Prozac Nation (2001)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Erik Skjoldbjærg

Writers (WGA):

Elizabeth Wurtzel (book)
Galt Niederhoffer (adaptation)

Release Date:

22 August 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

young and depressed in america

Plot:

A young woman struggles with depression during her first year at Harvard. Based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's novel.

Plot Keywords:

Depression | Roommate | University | Suicide Attempt | Reference To Ernest Hemingway

Cast

Christina Ricci	...	Elizabeth Wurtzel
Jason Biggs	...	Rafe
Anne Heche	...	Dr. Sterling
Michelle Williams	...	Ruby
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Noah
Jessica Lange	...	Mrs. Wurtzel
Jesse Moss	...	Sam
Nicholas Campbell	...	Donald (as Nick Campbell)
Zoe Miller	...	Elizabeth at age 12
Sheila Paterson	...	Grandmother
Rob Freeman	...	Mister Cool
Nicole Parker	...	Waitress (as Nicole Parker Smith)
Frida Betrani	...	Julia
Klodyne Rodney	...	Nurse
Ian Tracey	...	Rolling Stone Editor

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug content, sexuality/nudity and some disturbing images.

Runtime:

95 min | Canada:99 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG

Trivia:

Filmed in 2000, Miramax films planned on releasing the film in late 2001, but shelved it indefinitely in the US. A number of reasons were given for the delay, from the unlikeable nature of the central heroine to writer Elizabeth Wurtzel's offensive comments about 9/11, to the fact that Wurtzel noted that the movie was "horrible." The movie finally debuted on the Starz! network in 2005 when, following the exit of Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein from Miramax, all pending films were released, in one form or another.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Elizabeth looks down below from the hospital balcony, several cars are shown. One of them is a modern-day (non-1980s) taxi cab.

Quotes:

Elizabeth: You know, if you're going to suggest therapy, don't. I'm living proof it doesn't work.

Movie Connections:

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Soundtrack:

The Promise

A girl suffers from debilitating depression at Harvard.

I thought that the main problem with Prozac Nation was that it just seemed to lack focus. The movie obviously compressed a lot of details in the book, but I think if it had just focused on the main crisis of the book, the character's descent into depression would have been easier to understand and empathize. As it was, it tried to do that, but it also tried to cram in other things, and I feel that if I hadn't read the book or gone through something similar myself, I would not have understood why Lizzie was so afflicted at this particular point in her life.

I thought the acting was excellent: Michelle Williams and Jason Biggs were great, and Christina Ricci was phenomenal, capturing the entire range of the pain and anger and self-loathing of depression. I thought Jessica Lange put in a good performance, although her bizarre accent and the fact that she in no way resembles the darker and petite Christina Ricci was really distracting. I was simply unable to believe she was her mother, and certainly not a Jewish mother.

If you're a fan of one or more of the actors, I would watch the movie for the sake of appreciating their skill. Or, if you've suffered from severe depression, then watch it and know that there are other people who feel the same way you do and think the same thoughts as you, and who would understand why you feel and act the way you do. Otherwise, skip it. If you don't understand depression before going into the film, it is unlikely that this it will shed any light on the topic for you. It's pretty much impossible to understand unless you've been there yourself.