8 therapeutic movies that psychologists recommend

What is a movie? An opportunity to entertain, distract, pass the time? That’s right! And besides, a good movie is a metaphor for many situations we face in life. It helps us to understand ourselves and others better. That’s why we laugh and feel sad while watching movies.

Already as an adult, Gary Solomon found himself in a very difficult situation. Having lost all his savings, he began to abuse alcohol. Then he became addicted to drugs. The ending could have been expectedly sad, if only… not the movie!

Since childhood, Gary Solomon was a movie buff – this is what helped him cope with life’s difficulties and give up addictions. After that he decided to help people and became a psychotherapist.

After becoming a famous doctor, he offered one woman to tell what she felt after watching a movie. Her response, “It was like I was watching my life!” On the one hand, he amazed the doctor, and on the other – pushed to further work in this direction.

Movie therapy

Gary Solomon became one of the founders of a very interesting direction in art therapy – movie therapy. It is based on the idea that in the process of watching a movie a person can more clearly realize his own difficulties, to work through situations similar to those he sees on the screen.

Moreover, the psychotherapeutic effect after watching a movie is not always “chocolate”. Like each of us in real life, the heroes of movies are in different situations: difficult, dangerous, traumatic, demanding.

Therefore, the essence of Dr. Kino’s methodology (as Solomon was called by his colleagues and clients) comes down to helping people reflect on their own problems in the most gentle and safe way possible – by drawing parallels with cinematic images.

Cinemalogy, Film Therapy, Film Yoga

Strictly speaking, Gary Solomon was not the first to talk about the psychotherapeutic nature of cinema. Antonio Meneghetti, the founder of the ontological school of psychology, is usually called the founding father of the approach. In 1972, he published the book La cineterapia (“Cinema Therapy”), and later renamed the methodology as cinemalogy.

The impetus for its emergence also came from the doctor’s own experience. One day he saw people who were his clients arguing heatedly at the end of a movie. But why? It seemed to Meneghetti that this particular tape was to be interpreted unambiguously. However, the participants of the screening had different points of view.

In the book “Cinema. Theater. Unconscious” Meneghetti talks about the usefulness of discussing movies in the process of individual, family, group therapy. Analyzing the characters, their relationships and actions helps a person to detach – the action takes place with others – and at the same time to draw parallels with his own life.

Bernie Wooder, a psychotherapist from London, began using movie therapy in the 90s of the twentieth century. He believes that a properly selected movie and further analysis under the guidance of a qualified specialist helps to get rid of anxiety and depressive states.

Watching films with clients, Wooder helps people become more aware of their feelings and thoughts, analyze unhealthy patterns in behavior and relationships.

The movie yoga approach proposed by psychotherapist Tav Sparks is interesting. He believes that a movie is an opportunity to change the life of the viewer. In order for this to happen, he believes, it is important for us to tune in to this very outcome.

The method of film yoga suggests that before watching a movie a person should fix his state: feelings, thoughts, sensations. And be ready for changes – a quality movie will always tell us something that we did not know about ourselves until now. That is, it is a kind of way of personal transformation.

8 life-affirming movies

Let’s begin our movie therapy session. Or movie therapy. Or maybe movie yoga? Anyway, the name doesn’t really matter. Think about your problems. What’s bothering you the most right now?

Note: after each description, you will find a “prescription” (doctors abbreviate it to Rp) – for which conditions it is best to turn on this or that movie.

“Angel-A”, France, 2005

Director: Luc Besson.

Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Rieu Rasmussen, Gilbert Melki, Serge Ryabukin and others.

Age limit: 16+.

28-year-old André is haunted by big trouble led by Parisian gangsters. Yes, yes, in France, too, the criminogenic situation is not ahti – c’est la vie!

The young man almost decides to take his own life, as suddenly she appears on his way. “On the way” – literally: a girl in a little black dress jumps in front of the protagonist from a bridge into the Seine.

Could the true Frenchman Andre stay away? Of course not. He threw himself into the water to save the stranger. But who saves who? It turns out that the girl’s name is Angel-A, she works as an angel and comes to the aid of someone who is in special need.

With the appearance of Angel-A in Andre’s life, amazing changes begin to happen. Perhaps something similar awaits you after watching this light fantasy-comedy melodrama.

Rp: watch for those who suffer from feelings of loneliness.

“The King’s Speech”, UK – USA, 2010

Director: Tom Hooper.

Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce and others.

Age limit: 16+.

Albert, Duke of York, is preparing to ascend the throne after his brother’s abdication to become King George IV, continuing the unbroken tradition of the British monarchy. But he really doesn’t want to be the dynasty’s successor. And there’s a good reason for that – Albert has a desperate stammer!

Evaluate the “scale of the disaster” – this is not a fantasy of screenwriter David Seidler, but a historical fact! George IV did indeed stutter badly, especially in the run-up to public appearances. Would the nation and the world community take such a king seriously…? The question is rhetorical.

However, the situation may change for the better, because Albert’s wife, Queen Consort Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, found him an extravagant specialist – a speech therapist from Australia, Lionel Logue. Thanks to his skills, Duke Albert was eventually able to recite the coronation speech without a stutter.

The movie, full of comedy scenes (yes, yes, all patients are equal for the doctor, even if they are future kings!), with its light and at the same time lyrical atmosphere, beautiful scenery and costumes collected a lot of awards, including four Oscars, becoming the best film of the year.

Rp: a “cure” for shyness, indecision, phobia or inferiority complex, lack of motivation.

“Groundhog Day, USA, 1993

Directed by Harold Ramis.

Starring Bill Murray, Andy McDowell, Chris Elliot, Stephen Tobolowsky and others.

Age Limit: 12+.

“It’s the worst day of your life. How about reliving it again?” – the phrase from the movie, which has become a winged phrase, accurately reflects the essence of what is happening.

TV host Phil Connors comes to Pennsylvania every year, where Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 – a mock holiday that is always accompanied by fun and laughter. But this time, things went differently.

Every day, Phil wakes up … on the morning of February 2. At first it seemed surprising, then – annoying. In the end, the main character was almost on the verge of insanity (no surprise, though).

“Groundhog Day” – a multidimensional philosophical picture, despite the comedic presentation. The viewer, along with the main character, answers a lot of questions. How to correct the past? Is it possible to prevent this or that event? How do our actions turn out for ourselves and others?….

At some point it seems that the vortex of Groundhog Day pulls Phil Connors finally and hopelessly. But is that really the case…?

Rp: “take” for depression, lack of meaning in life, feeling of grayness and hopelessness.

“Run, Lola, Run!”, Germany, 1998.

Director: Tom Tykwer.

Starring: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtroy, Herbert Knaup, Nina Petri and others.

Age limit: 18+.

Another movie that explores the theme of the “time loop” from the perspective of a person’s responsibility for their own fate and for the well-being of others. The key question running through the whole movie is: “What would happen if…?”. But life dictates its own conditions – here and now.

Circumstances are such that Manny is in mortal danger. He’s lost a bag of money to a fast-talking man. His girlfriend Lola has only 20 minutes to bail out the man she loves.

The movie is built on the principle of “Lego”. You can change the parts – the sequence of actions is not so important. More important are all those people who meet on the way of the running girl.

In the course of the action we get to know their (or your?) stories. Tykwer shows how encounters with Lola in different parts of the movie in different circumstances shape the future of those people themselves (Bradbury’s famous short story “And the Butterfly Flies” comes immediately to mind, doesn’t it?).

But the key question running through the whole movie, “What would happen if…?” is not answered. – there is no answer. Life dictates its own terms – here and now. Let’s play by the established rules! And at the same time we will find out whether there is really no choice and nothing depends on us.

Rp: the “drug” is prescribed when you feel unable to influence your life, fatigue, zero resource.

“1+1”, France, 2011

Directors: Olivier Nakash, Eric Toledano.

Starring: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot and others.

Age limit: 16+.

Prestigious movie awards “Cesar”, “Georges”, “Goya” – not a complete list of awards movie story based on real events.

Aristocrat Philip as a result of a serious injury was confined to a wheelchair. He has everything: a name, a palace, money. But what he lacks is health. He needs a physically strong assistant.

It seems that recently released from prison, a young man named Driss (in the “anamnesis” marijuana, criminal altercations and so on) is the least suitable for this role. And he does not want to work – he comes to Philippe only to receive a formal refusal (the requirement of the labor exchange).

But the employer decides otherwise. Driss does not receive a refusal. Instead, he becomes Philippe’s assistant.

At first the guy resists the new job in every possible way, but soon the relationship “employer – subordinate” turned into a real friendship. Despite his lack of education and criminal past, Driss possesses what Philip needed – the ability to be a friend.

