Hitting the mark on mental illness is a hard thing to do; especially in the film industry. Over the years that I’ve plowed through films, trying to find and recognize the people who get it, there have only truly been a couple films that fantastically depict struggles that many people got through. There are only so many true pieces of art that reflect what it is like to experience mental illness, and here are a few.
1. Perks of Being a Wallflower
I saw this movie when I was pretty young; at the beginning of my high school experience. At the time, there was not much that I understood about PTSD or Major Depression, but this movie helped me understand it perfectly. Charlie, a freshman in high school, is a very quiet kid who has trouble socializing and making friends. He writes a journal to himself, explaining how he’ll be alright and how things seem to be looking up occasionally. When two seniors take him under their wings and start building a friend group for him, Charlie seems to open up a bit, but only slightly. Throughout the movie, it is undeniably certain that Charlie seems to have a lot of trouble when it comes to opening up to people, and being positive about himself. After a large fight that causes him to lose contact with his friends, he becomes extremely closed off from the world, and begins to obsessively blame himself for the things that are happening in his life and the way that he is feeling. Through more trying examples nearing the end of the movie, it becomes known verbally that Charlie had been experiencing PTSD from a trying moment earlier on in his life, which ultimately sparked his battle with Major Depression. Logan Lerman proudly depicts Charlie just right; not too over exaggerated, and not too unemotional. It is the perfect performance that could ultimately help dozens of people to understand the symptoms and signs of these illnesses.
2. A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind is a great movie when it comes to depicting Schizophrenia, a widely misunderstood condition. Actor Russell Crowe skills an amazing performance depicting the historical figure of John Nash. The entire film is based off of a true story, proving its excellence when it comes to understanding mental illness.
3. The Silver Linings Playbook
Silver Linings Playbook will always be listed under great movies that depict mental illness. In this movies case, the story fantastically shows what it’s like to have Manic Depression (also called Bipolar Disorder). Bipolar Disorder causes impulsive behavior and a fast switch of emotions that can be triggered very easily. The characters Pat and Tiffany share the same condition, and slowly learn to cope with it and find ways to filter it into healthy activities.
4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Overall, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a movie starring young Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, follows a story of a young depressed individual, Gilbert Grape, as he struggles to take care autistic younger brother while his mother is bedridden, balancing major depression and an eating disorder. Gilbert is also experiencing a form of depression while trying to balance his current life, and the memories of his past, including his father’s suicide. The movie is an extremely heavy experience, yet so very worth it for those who wish to understand the complexities and simplicities of life.
5. Short Term 12
Short Term 12 is a movie that follows two young adults running a residential treatment facility for young kids with mental illnesses. The movie is probably the most fantastic example of mental illness, as there is a wide variety of it within the children living in the facility, and in the people running it. It is inspiring, uplifting, heartfelt, and unique from any other movie that I’ve seen. Definitely a huge recommendation.
Of course, there are many other examples of art that correctly depict certain conditions, and it is important to recognize these when we can; it could be the difference between ignorance and understanding. Hopefully, we can guide those who do not understand to experience examples of mental illness in a unique way, and ultimately be able to help others, and even themselves.
