Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as identity. Since the 1970’s, stories of mental health have made for memorable movies. Whether it’s janitors, ordinary people or Schizophrenic teachers, the genre has created several characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the tremendous genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about mental illness that deserve to be celebrated.
1. A Beautiful Mind
Schizophrenia is a dark disorder that fascinated my teacher. I fondly recall with nostalgia warm memories of a teacher that was fascinated with Schizophrenia. In high school, I formed relationships with a psychology professor that was interested in a grim disorder that was cruel. He often sought to educate his students about illness causing minds of people to deteriorate. Fascinated with a grim disorder affecting the mind, my teacher was determined to leave a lasting legacy behind. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how a mental disorder can impact the mind as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Ever since its release in 2001, Ron Howard’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about identity crisis. With the greatest film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the turmoil of a real-life mathematician that faced identity crises causing despair. Howard has always had an aptitude for making great movies about the lives of geniuses with identity crises, and “A Beautiful Mind” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which John Nash experiences a nervous breakdown when he realizes that his roommate Charles Herman is a figment of his imagination causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a mathematician that faced sorrow years ago. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” my favourite film about identity crisis of all-time is its universal message. The film delivers a profound message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about a brilliant mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder about a one-of-a-kind genre that has made commemorated movies about the complicated consequences of individuals experiencing identity crises leaving a lasting legacy behind.
2. Adaptation
Writer’s block is a painful process that causes identity crises. There’s nothing more frustrating in the whole world than when ideas don’t immediately spring to a writer’s mind. Personally speaking, writer’s block has often impacted by ability to write effectively. I have often faced trouble putting pen to paper to come up with great ideas as a writer. There have been times when I have struggled to engage being unable put a single word on a page. As someone that has witnessed writer’s block causing frustration, I appreciated “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie captured hardships screenwriters with writer’s block go through. Jonze uses voice-over narration to capture a screenwriter affected by writer’s block that causes depression. For instance, the scene in which Charlie stares at his typewriter struggling to put a word on the page causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Nicolas Cage, who embodies a screenwriter facing emotional damage. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about writing which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of writer’s block causing screenwriters to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences commonly appreciate.
3. Fight Club
Anxiety has shaped my personality. As far as I remember, I have always been an anxious person under intense pressure. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced painful pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. No matter how hard I tried, I could never cope with feelings of anxiety that left me terrified. As someone that has faced anxiety causing adversity, I adored “Fight Club”. Released in 1999, David Fincher’s movie depicted the lives of terrorists forming fight clubs causing tragedy. Fincher used captivating voice-over narration to capture the life of a terrorist forming a fight club organization causing tension. For instance, the scene in which Tyler Durden first creates the fight club causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Edward Norton, who embodied a mentally disturbed terrorist facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of mental health which would resonate with everyone. As precious as fight clubs Tyler Durden seeks to create, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about identities audiences appreciate.
4. Psycho
Serial killers are frightening figures that always terrified me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death by her lover, my housekeeper faced psychotic murder. Left devastated, my mother never recovered from the murder of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. As someone treasuring fond memories of a housekeeper that died many years ago, I adored “Psycho”. Released in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s horror movie captured mothers that are psychotic. Hitchcock used the concept of mothers causing trauma to create one of the greatest movies in the horror genre. For instance, the scene in which the frightening identity of Norman Bates’ mother is revealed causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Anthony Perkins, who portrayed a man haunted by his abusive mother. Ultimately, what makes “Psycho” a commemorated masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the 1960’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A frightening portrait of mothers that are psychotic, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured iconic movies which have captivated the movie-going public.
5. Taxi Driver
Loneliness has impacted by personality. Being an Autistic person, I’ve often found social interactions in life challenging. Due towards preferences for spending time alone, I have always struggled to make friendships that are long-lasting. Few films I’ve seen have managed to capture my feelings of loneliness struggling to fit in society as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Released in 1976, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the lonely life of a taxi driver struggling to fit in 1970’s New York City. With the most gritty film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strengths for capturing the lives of outcasts facing despair. Scorsese uses voice-over narration to capture the psyche of a taxi driver facing mental health catastrophe. For instance, the scene in which Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of a mirror is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a lonely taxi driver facing feelings of sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of loneliness causing taxi drivers in 1970’s New York City to crumble, it’s a commemorated reminder about a genre making movies audiences consider extremely special.
6. The Talented Mr. Ripley
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about identity, it’s worth discussing The Talented Mr. Ripley. Since its publication in 1955, Patricia Highsmith’s book has become a literary classic. In 1999, Anthony Minghella honoured the legendary book in his movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Talented Mr. Ripley” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Minghella uses captivating montages capturing a con-artist deceiving wealthy millionaires that are frightening. Assisted by Matt Damon who is amazing in the lead role, Minghella honoured a legendary book about millionaires. A terrific adaptation of a book about con-artists that are talented, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated timeless movies which deserve to be absolutely appreciated.
7. Shutter Island
Shutter Island is a legendary book about identity which has built a lasting legacy. Since its publication in 2003, Dennis Lehane’s novel has become a literary classic. In 2010, Martin Scorsese honoured the classic book about a haunted island in his movie “Shutter Island”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Shutter Island” stand out is its unreliable narration. Scorsese effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the declining mental health of a patient in an institution. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Scorsese created a portrait of mental hospitals that’s compelling. As memorable as islands that evoke fear, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies about identities that becomes a heavy burden to bear about which audiences always commonly undeniably care.
8. Catch Me if You Can
Frank Abagnale is a legendary con-artist that assumed multiple identities facing jail. During the 1960’s, Abagnale was a clever conman that engaged in felonies. Abagnale participated in criminal activities until the day that he was caught by FBI authorities. In 2002, Steven Spielberg honoured the notorious con-artist with a plan in his film “Catch Me if You Can”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Catch Me if You Can” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Spielberg uses captivating montages capturing con-artists committing crimes that are shocking. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Spielberg honours a con-artist that achieved fame years ago. As strong as crimes Frank Abagnale has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated genre that definitely deserves to be undeniably appreciated.
9. Birdman
Identity crises often affects the lives of Broadway performers today. Stage performers under intense pressure often are at risk of facing insanity causing damage. The negative impact of identity crisis on Broadway performers without a plan is beautifully depicted in the movie “Birdman”. Released in 2014, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s movie captured the lives of psychotic Broadway performers driven to insanity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Birdman” stand out is its depiction of theatre actors. Inarritu uses captivating unreliable narration capturing the hardships that a downtrodden Broadway actor is facing. A powerful portrait of insanity affecting Broadway performers today, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great movies which deserve to be appreciated absolutely today.
10. Black Swan
Few films ever made about ballet dancers facing identity crisis are as beloved as “Black Swan”. Released in 2010, Darren Aronofsky’s movie captured a ballet dancer driven to the brink of insanity. Aronofsky used captivating montages capturing hardships that a ballet dancer in a tense profession is facing. Assisted by Natalie Portman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Aronofsky created a compelling ballet thriller. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of identity crisis causing ballet dancers to face adversity has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as ballet shoes worn by Nina, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about identity crisis causing people to face a dilemma which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of Cinema.
The Film Buff 