Films Illustrating Psychopathology Danny Wedding Mary Ann Boyd ...

212 Movies and Mental Illness
effects on the people around him. His mother
(Helen Hunt) is a struggling alcoholic.
“Think of an idea to change our
world... and put it into action.”
Kevin Spacey giving his students
an assignment in Pay It Forward
Proud and the Beautiful, The (1953)
Romance ΨΨ
A film about a woman who helps an alcoholic
physician overcome his problems and regain some
sense of dignity. Filmed in France and Mexico.
Ray (2004) Drama/Biography ΨΨΨΨ
Story of Ray Charles’ rise to fame and the numerous
obstacles he faced after witnessing his brother’s
death and the subsequent loss of his sight. As an
adult, Ray Charles struggled with addictions to
heroin and sex, and he lived several different lives
(e.g., family man with wife and children, lover with
his mistress, a secret life as a drug abuser, a life as
a famous singer and musician). Stellar performance
by Jamie Foxx.
Skin Deep (1989) Comedy ΨΨ
A funny Blake Edwards film about an alcoholic
writer who continues to deny his alcoholism long
after it has become apparent to everyone else.
Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman (1947) Drama ΨΨ
Melodramatic Susan Hayward film about a movie
star who must come to grips with her alcoholism.
Streamers (1983) Drama ΨΨΨ
Robert Altman film about three soldiers waiting to
go to Vietnam. The film deals with themes of homosexuality,
violence, and racism, but also illustrates
the alcohol abuse that is pervasive in military life.
Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) Drama ΨΨ
Paul Newman in an adaptation of Tennessee
Williams’ play about a has-been actress (played by
Geraldine Page) addicted to alcohol and drugs who
takes up with a young, vital Newman.
Taxi Blues (1990) Drama ΨΨΨ
Alcoholic jazz musician becomes friends with an
anti-Semitic taxi driver. This Russian film won the
prize for Best Director at Cannes. Fascinating
examination of the role of alcohol in the daily lives
of the protagonists in Moscow society.
Tender Mercies (1983) Drama ΨΨΨΨΨ
Sensitive and optimistic film in which Robert
Duvall plays a successfully recovering alcoholic
songwriter. Duvall won an Oscar for this almost
perfect performance.
Trees Lounge (1996) Comedy ΨΨΨΨ
Steve Buscemi wrote and directed this compelling
film, and he plays the lead character, a 31-year-old
unemployed auto mechanic. Few contemporary
films present a more vivid picture of the problems
associated with alcoholism.
Under Capricorn (1949) Drama Ψ
A little-known Hitchcock film starring Joseph
Cotton and Ingrid Bergman. Bergman is a wealthy
socialite whose life is ruined by her alcoholism.
Under the Volcano (1984) Drama ΨΨΨΨΨ
John Huston directing Albert Finney; excellent
portrayal of chronic alcoholism.
Edward J. Concannon: “Why
wasn’t she getting oxygen...?”
Dr. Robert Towler: “Well, many
reasons, actually...”
Edward J. Concannon: “Tell me
one?”
Dr. Robert Towler: “She’d aspirated
vomitus into her mask...”
Edward J. Concannon: “She
threw up in her mask. Let’s cut
the bullshit. Say it: She threw up
in her mask.”
The Verdict
Verdict, The (1982) Drama ΨΨΨΨ
Paul Newman in a wonderful role as a disillusioned
alcoholic lawyer who becomes genuinely involved
with a brain-injured client who is the victim of
medical malpractice. He wins the case but continues
to drink. Interesting analysis of codependency.
Vital Signs (1986) Drama ΨΨ
Ed Asner in a surpassingly good made-for-TV movie
about a father and son, both surgeons, fighting the
twin problems of alcoholism and drug abuse.
From: Wedding, D., Boyd, M.A., & Niemiec, R.M. Movies and Mental Illness: Using Films to Understand Psychopathology
© 2005 Hogrefe & Huber Publishers (www.hogrefe.com)