Mood Disorders
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!
An Angel at My Table Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1990 Rating: R
Actors: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson
Topics: Treatment, Personality Disorder, Depression
Autobiography of a New Zealand poet who was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic and spent 8 years
in a mental hospital. Disturbing portrayals of treatment at the time - ECT, start of leucotomies.
Consider her personality issues - Avoidant? Social Phobia? Another case where art, in this case
writing, allows her to tolerate the traumas of her life.
Autumn Leaves
Genre: Drama Year: 1956 Rating: NR
Actors: Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson, Vera Miles
Topics: Treatment, Depression
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? This film lends itself to
a Freudian interpretation, as well.
Bad Timing
Genre: Drama Year: 1980 Rating: R
Actors: Art Garfunkel, Theresa Russell, Harvey Keitel
Topics: Personality Disorder, Suicide, Sexual Obsession
This modern film-noir type movie has been hated by some - e.g., the original distribution company
removed its logo and called it "a sick movie made by sick people for sick people." Well, I didn't
think it was THAT bad - I've certainly seen worse, but I'm not inclined to watch it again. The film
is told through a series of flashbacks interspersed with current time, making it a bit hard to follow.
By the end, though, you have a sense of where the psychopathologies lie. In addition to the
personality disorder issues, what about the psychiatrist's blatant disregard for confidentiality and
the inappropriate use of testing? If he is a "research psychoanalyst" in Vienna, does that change
the ethics requirement, even if he most likely was trained in the United States?
Don't Bother to Knock Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1952 Rating: NR-PG
Actors:
Topics: Depression, Psychosis, Personality Disorder
This is not a well-known film and was not a critics' favorite; however, I enjoyed it and believe that
in its short 76 minutes it gives plenty of material to digest. Marilyn Monroe plays a young girl
hired for the first time to babysit a child at a hotel, as recommended by her uncle, the elevator
operator. As the movie progresses, we learn that she was recently released from a mental
institution, "almost cured," almost being the operative word. I enjoyed the movie and Monroe's
performance. Consider suggestions of her childhood experiences, the concept of diathesis-stress
in the onset of psychopathology, and the possible personality disorder present.
Girl, Interrupted Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall
Topics: Depression, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress. 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 Personality Disorder
diagnosis. What do you think? [Submitted by Desiree Jasso, California State San Marcos
Harold and Maude
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1971 Rating: PG
Actors: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles
Topics: Depression, Nihilism, Suicide
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? [Suggested by Carey Corbett, University of South Florida]
Hours, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2002 Rating: R
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep
Topics: Depression, Suicide
Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Nicole Kidman). One of the best portrayals of the painful
depths and hopelessness of depression and its effects on others. Nicole Kidman portrays Virginia
Woolf, who is writing the novel Mrs. Dalloway, while another woman is reading the book in the
1950s, and a third present day woman is living it. All three lives have parallels of depression and
suicide. Fantastic portrayal of the impact of depression on family members and the power of
endogenous depression.
I Never Sang for my Father
Genre: Drama Year: 1970 Rating: PG
Actors: Melvyn Douglas, Gene Hackman, Dorothy Stickney
Topics: Bereavement, Adjustment Disorder, Family Dysfunction
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? [Suggested by
Charleen Alderfer, College of New Jersey, NJ]
Lethal Weapon
Genre: Drama Year: 1987 Rating: R
Actors: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey
Topics: Depression, Suicide
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. [Suggested by Bobb Banning,
Carpentersville, IL]
Marnie Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1964 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Tippi Hedron, Sean Connery, Diane Baker
Topics: Impulse Control Disorder, Sexual Disorder, PTSD
There is much to this movie. It exemplifies classic Hitchcock in its photography, use of color,
psychological storyline. The psychiatrist role was deleted, with Sean Connery taking over the
lines. Was this realistic? Was the ending realistic? Can you explain the theivery? What about a
classical conditioning paradigm for the fear of the color red and thunderstorms? How, today,
would Marnie be treated?
'Night Mother
Genre: Drama Year: 1986 Rating: R
Actors: Sissy Spacek, Anne Bancroft
Topics: Depression, Agoraphobia, Drugs/Alcohol
Plenty of family dysfunction here - declaration of suicidal intention by the daughter whose 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.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1975 Rating: R
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield
Topics: Treatment, Personality Disorder, Suicide
Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress among other awards. This
is a must see (and I mean MUST for any psych major!). Why faking insanity to avoid jail may not
be a good idea (at least not during this era).
Ordinary People Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1980 Rating: R
Actors: Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Depression, Treatment
Academy Award winner for Best Picture and Best Actor. Another MUST SEE for psychology
majors. Portrayal of how a family deals with trauma. One of the few positive portrayals of a
therapist (Judd Hirsch).
Prince of Tides, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1991 Rating: R
Actors: Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner
Topics: Treatment, Depression, Family Dysfunction
Barbra Streisand as therapist. Think it's OK to fall in love with the brother of your suicidal client?
Oy vey. Another example of unethical conduct by a mental health professional. I was angry
through most of the movie!
Safe
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: R
Actors: Julianne Moore, Peter Friedman, Xander Berkeley
Topics: Depression, Somatoform Disorder
A film about "environmental illness" aka multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. Is there really
such a thing? Maybe. Does Carol White in this film have it? Maybe not. Is she depressed? There
certainly is plenty of evidence to think so. As you watch the film, keep track of all the things that
could be "toxic" from hair spray to car exhaust. Also note the virtually omnipresent background
noise - electronics, traffic, etc. Also note when it is and is not present when Carol is at the
treatment facility.
