Personality Disorders
All About Eve Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1950 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Bette Davis, Ann Baxter, George Sanders
Topics: Personality Disorder, Marital Conflict
Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Writing and more. A
classic movie. Pay close attention to Eve through the film. Also, what about Margo? Realistic at
end? If she were in treatment in the midst of her turmoil, how would you have treated her?
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.
Anywhere But Here
Genre: Drama Year: 1999 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Hart Bochner
Topics: Personality Disorder
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?
As Good As It Gets Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1997 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt
Topics: OCD, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Best Actress. Jack Nicholson with Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder, as well as plenty of Axis II. Really great movie.
At Close Range
Genre: Drama Year: 1986 Rating: R
Actors: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken, Mary Stuart Masterson
Topics: Personality Disorder
Movie about a son's (Sean Penn) relationship (or lack thereof) with his clearly psychopathic father
(Christopher Walken). Based on a true story. [Suggested by Laura Cronin, Marywood University,
PA]
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?
Being There
Genre: Comedy Year: 1979 Rating: PG
Actors: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas
Topics: Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. 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?!)?
Benny & Joon Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1993 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn
Topics: Schizophrenia, Personality Disorder
Early movie with Johnny Depp who develops a relationship with young woman who is
schizophrenic. Diagnostic considerations for Depp's character? Good portrayal of stresses on
family, as Joon's brother devotes himself to her care. Cute movie.
Boys Don't Cry
Genre: Drama Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigney, Peter Sarsgaard
Topics: Sexual Disorder, Personality Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actress. Powerful story based on true events. How does social
psychology explain the differences in attitude after the discovery that Brandon is anatomically
female? [Suggested by Sheila Fling, Southwest Texas State University]
Breaking the Waves Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1996 Rating: R
Actors: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgaard, Katrin Cartlidge
Topics: Personality Disorder
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? [Suggested by Peter Lilliengren, Stockholm University, Sweden]
Caine Mutiny, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1954 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson
Topics: Psychosis, Forensic, Personality
Love this movie. Great cast, with Humphrey Bogart as the captain who begins to unravel under
stress. You'll never eat frozen strawberries again without thinking of this movie! What do you
think about the lawyer's accusations at the end, would things have been different if they supported
the captain, made accomodations for his deficiencies? If you want more resolution at the end,
read the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, on which the film was based. [Suggested by Ron Yamauchi]
Citizen Kane
Genre: Drama Year: 1941 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Dorothy Comingore
Topics: Personality Disorder
A classic. The story of a newspaper publisher's climb to success. Also, the power of early
childhood memories?
Clockwork Orange, A
Genre: Drama Year: 1971 Rating: R
Actors: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates
Topics: Personality Disorder, Treatment, Forensic
Bizarre, somewhat disturbing movie, with truly disturbed main characters. Also includes aversion
conditioning that backfires. [Suggested by Stacy Landry, Marywood University, PA]
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.
Dressed to Kill
Genre: Drama Year: 1980 Rating: R
Actors: Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, Nancy Allen
Topics: Sexual Disorders, Treatment, Personality Disorder
Serial killer on the loose, Michael Caine as a New York psychiatrist specializing in sexual disorders,
and any more details and I'll reveal the plot twists. Sort of a Psycho wannabe.
Ed Wood
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1994 Rating: R
Actors: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker
Topics: Sexual Disorder, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor. Johnny Depp as the quirky movie maker - and
transvestite. His friends also have their share of psychopathology. Cute film.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Genre: Drama Year: 2004 Rating: R
Actors: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood
Topics: Personality Disorder, Treatment
Although beloved by many, this film didn't rapture me. Consider the "treatment" issue and ethics
of those administering it (we can imagine that they are "mental health professionals"). Also
consider Clementine's personality - disordered? Does the storyline support the concept that
personalities can't be changed through treatment?
Fatal Attraction Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1987 Rating: R
Actors: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer
Topics: Personality Disorder, Family Dysfunction
A film which demonstrates why flings can be dangerous. Glenn Close as the spurned "flingee." Get
out the Borderline Personality Disorder criteria…
Frenzy Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1972 Rating: R
Actors: Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster
Topics: Sexual Disorder, Personality Disorder
A classic Hitchcock story full of suspense, dotted with humor (I love the chief inspector's wife), and
with a smattering of psychoanalytical explanations thrown in. Another one to pair with Frontline's
Mind of a Murderer, the true story of the Hillside Strangler.
Gaslight Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1944 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotton
Topics: Delusional Disorder, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actress. A great movie! How a woman can come to believe that
she's crazy, when she isn't!
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
Gone with the Wind Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1939 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Vivian Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland
Topics: Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress. A woman coping
with life during the Civil War. A classic. Scarlett's diagnosis? Histrionic? Borderline? Antisocial?
Consider her behavior in light of the culture of the time. My favorite line in the movie, "Askin' ain't
gettin'."
