Substance Use Disorders
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?
Beautiful People
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Thomas Goodridge, Frank Pruti, Tony Peters
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, "Bosnian syndrome," Family Dysfunction
A black comedy from Britain. Much like a lighter version of "Crash." The intertwining of lives and
various conflicts allow for discussion of biases and "us" versus "them" mentalities. Also includes
reference to "Bosnian syndrome."
Bird
Genre: Drama Year: 1988 Rating: R
Actors: Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora, Michael Zelniker
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Eating Disorder, Treatment
Story of jazz great Charlie Parker, with drug use and compulsive eating.
Boost, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1988 Rating: R
Actors: James Woods, Sean Young, John Kapelos
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Family Dysfunction
Sean Young and James Woods get a "boost" from cocaine addiction, at what cost?
Clean and Sober
Genre: Drama Year: 1988 Rating: R
Actors: Michael Keaton, Kathy Baker, Morgan Freeman
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Treatment
Michael Keaton struggles with alcoholism and attends rehab.
Harvey Favorite
Genre: Comedy Year: 1950 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow
Topics: Psychosis, Drugs/Alcohol, Treatment
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress. Classic comedy with Jimmy Stewart
hallucinating (?) a six-foot rabbit named Harvey. Consider the portrayal of psychiatry and the
mental asylum and the apparent ease with which one seemed to be able to commit a person. Also,
one might think Harvey was a result of too much alcohol, but do we actually see Jimmy Stewart
ever drink? Hmmm. My favorite lines are Elwood's quoting his mother: "In this world, Elwood, you
must be oh-so-smart or oh-so-pleasant," and his conclusion, "Well, for years I was smart; I
recommend pleasant." Is it a personality disorder to be too nice, too polite? Ah, if we all were so
afflicted! Parallels with Peter Sellers in "Being There" and Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump?"
[Suggested by Joy Szuhay, Clarks Summit, PA]
Life as a House
Genre: Drama Year: 2001 Rating: R
Actors: Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hayden Christensen
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Terminal Illness, Drugs/Alcohol
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. [Suggested by Carey Corbett, University of South
Florida]
My Left Foot
Genre: Drama Year: 1989 Rating: R
Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Disability, Drugs/Alcohol
Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Great film about childhood
misdiagnosis of cerebral palsy as mental retardation and the difficulties adjusting to an adult life
with disabilities.
'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.
Permanent Midnight
Genre: Drama Year: 1998 Rating: R
Actors: Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Jay Paulson
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Treatment, Family Dysfunction
Autobiographical story of former Hollywood screenwriter, Jerry Stahl, and his struggles with drug
addiction. Hard to go wrong with Ben Stiller as the lead and, of course, the omnipresent Owen
Wilson has a small role.
Requiem for a Dream
Genre: Drama Year: 2000 Rating: R
Actors: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Psychosis, Family Dysfunction
Strong portrayals of drug addiction and its costs. Roger Ebert deems it a "travelogue of hell" - for
those who have not experienced the torment of drug addiction, here's a guided tour.
Rush
Genre: Drama Year: 1991 Rating: R
Actors: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric, Sam Elliott
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol
Undercover cops who are sucked into drug use. Illustrates the danger of believing that one can
simply and easily "quit" using addictive drugs. Gave us the haunting Eric Clapton song, "Tears in
Heaven."
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.
When a Man Loves a Woman
Genre: Drama Year: 1994 Rating: R
Actors: Andy Garcia, Meg Ryan, Ellen Burstyn
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, Family Dysfunction, Treatment
Story of alcoholic wife and mother, her treatment, and her relationship with her husband.