Prozac Nation (2001)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Erik Skjoldbjærg

Writers (WGA):

Elizabeth Wurtzel (based on the book by)
Galt Niederhoffer (adaptation)

Release Date:

22 August 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Pledge allegiance. Life's a drag.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Depression | Suicide Attempt | Roommate | University | Actress Breaking Typecast

Cast

Christina Ricci	...	Elizabeth
Jason Biggs	...	Rafe
Anne Heche	...	Dr. Sterling
Michelle Williams	...	Ruby
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Noah (as Jonathan Rhys-Meyers)
Jessica Lange	...	Mrs. Wurtzel
Jesse Moss	...	Sam
Nicholas Campbell	...	Donald (as Nick Campbell)
Zoe Miller	...	Elizabeth at 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 | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:11 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

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:

Continuity: When Ruby and Elizabeth are talking after she has sex, Elizabeth is lying on the bed and has the pillow behind her head. In the shot in the mirror she has the pillow almost under her.

Quotes:

Ruby: Lizzy, I'm not crying because you're mean. I just can't imagine how incredibly painful it must be to be you.

Movie Connections:

References The Last Waltz (1978)

Soundtrack:

Ivory Tower

Christina Ricci's most gripping performance

I picked up the DVD of "Prozac Nation" at a great low price, and I am pleased to say that this movie was well worth the money. I liked this movie so much that I can't wait to read the book when I find it (the film is based on the novel of the same name).

The movie tells the true story of Elizabeth Wurtzel (played by the beautiful Christina Ricci)and her battle with depression. She gets tired of life and nears suicide. However, she struggles to stay alive throughout her life in the 1980's, when sex and drugs ruled.

Christina Ricci was the best at acting in this film. Her performance was very realistic and true as the depressed Elizabeth. I myself had to combat depression before, so I know the things she was going through, and I know how she feels. She was really trying her best to survive in the movie, and I appreciate the film-makers efforts to show it on the screen. And aside from her character in the film, Christina Ricci herself was beautiful; her gorgeous nude body is shown at the beginning of the movie!

The movie put great effort to give the background scenery an 80's feel, since the book was based in the 1980's. However, I noticed that there were glaring anachronisms (mistakes in the timeline setting of the movie) that distracted me slightly from the story. But still, I got over it and continued watching the movie.

The anachronisms was one of the two things that I didn't like in the movie. The second thing I hated was Elizabeth's mom (played by Jessica Lange); she was a very annoying and clichéd character. Without Jessica Lange's exaggerated performance, the movie would have been nearly perfect.

Aside from those two things, the movie was very good and interesting. I never imagined that there would actually be a true story about depression portrayed in a movie. It was good to see this movie, since it would help spread awareness about depression. It's too bad that the author of the book didn't like the film.

I give this film an 8/10.