Good Will Hunting
Genre: Drama Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Topics: Treatment, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor and Writing. 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, Pacific Lutheran University,
WA]
Heavenly Creatures
Genre: Drama Year: 1994 Rating: R
Actors: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sara Peirse
Topics: Personality Disorder, Family Dysfunction, Treatment
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." [Suggested by Ron Yamauchi]
House of Games
Genre: Drama Year: 1987 Rating: R
Actors: Joe Mantegna, Lindsay Crouse, Mike Nussbuam
Topics: Treatment, Personality Disorder
Joe Mantegna as a con artist whose life fascinates a psychologist/author, luring her into his world
of deceit. Suspenseful, quality movie.
House of Yes Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1997 Rating: R
Actors: Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling
Topics: Psychosis, Personality Disorder
I loved this movie. Absolutely great, quick dialogue. A young man brings his fiancé 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.
Kiss the Girls
Genre: Drama Year: 1997 Rating: R
Actors: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Cary Elwes
Topics: Forensic, Personality Disorder
Deals with a forensic psychologist and two serial murderers who are seeming to work together.
Interesting flick! [Suggested by Tabatha Schellenger, University of Alaska, Anchorage]
Madame Bovary
Genre: Drama Year: 1949 Rating: R
Actors: Jennifer Jones, James Mason, Van Heflin
Topics: Personality Disorder
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? The 1991 version is in French with English subtitles. [Suggested by
Victoria Mellody, University of Arizona-Tucson]
Man with the Golden Arm, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1955 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder
One of the first films to deal with drug addiction - in this case heroin. Frank Sinatra leaves rehab
clean, hoping to make a new start, but is dragged back under by returning to the same
environment. His wife, desperate not to lose his affection/attention, pretends she is paralyzed. A
movie ahead of its time. Compare to "Requiem for a Dream."
Manhunter
Genre: Drama Year: 1986 Rating: R
Actors: William Peterson, Kim Greist, Joan Allen
Topics: Forensic, Personality Disorder
According to Ron Yamauchi: "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." [Suggested by Ron Yamauchi]
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?
Mommie Dearest
Genre: Drama Year: 1981 Rating: R
Actors: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest
Topics: Family Dysfunction, OCD, Personality Disorder
Based on the book by the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford, reflecting the movie star's abusive
behavior and mental illness. Diagnosis? OCD+? [Suggested by Molly McHugh, Saint Mary's
College, IN]
Night Listener, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2006 Rating: R
Actors: Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Joe Morton
Topics: ?!, Personality Disorder
Suffice it to say that this film allows for significant psychological interpretation, including issues not
typically seen in major films. To say more will spoil the plot for you - also why I am not labeling
the diagnoses for the film. See it for yourself and be sure to watch the Bonus Feature "The Night
Listener Revealed."
Nurse Betty Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 2000 Rating: R
Actors: Renee Zellweger, Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock
Topics: Dissociative, Personality Disorder, Trauma
I had a different expectation for this movie, thinking more of a light romantic comedy. Not so.
Perhaps I'm spoiling the director's design in wanting to warn you up front, but there are some
especially violent scenes, often coming unexpectedly. Interpret these in light of the start of Betty's
fugue state. Plenty to do in comparing Betty and the Morgan Freeman character, as well as Chris
Rock's character. There is a bit of the Gilligan's Island syndrome again - coconut hit one results in
bizarre behavior, coconut hit number two fixes it and all is well. If it only were so easy…
Nuts
Genre: Drama Year: 1987 Rating: R
Actors: Barbra Streisand, Richard Dreyfuss, Maureen Stapleton
Topics: Forensic, Psychosis, Personality Disorder
Barbra Streisand as a hooker charged with manslaughter and the use of the insanity plea.
Of Mice and Men
Genre: Drama Year: 1992 Rating: R
Actors: John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Ray Walston
Topics: Mental Retardation, Personality Disorder
The classic Steinbeck story directed by and starring Gary Sinise. Story of two cousins during the
depression, working to get by - George with his brains, Lenny with his brawn. Consider the
diagnosis of Curly's wife (never named in the film or book)? The end of this story never fails to
get me teary '"tell me about the rabbits…" Read the book, too.
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).
One Hour Photo Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2002 Rating: R
Actors: Robin Williams, Connie Nielson, Michael Vartar
Topics: Personality Disorder
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' character as menacing, my take was quite different. What do you think?
Diagnosis? How about that ending - what was your interpretation?
Play Misty for Me Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1971 Rating: R
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walters, Donna Mills
Topics: Personality Disorder
Pairing this film with "Fatal Attraction" would make for quite the double feature. Many similarities.
Both related to female "stalkers" in a sense.
