Application of Theory Essay # 2
For your section Application of Theory Essay you
will watch a film that depicts a form of psychological disorder. It can but
doesn’t have to be one that we studied but it should be one that is discussed
in your text. The questions you are to consider and address are as follows:
1) Compare the presentation of symptoms in the
movie with the text’s description of that respective diagnosis. If you think
there might be more than one diagnosis reflected then note and compare those as
well. For instance, in “Girl Interrupted”, there are multiple patients. Or
perhaps you think that the main character has multiple diagnoses, Depression
and Substance Abuse for instance.
2) As per the movie depiction what appeared to
be the psychological perspective used to explain cause, i.e., behavioral,
psychodynamic, cognitive, biological, etc?
3) What type of treatment was received if any?
What was the outcome?
4) Share any personal thoughts or reactions you
had to the movie. What errors or liberties did the filmmaker take? What was the
message (implicit or explicit) concerning the mentally ill?
Grading Rubric: 7.5 points for points 1 – 4.
I have compiled a list of potential movies but
there are many out there. Just be sure to pick one that will avail itself to
the questions posed for the essay. Those listed below will do so. You can find
these through Netflix, if you don’t have a subscription you can get the free
trail and then just cancel it. You probably will not be able to stream these on
the internet so plan ahead it will take a couple of days for the DVD to arrive
via the mail.
The Soloist is a 2009 American drama film
directed by Joe Wright, and starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. The
screenplay by Susannah Grant is based on the book, The Soloist by Steve Lopez.
The film is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who
developed schizophrenia and became homeless.
An Angel at My Table
This 1990 film by Jane Campion recounts the
autobiographical
tale of New Zealand poet Janet Frame who
was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and spent
eight
years in a psychiatric hospital. P, T, E,
serious film
A Beautiful Mind
This Oscar-winning film from 2001 stars Russell
Crowe
as real-life mathematician John Nash, Jr., a
Nobel prizewinner
who developed a groundbreaking economic
theory while struggling with schizophrenic
delusions.
P, T, E, serious film
MEDIA RESOURCES
Benny & Joon
From 1993, this film portrays an artist with
psychological
dysfunctioning who is finding love. After
watching
the film, the diagnosis of the main character
has been
questioned—some argue schizophrenia, some argue
schizotypal personality disorder. P, serious
film
Canvas
From writer-director Joseph Greco, this 2006
drama
stars Joe Pantoliano in an outstanding portrayal
of
mental illness. P,T,E, serious film
Clean Shaven
This accurate and graphic 1993 film depicts life
through
the eyes of an untreated man with paranoid
schizophrenia
searching for his daughter. P, serious film
The Couch Trip
This 1988 comedy stars Charles Grodin as a
stressedout
radio shrink, whose producer ends up unwittingly
hiring a schizophrenic patient (Dan Aykroyd) to
replace
him during his hiatus. P, T, E, comedy
Don Juan Demarco
In this 1995 comedy, Johnny Depp portrays a
patient in
a psychiatric hospital who claims to be Don Juan,
the
world’s greatest lover. Marlon Brando plays the
psychiatrist
who tries to analyze his patient’s apparent
delusion. P, T, E comedy/serious film
Donnie Darko
From 2001, this film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a
disturbed
teen who has visions of a human-sized rabbit
telling him to do bad things. P, T, serious film
The Fisher King
This 1991 film follows Jack Lucas (Jeff
Bridges), an irreverent
radio talk show host who sinks into alcoholism
after a tragedy. He is rescued by a delusional,
homeless man (Robin Williams) on a quest for the
Holy
Grail. P, serious film
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
From 1977, this gripping drama recounts a
schizophrenic
teenager’s struggle to cope with her illness
with
the help of a caring psychiatrist. P, T, E,
serious film
Love Actually
In a secondary plotline, this Hugh Grant film
from
2003 depicts the impact of schizophrenia on a
family. P,
T, comedy
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
This film tells the story of Randall P. McMurphy
(Jack
Nicholson), a convict sent to a northwestern
psychiatric
hospital for evaluation and treatment. While
there, McMurphy experiences first-hand the use
of
electroconvulsive therapy. P, T, E, serious film
Pi
From 1998, this thriller follows a paranoid
mathematician.
P, commercial film
Proof
This Gwyneth Paltrow/Anthony Hopkins film shows
the work of a psychotic mathematician and his
relationship
with his possibly psychotic daughter. P, serious
film
Snake Pit
Based on an autobiography, this film, made in
1948, is
one of the first and best about mental illness
and the
treatment of patients in asylums and hospitals.
Olivia
de Haviland portrays a woman suffering from a
nervous
breakdown. P, T, E, serious film
Some newer films
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012),
Introvert Freshman, suicide of a friend
Silver Linings Playbook (2012), man just
released from a mental hospital
Center Stage Ballet, (2000), problems and the
stress of the world of dance
Need help with this assignment or a similar one? Place your order and leave the rest to our experts!