1. Anti-PTSD
At the other end of the spectrum, we have those characters who should, after the events of several films / television series, be locked up in a paddled cell, drooling and rocking back and forth. Characters who should be so crippled by the trauma of the events they faced that they are both a danger to themselves and everyone around them. And yet, these characters dont seem to show any sign of PTSD. They might be a bit aggressive, a bit anti-social, but they function in society. They have lives. People to love. Families to care for. Nothing will break them. Take John McClane of
Die Hard and its many sequels. Let me count the traumatic events in his life. Armed terrorists kidnapped his wife and he single handedly took them out barefoot. Score one for the hero. Then his wife was on a plane targeted by terrorists. Despite all his efforts, he failed to save the crashing of one plane and the deaths of all onboard, despite his wife living to survive another day (off screen at this point) Forced into a twisted, explosive game of Simon says across New York at the hands of a villain wanting revenge for the death of his terrorist brother from the first film. Then his daughter is kidnapped. And finally he must attempt a rescue attempt of his son from Russia, where they become engaged in a nuclear threat. And you know what, they delve a little is alcoholism and failed relationships, but John McClane still battles on, quips and all. And we love him for that. Even if we do begin to wonder how isnt a dribbling wreck by now! And then theres Jack Bauer. Okay, I know its television, but the hero of
24, due to return to our screens nest year for another day of trauma, is John McClane x 10. Trauma? McClane has nothing on Jack. His daughter was kidnapped (many timesincluding by a cougar?!) His ex-lover murdered his wife. He was forced to become a drug addict. Nearly every one of his friends, loves and allies were murdered, except his friend Tony who came back from the dead as a quasi villain. He was kidnapped and tortured by the Chinese for months and then saw the same thing happen to his latest love (who was a dribbling wreck after ONE TRAUMATIC EVENT) Was forced to fake his death / go on the run for the authorities he had served for years (currently hes a fugitive) Oh and his father was a villain. Okay, he might be a little rough around the edgesand okay he did shed a tear at the end of season 3, but you know what? Jack Bauer will be back next year, kicking ass. And very much alive. I cant wait. Even if he should have jumped off a cliff by now. So what are your thoughts? How well do movies depict mental illness? Are there enough that get it right? Are rom-coms all sick and insidious? How unrealistic are the central characters of traumatic, action franchises? Does it matter if the acting is phenomenal? Let me know in your comments below