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Monday Movie Meme: Let’s Go Crazy
Monday, May 18, 2015 at 7:00AM 
May is National Mental Health Month, so the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme revolves around characters that aren’t exactly playing with a full deck of cards, if you get the drift.
The theme is also named after one of Prince’s most famous songs: Let’s Go Crazy!
Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies you’ve watched that feature issues involving mental illness.
Here are my selections for this week’s Let’s Go Crazy theme.
Frankie & Alice
Halley Berry plays a 70s go-go dancer, a white supremacist and a 7 year-old “genius,” in this drama based on a true story about a woman suffering from dissociative personality disorder.
Shutter Island
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshall whose investigation into the disappearance of a patient at an asylum for the criminally insane causes him to doubt his own sanity among many other things, in this mystery thriller that also stars Mark Ruffalo.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Jack Nicholson plays an inmate named McMurphy who is admitted to a ward for the mentally unstable after copping an insanity plea to avoid prison labor, in this drama. While serving his sentence, McMurphy rebels against the abuse he witnesses and endures at the hands of a tough nurse.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the film, MANIC.Manic
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a troubled teen named Lyle whose impulsive and violent outbursts cause him to be committed to the juvenile psychiatric ward of a mental institution. There, a doctor named David Monroe, played by Don Cheadle, uses group therapy as part of the facility’s treatment for the spectrum of psychological problems affecting Lyle and other patients.
I once rented this movie on a whim because it stars Cheadle. The film made me more aware of how complex issues involving people with mental illness are, particularly given the challenges faced by the medical staff trying to help them have a better quality of life.
Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks plays a man who leads an eventful life including fighting in the Vietnam War, later opening a shrimping business and chasing his childhood sweetheart, despite having an intellectual disability, in this romantic comedy drama.
Rain Man
Tom Cruise plays an egotistical car salesman named Charlie who takes his autistic brother Raymond, played by Dustin Hoffman, on a cross-country road trip with the hidden agenda of nabbing millions of dollars in inheritance from their late father, in this drama.
Halloween
Tony Moran and Nick Castle play a mental institution escapee named Michael Myers who returns to his hometown to kill high school students in this horror thriller.
A Beautiful Mind
Russell Crowe plays a mathematician named John Nash whose struggle with paranoid schizophrenia jeopardizes his career and family, in this biographical drama.
Sixth Sense
Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe who dedicates himself to helping a young boy suffering from hallucinations, in an attempt to resolve his inability to help a severely troubled former patient.
Brittany Murphy and Michael Douglas star in the film, 'DON'T SAY A WORD.'Don’t Say a Word
Michael Douglas plays a psychiatrist named Nathan Conrad who, after the kidnapping of his daughter, is tasked with retrieving a secret number from a young woman with PTSD named Elizabeth, played by Brittany Murphy, in this crime thriller. It was also among my previous Monday Movie Meme picks for a march madness twist on insanity, of all things!
While writing this post, I initially forgot about a few movies -- Manic, A Beautiful Mind and The Sixth Sense. Reading the comments sections of articles published by National Alliance on Mental Illness aided in my recollection of having watched these particular films. Although I can understand how Manic didn’t immediately come to mind while thinking of movies that fit the bill for this week’s Monday Movie Meme, my family went to see The Sixth Sense twice in theaters and I grabbed up A Beautiful Mind on DVD years ago, so it’s a damn shame those two flicks were just moments away from not being mentioned in my “Let’s Go Crazy” theme selections.
What movies featuring people dealing with mental illness would YOU add to this list?
Reader Comments (14)
Rain Man and A Beautifu Mind were two movies that came to my mind when I considered this theme. I was glad to see them make the list. I hadn't considered Forrest Gump but you're on point with that choice as well. I think Girl, Interrupted may also fit this theme.
Awakenings and Ordinary People come to mind immediately. In a more comedi vein there is crazy people and dream team.
I loved Shutter Island and Forrest Gump!
