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NUMB starring Matthew Perry- Strongly Recommended for the Depressed

Posted on December 26, 2009 Written by ripitup

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Numb movie review, starring Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry starrs as Hudson in the 2007 movie Numb

Hudson (Matthew Perry) has a big, psychiatric problem: He is depersonalized- it is a depressive state of mind where he doesn’t feel anything is real, that he doesn’t belong and he is anxious all the time. He hates being this way but he can’t seem to do anything about it either. In his own words, he is fucked up.

He hasn’t had the most fun childhood or the most caring mother but his life as a screenwriter hasn’t been this bad- until now. He tries therapy, prescribed drugs, activities… nothing seems to work. However, meeting the beautiful and fun Sara (Lynn Collins) at least gives him the illusion of happiness and although he is in love with her, the thought that she deserves better keeps nagging at him.

As this movie takes a look at Hudson’s life for 93 minutes, we embark on a bittersweet journey on the mostly dark side of life. There are some really funny bits due some of his therapy sessions and some of his psychiatrists and some desperate reactions from Hudson. He is an original character yet not hard to relate to. In fact, if any of you have gone through any type of depression (and I have. I’m talking about the real thing here, not the occasional blues), this movie just hits home. It is just so real. The bitterness, the pain, the hope, the comedy, functioning, love and relationships…It is a good movie. It is sincere and real.

Matthew Perry is such a good actor. He is so terrific at comedy (Friends, The Whole Nine Yards, Serving Sara…) that sometimes I forget he can do drama. Sure, he has proven his dramatic skills at Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. But now I can honestly say, Perry is just very good. The movie is written/directed by Harris Goldberg. The feel of the film makes me think either Perry or the director (maybe both) might have gone through a similar process.

If you don’t like it, you probably never have been actually depressed. Well, I am jealous. But if you have, just do not miss this movie. It just might help with the healing process. And you have to love the tagline: Love is better unmedicated.

Numb on Amazon

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: comedy, depression, drama, Harris Goldberg, Lynn Collins, Matthew Perry, movie review, Numb

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin

Posted on August 6, 2009 Written by ripitup

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Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin
Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin

Jones (Richard Gere) is hyper and fun. His lust for life is extreme. It is like he has the energy of ten men restored in him. His energy and happiness are contagious. Oh, sure it can be irritating as hell, depending on how your own day is going. He loves to laugh, flirt and spend. He loves to dance and he can play music so incredibly well.

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin
Scene from Mr. Jones

But this is a good day. It is the manic side of his manic depression,also called the bipolar disorder. He hates being hospitalized and he hates medicine. What he likes, though, is the pretty doctor treating him: Elizabeth (Lena Olin). She  wants to treat him. He is more intrested in flirting. After he dodges hospitalization,however, his doctor’s fears/or let’s say the realistic expectations are realized. The depression takes over.

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin
Still from Mr. Jones: Richard Gere

The depressed side is maybe even worse than a regularly depressed patient, because you fall down so hard and so fast- and you really don’t know what has hit you. You hate yoursef,your life, and life in general. You transfer from being your best friend and your fav. person on earth to your biggest enemy and someone you don’t really recognize. So this time Jones is too desperate to turn down treatment. However a psychiatric hospital makes Jones even more depressed. The thing with manic-depression is that you are aware of the ridiculousness and the extremity of the situation. You are sane. So while his mood swings are balanced with medication, his personality is sedated too. He is miserable there.

So what do you do with a patient who is- on a good day- better and more rational than you and on a bad day questions everything, feels isolated and lost? After Elizabeth’s intrusion in his previous life (partly from curiousity and partly for his treatment and, welll partly she has feelings for him) – they have a huge  fight, Jones gets angry and leaves. Liz doesn’t let him go and well, things gets even more complicated for both…

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin
Still from Mr. Jones: Richard Gere and Lena Olin

Both characters are problematic and romantic. Both leads are beautiful. The movie brought me really up and put me down at the same time. It still haunts me. Because people, you  can dismiss the actions of Liz, and the relationship as romantisized but Jones is very true  to heart. No, this is not my Richard gere crush talking. I know a manic- depressive very well…

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena OlinRichard Gere and Lena Olin in Mr. Jones

Richard Gere and Lena Olin in Mr. Jones

P.S: Give Mad Love a chance too. Depending  on whether you are a little crazy/impulsive by nature and/or manic-depressive you might identify with Drew Barrymore’s character. If not, the sensitive Matt  (Chris O’ Donnell) might appeal to you.

Another good movie about depression:

Numb starring Matthew Perry

Other Posts on Richard Gere

Brooklyn’s Finest starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle

Sommersby starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster

Nicolas Sparks vs. Happy Endings – featuring Nights in Rodanthe starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere.

Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

Allure of the older Guy feat. Richard Gere


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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Chris O' Donnell, depression, drama, Drew Barrymore, Lena Olin, Mad Love, manic-depression, movies, movies about depression, Mr. Jones, Richard Gere, romance

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