[*Beth*]

I know we've listed a number of documentaries and movies on the subject of bipolar disorder and discussed them. I promised Buddha1too that I would find our old threads, but I'm looking for a needle in a haystack. Can we re-list the docs/films that we remember on this thread? Soupe and Moose, both of you have especially good ideas.

Of course, any of these can be triggering. Personally, I found them to be inspiring, too.

The movie that stands out in my mind (despite the silly romantic side story) is Mr. Jones, with Richard Gere. Touched with Fire is another movie I found intriguing and helpful. I've heard about Infinitely Polar Bear, but I haven't seen it yet. I thought Silver Linings Playbook was ridiculous (but a lot of people like it).

Some docs: Of Two Minds, Raising Bipolar, Bipolarized.

Anyway, those are a few I can come up with. If anyone else wants to add more titles, go for it...

[*Beth*]

I'm thinking specifically of the documentary that portrays an older man who is an artist (he has paintings in his apartment and he seems to live for his lovely art) and I wish I could recall the rest of it more clearly...I remember thinking it was a well-done one.

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YAY! Think I found it! It's called Of Two Minds. I'm pretty sure those of us who watched it were impressed with it. It's on Amazon.

[NaoSky]

Yes, great idea! When I was depressed I didn’t understand how this could help me, so I didn’t watch anything till I was almost out of the depression. My daughter suggested that I watch “Spinning out” on Netflix and I really loved it. Honestly it helped me realize that I can be successful despite the illness. I not only feel normal again, but better because I’m now being honest about who I really am and doing things I could never decide on because I don’t think I ever truly knew myself. I hid so many parts to me... well the mania forced everything out and thanks to this series I felt like I don’t have to hide anymore and I can accept my illness!

[Soupe du jour]

Beth, you might remember that I am also a fan of "Mr. Jones", and agree that the romance was unnecessary and could have been eliminated with a different and better focus. Nevertheless, I think Richard Gere (and the screen writers) nailed classic bipolar disorder type 1. I sort of liked that the movie also showed how a man with incredible potential had his curbed by the disorder. I think there could have been a way to give the movie an even happier ending without the love and sex. Or if they insisted on some form of love, it should have been a transference and/or countertransference that was appropriate and utilized correctly.

I've seen a number of documentaries over the years. Some are a bit fuzzy in my brain. One that I think people may appreciate is "Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive". Fry is a British actor/comedian, but put together this most respectable documentary. It does portray actors and actresses, which can get old, but it also includes interviews with others, including psychiatrists. Even the actors/actresses do a good job of describing their illnesses and difficulties/successes. It's two parts. Part one is at

Though not exactly "bipolar movies", a few very good movies many may not have seen, that include characters with the disorder (or likely) are "Splendor in the Grass" starring Natalie Wood, "Camille Claudel" starring Isabel Adjani, "Michael Clayton" with Tom Wilkinson as the bipolar character, and "Frances" starring Jessica Lange. Natalie Wood and Jessica Lange are outstanding in their respective movies! Anyone who has had a mixed episode may relate to this [Trigger Warning]:

All but "Michael Clayton" are set well into the past.These movies really emphasize how superficial "Silver Linings Playbook" portrayal was.

I attended a talk by the psychiatrist in the video

. He discussed (and played) composer Robert Schumann's works composed when manic. Another bit of music likely composed partially during mania was Beethoven's "Grosse Fuge". You can hear the music at

These clearly reflect flight of ideas (racing thoughts). The Beethoven video is particularly powerful in that you see the written music's intensity, too.

[*Beth*]

Thank you, Soupe! The Stephen Fry doc was one of the really good ones that I couldn't recall the name of.