Friday, December 28, 2007
Movie List - Comedies
American Splendor Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 2003 Rating: R
Actors: Paul Giamatti, Harvey Pekar, Hope Davis
Topics: Depression, Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder
Very interesting and unique film. Drags a bit at the end, though. Story of Harvey Pekar's life (he's
the "poster child" for the DSM-III according to his wife). Full of characters with quirks
(psychopathology?) who are still functioning in their lives. My favorite is Toby, the self-proclaimed
nerd (pronounced "nyerd") who is autistic. Having worked in a VA hospital, I can attest that the
climate in the file room is right on the mark!
Analyze This Favorite
Genre: Comedy Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow
Topics: Treatment, Anxiety Disorder
I really liked this movie. The portrayal of mixed anxiety and depression (delayed onset PTSD?) is
terrific. Unfortunately, the movie also demonstrates how not to be an ethical psychiatrist (can you
count the number of ways that he violates confidentiality?), but he still is effective (if you believe
in the therapeutic miracle of sudden insight). The best character in the movie is the loyal goon,
Jelly. He was great. See this one.
Arsenic and Old Lace
Genre: Comedy Year: 1944 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair
Topics: Psychosis
Classic movie with Cary Grant discovering his aunts poison gentleman visitors and his brother
thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill. [Suggested by Darlene Puck, Cincinnati,
OH]

Page 1 of 9
First Previous Next Last