Synecdoche New York

The protagonist struggles with more than his identity, but his last name is Cotard, also eponym for a syndrome with possible reference to the role. He occasionally occupies an apartment apparently owned by Capgras, another eponymic identity syndrome. Reduplicative paramnesia is suggested when he hires an “actor” who claims to have no acting experience to play Capgras (in real life, in the play, in both?), but he overplays his role by actually jumping to his death whereas a bystander earlier prevents the real Capgras from jumping. A Freudian slip is identified in conversation. The psychotherapist seems more interested in peddling her books or crossing boundaries than providing treatment.

* boundaries * Capgras * Capgras' Syndrome * Cotard * Cotard's syndrome * Freudian slip * psychotherapist * Reduplicative paramnesia * suicide

Merci Pour le Chocolat

Asked by his girlfriend to unofficially analyze a chocolate stain, a novice in a forensic pathology lab identifies Rohypnol (first naming it benzodiazepine in the English subtitles). Is the drug a murder weapon or just a poor choice of hypnotic for a concert pianist with chronic insomnia?

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How About You

Bereavement and loss of many kinds pervade this film. An older man now abstinent provides an authentic description of a career of alcoholism and the toll it took on his life, but the portrayal of marijuana use exaggerates the positive.

abstinence alcoholism bereavement marijuana

Falling Angels

The fallout shelter buried in the yard occasionally provides refuge but mostly adds to the emotional fallout from the death of a baby boy of a couple ill equipped to cope with it. The negative effect on the daughters now in their teens is devastating; dad is accused of being a tyrant; and mom acts depresses. Marijuana and LSD use are portrayed as recreational, but both parents drink alcoholically throughout this painful film. The mother’s death at the end may have been accidental or suicide or a little of each.

alcoholism bereavement depression LSD marijuana suicide

Go

An apt title for my first post. Some Thorazine would have helped during this agitating film. The scenes related to drug dealing seemed authentic as did the depiction of intoxication with (what was sold as -- you never know what you get on the street folks) ecstasy. Hang on tight!

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