Primal Fear
Genre: Drama Year: 1996 Rating: R
Actors: Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney
Topics: Forensic, Dissociative, Personality Disorder
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? Pairing this movie with the Frontline documentary, "Mind of a
Murderer" (watch part 2) would allow for significant diagnostic considerations.
Quills
Genre: Drama Year: 2000 Rating: R
Actors: Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix
Topics: Treatment, Sexual Disorder, Personality Disorder
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. [Suggested by Melanie Domenech-
Rodriguez, Utah State University]
Ruling Class, The
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1972/2 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Peter O'Toole
Topics: Psychosis, Treatment, Family Dysfunction
This British black comedy has a cult following and was rereleased to include previously removed
footage, which is unfortunate, as I found it too long. The first half or so I enjoyed, but found the
second half disturbing, as it unfortunately followed the oh-so-common path of schizophrenic as
dangerous. Still worth watching, as Peter O'Toole appears believing he is God and the treatment
facility at first seems so benevolent. But, alas, the treating psychiatrist loses his ethical scruples,
not to mention his sanity. The portrayal of schizophrenic dialogue is quite good, as well as
O'Toole's initial efforts to suppress his psychosis. Doesn't rise to the level of a "favorite," but
worth watching.
Sherrybaby
Genre: Drama Year: 2007 Rating: R
Actors: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Brad William Henke, Sam Bottoms
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol
Sherry is released from prison to a halfway house, after doing time for drugs/theft. Her young
daughter has been cared for by her brother and his wife. Sherry struggles with her re-entry into
society and into her child's life, expecting the "quick fix" she could get from drug use. Consider
family dynamics, personality issues.
Silence of the Lambs
Genre: Drama Year: 1991 Rating: R
Actors: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
Topics: Forensic, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. This film lead many
students to the field of forensic psychology. Jody Foster as a junior FBI agent, off to find a
psychopathic killer, Hannibal Lector, who happens to be a psychiatrist.
Single White Female
Genre: Drama Year: 1992 Rating: R
Actors: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bridget Fonda, Steven Weber
Topics: Personality Disorder
Jennifer Jason Leigh takes on the persona of Bridget Fonda. Warrants a Freudian diagnosis...
[Suggested by Dave Renjilian, Marywood University, PA]
Squid and the Whale, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2005 Rating: R
Actors: Tim Robbins, Laura Linney, Owen Kline
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder, Childhood Trauma
Wow. This film keeps you tense throughout. What a great family dynamics/dysfunction display. So
much to consider - father's narcissism, son's budding narcissistic tendencies (from father's
modeling, or his own personality disorder?), younger son's spiral into conduct disorder/depression,
lack of boundaries between parents and children…don't expect resolution at the end, though - just
like most times in real life.
Sunset Boulevard Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1950 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroh
Topics: Personality Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Psychosis
This is an old movie and requires some knowledge of film history - particularly silent films. Watch
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" first to get a flavor of such films and then watch this. Gloria Swanson
is terrific - her mixed personality disorder and other possible diagnoses give you ample material
to chew on.
Taxi Driver
Genre: Drama Year: 1976 Rating: R
Actors: Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster
Topics: Personality Disorder
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?!" Rejection leads to
violence. Are there parallels with the shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech?
Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould
Genre: Drama Year: 1993 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Colm Feore, Derek Keurvors, Katya Ladan
Topics: Personality Disorder
Drama about eccentric Canadian pianist. Some similarities with David Helfgott ("Shine"), but
without the behavioral excesses, just the deficiencies. Diagnostic considerations?
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
To Die For
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: R
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix
Topics: Personality Disorder
Nicole Kidman as an ambitious TV personality who enlists 3 teenagers to murder her husband.
Diagnosis? [Suggested by Alysse M., Indiana University]
Unstrung Heroes
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: PG
Actors: Andie MacDowell, John Turturro, Michael Richards
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder, OCD
Andie MacDowell portrays a dying woman with a young son, married to an eccentric inventor. The
two oddball uncles (one's paranoid, one's a hoarder) come through for the boy with some
remarkable insights and wisdom.
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!
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 About Bob Favorite
Genre: Comedy Year: 1991 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Richard Dreyfuss, Bill Murray, Julie Hagerty
Topics: Treatment, Personality Disorder, Family Dysfunction
Cute movie with Richard Dreyfuss as the competent (or burned out?) psychotherapist and Bill
Murray as the patient (who seems to have more insight...). Note the difference in perception of
Bob between the therapist and his family. Has its flaws, but is a fun film.
White Heat
Genre: Drama Year: 1949 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien
Topics: Personality Disorder, Psychodynamic
Set during prohibition, James Cagney as the gang leader who always seeks his "Ma's" approval
and attention (she belongs to the gang, too). Certainly can have a psychodynamic interpretation,
possible conversion disorder (his headaches?), and paranoia - but, then again, just because you're
paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you! Classic film.
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]
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.