minxy
10-18-2007, 03:21 PM
Long before psychiatrists used the term "anxiety disorder" to diagnose their patients' symptoms, characters with anxiety disorders played important roles in major films. Whether we find ourselves sharing the intense fears of these characters or laughing when those same fears turn our lives upside-down, the fictional portrayal of anxiety can be educational and even therapeutic.
1) Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), "As Good As It Gets" (1997)
Melvin Udall, an unfriendly novelist with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attempts to control the world around him with a rigid daily routine and as little human interaction as possible. When major events upset the lives of neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear) and favorite waitress Carol (Helen Hunt), Udall soon finds his own world turned upside-down.
2) Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver), "Copycat" (1995)
When police realize a copycat killer may be responsible for a series of murders, officer M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) turns to criminal psychologist Helen Hudson for help. Hudson, however, is confined to her apartment with severe panic attacks and agoraphobia resulting from a violent assault. In this intense thriller, a woman must explore her deepest fears in an attempt to stop a deadly killer.
3) Bob Wiley (Bill Murray), "What About Bob?" (1991)
Bob Wiley is afraid of, well, everything -- germs, enclosed spaces, other people, being alone -- you name it! Wiley's numerous neuroses cause therapist after therapist to refer him to someone else, and that is how Bob meets Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss). When Marvin goes on vacation, Bob follows and chaos ensues.
4) Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro), "Analyze This" (1999)
When gangster Paul Vitti seeks medical help for heart attack symptoms, the diagnosis is anxiety, and Vitti soon becomes paralyzed with fear when facing everyday tasks (such as killing people). After a chance encounter with Vitti, psychiatrist Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal) finds his life overwhelmed by the dark (and comical) world of organized crime.
5) Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), "The Truman Show" (1998)
"The Truman Show" is the ultimate in reality television -- every moment of Truman Burbank's life is televised. To keep the unsuspecting Truman from giving into his curiosity about the outside world, producer Christof (Ed Harris) makes Truman's hometown an island -- and makes sure Truman is afraid of water. Christof is about to discover, however, that fears can be overcome.
6) Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
Archeologist Indiana Jones knows how to have an adventure. Even when facing certain death, Jones remains calm, cool and collected, planning swift escape at the last minute. The one small blemish on Jones' image as unflappable hero? Snakes. "I hate them," he tells sidekick Jock early in the film. What will our hero do when he must face his phobia (in abundance)?
7) Max Klein (Jeff Bridges), "Fearless" (1993)
While facing the worst that could possibly happen, nervous flier Max Klein finds himself suddenly without fear. Psychologist Bill Perlman (John Turturro) suspects Klein's feeling of invulnerability may be a traumatic response to the crash. Perlman introduces Klein to another survivor, Carla Rodrigo (Rosie Perez), who suffers in her own way, and the two come to terms with the crash together.
8) John 'Scottie' Ferguson (James Stewart), "Vertigo" (1958)
After a traumatic incident resulting in a colleague's death, detective Scottie Ferguson develops an intense fear of heights and is forced to retire. Thanks to old friend Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), Ferguson has another chance to work; Elster wants Ferguson to follow his wife (Kim Novak). Ferguson becomes obsessed with the case, his fears and fantasies becoming entwined with those of his subject.
9) Richard Thorndyke (Mel Brooks), "High Anxiety" (1977)
Richard Thorndyke, a psychiatrist with a fear of heights, becomes the administrator of the Institute for the Very Very Nervous, and so begins Mel Brooks hilarious homage to the films of Alfred Hitchcock (including "Vertigo"). Thorndyke will have to face his fears, of course, when he becomes entangled in a world of deception, intrigue and murder.
10) David Flannigan (Ed Harris), "Jacknife" (1989)
Troubled by his experiences in the Vietnam War, Joseph "Megs" Megessey (Robert De Niro) copes by sticking to his daily routine in a small town. After discovering that fellow Veteran David Flannigan still struggles to cope, Megs leaves his sheltered life and attempts to help. Flannigan, however, may be unreachable.
thanks,
minxy.
1) Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), "As Good As It Gets" (1997)
Melvin Udall, an unfriendly novelist with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attempts to control the world around him with a rigid daily routine and as little human interaction as possible. When major events upset the lives of neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear) and favorite waitress Carol (Helen Hunt), Udall soon finds his own world turned upside-down.
2) Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver), "Copycat" (1995)
When police realize a copycat killer may be responsible for a series of murders, officer M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) turns to criminal psychologist Helen Hudson for help. Hudson, however, is confined to her apartment with severe panic attacks and agoraphobia resulting from a violent assault. In this intense thriller, a woman must explore her deepest fears in an attempt to stop a deadly killer.
3) Bob Wiley (Bill Murray), "What About Bob?" (1991)
Bob Wiley is afraid of, well, everything -- germs, enclosed spaces, other people, being alone -- you name it! Wiley's numerous neuroses cause therapist after therapist to refer him to someone else, and that is how Bob meets Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss). When Marvin goes on vacation, Bob follows and chaos ensues.
4) Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro), "Analyze This" (1999)
When gangster Paul Vitti seeks medical help for heart attack symptoms, the diagnosis is anxiety, and Vitti soon becomes paralyzed with fear when facing everyday tasks (such as killing people). After a chance encounter with Vitti, psychiatrist Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal) finds his life overwhelmed by the dark (and comical) world of organized crime.
5) Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), "The Truman Show" (1998)
"The Truman Show" is the ultimate in reality television -- every moment of Truman Burbank's life is televised. To keep the unsuspecting Truman from giving into his curiosity about the outside world, producer Christof (Ed Harris) makes Truman's hometown an island -- and makes sure Truman is afraid of water. Christof is about to discover, however, that fears can be overcome.
6) Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
Archeologist Indiana Jones knows how to have an adventure. Even when facing certain death, Jones remains calm, cool and collected, planning swift escape at the last minute. The one small blemish on Jones' image as unflappable hero? Snakes. "I hate them," he tells sidekick Jock early in the film. What will our hero do when he must face his phobia (in abundance)?
7) Max Klein (Jeff Bridges), "Fearless" (1993)
While facing the worst that could possibly happen, nervous flier Max Klein finds himself suddenly without fear. Psychologist Bill Perlman (John Turturro) suspects Klein's feeling of invulnerability may be a traumatic response to the crash. Perlman introduces Klein to another survivor, Carla Rodrigo (Rosie Perez), who suffers in her own way, and the two come to terms with the crash together.
8) John 'Scottie' Ferguson (James Stewart), "Vertigo" (1958)
After a traumatic incident resulting in a colleague's death, detective Scottie Ferguson develops an intense fear of heights and is forced to retire. Thanks to old friend Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), Ferguson has another chance to work; Elster wants Ferguson to follow his wife (Kim Novak). Ferguson becomes obsessed with the case, his fears and fantasies becoming entwined with those of his subject.
9) Richard Thorndyke (Mel Brooks), "High Anxiety" (1977)
Richard Thorndyke, a psychiatrist with a fear of heights, becomes the administrator of the Institute for the Very Very Nervous, and so begins Mel Brooks hilarious homage to the films of Alfred Hitchcock (including "Vertigo"). Thorndyke will have to face his fears, of course, when he becomes entangled in a world of deception, intrigue and murder.
10) David Flannigan (Ed Harris), "Jacknife" (1989)
Troubled by his experiences in the Vietnam War, Joseph "Megs" Megessey (Robert De Niro) copes by sticking to his daily routine in a small town. After discovering that fellow Veteran David Flannigan still struggles to cope, Megs leaves his sheltered life and attempts to help. Flannigan, however, may be unreachable.
thanks,
minxy.