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In the given discussion, students have shared insights on two films, "Benny and Joon" and "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape," focusing on the portrayal of mental illness. In Jill's post, the character Joon exhibits multiple psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism spectrum disorder. She highlights specific instances in the film where these disorders are demonstrated clearly. For example, Joon’s auditory hallucinations and disorganized speech signify schizophrenia. Furthermore, her OCD traits surface when she expresses distress over disorganization in her home. Jill emphasizes the accuracy of the therapy scenes depicted in the film as well.

Kelliana's analysis of "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape" provides a contrasting perspective, focusing primarily on the character of Gilbert and his family dynamics, particularly his brother Arnie, who has a mental disability, and their mother, who shows signs of Binge Eating Disorder. Kelliana critiques the film's portrayal of binge eating, drawing connections to psychological theories regarding stress, emotional pain, and social implications of such disorders. She notes the physical and mental consequences of the mother’s eating habits, supported by credible research.

It’s interesting to see the similarities in how both films present the struggles and realities of living with someone who has a mental illness. Both characters, Joon and Arnie, are heavily reliant on their family members for support, which puts pressure on their caregivers, Benny and Gilbert, respectively. Additionally, both pieces highlight the emotional turmoil faced by the caregivers in balancing their responsibilities with their personal lives.

However, there are also differences in how each film approaches the understanding and representation of mental illness. While "Benny and Joon" directly presents a variety of psychological disorders through its protagonist, "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape" seems to take a broader approach, addressing familial relationships and the effects of mental disability on family dynamics rather than focusing solely on a clinical depiction of mental health.

Jill, you made an astute observation about the representation of Joon’s symptoms and their clinical correlations with the DSM-5 criteria which adds depth to your analysis. Kelliana, your discussion about the portrayal of binge eating provides a nuanced understanding of how eating disorders manifest within family dynamics, which is quite insightful. I wonder if either of you think that the films successfully reduce stigma around mental health or if they potentially reinforce misconceptions due to their dramatized portrayals?

Furthermore, what are your thoughts on the effectiveness of the cinematic techniques used in each film to convey these mental health narratives? Did you find any specific scenes particularly powerful in highlighting the struggles associated with these disorders?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Paper For Above Instructions

Mental illness portrayal in cinema has the power to profoundly impact public perceptions and understanding of psychological disorders. In the recent discussion surrounding two films, "Benny and Joon" and "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape," insightful analyses reveal how these narratives shape our understanding of mental health. Both films showcase characters who grapple with their psychological realities, allowing audiences to engage with complex mental health issues through the lens of storytelling.

The film "Benny and Joon" features Joon, a character whose psychological struggles are depicted as a combination of schizophrenia, OCD, and traits associated with autism spectrum disorder. As noted in Jill's analysis, certain scenes exemplify her auditory hallucination, illustrated by her references to hearing voices—a key symptom of schizophrenia (Choi, 2014). Notably, the depiction of Joon's disorganized speech captures the chaotic nature of her mental state, effectively communicating her internal struggles to the audience. For example, when she describes Sam's actions with a duster in vague and repetitive terms, it highlights her difficulties in processing and articulating thoughts clearly, correlating with clinical observations of disorganized speech patterns typical in schizophrenia (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Moreover, Joon's obsessive tendencies towards having her environment orderly resonate with the behaviors characteristic of OCD. Her distress in upheaval showcases the internal conflict many individuals with OCD face, underscoring the tangible challenges they endure in managing daily life. These characteristics, as discussed in the film, reflect real psychological disorders, bolstering authenticity in their representation (Choi, 2014).

Contrastingly, Kelliana’s exploration of "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape" delves into the family dynamics surrounding mental illness, particularly through the representation of binge eating disorder as demonstrated by Gilbert’s mother. While this film primarily focuses on the emotional burdens placed upon Gilbert as a caregiver, it also emphasizes the physical manifestations of her disorder. Obesity, indicative of untreated binge eating disorder, is depicted powerfully through scenes that illustrate her isolation and consumption of food (Brownley et al., 2016). This portrayal invites viewers to comprehend the psychological struggles linked to emotional eating, effectively raising awareness about the intricacies of binge eating disorder and its correlates with stress and emotional distress (Kring et al., 2018).

The films’ contrasting approaches offer valuable insights into the varied experiences of mental illness—while "Benny and Joon" provides a detailed view of specific disorders, "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape" adopts a broader perspective on mental illness's familial impact. Both narratives serve to educate viewers by showcasing the challenges faced by individuals with mental disorders and those who care for them.

Furthermore, as we consider the potential societal implications of these portrayals, it is critical to ask if they challenge or reinforce stigma surrounding mental illness. Films have the power to resonate with audiences, potentially steering public conversation towards greater empathy and understanding. However, the dramatization of certain symptoms and behaviors may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes. Thus, engaging in discussions about these representations, as seen in the contributions from both Jill and Kelliana, encourages deeper consideration of mental health in cinema and beyond.

As an extension, one could also analyze the cinematic techniques used in portraying these psychological narratives. For instance, the evocative music and the use of vivid imagery in "Benny and Joon" enhance the emotional weight of Joon's character, drawing viewers into her journey and struggles. In contrast, "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape" employs a more subdued visual style, allowing the audience to focus on the unfolding dynamics within Gilbert's family, which contributes to a more relatable experience for many viewers.

In conclusion, both films warrant discussion as they not only entertain but also inform viewers about mental health issues. They compel audiences to delve deeper into the complexities of psychological disorders, nurturing a dialogue that could ultimately foster understanding and compassion for individuals grappling with these challenges. It will be interesting to see how the narratives evolve in future films and whether they continue to advance our understanding of mental health.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

  • Brownley, K. A., Berkman, N. D., Peat, C. M., Lohr, K. N., Cullen, K. E., Bann, C. M., & Bulik, C. M. (2016). Binge-eating disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 165(6), 409-417.

  • Choi, J. (2014). Highly probable psychological disorders of the character Joon from the film Bennie and Joon directed by Jeremiah Chechik in 1993. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 4(3), 212-215.

  • Kring, A. M., Johnson, S. L., Davison, G., & Neale, J. (2018). Abnormal psychology: The science and treatment of psychological disorders (14th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  • National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Binge Eating Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/binge-eating-disorder

  • American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Understanding Mental Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/understanding

  • Fitzgerald, H. E., & Lutz, W. (2015). Mental Health in Films: A Systematic Review. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 43, 34-42.

  • Moore, M. (2019). The Power of Stories: How Movies Influence Public Perception of Mental Illness. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 22(2), 39-50.

  • Pettit, J. W., & Kessler, R. C. (2020). Psychological Disorders and Their Portrayals in Film: The Intersection of Art and Science. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 10(1), 55-67.

  • Rosenberg, M. (2018). Film as a Medium for Understanding Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services, 69(1), 24-27.