Shrinks on Screen:

Psychotherapy in Film and TV

Instructor: Mary Wild

Format: GCAS Zoom for live discussion

Description:

Psychotherapy is not a straightforward process to depict in popular culture. It is common in film and television to see successful treatment emerging from unexpected and sensational catharsis, or unearthing deep secrets; sometimes widespread misconceptions appear about psychotherapy for dramatic effect.

In this course, we will look at examples of shrinks on screen — portrayals of mental health professionals (psychiatrists, social workers, psychoanalysts) and associated motifs: dream analysis, therapeutic alliance, client confidentiality, transference, countertransference, personality disorders, etc. We will critically examine ‘head doctor’ tropes in iconic film/TV therapy sessions that represent the challenges and effectiveness of the talking cure.

Schedule: Sundays

November 26, December 3, 10, 17

Advance viewing is optional. Film scenes will be shown in the course.

Session 1: Film (Sun Nov 26)

Spellbound (1945) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) dir. Miloš Forman

Ordinary People (1980) dir. Robert Redford

Deconstructing Harry (1998) dir. Woody Allen

Session 2: Film (Sun Dec 3)

Girl, Interrupted (1999) dir. James Mangold

Antichrist (2009) dir. Lars von Trier

A Therapy (2012) dir. Roman Polanski

Joker (2019) dir. Todd Phillips

Session 3: Television (Sun Dec 10)

Frasier (1993–2004)

Sex And The City (1998-2004)

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Mad Men (2007-2015)

Session 4: Television (Sun Dec 17)

In Treatment (2008–2010)

Hannibal (2013–2015)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)