Films Illustrating Psychopathology Danny Wedding Mary Ann Boyd ...

Appendix G: Films Illustrating Psychopathology 243
investigation. Dormer deteriorates with insomnia
as he battles guilt, stress, and an Alaskan environment
where the sun doesn’t set. Directed by
Christopher Nolan.
“Guess I’m a little cranky, lack of
sleep, ya know.”
Al Pacino in Insomnia
Life is Sweet (1990) Drama ΨΨΨ
Mike Leigh film about a dysfunctional British family.
One of the twin girls binges and purges on
chocolate bars.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Drama ΨΨΨ
Two Americans (Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson)
“stuck” in Japan find solace, excitement, and
friendship in one another. Both characters suffer
with severe insomnia symptoms.
Machinist, The (2004)
Drama/Mystery ΨΨΨ
Christian Bale lost 60 pounds to play the role of
the gaunt, troubled Trevor Reznik. Trevor has
experienced insomnia for over a year and begins
to experience what could be hallucinations.
“I’ll be rejected if I meet a good
person.”
Lyle, defending his façade of
anger in Manic
Manic (2003) Drama/Action ΨΨΨ
Adolescent inpatient unit has patients with intermittent
explosive disorder, bipolar disorder,
major depression, self-injurious behavior, and
night terrors.
Marnie (1964) Thriller/Romance ΨΨ
Hitchcock film about a sexually frigid kleptomaniac
who dominates her new husband. As in other
Hitchcock films, the protagonist’s problems are
found to be rooted in childhood trauma. Watch for
the use of a word association test.
Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) Action ΨΨΨ
Keanu Reeves is Neo in this first sequel of the daring
Trilogy by the Wachowski Brothers. Neo suffers
from insomnia though on a more important
level, his insomnia functions as a metaphor for
being “awake” and “alive.” He also experiences
nightmares and frequently worries at night about
decisions he needs to make the next day.
Maverick (1994) Western/Drama ΨΨ
Mel Gibson and Jodi Foster star as charming
gamblers and cons in a game of high stakes poker.
Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003) Comedy ΨΨΨ
Interesting dialogue film about an unplanned gettogether
between four people. They discuss religion,
God, faith, ghosts, affairs, and sex. The character
Melvin probably has an adjustment disorder.
Mortal Transfer (2001)
Mystery/Drama ΨΨΨΨ
French film depicting one of a psychoanalyst’s
patients undergoing psychoanalysis and struggling
with her kleptomania.
Mother Ghost (2002) Drama ΨΨΨ
A man (Mark Thompson) begins to have significant
adjustment problems after his mother’s
death (she died a year ago) resulting in marital
conflict, increased alcohol use, and other personal
problems. Interesting interaction and therapy
with a radio psychologist (Kevin Pollack) on
the air.
My Own Private Idaho (1991) Drama ΨΨ
River Phoenix stars as a young male prostitute
who has narcolepsy. He is befriended by Keanu
Reeves, and the two leave Portland and travel
together. Interesting presentations of dreams that
occur during narcoleptic episodes.
Owning Mahowny (2003) Drama ΨΨΨ
Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of today’s finest
character actors, plays a pathological gambler.
Great portrayal of the addictive cycle and elements
of denial, deterioration, and self-destruction. The
film is based on a true story.
Punch Drunk Love (2002)
Drama/Comedy ΨΨΨ
Adam Sandler in a serious role about a man who
alternates from an awkward passivity to explosive
anger. Falling in love changes him. Quirky cinematic
elements are added by director Paul Thomas
Anderson.
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)