Last night after a long final day at the Atlanta Gift Mart, I walked in the house to JT entranced at the TV. We've all heard of the old movie Girl, Interrupted capturing Winona Ryder in an institution. Boy Interrupted is also about mental illness, however, it is a compelling indie HBO documentary brought to life by Evan Perry's parents, Dana and Hart. I don't want to ramble so I'll summarize briefly what the movie is about.
Evan Perry committed suicide at the age of 15.
Evan had bipolar disorder.
Evan's Uncle Scott committed suicide at the age of 21.
Scott had bipolar disorder.
The film is moving, powerful, exhausting, sad but necessary.
Going off medications can be life threatening.
Evan represents so many who experience medication side-effects, distorted perceptions, hopelessness, pointlessness as noted in his suicide note below.
Evan's parents, brothers, friends, teacher and Psychiatrist all give important insight to this dreadful illness.
In summary, I'm stunned his parents had the mental fortitude to make this film. It gives me hope that others may see the film and learn about how hard it is to live with a mental illness whether it be depression, bipolar, schizophrenia or anxiety. One snippet of the film that resonated with me was an interview with one of Evan's closest school friends. He was devastated and shocked to read Evan's note with the list of things to die for. For me, it confirmed how others around us are the last people to know what is going on at times. On the bright side, there is always hope. I define hope. I define survival. I define recovery. I define life.
Boy Interrupted
The film is moving, powerful, exhausting, sad but necessary.
Going off medications can be life threatening.
Evan represents so many who experience medication side-effects, distorted perceptions, hopelessness, pointlessness as noted in his suicide note below.
Evan's parents, brothers, friends, teacher and Psychiatrist all give important insight to this dreadful illness.
In summary, I'm stunned his parents had the mental fortitude to make this film. It gives me hope that others may see the film and learn about how hard it is to live with a mental illness whether it be depression, bipolar, schizophrenia or anxiety. One snippet of the film that resonated with me was an interview with one of Evan's closest school friends. He was devastated and shocked to read Evan's note with the list of things to die for. For me, it confirmed how others around us are the last people to know what is going on at times. On the bright side, there is always hope. I define hope. I define survival. I define recovery. I define life.
Boy Interrupted
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