Mental health and movies have a tempestuous relationship. Often times depictions are very inaccurate or stereotyped. But there are some films worth watching that portray mental health accurately and respectfully.
Inside Out
Pixar’s animated masterpiece Inside Out is great for both it’s depiction and discussion of mental health and also it’s focus on children’s mental health. Learning about emotional wellness, grief, and how change can impact us mentally are all covered in this movie and done so well.
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Yes, I know this was a book first. But I have it on my movie list because the movie is what made me fully understand the story and the mental health issues of Charlie. With a focus on what happens when we internalize issues and trauma for too long, this movie is definitely worth a watch.
Silver Linings Playbook
Bipolar disorder is a commonly misunderstood mental illness and is the main issue for Pat in Silver Linings Playbook. But what is really worth watching this film for is the journey to learning how to cope and live with the illness. And the film is overall a hopeful look at recovery.
A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama based on the true story of the famous mathematician, John Forbes Nash, Jr. who has schizophrenia. We see the world through his eyes and thus his illness. And the film depicts him unlike the stereotypes of being a horrible human, but as an intelligent and sympathetic one.
What movie would you recommend for some mental health viewing? Share it with a comment!
Brilliant review!! I read perks of being a wallflower a while back, and I watched the film really recently. Normally, I’d say the book is better than the movie, but I lurrrveddd the film so much!! I really liked how they’d adapted the story (and who can argue with Emma Watson haha). Here was my review of the film vs the book: 🙂 https://hundredsandthousandsofbooks.blog/2020/08/18/one-time-the-film-was-better-than-the-book-yes-i-said-it/
I really need to get around to watching Inside Out.