Movies About Therapy

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

Good Will Hunting follows the story of Will Hunting, a troubled genius from the wrong side of Boston who works as a janitor at MIT. After a professor discovers his extraordinary mathematical abilities, he is encouraged to take part in a study group in mathematics. Will soon comes to the attention of a therapist, Sean Maguire, who helps him come to terms with the difficult past he has been running from. With Sean's help, Will embarks on the path to self-discovery, finding the courage to embrace his potential, take control of his life, and find his place in the world. Along the way, he finds true love with Skylar, and forges a meaningful relationship with his best friend Chuckie.

From Penny Marshall, starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson
Rated PG-13

Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film directed by Penny Marshall and starring Robin Williams, Robert De Niro and Julie Kavner. Based on the true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks, the film tells the story of a group of patients at a New Jersey hospital in the late 1960s and 1970s who had been in a catatonic state for decades. A new doctor, Malcolm Sayer (Williams), discovers a miracle drug that brings the patients out of their frozen state, allowing them to experience life for the first time in years. However, as the effects of the drug eventually wear off, Sayer and the patients must grapple with the reality of their situation. Through Malcolm's care and guidance, the patients learn to live life to the fullest and discover joy and self-determination in life. The film is a powerful exploration of the power of human connection, and how even the most unlikely people can find a special bond.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

"Ordinary People" (1980) is a drama directed by Robert Redford, which follows the story of the Jarret family, whose lives are thrown into disarray after the death of their eldest son. The remaining family members, Calvin and Beth, and their surviving son Conrad, struggle to cope with the tragedy and rebuild their lives. Calvin, the father, is a successful businessman and stoic, while Beth is a stay-at-home wife who masks her pain behind a veil of aloofness. Conrad attempts to return to a normal life, but he is plagued by guilt and anxiety over his brother's death. He ultimately seeks the help of a psychiatrist to deal with his emotions, even though his parents are initially hesitant. As the story progresses, the Jarret family slowly begins to heal, and all of the characters learn to accept the loss and move on.

From Jonathan Levine, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rated R

50/50 is a 2011 American comedy-drama film directed by Jonathan Levine, based on a screenplay written by Will Reiser. It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam, a 27-year-old graphic designer diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. His life is thrown into disarray as he and his best friend, Kyle (Seth Rogen), try to deal with his illness. Along the way, he meets an inexperienced therapist, Katherine (Anna Kendrick), and a young woman, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), who he falls for. With the help of his family, friends, and his newfound love, Adam faces his cancer head on and learns to embrace life and live it to the fullest.

From Jeff Malmberg, starring Mark Hogancamp, Emmanuel Nneji, Edda Hogancamp, Tom Neubauer
Rated Not Rated

"Marwencol" is a 2010 documentary directed by Jeff Malmberg. The film follows the story of Mark Hogancamp, a man who, after being assaulted and left for dead, creates a miniature World War II-era town in his backyard to help cope with his trauma and memory loss. Through his art, Hogancamp is able to overcome his physical and emotional scars and find his place in the world once again. As he develops his miniature town, Marwencol, Hogancamp begins to receive local and national attention for his art, ultimately leading to a gallery show of his work. The film is a story of hope and perseverance, as Hogancamp uses his creativity to find healing and purpose after tragedy.

From Mike Binder, starring Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler
Rated R

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

From Ridley Scott, starring Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell, Bruce Altman
Rated PG-13

From James Mangold, starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Rated R

From Nanni Moretti, starring Nanni Moretti, Laura Morante, Jasmine Trinca, Giuseppe Sanfelice
Rated R

From Steven Soderbergh, starring James Spader, Andie MacDowell, Peter Gallagher, Laura San Giacomo
Rated R

From Nunnally Johnson, starring Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb, Edwin Jerome
Rated Approved

From Ray Lawrence, starring Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, Rachael Blake, Kerry Armstrong
Rated R

From Jan Svankmajer, starring Jan Tríska, Pavel Liska, Anna Geislerová, Martin Huba
Rated Not Rated

From Frank Oz, starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo
Rated PG

From Jonathan Levine, starring Josh Peck, Ben Kingsley, Olivia Thirlby, Famke Janssen
Rated R

From Jon Poll, starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings
Rated R

From William Peter Blatty, starring Stacy Keach, Scott Wilson, Jason Miller, Ed Flanders
Rated R

From Lawrence Kasdan, starring Loren Dean, Hope Davis, Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard
Rated R

From Henry Bromell, starring William H. Macy, Neve Campbell, John Ritter, Donald Sutherland
Rated R

From Harold Ramis, starring Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Chazz Palminteri
Rated R

From Jeremy Leven, starring Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway, Géraldine Pailhas
Rated PG-13

From Mel Brooks, starring Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman
Rated PG

From Jonas Pate, starring Kevin Spacey, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer, Joe Nunez
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel
Rated R