thePULSESoothing your tormented soul at the local video store
March 2004 – The language of film is universal. The medium was the dominant art form of the 20th century, and with box office grosses and DVD sales breaking records annually, the dominance of film as our favorite cultural medium shows no signs of giving way.
During any one year, over 50 million Americans — over 20% — suffer from some sort of diagnosable mental disorder that affects their lives in some concrete way. Fewer than one-third of those people seek any kind of treatment.
Like a deep, sociological Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, film and psychotherapy have come together. While one might find it difficult to come across a therapist whose stock-in-trade is this increasingly popular but largely untested method of peeling away of feelings, many will oblige any patient for whom this is the path of least resistance. For now, at least, cinema therapy is a trendy accessory, though what the future holds for it is anyone’s crazy guess, and while it is certainly not a substitute for counseling, it is certainly worth exploring. Here is how you can learn more about soothing those things that might be weighing heavy on your heart:
The Motion Picture Prescription: Watch This Movie and Call Me in the Morning: 200 Movies to Help You Heal Life’s Problems by Gary Solomon (Aslan Publishing, 256pp). Comparing the state of denial to a suspension of disbelief is one of the many ways that author Solomon makes his subject matter accessible. In his book, he profiles an impressive 200 different movies from When A Man Loves A Woman to Forrest Gump to Star Wars, relating each to the ways that people hold themselves back. Followed by Reel Therapy, which originated from the many questions from readers while on tour supporting The Motion Picture Prescription.
Rent Two Films and Let’s Talk in the Morning: Using Popular Movies in Psychotherapy by John W. Hesley and Jan G. Hesley (John Wiley & Sons, 384pp). While intended for therapists unfamiliar with “videowork”, this book provides a lot of easy-to-follow structure that self-help fans will find useful in exploring cinema therapy for the first time, as the book provides suggestions for film selection and “assignments”, as well as solid references to readily available films on subjects such as divorce, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Cinematherapy: The Girl’s Guide For Every Mood by Nancy Peske Beverly West (Dell, 272pp). This bestseller may be a little too basic and pop-psych for everyone, but it is nonetheless a good entry into a larger arena. Peske and West target women specifically, though men who require insight into these enigmatic creatures (i.e. every man) will find this book invaluable. Followed by Advanced Cinematherapy, Cinematherapy For The Soul and Cinematherapy For Lovers.
Reel Spirit: A Guide to Movies That Inspire, Explore and Empower by Raymond Teague (Unity House, 483pp). Author Teague, an elder in the Unity Church, has created a fine preventative maintenance handbook of sorts. Instead of taking the standard psychological approach, he presents his deep appreciation for film within the framework of his faith, which, despite its New-Agey Christian trappings, provides some positive, heartful perspectives that viewers may not have considered.
Robert Newton is the Pulse’s DVD critic and long-time film critic for Worcester Magazine.
