Buzz
It’s been a while since we last shared a list of films, so I thought it was the perfect time to put one together. What I find most appealing about this curated selection is that every film is outstanding, and I would gladly recommend any of them to my friends. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments!
10. Play Misty For Me 1971
The Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder
Disc jockey Dave Garver becomes the target of obsessive behavior from a disturbed fan named Evelyn Draper. After a random encounter at a bar, Evelyn reveals she is the mysterious caller who incessantly requests that Dave play Erroll Garner’s song 'Misty.' What follows is a chilling tale of how a simple date can completely disrupt one’s life. Evelyn stalks Dave, sabotages his work meetings, attacks his maid, destroys his belongings, and ultimately threatens to kill his girlfriend Tobie Williams. After watching this, you'll never hear that song without feeling a sense of unease.
9. Through a Glass Darkly 1961
The Disorder: Schizophrenia
Karin, a young woman, returns to her family’s island after a stay in a mental hospital. She is accompanied by her distant brother and her well-meaning, but increasingly troubled husband (played by ‘Max von Sydow’). Joining them is Karin’s father (‘Gunnar Björnstrand’), a world-renowned author who has been estranged from his children. The film explores how Karin’s perception of reality begins to deteriorate, and how the family dynamics shift in response to her mental decline.
8. Ordinary People 1980
The Disorder: Anxiety Disorder
In the wake of the death of their other son, Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are struggling to cope. Conrad, overwhelmed by grief and burdened with misplaced guilt, attempts suicide and is now in therapy. Beth, who had always favored his brother, finds it hard to offer support to Conrad. Calvin is caught between the two, desperately trying to keep the family together.
7. Psycho 1960
The Disorder: Dissociative disorder
Marion Crane, a woman from Phoenix, Arizona, is fed up with her secret meetings with her lover, Sam Loomis, who is unable to marry her due to his financial obligations. One day, her boss sends her to deposit $40,000 in cash at a local bank. In a desperate attempt to change her life, Marion steals the money and drives off to California, planning to start fresh with Sam. However, during a long, rainy drive, she decides to stop for the night at the secluded Bates Motel. The motel is run by the strange and eerie Norman Bates, who is dominated by his invalid mother. After a simple dinner prepared by Norman, Marion heads to her room for a shower... and a horrific turn of events follows.
6. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? 1993
The Disorder: Autism
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a visually stunning film that explores themes of tenderness, care, and self-awareness, set in the small, fictional working-class town of Endora. The story revolves around the Grape family, consisting of Ellen, Amy, and their two brothers, Arnie and Gilbert. Together, they care for their morbidly obese, widowed mother, Bonnie Grape. The family faces the hardships of a missing father figure, low-paying jobs, and Arnie’s severe mental condition at the age of seventeen. The unfortunate Gilbert, working at the town’s struggling Convenience Store, is forced to shoulder the responsibility of caring for his younger brother, Arnie. Despite knowing that his future is uncertain, Gilbert’s unwavering love and bond with Arnie persist. This dynamic shifts when Becky, a free-spirited young woman, arrives in town. Stranded with her grandmother while waiting for car repairs, Becky’s arrival brings new emotions, thoughts, and a sense of hope to Gilbert. For him, something new is truly eating Gilbert Grape.
5. A Beautiful Mind 2001
The Disorder: Schizophrenia
At Princeton University, John Nash faces a difficult journey as he attempts to make a lasting impact on the world of mathematics. He eventually achieves a breakthrough that will lead to him earning the prestigious Nobel Prize. After completing his graduate studies, Nash takes on a teaching position and embarks on a romantic relationship with his student, Alicia. Meanwhile, the government recruits him to help decode Soviet messages, thrusting him into a dangerous conspiracy. As his paranoia intensifies, Nash's reality begins to unravel, until an unexpected discovery shatters his understanding of the world. With Alicia’s support, Nash finds the strength to recover his mental stability and regain his place as one of the most renowned mathematicians of all time.
4. Rain Man 1988
The Disorder: Autism
Charley, a skilled hustler who has learned the art of manipulating people and circumstances, discovers that his estranged father has passed away. His father’s inheritance includes an old convertible and a far more significant revelation: Charley’s unknown brother, Raymond. Despite Raymond’s autism, he possesses the extraordinary ability to swiftly and accurately solve complex mathematical problems in his mind. His father has left his wealth to Raymond, who cannot even comprehend the concept of money. Charley’s fury grows over both his father’s betrayal and the secretive life Raymond led. In an attempt to get closer to his brother, Charley kidnaps Raymond from his care home. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when Raymond insists on flying only with Qantas. This sets the stage for an enlightening journey as Charley and Raymond gradually come to understand one another.
3. Fight Club 1999
The Disorder: Multiple Personality Disorder/Dissociative Identity Disorder
The narrator struggles with insomnia and tries various methods to resolve it, but to no avail. Although he manages to sleep occasionally, his condition worsens every time it seems to improve. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Marla, a charming young woman with whom he shares many similarities. They grow close and spend significant time together. During their travels, the narrator meets Tyler, an intriguing young man, and the two become fast friends. They bond over their mutual interest in releasing inner tension by physically sparring. Word spreads about their unusual activities, drawing in a crowd of young enthusiasts. This leads to the creation of 'Fight Club', a venture that becomes both time-consuming and profitable. Additionally, another film that touches upon a similar psychological disorder, though in a more serious manner, is the film Sybil.
2. Donnie Darko 2001
The Disorder: Schizophrenia
Donnie Darko struggles to connect with his family, teachers, and peers but finds solace in his relationship with Gretchen, a compassionate young woman who agrees to date him. His psychiatrist uncovers that hypnosis might be the key to unlocking deep-seated memories. Donnie's most perplexing companion, however, may not be real: a large bunny named Frank, who only Donnie can see. When a plane's engine crashes into his room, Donnie is mysteriously absent, leading to questions about the supernatural forces at play. Whether Donnie's struggles are rooted in his mental illness or something beyond explanation remains an open question.
1. Girl, Interrupted 1999
The Disorder: Borderline Personality Disorder
Susanna feels lost and overwhelmed after finishing high school in the late 1960s. Struggling with depression, she attempts suicide, which leads to her admission into Claymore, a psychiatric institution. There, she forms connections with a group of troubled women in her ward, including Georgina, a compulsive liar, Daisy, a victim of sexual abuse, and Polly, a burn survivor. However, it is Lisa, the most rebellious and hardened of the group, who casts a powerful influence over Susanna. Will Susanna allow herself to succumb to the same chaotic lifestyle as Lisa, or will she find the strength to leave the institutional world behind and reclaim her life?