I am a therapist and I often watch movies and see the psychological themes that run through them. I've not seen all of these movies but I will be checking them out. Very interesting
I haven't seen several of those you listed, but I really liked A Beautiful Mind and Sixth Sense, and I would add "What's Eating Gilbert Grape."
Angela Brown,
So it looks like we're on the same wavelength with this week's theme and I still can't believe how I forgot about A Beautiful Mind until the last minute when I was writing this blog post up. Your selection of Girl, Interrupted is also a great pick for this week. Angelina Jolie is in that movie, right? I've been wanting to watch it for several years but still have yet to get around to doing so. I plan on checking it out within the next month or two though. Thanks for your comment :)
Dave Roller,
Among those four movies you picked I think Awakenings might be the only one that I'm vaguely familiar with, as the others don't necessarily ring the bell. You know what that means.....I'm gonna have to go find them to see if they're any that I'd like to check out, so thank you for mentioning these flicks! Also thanks for visiting and commenting on this week's Monday Movie Meme post. Your mention of the comedy genre as it relates to mental health now has be wondering whether Anger Management (starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson) would have been appropriate for this week's theme as well! :)
S. L. Hennessy,
Me too! Forrest Gump is one of those classic feel good movies with one of the most memorable one-liners from a film. In fact, reading your comment has me considering a theme that might be of interest for an upcoming Monday Movie Meme post. Shutter Island killed it in the mystery genre and is one of Martin Scorsese's best films but the story is so dark I'd probably be more likely to watch Forrest Gump again before embaring on a second viewing of Shutter Island, lol.
AC Hoekwater,
When you do check out the movies I listed this week, that you haven't seen, feel free to return and let us know where you would rank them on a scale of 1-10. It's interesting how psychological themes in some movies can be helpful in identifying certain challenges and/or solutions involving people's mental health. Thank you for reading this week's Monday Movie Meme post and adding your comment to this discussion!
Trudy,
Some of the films I listed were independent films that got picked up for distribution, so in a way I'm rarely surprised to find out that many people haven't seen them. The Sixth Sense was really nuts, wasn't it?! LOL. Your choice of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" fits this week's theme nicely. Although I haven't seen that movie, I learned of it while writing about Leonardo DiCaprio some time ago and considered watching it last weekend but chose another film instead. I plan to check it out before the end of Summer though. Thanks for visiting :)
I'm glad A Beautiful Mind made it into the list because it's one of my favorites along with Hide and Seek which also deals with mental illness in a round about way. Movies like Rain Man and Mercury Rising give the idea that mental illness can unlock genius which is true enough in many cases to make it a tantalizing plot device. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is probably one of the most realistic depictions of the treatment of mental illness while Sucker Punch is the exact opposite. It's a fascinating topic Nicole, so thanks for getting me started thinking about it.
A beautiful day in NC. I have the top down on some fabulous car, let's say a rag top Audi. You are my 1st stop of the #Challenge road trip. Glad there is this follow up since I missed your blog during April. Love the whole experience. My 3rd. Love a good movie, though this list might not be my first choice. Beautiful Mind and Forest Gump, however, make my great movie memories. This is a great look blog presentation too. Easy to read and uncluttered. Gotta get back in the car and head out. Come and see me if you run out of movies to watch. Taking a break from writing and out in the garden. I'll watch for you to stop by.
Making my way around on the A to Z Road trip! Stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again next year, if not sooner!
Mary
www.JingleJangleJungle.net
A Beautiful Mind is one of my all time favourite films. If I was to add another great film to your list it would be Patch Adams starring Robin Williams. It is likely my favourite Robin Williams film. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is a film that has been on my "Must Watch" list forever. Thank you for making this list! I struggle with anxiety and depression on a daily basis and feel the utmost compassion for those struggling with mental illnesses much worse than my own. - Stopping by from the AtoZ Road Trip.
