Movies About Crazy People

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. It stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta as a group of gangsters who rise in the mob hierarchy of New York City. The story follows Henry Hill, played by Liotta, from his youth as a petty criminal to his adult life as a Mafia associate as he faces the consequences of his criminal lifestyle. His rise and fall is depicted in a series of vignettes involving his best friends, Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Pesci), and their numerous interactions with other mobsters and associates. The film also features Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, and Frank Sivero in supporting roles. As Hill and his associates get involved in increasingly dangerous criminal activities, their lives spiral out of control. From its opening voiceover by Hill to its violent climax, Goodfellas chronicles the lives of its characters with a combination of comedy and drama. The film was a commercial and critical success, earning six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese. It currently holds a 96%

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who is sent for evaluation to a mental institution. While there, he clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) and rallies the patients to rebel against the oppressive hospital regimen. The film also features supporting performances from an ensemble cast, including Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif, William Redfield, and Christopher Lloyd. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and is highly influential in popular culture. It has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name. In the film, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) move into the isolated, haunted Overlook Hotel for the winter, where Jack will serve as the caretaker. The hotel harbors a dark, malevolent force, and Danny is psychically attuned to it. As Jack gradually succumbs to the hotel's evil influence, Danny is able to sense his father's mounting rage and desperation. As Jack's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Wendy and Danny struggle to survive their stay at the Overlook. In the end, Jack is consumed by the supernatural power of the hotel, but Wendy and Danny manage to escape alive.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver is a 1976 drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a lonely and mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who descends into insanity after struggling to fit into society. It follows his attempts to save a young prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), from her pimp and his attempts to kill a presidential candidate. The film also stars Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, and Albert Brooks. The film explores themes of loneliness, urban decay, and the effects of the Vietnam War on veterans. The film earned numerous awards and nominations, including four Academy Award nominations and the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. It is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi. The film follows Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert who is sent by the Chicago Mafia to oversee the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Despite his success, Ace's volatile temper and the interference of the mob's hangers-on soon lead to trouble. In addition, Ace's relationship with his wife Ginger (Stone) deteriorates as she spirals out of control with her drug addiction and extramarital affairs. Meanwhile, her volatile ex-husband Lester (Pesci) threatens to disrupt the entire operation. In the end, Ace is forced to make some difficult decisions that could risk his life, as well as the future of the Tangiers Casino.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

"Shutter Island" is a psychological thriller set in 1954, directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), are sent to a mysterious island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. The island is home to the hospital, which is run by the enigmatic Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley). As Teddy and Chuck explore the island, they uncover a series of disturbing secrets and soon realize that their investigation is not as straightforward as it seems. As events on the island become increasingly intense, Teddy is forced to confront his inner demons in order to uncover the truth.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent
Rated R

"Raging Bull" is a 1980 biopic directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as famed boxer Jake LaMotta. The film follows LaMotta's rise from the mean streets of the Bronx to becoming middleweight boxing champion of the world, and his subsequent struggles with fame and his inner demons. As LaMotta's rage and paranoia take control of his life, his relationships with his wife, family and friends deteriorate. Ultimately, LaMotta must confront the destructive force inside him and confront the truth of his life.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological thriller from acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky. The film follows the story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a talented but fragile ballerina who is pushed to her physical and mental limits as she pursues her dream of becoming a principal dancer at a prestigious ballet company. Through a series of physical and psychological pressures, Nina is forced to come to terms with her own personal darkness in order to unlock her full potential as a dancer and ultimately achieve her dream. Along the way, the viewer is taken on a journey of self-discovery, ambition and ambition’s dark side.

From Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage
Rated R

American Psycho is a darkly comic psychological horror film adapted from the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy Wall Street banker by day who moonlights as a serial killer by night. Set in the excess of the 1980s, the film follows Bateman and his twisted descent into madness as he descends further into his violent and depraved fantasies. Along the way, he faces off against his rival Paul Allen (Jared Leto) and a female detective (Willem Dafoe) who is determined to uncover his true identity. The film is a biting satire of the materialistic and cynical culture of the era, and it is further elevated by Bale's memorable performance.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis
Rated R