Rp: a great tool for solving communication problems. Will help to overcome misunderstandings, find common ground with loved ones, friends, coworkers.

“Angel at My Table”, New Zealand – Australia – UK – USA, 1990.

Directed by: Jane Campion.

Starring: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Ferguson, Iris Chern and others.

Age Limit: 16+.

Janet has parents, four sisters, a brother, and fiery red hair. It seems like what else do you need to be happy? If only everything were so simple…

The main character of the movie is a quiet, shy, timid girl with a clearly expressed talent – she writes poems and stories. They were appreciated at first at school, and later, when the girl studied in college, even began to publish.

However, she considers herself very ugly. On the grounds of shyness and complex about appearance, the girl develops depression – a frequent companion of gifted people. But Janet finds herself in a psychiatric clinic, where she is misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. She begins heavy treatment.

The girl does not give up and continues to write. Being a patient of a psychiatric hospital, she becomes the winner of a prestigious literary prize, receives a grant. After that she manages to leave the clinic and go to Europe. New challenges and victories are ahead.

The movie-biography is based on the books To the Is-Land, An Angel at My Table and The Envoy from Mirror City by New Zealand writer Janet Frame.

Rp: recommended for strengthening willpower, for lack of perseverance, determination.

“A Street Cat Called Bob,” UK, 2016.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode.

Starring Luke Treadaway, Bob the cat, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanne Froggatt and others.

Age Limit: 16+.

Light, kind autobiographical movie directed by Roger Spottiswoode, who suffered from drug addiction and was cured thanks to willpower and… a ginger cat!

The life of street musician James Bowen became a torment for him and his loved ones because of his addiction to drugs. The protagonist lost almost everything: his job, housing, his parents turned away from him.

At some point he firmly decided to get rid of the addiction. Of course, it was not easy. Addiction does not let a person go at once, and sometimes never lets go. That’s what happened to James’s buddy Baz, who died of an overdose before the ambulance arrived.

But the accidental appearance in James’s life of a red-haired stray – a cat, nicknamed Bob – helps the protagonist to cope with numerous trials. He filled Bowen’s life with an important meaning – we are responsible for those we have tamed. Responsibility helped to overcome a difficult problem.

Deciding to help others to pass the difficult path of recovery from drug addiction, James writes a bestselling book “Street Cat Named Bob.” Her success helped the author change from social housing to his own, where he lives with his faithful furry companion.

Rp: a must for those struggling with bad habits, addictions.

“The Blues Brothers,” USA, 1980.

Director: John Landis.

Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, Tom Earhart and others.

Age limit: 16+.

The plot of the comedy for the ages is simple to the point of banality: two brothers Jake and Elwood decided to help a Catholic orphanage. They grew up in this institution, which now has bad times. If the orphanage doesn’t pay $5,000 in property taxes, it will be demolished in 11 days.

The brothers decide to put on a benefit concert to benefit the orphanage. But it’s not easy. Jake has just been released from prison, Elwood is being hunted by the entire criminal world of Chicago. Still, the brothers hit the road in their Bluesmobile to reunite the once-popular band The Blues Brothers.

We won’t reveal all the cards – let’s just say that, as it always happens in Hollywood movies, the viewer is provided with crazy adrenaline: chases, fights, a dump of police cars. And, of course, the happy ending: the concert took place, the brothers handed over a check for the tax, and then quietly went to prison.

But the main point is different. “Blues Brothers” – a unique concert movie. Along with professional actors, it starred stars of the past, who performed in the genre of rhythm and blues. The names of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway and other legendary musicians will not leave music lovers indifferent.

Rp: a movie for those who feel burnout, apathy, disbelief in their strength… And also for absolutely everyone who loves good old rhythm and blues!

Tune in to watch

Imagine that you will spend the next hour and a half or two hours not in front of the screen, but in the therapist’s office. Yes, yes, that’s right! After all, we are talking about the possibility of overcoming complex problems and negative states with the help of movies.

• Turn off or put on silent mode phone, you do not need to be distracted during the “session”.
• Prepare a “movie room.” It is best to watch a movie in a darkened room where you will not be disturbed by extraneous noises.
• Tune in to the movie: think about what you are experiencing now, what you are worried about, answers to what questions you need to get.

And observe the main rule: as in the psychologist’s office, immersion should be complete. In this case, you will get maximum benefit and, of course, pleasure.