Movies About Psychiatry

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 Ken Kesey novel of the same name. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who feigns insanity to serve a short sentence in an Oregon psychiatric hospital rather than in prison. There, he clashes with the head nurse, Mildred Ratched, played by Louise Fletcher, who has a cold and authoritarian rule over her patients. The film also stars Christopher Lloyd as the Chief Bromden, a Native American inmate who is a patient at the hospital, William Redfield as Harding, a fellow patient, and Brad Dourif as Billy Bibbit, a young psychiatric patient whose stutter is exploited by Nurse Ratched. The themes of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest are those of oppression, freedom, and individuality, as Randle's rebellious spirit challenges the hospital's oppressive power structure. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The story follows 20 year-old South Boston Janitor, Will Hunting (Damon), who, along with his best friend, is struggling to make ends meet. Will discovers a talent for mathematics, but with his troubled upbringing, he is unable to access the opportunities his talent could provide. When he finds himself in legal trouble, he is offered a chance to receive psychiatric help with a renowned professor, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Through this process, Will begins to open up about his past, and understand the root of his issues. He also discovers the potential of his talents, and the power of love and friendship, as he begins to take control of his own life.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind tells the true story of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash (Russell Crowe) and his extraordinary journey from the heights of academia to a battle with schizophrenia. After coming to the attention of the mathematics faculty at Princeton University, Nash develops an original theory of game theory. But even as his groundbreaking work earns him a place at the pinnacle of intellectual achievement, his paranoia and delusions lead him down a dark and dangerous path. With the help of his devoted wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) and a caring doctor (Ed Harris), Nash begins the difficult process of reclaiming his life, ultimately triumphing over the disorder.

From David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Rated R

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, and Julia Stiles. The story follows Pat Solitano Jr. (Cooper), a former teacher with bipolar disorder who is released from a mental health facility and moves back in with his parents. Pat is determined to win back his ex-wife, but his parents want him to get back on his feet and find a new relationship. With the help of his friend, Pat meets Tiffany (Lawrence), a young widow with her own issues. The two form an unlikely bond and, through a series of events, they end up competing in a dance competition together. Through the course of their relationship, Pat and Tiffany both come to terms with their personal issues, find true friendship, and eventually, find love.

From Henry Alex Rubin, starring Jason Bateman, Jonah Bobo, Haley Ramm, Hope Davis
Rated R

Disconnect is an American drama film directed by Henry Alex Rubin, starring Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Max Thieriot, and Colin Ford. The movie follows several interconnected stories of people affected by technology, as they struggle to live in a world where personal relationships are increasingly mediated by the internet. It follows a young couple, played by Bateman and Davis, who are struggling to save their marriage; a troubled teen and his father, played by Thieriot and Grillo; a couple of journalists, played by Patton and Nyqvist, investigating a sexting incident; a group of hackers, led by Skarsgård, out to expose corporate secrets; and a single mother, played by Riseborough, who finds solace in online chatrooms. All these stories come together to explore the issue of how technology is affecting our lives and relationships. The film was generally well-received by critics, who praised its performances, direction, and its exploration of timely topics. It was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Davis.

From Iain Softley, starring Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack, Alfre Woodard
Rated PG-13

From Bill Condon, starring Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Chris O'Donnell, Peter Sarsgaard
Rated R