Prozac Nation
by Erik Skjoldbjærg
List Price:
Our Price: $8.48
You Save: $21.51 (72%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.79 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anne Heche, Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs, Jessica Lange, Jonathan Rhys MeyersDirector: Erik Skjoldbjærg
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Producer: Andrea Sperling
Producer: Andrew Sugerman
Producer: Avi Lerner
Writer: Elizabeth Wurtzel
Writer: Frank Deasy
Writer: Galt Niederhoffer
Writer: Larry Gross
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-07-05
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Prozac Nation
Movie Review: "They Thought I Was Strange, So They Made Me Feel Like A Stranger"
Summary: 5 Stars
Nevermind the dismissive tone of Amazon's chosen Editorial Reviews above, for there are clearly certain personality types - and often in our society, "favored" types - who will perceive viewing this film as enduring a two-hour "P.M.S. tantrum:" those detached from their own well-guarded, repressed emotions, who are disdainful of and threatened by confronting the crucial emotional/spiritual aspects of existence{gender/culture conditioning}. When confronted with those unable to conceal their grappling with inner demons, often what is referred to as "whining," it reminds them of their own apathy, of how they themselves deal with personal depression and societal issues[downplayed, repressed, sublimated through cultural passtimes and priorities grounded in materialism and competition], and, are compelled to lash out at those who won't and can't simply shut the pain and confusion off and out like flickering a light switch. It logically follows that such strains have become a predominant defense mechanism within what Elizabeth Wurtzel rightfully termed a "Prozac nation;" ignoring the source of the troubles while putting band-aids on the symptoms.
Given how we men have our emotions systematically repressed from birth{channeled into aggression i.e. benefiting state/corporate powers's reliance on unconscionability}, is it any wonder why our species is in the state it is in? ...that young women grow up seeing the primary example of man, their fathers, as being distant, aloof, irresponsible, unable to relate to them? ...that generation after generation of dysfunctional parents are all the more incapable of nurturing and guiding their own children's spiritual well being, and shrug off the imposition by instead relying on an educational{indoctrinational}system which clearly offers little in the way of preparing young souls and minds to value, express and interact outside of corporatized, consumer culture's values and goals as the exalted ideal of human existence?
Christina Ricci and Jessica Lange are emotionally livid in Erik Skjoldbjerg''s adaptation of Elizabeth Wurtzel's autobiography. Ricci, as Elizabeth, is quite believable and sympathetic within her character's introversion and psychic suffering, as is Lange. Everyone can probably identify with these two on some level. They're an example of wrong priorities enstilled and established early on, yet like most people, can "function" within the social dysfunction until the weight of reality begins to press in from all sides.
It's through the familiarity of common ruses, indirectness, and the Unspoken Law of not committing the heresy of being "too real" outside of a prescribed cultural affectation that allows people to keep the illusory peace by pretending it's *not* the life they've made. Elizabeth and her mother are the embodiment of this: an individual's "inner"{truth}at war with that which manifests as that person's "outer"{illusory}which is predicated upon what the individual perceives as the sometimes intolerable inconsistencies of social directives and expectations.
I believe that women have more socially accepted options of expression/communication than do men, at least throughout the formative years: they can repress and try to become more akin to "one of the guys"{messy emotions = bad/wrong/"sissy"}, or they can be more individualistic, artistically aware, socially conscious, and the varying degrees of unfulfillment, unhappiness, depression, neurosis, etc that may manifest are perceived as more 'typical' of the feminine, as where with young men, expression of traditionally "weaker" emotions lends to bullying and ostracism from family and peers, male and female alike. Many times, the various outlets and perge valves necessary to help and inspire the individual aren't seen as an option until young people reach college age, so, especially for young men, there's a pre-established inclanation toward "self medicating" and violence. I think this explains the "Columbine" dilemma of our culture.
"Men don't show emotion, except rage, because it takes strength to show soft emotions. Most men don't have that kind of strength. They keep things inside. Then they kill someone." ~ George Carlin
It's unfortunate to see young women as well aspiring toward this supposed existential ideal. It's what being "one of the guys" is all about: pecking order.
"Prozac Nation" deals with those emotions, so naturally many people won't like it because such examination is seen as a downer, infringing upon the usual ignore-ance. It doesn't focus so much on Ricci's character moving from point A to point B{"gradually..then, suddenly"}as it offers an unflinching perspective on the psychic and emotional damage to the individual - and to those around them - stemming from the individual confronting the demands and impositions of What Is Expected of the individual within a mass society long out of touch with what's required for a healthy existence.
This film is far and away Ricci's opportunity to shine, and that she does. She either was able to draw from experience or tap into something universal. She's beginning to take on the old Harry Dean Stanton rule of thumb for movies; if she's attached to the project, it's likely going to be worthwhile. If you got something out of "Prozac Nation," I'd also recommend the compelling "Imaginary Heroes," with Jeff Daniels and Sigourney Weaver.
Summary of Prozac Nation
A young woman struggles with depression during her first year at harvard. Based on elizbeth wurtzels novel. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 07/05/2005 Starring: Christina Ricci Anne Heche Run time: 95 minutes Rating: RSimilar DVD Movies
ThirteenHUNTER,HOLLY; Release date: 2004-01-27; DVD
Best price: $7.13
Price in other shops:
MonsterMonster; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $2.50
Price in other shops:
Daydream NationABE; Release date: 2011-05-17; DVD
Best price: $6.47
Price in other shops:
The Virgin SuicidesWoods; Release date: 2000-12-19; Published: 2000-12-01; DVD
Best price: $22.19
The Opposite of SexSony; Release date: 1998-11-17; DVD
Best price: $9.42
Price in other shops:
Prozac Nation (Movie Tie-In)by Elizabeth Wurtzel
Riverhead Trade; Published: 2002-04-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.82
Price in other shops:
The GatheringGenius; Release date: 2007-01-30; DVD
Best price: $2.05
Price in other shops:
PumpkinMGM (Video & DVD); Release date: 2002-11-05; DVD
Best price: $3.97
Price in other shops:
After.LifeABE; Release date: 2010-08-03; DVD
Best price: $6.46
Price in other shops:
Black Snake MoanParamount; Release date: 2007-06-26; Published: 2007-06-01; DVD
Best price: $3.77
Price in other shops: