Sunday, June 24, 2007
Movie List - Treatment and Ethical Issues
Abre los ojos ("Open Your Eyes")
Genre: Drama Year: 1997 Rating: R
Actors: Eduardo Noriega, Penelope Cruz, Cheta Lera
Topics: Treatment, Trauma
Spanish film told in retrospect as an imprisoned man, whose face is horribly disfigured, tells his
story to a psychiatrist. How's his reality testing? Remade as Vanilla Sky; see this original.
[Suggested by Erin Gustin, University of Southeastern Indiana]
Agnes of God
Genre: Drama Year: 1985 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Jane Fonda, Meg Tilly, Anne Bancroft
Topics: Treatment, Psychosis, Forensic
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.[Suggested by Nell Stewart]
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.
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.
Angel Baby
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: R
Actors: John Lynch, Jacqueline McKenzie, Colin Friels
Topics: Treatment, Schizophrenia
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. [Suggested by
Tammy Schneider, Champaign, IL]
Antwone Fisher Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2002 Rating: R
Actors: Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, Joy Bryant
Topics: Treatment, Childhood Disorder
Excellent film. Military psychiatrist treats navyman with apparent impulse control problems, as well
as other underlying issues. Based on a true story. Lots of material to analyze - ethical issues in
treatment? Influence of childhood traumas? Magical cure at end?

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