Although this film rushes in its attempt to present a critically important topic in the history of forced psychiatric treatment in the US, the tears and laughs flowed easily and the film was very very moving.
I saw this film at screening with real-life attorney on the case Collette Hughes, members of the production, and an actor.
--- The opening scene is quite graphic and people who have experienced trauma, especially institutional abuse in psychiatric settings, should be warned.
Some general take-aways for me were: 1) insight into the issue of human rights for all people, but especially the apparent lack of it available to people ensconced in the psychiatricolegal system
2) the value of seeking justice with and for the most oppressed classes in our society (eg, psych pts, the only people whose human right to freedom of movement can be revoked by doctors)
3) the beauty and importance of patience, respect, and love between people - and how it leads to successes even in otherwise impersonal settings and institutions.
SPOILERS!
Critique -
I would have personally liked to see a little more about the motivation for the suit -- namely, the real harms of neuroleptic drugs (psychiatric medications) which directly led to Eleanor's very premature death.
I saw this film at screening with real-life attorney on the case Collette Hughes, members of the production, and an actor.
--- The opening scene is quite graphic and people who have experienced trauma, especially institutional abuse in psychiatric settings, should be warned.
Some general take-aways for me were: 1) insight into the issue of human rights for all people, but especially the apparent lack of it available to people ensconced in the psychiatricolegal system
2) the value of seeking justice with and for the most oppressed classes in our society (eg, psych pts, the only people whose human right to freedom of movement can be revoked by doctors)
3) the beauty and importance of patience, respect, and love between people - and how it leads to successes even in otherwise impersonal settings and institutions.
SPOILERS!
Critique -
I would have personally liked to see a little more about the motivation for the suit -- namely, the real harms of neuroleptic drugs (psychiatric medications) which directly led to Eleanor's very premature death.