) |
Academy award winner. A disturbed man finds solace in music, after being driven over the edge by his father, when he was a young piano prodigy. Diagnosis? |
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Silence of the Lambs (1991, T) |
This film lead many students to the field of forensic psychology. Jody Foster as a junior FBI agent, off to find a psychopathic killer. |
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Silent Fall (1994, D/T) |
Richard Dreyfuss as a burned-out child psychologist manipulated into helping an 9-year-old autistic murder suspect and his sister (her diagnosis?). Some interesting ethical conflicts here. [Submitted by Lynne Flannigan, Marywood University, PA] |
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Single White Female (1992, T) |
Jennifer Jason Leigh takes on the persona of Bridget Fonda. Warrants a Freudian diagnosis... [Submitted by Dave Renjilian, Marywood University, PA] |
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The Sixth Sense (1999, T/D/H) |
Bruce Willis as a child psychologist whose 6-year-old patient claims to see the spirits of dead people around him. Good film; nice plot twist. [Submitted by Christina Martini, NY] |
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Six Ways to Sunday (1999, C) |
A young man is part of the Jewish mafia. He deals with his overbearing, jealous mother (any history of incest, hmmm?) and has an imaginary friend, to whom he speaks and who apparently takes over at times. Lots of room for Freudian analyses. [Submitted by Jason Spurgeon, University of Houston Clear Lake, TX] |
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Sling Blade (1996, D) |
A very interesting film, although somewhat predictable. What do you think the main character's diagnoses would include? And how about when he left the state hospital - no such thing as discharge planning? Billy Bob Thornton is excellent as the long-term psychiatric inpatient. [Submitted by Bob Buss, Empire State College] |
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Classic film nominated for many Academy Awards. A young woman is in a state insane asylum and can't recall how she got there. The climate, patients, and treatments are likely accurate for their times, as well as the hospital politics and clashing between the treating psychiatrist and his administrative superiors. Well done portrayal of her inner dialogue. Not a particularly flattering portrayal of psychiatric nurses, though. What do you think of the conclusion regarding the causes of her problems? A great movie. |
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Solaris (1972; 2002, D/SF) |
Scifi flick about a psychologist sent to a space station to investigate mysterious deaths. Typical job for psychologists in the future?! |
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Sophie's Choice (1982, D) |
This one led to an Oscar for Meryl Streep, as she portrayed a World War II victim dealing with traumatic memories and guilt. Kevin Klein as her schizophrenic (?) boyfriend. I would never want to be faced with the "choice" she had to make... [Submitted by Danielle Langlois, SC] |
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What a positive surprise this film is and what a lousy title. If you are looking for a video to analyze psychologically, this is one ripe with material. A young pre-med student, rather than going to a prestigious summer internship in the attorney general's office, is tasked with tending to his attractive mother who has broken her leg. His father is on the road selling motivational videos. This forced intimacy (he helps her with the bedpan, dressing, showering) leads to Oedipal situations. The film is a black comedy, with the viewer careening from very serious content to humor in seconds. Definitely one to see for the psychologically-minded. |
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Spellbound (1945, M/R/T) |
Hitchcock does dissociative amnesia - a man impersonating a psychiatrist at an asylum. |
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A man is released after 20 years in a mental hospital. We see the world through his eyes and his flashbacks to his childhood. What do you make of the fact that his mother, stepmother, and landlady are all played by the same actress? |
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Stairway to Light (1946, D) |
Oscar-winning short film portraying Dr. Phillipe Pinel's reform of a French mental institution in the late 18th century. I must track this one down! |
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Actress/singer with schizophrenia and her relationship with her boyfriend in the marines. Not a great film overall, but the screenwriter/director did receive a "Voice Award" from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration for the film's portrayal of schizophrenia. |
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Sunset Boulevard (1950, D) |
See the classic with Gloria Swanson and WIlliam Holden. She is a former silent movie star, delusional about her continuing popularity, with a former husband who serves as her devoted butler. Is she schizophrenic? Delusional disorder? [Submitted by Phil Condren, St. Gregory High, Chicago] |
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Sweethearts (1996, C/D) |
According to the submitter: "Janeane Garofolo stars as a rapid cycler, suicidal, manic depressive. Great film. Funny, sad and hits issues on beauty standards, relationships, insecurities and madness." [Submitted anonymously] |
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Sybil (1976, D) |
A classic. This movie about multiple personalities fueled the dissociative field - later, her diagnosis was questioned by one of the examining psychiatrists. |
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Taxi Driver (1976, D) |
Classic film with Robert DeNiro as the Vietnam vet cab driver who is obsessed with pornography and violence. Source of the much-since-used line, "Are you talking to me?!" Diagnosis, please? |
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The Tic Code (1998, D) |