I have none to add. It's sad, knowing that John Nash, the brilliant mathematician that the movie "A Beautiful Mind" was based on, died yesterday in a random car accident. One additional comment, if I could - autism, in and of itself, is NOT a mental illness; it is a developmental disability that impacts the ability to communicate with others, and has a wide spectrum of disability. A percentage of individuals with autism (I have a brother in law with autism) do suffer from mental illnesses, most commonly extreme anxiety. However, there is a big difference between mental illness and developmental disability. Having said that, I enjoyed Rain Man - a lot.
Here via the A to Z roadtrip...
I think Harold and Maude would fit the criteria for this list. It's one of my all-time favourite movies about depression, suicide, love, and what makes life worth living. I've missed quite a few of the movies on your list--will have to rectify that!
Maurice,
Thank you for highlighting the differences that some movies have in how they approach mental illness. I agree with your comment about the probability that One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is among the most realistic in its depiction of how mental illness is treated. That movie definitely was one of the wakeup calls for me in terms of concerns about the manner in which health professionals handle patients under their care. Although I haven't watched Hide and Seek nor Mercury Rising, I'm slightly familiar with them and would check them out. Sucker Punch was one of the many movies that I just couldn't get into (I don't think I even made it to the halfway point of that particular flick). I'm glad the topic of this post fascinates you!
Stepheny,
Audi makes some of the sexiest cars! A Beautiful Mind and Forest Gump are indeed among some of the most popular movies on this list. It's nice that they've brought you some great memories. Also thanks for stopping by to visit my blog and for joining the #AtoZChallenge Road Trip. I'm happy to know your reading and visiting experience is an enjoyable one here at The Madlab Post. Although gardening is usually far from my daily go-to activities, I sure do hope you've been having a great time surrounded by lots of beautiful flowers, veggies, fruits and/or other plants in NC :)
Brandy,
Compassion is an important virtue to have and nurture when addressing the struggles that mental illness places on men, women and children. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your selection of Patch Adams for this Monday Movie Meme theme. Although I haven't watched that particular film, Robin Williams is a great actor and I'm glad to have seen some of the movies he did. Anxiety and depression are tough to deal with; kudos to you for taking it one day at a time in overcoming these struggles! Also thanks for participating in the AtoZ Road Trip this year. It's people like you who make blogging a joy and who make the AtoZ community one worth joining.
Alana,
I agree with your sentiments about the sadness of John Nash dying recently in a car accident. I watched the TV news story about his death and it was hard to believe that the world lost the man who inspired "A Beautiful Mind." How odd that this news also comes around the very same time this post was made to honor National Mental Health Month?! Also thanks for clarifying how Autism is not a mental illness.
Although I know many people with various forms of autism, those relationships and the little that I've read from organizations such as NAMI are about the extent of my knowledge on the developmental disability and this, I appreciate your bringing its difference from mental illness to my attention. Upon reading your comment, I consider that a theme focusing on mental health in general may have been a more appropriate description as the subject of this particular Monday Movie Meme. Thank you for reading my blog and it's great to know someone else shares the fondness for Rain Man...it's such a good movie!
Kern,
Your description of Harold and Maude sounds like there is a lot going on in that movie. I am quite unfamiliar with the film but will look it up because almost any plot addressing the question of what makes life worth living is definitely worth some consideration. When you watch the movies I've mentioned on this list, you're welcome to come back and let me know what you thought about them. Also thanks for visiting and doing the 2015 A to Z Road Trip!
Just watched Shutter Island again last night. You have some great picks on your list. One from 1964 was Shock Treatment that had some similarities to Shutter Island and I think may have been used as a model for the later film. Also The Snake Pit from 1948 with Olivia de Haviland was a good look at mental illness and the treatment at that time.
The documentary Your're Gonna Miss Me about the life of rock musician Roky Erickson is an outstanding look I at schizophrenia. I'd heard they were going to make a movie based on the story but I don't know where that stands at this point. Jack Black was who they wanted to play the lead but maybe he's backed out now. I think it could be a great film though.
Lee