Hollywood and The Bigger Picture

[Summer Rose]

My daughter asked me to watch a film with her the other day. It was one of her favourite movies that I had somehow missed called Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was a well scripted, touching, coming of age story that in my opinion dealt sensitively and fairly accurately with mental health and other tricky adolescent issues. My daughter said she loved the film because one of the main characters " is like me".

Like me. The words rolled around in my mind. It occurred to me that there are few film or TV characters that are actually like my beautiful girl, who suffers from anxiety and OCD. It also dawned on me that some of the characters currently on the screen who do have OCD are almost insulting. Take Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, for example. He is a walking, talking billboard for the lighter side of autism and OCD but, in my opinion, his character does nothing to contribute to the community's greater understanding of what these conditions are really like to live with.

I think it's fair to estimate that the global television and movie industry makes billions of dollars annually telling stories about characters with mental health conditions. Oscar winning blockbusters such as, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ordinary People, Silver Linings Playbook and a Beautiful Mind have certainly played a role in raising awareness, but is that enough?

Given that inaccurate film representations of mental illness can profoundly contribute to stigma and the reinforcement of unhelpful stereotypes, does the industry have a community obligation to inform? Or is just entertainment? Or does anything designed to raise awareness do some good? Love to hear what you think.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Quirky

Who could ever forget "Captain, Oh Captain"? Dead Poet's Society has to be one of the most powerful films ever made.

I think many people would have left the theatre pledging to make the most of their lives. And that's a great outcome.

Awakenings was another great. I liked the way the hospital staff were depicted as kind and caring. For once the hospital was a place of hope and healing. I liked that it honestly portrayed the mysteries of our minds. I found the ending almost too sad to bear but it was worth the pain to watch the film.

Robin Williams was an actor that served humanity. Patch Adams was another of my favorites. I don't think it was a box office hit but it was good for the soul. Did anyone else see it?

Another film worth mentioning on my "good for your mental health" watch list is Ground Hog Day. Not sure everyone will agree. Thoughts?

[quirkywords]

Hello everyone

I liked Patch Adams except the real story was more interesting.

I also liked Good Will Hunting, It was full of hope and suffering .

Quirky

[Summer Rose]

Hi all

I really enjoyed Good Will Hunting too. I'm pretty sure Robin Williams won an Academy award for his role as Sean, who was Will's psych.

I agree it was full of hope and suffering but for me it was a film about love. The love Sean still carried for his dead wife and the love Will was so afraid of, yet desperately wanted, with the dark haired girl (can't remember her name but was played by Minnie Driver).

Robin Williams was a gifted comedian but, at the same time, drawn to really complex, serious roles. I think the stories he chose to be a part of telling gives us a real insight into the man and highlights his unique ability to use film to make a contribution to our collective mental health. So sad the way we lost him.

Having trouble even thinking of another actor or actress like him, in the context of a meaningful contribution to mental health. Ideas?

[Summer Rose]

Hello everyone

It's been awhile but I thought I'd dust off this old thread and reach out to see if anyone wants to talk about a film I watched on the weekend, Joker.

If you haven't yet seen the film and want to, please stop reading as this post will spoil it for you. If you're new to this thread and want to continue, we have been talking about how Hollywood depicts characters experiencing a mental illness and whether or not the movie industry should bear some responsibility for authenticity.

For anyone who may not know, the movie tells the backstory of the Joker character in the Batman comic book stories. The lead was beyond brilliantly played by Joaquin Phoenix and it wasn't your typical Batman movie. For me, this was a film about mental health. Period.

I found the explanation of how the Joker character became unwell and bitter authentic, as traumatic childhood events were explained and the audience was informed that Joker was not protected by the authorities--despite their full knowledge of the harm caused to him by his mother and boyfriend--and that he then went on to grow up under the care of a very mentally unwell mother (delusional). It was impossible not to feel sorry for him.

We were then shown the dark, societal misfit he had become, despite his best efforts to seek treatment, work, make friends, look after his mum, etc. He was just a guy struggling to do his best and get well within Gotham's mental health system which was broken. It was harrowing. His strange, uncontrollable laugh was explained as a "condition". Watching how other characters--members of the public--react to his condition was heartbreaking.

I found it painful to watch him devolve into the villainous character we know him to be. Just before he lashes out violently and commits a murder, Joker poses the most confronting question: "What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? You get what you f**kin' deserve!"

And there it was. Of course, I knew it was coming because I know the character, but the stereotype still hurt.

The film was undoubtedly powerful, informative and entertaining. But I still can't shake the feeling that despite it's brilliance it did more harm than good in the public mental health space.

I'm wondering what you all think?

[calmseeker]

Hi Summer Rose,

I have recently watched Joker and to be honest I cant stop thinking about it. I was fascinated and saddened at the same time. I actually had to stop and take a deep breath when Arthur wrote in his journal "The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't." I found it profound, it resinated with me so much. I often find myself putting on the 'normal' mask so as not to explain myself. I felt tears welling at this part of the film.

I must say that I have a few concerns that the film may amplify stigma and fear of mental illness. I guess viewers have to remember that Arthur has MANY complex, overlapping and serious mental illnesses. Those of us with mental health struggles are more likely to be victims of violence and not instigators.

Gosh it was good to watch something a bit deeper and grittier! I really enjoyed the film even though I had to brace myself to watch it as I knew it was going to be a bit confronting.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Calmseeker

You weren't alone to be touched by the line, "The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't. "

I think it was a critical point in the film. Viewers could feel the piercing pain caused by society's lack of compassion and understanding. It was so sad and so very uncomfortable.

That truth was hard to hear, and one can only hope that it gave some people pause and a chance to reflect on their own behaviour.

I think the film was a great reminder to be kind. The script could have taken such a different path if someone could have just been kind--Aurther's boss, neighbour or the tv show personality. But that would never become a blockbuster.

Kind thoughts to you