Story of a boy with Tourette's Syndrome who becomes an underage jazz pianist. He pairs up with an accomplished sax player who, ironically, also has Tourette's and has developed strategies for covering up the symptoms. Interesting contradictions in how each of them views the disorder and the associated stigma. Think about parallels between Tourette's and obsessive-compulsive disorder. [Submitted by Rebecca Vauter Stredny, Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology] |
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Thirty two Short Films About Glenn Gould |
Per the submitter, "A Canadian film about the gifted but neurotic pianist." Is he schizoid? Hypochondriacal? I want to see this one. [Submitted by Nancy Porter, Chestnut Hill College, PA] |
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Three Faces of Eve (1957, D) |
Early story of psychiatric treatment to fuse multiple personalities. One of the "training films" used by the Hillside Strangler in his attempt to fake multiple personality disorder. |
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Tightrope (1984, T) |
Clint Eastwood as a detective investigating a serial murderer. Does the cop have another side to himself - a bondage fetish? |
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Tin Men (1987, C/D) |
A comical look at two battling aluminum siding salesman who demonstrate that antisocial personalities can be quite profitable. [Submitted anonymously from Binghamton University, NY] |
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Titicut Follies (1967, Do) |
This is a highly controversial documentary, with graphic images of abuse of patients in a Massachusetts psychiatric hospital. The filmmaker was unable to find a distributor for 25 years. |
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To Die For (1995, C/D) |
Nicole Kidman as an ambitious TV personality who enlists 3 teenagers to murder her husband. Diagnosis? [Submitted by Alysse M., Indiana University] |
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Too Outrageous (1987, C/D) |
According to the submitter: "this canadian film shows a good picture of schizophrenia in the girlfriend of the star, a drag queen. The stage shows aren't bad, either!" [Submitted by John Simon, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis] |
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Twelve Monkeys (1995, D/SF) |
A convict (Bruce Willis), sent back in time to stop a devastating plague, is sent too far back and is hospitalized as insane. Brad Pitt plays the off-the-wall fellow asylum patient. Do the followers of Brad Pitt's character have Shared Delusional Disorder? [Submitted by Ruth Morales, San Diego State University] |
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Unstrung Heroes (1995, D) |
Andie MacDowell portrays a dying woman with a young son, married to an inventor. The two oddball uncles (one's paranoid, one's a hoarder) come through for the boy with some remarkable insights and wisdom. Directed by Diane Keaton. |
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Vampire's Kiss (1989, C/H) |
According to the Washington Post review, this is one bad movie that never bores you. Nicholas Cage believes that he is turning into a vampire and his acting apparently is so over-the-top, that the reviewer stated Cage looked "part Tasmanian devil." Still, deals with the topic - there is a delusional disorder called "vampirism." [Submitted anonymously] |
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Vertigo (1058, M/T) |
Classic Hitchcock with an acrophobic Jimmy Stewart. |
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Vincent and Theo (1990, D) |
Biography of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother, Theo, who supported the artist. We know Vincent had some mental imbalance, given the ear thing, right?! This was originally a 4-hour miniseries for European television. [Submitted by Celeste Wallin, NY] |
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The Virgin Suicides (1999, C/D/R) |
Story of loss of innocence, family dynamics, and friendships. Five sisters all meet their ends before the finish high school. Directorial debut of Sofia Coppola, daughter of the famous director. |
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Cute movie with Richard Dreyfuss as the competent (or burned out?) psychotherapist and Bill Murray as the patient (who seems to have more insight...). |
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993, C/D) |
Johnny Depp dealing with pre-Titanic DiCaprio portraying his brother with autism and with a very obese mother who has some psychological issues, as well. [Submitted by Christie Santore, NY] |
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What Dreams May Come (1998, D/R) |
According to the submitter, this film "contains the most accurate emotion-evoking portrayal of depression and suicide" that she has ever seen. [Submitted by Maireanne Ryan, Ontario, Canada] |
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When a Man Loves a Woman (1994, D) |
The effects of a woman's alcoholism on her family, and life after going through detox. |
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Whirlpool (1949, D/M) |
Classic with Jose Ferrar as the hypnotist getting Gene Tierney, portraying the kleptomaniacal wife of a psychoanalyst, to do his bidding. |
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White Heat (1949, D) |
James Cagney as psychopath Cody Jarred during prohibition. A momma's boy gone terribly wrong. [Submitted anonymously from Binghamton University, NY] |
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Alcohol abuse, dysthymia, narcissism, conversion disorder, marital dysfunction, and wonderfully clever dialogue make this a must see. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton portray the older married couple whose fights are full of psychological barbs. [Submitted by Stephen Trichter] |
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Woody Allen (C) |
Pretty much any movie with Woody Allen in it deals with neurosis! In particular, in Hollywood Ending he develops conversion blindness. |
Psychological Science Award Winner
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