Have you ever started watching a movie expecting it to capture the reality of mental health issues, only to be disappointed by Hollywood's glossy depictions? Movies often sensationalize the complex reality of living with psychological issues. Too often, it is overrepresented, trivialized, or completely misrepresented. However, if you know where to look, there are some gems of movies that break away from stereotypes and faithfully portray the human experience.
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While we hope that realistic depictions like this one day become the industry standard, these three films offer a glimpse into what it's really like to live with mental health issues. Masu. Beyond great presentation and storytelling, these films also show us something refreshing: the raw, bittersweet, heartbreaking reality of everyday issues.
1. The Father (2020)
The Father is a moving drama that explores the complexities of dementia and its impact on relationships. The story is told from the perspective of a father with dementia, creating a disorienting and immersive experience for the audience. As his memory deteriorates, the film navigates his changing perceptions of time, place, and people, melancholy blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Trivializing depictions of Alzheimer's disease and dementia often rely on stereotypes and oversimplifications that misrepresent the true nature of the condition. These depictions typically present dementia as a simple case of memory loss or confusion, reducing its complex behavioral patterns to simple forgetfulness. The patient is often depicted as a languid old man, the subject of lighthearted humor and intrigue.
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In contrast, actual research into dementia and Alzheimer's disease reveals the frighteningly dynamic nature of this condition, characterized by progressive cognitive decline, impaired reasoning, disorientation, and personality changes. Masu. Such studies highlight the profound emotional and psychological impact on patients and their caregivers, which impacts long-term care, legal decisions, and end-of-life planning.
The Father stands out as a film that accurately depicts the reality of dementia, one of the leading causes of death in the United States, without reducing it to a single metaphor. The film has been praised for its sensitive and honest depiction of the impact dementia has on both individuals and their families, and for its realistic portrayal of the challenges of dementia. This authenticity is what makes this a must-see. It goes beyond the trivial and provides a realistic depiction that educates and evokes empathy.
2. Beautiful Boy (2018)
Beautiful Boy is a biographical drama about the devastating effects of drug addiction on a family. The story follows a father who deals with the challenges of raising a teenage son addicted to methamphetamines. Through repeated periods of sobriety and relapse, the film depicts the tension between a father's hope and despair, and the deep love and heartbreak that comes from watching a loved one struggle with addiction.
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Portrayals of addiction in movies often give an exaggerated and distorted view of substance abuse and recovery. Addiction is often portrayed as extreme and sensational, with dramatic scenes of overdose, criminal behavior, and acts of violence. These types of films tend to focus on the most extreme aspects of addiction, often ignoring the underlying factors that lead to drug abuse. Additionally, recovery is often portrayed as a simple, linear process, severely underestimating the complex and long-term nature of overcoming addiction.
In fact, research on addiction reveals that addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition that is influenced by a variety of factors. This includes not only the physiological dependence on the substance, but also the psychological and behavioral patterns that reinforce addictive behavior. Recovery from addiction is a long journey that almost always involves setbacks and relapses, and requires ongoing support, treatment, and dedication.
What sets Beautiful Boy apart is its focus on the human side of addiction: its struggles and setbacks, without glorification or sensationalism. It's a realistic and compassionate portrayal of addiction and its impact on family relationships, and it resonates with many. Through simple, heartfelt storytelling, he succeeds in portraying what true recovery looks like, the support systems essential to healing, and the lasting bond between father and son.
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3. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Manchester by the Sea is a fascinating drama about grief, loss, and family relationships. The film follows a man grappling with an unexplained personal tragedy and the burden of unresolved grief. Then, an unexpected tragedy occurs, and his responsibility forces him to confront his painful past and the events that led to his isolation.
Dramatic depictions of grief express the experience through a series of exaggerated emotions and dramatic scenes, emphasizing expressions of heightened sadness, anger, or catharsis. These depictions tend to move linearly through the “stages of grief,” suggesting that grief has a clear timeline and that the individual will eventually find closure or resolution in a tidy manner. This greatly minimizes the complexity and unpredictability of grief, reducing it to a narrative device that ultimately serves the story's emotional arc.
However, research on grief proves that it is a highly individual and non-linear experience. It is not just a progression of stages, but a complex intertwining of emotions and reactions that differ from person to person. It includes ups and downs such as shock, disbelief, sadness, anger, guilt, longing, and loneliness. Many studies have shown that sadness can last for years, and a person experiences periods of intense emotion followed by moments of calm, only for the sadness to suddenly return. I am.
What sets Manchester by the Sea apart is its raw and realistic portrayal of grief. There is no shying away from the dark, difficult, and unexpected aspects of mourning. The work has been highly acclaimed for its candid portrayal of the sadness and complex emotions that accompany deep loss. Heartbreaking performances and sensitive storytelling depict the disparate effects of trauma, the enduring bonds of a family, and the journey toward acceptance and forgiveness.
A version of this post also appears on Forbes.com.