Sweethearts
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1996 Rating: R
Actors: Janeane Garofalo, Mitch Rouse, Margaret Cho
Topics: Bipolar, Suicide
What to do when your blind date turns out to be an engaging young woman with bipolar disorder
and suicidal ideation?
Three Faces of Eve, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1957 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb
Topics: Dissociative, Treatment, Marital Conflict
Academy Award winner for Best Actress. 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 (see Frontline's "Mind of a Murderer-Part 2"). Compare with Sybil.
Consider the etiologies and why The Three Faces of Eve did not spark the boom of MPD diagnoses
that followed Sybil. Note the role of passivity (aka Eve White) as an adaptive strategy for coping
with her husband. Note also the timing of the onset of problems, associated with miscarriage.
Was the revelation at the end really the cure, in a Freudian sense, or was there progress all
Vertigo Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1958 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Jimmy Stewart
Topics: Anxiety, Depression, Personality
This movie tops many "all time favorites" lists. The story of a police detective, Scottie (also called
Johnny), who suffers a trauma, developing acrophobia and vertigo, causing him to retire from the
force. He is hired by an old college acquaintance to tail his wife, Madeleine, who seems to have
dissociative identity disorder. Scotty falls in love with her, but can't prevent her from committing
suicide. Stop reading here if you don't want the plot spoiled…Scotty is traumatized, becomes
catatonic. Later encounters young woman on the street who looks like Madeleine. Turns out that
she truly was the Madeleine that Scottie had followed, but she was part of the murder plot of the
real Madeleine, however she really did fall in love with Scottie. Over time, they date, he remakes
her into Madeleine (hair color, clothing, etc.). I'll save the rest for you to see. Did you see Scottie
as a sympathetic character? How did you feel about him at the end? Interesting that Madeleine
was portrayed as being dissociative and Scottie seems to show many signs of dissociative
features, as well, including his two first names…hmmm! A film to be watched more than once.
Enjoy!
Vincent and Theo
Genre: Drama Year: 1990 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Adrian Brine
Topics: Depression, Family Dysfunction
Biography of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother who supported him. Clearly Vincent experienced
depression, and some believe that the impetus to cut off his ear came from Meniere's Disease,
which can cause unbearable ringing in the ear. [Suggested by Celeste Wallin, NY]
Virgin Suicides, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Krsten Dunst
Topics: Suicide, Family Dysfunction, Depression
What lead to the multiple suicides by sisters? Loss of innocence? Family dysfunction? Much room
for interpretation.
Weatherman, The Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 2005 Rating: R
Actors: Nicolas Cage, Michael Caine, Hope Davis
Topics: Dysthymia, Personality Disorder, Family Dysfunction
Another "man's search for meaning film." Serious, yet with plenty of comedy to keep you
entertained. Consider the weatherman's diagnosis - dysthymia? Depressive PD? Also, what's your
interpretation of the father (Michael Caine)? Some reviewers saw him as a negative character - I
disagree and found him to be as supportive as he could be, while recognizing his son's failings.
What Dreams May Come
Genre: Drama Year: 1998 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Annabella Sciorra
Topics: Depression
First the children are killed, then the husband, resulting in significant depression and despair. The
story, though, is primarily of the husband's experiencing heaven, continued contact with the "real
world," and descent into hell. Visual imagery is remarkable (won Academy Award for Special
Effects).
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1993 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Johnny Depp, Leonardo diCaprio, Juliette Lewis
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Childhood Disorder, Depression
Slice of life film, with Johnny Depp as the young adult caring for his family - a depressed, morbidly
obese mother, a brother with a developmental disorder, and two sisters. Somehow, he manages
it all. Good movie.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1966 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder, Mood Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. 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. [Suggested by Stephen Trichter]
Woodsman, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2004 Rating: R
Actors: Kevin Bacon
Topics: Sexual Disorder, Forensic, Family Dysfunction
This film is likely to generate significant discussion - there no doubt will be some who find it
offensive (the producer received a gift-wrapped rat for Christmas during film production), and
others who find it a thought-provoking piece about a taboo topic. The film is likely best
appreciated if watched without a "heads up" - Stop reading if you want to avoid spoilers …. Kevin
Bacon is terrific portraying the torment of a pedophile released after 12 years in prison. He
develops a relationship with a tough woman with her own history. He struggles with his continuing
impulses, wishing to be "normal," as he works with a therapist. From a diagnostic perspective,
consider that he is able to have "normal" sex with his girlfriend, the difference between him and
sexual sadists, such as the one described by the cop in the film, and the role that stress played in
his impulses, parallels with OCD? A thinker's film with many metaphors throughout and unsaid
story components (e.g., we have a sense of how pedophiles are treated in prison). I'm not sure if
this were intentional (perhaps yes, as the same producer made Monsters Ball) - the authority
figures in the film, with the exception of the therapist, were all African-American: boss, secretary,
cop. Is this a social commentary about the relative social positioning of pedophiles in a biased
society, even if white? Looking for a film to analyze for class? This one is loaded with material.
Woody Allen
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: Variable Rating: Variable
Actors: Woody Allen, Various
Topics: Neurosis
Pretty much any movie with Woody Allen in it deals with neurosis! In particular, in "Hollywood
Ending" he develops conversion blindness.